• Hacking News
    • Leaks
    • WikiLeaks
    • Anonymous
  • Tech
    • Android
    • Apple News
    • BlackBerry
    • Google News
    • Microsoft
    • Motorola
    • Nokia
    • Samsung
    • 3D
  • Cyber Crime
    • Phishing Scam
  • How To
  • Cyber Events
    • Censorship
    • Cyber Attacks
  • Security
    • Malware
  • Surveillance
    • Drones
    • NSA
    • Privacy
  • Explore
    • Gaming
    • Science
    • Viral
HackRead
  • January 28th, 2021
  • Home
  • Advertise
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us
HackRead
  • Hacking News
    • Leaks
    • WikiLeaks
    • Anonymous
  • Tech
    • Android
    • Apple News
    • BlackBerry
    • Google News
    • Microsoft
    • Motorola
    • Nokia
    • Samsung
    • 3D
  • Cyber Crime
    • Phishing Scam
  • How To
  • Cyber Events
    • Censorship
    • Cyber Attacks
  • Security
    • Malware
  • Surveillance
    • Drones
    • NSA
    • Privacy
  • Explore
    • Gaming
    • Science
    • Viral
  • Follow us
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Linkedin
    • Youtube
Home
Cyber Events
Cyber Attacks

Attacker demands ransom after series of DDoS attacks on Poker site

September 5th, 2017 Waqas Cyber Attacks, Cyber Crime, Security 0 comments
Attacker demands ransom after series of DDoS attacks on Poker site
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

On the evening of September 1st, 2017, an unknown attacker conducted a series of massive DDoS attacks on the servers of America’s Cardroom and its Winning Poker Network (WPN) forcing its services including Online Super Series (OSS) Cub3d to go offline.

The site confirmed the attack in a Tweet at 2:12 am revealing that “We are currently experiencing a DDOS attack, all running tournaments have been paused. Will keep you updated.”

We are currently experiencing a DDOS attack, all running tournaments have been paused. Will keep you updated

— Americas Cardroom (@ACR_POKER) September 1, 2017

However, at 2:41 AM another Tweet from the company announced that due to non-stop DDoS attack it has no other option but to cancel all the ongoing tournaments. “At this moment, the tournaments department is canceling and refunding all tournaments as per our terms and conditions.”

at this moment, the tournaments department is canceling and refunding all tournaments as per our terms and conditions.

— Americas Cardroom (@ACR_POKER) September 1, 2017

At 2:59 AM, a Tweet came up with a good news stating that the DDoS attacks have been mitigated and the client is back up. “Our techs have been able to mitigate the DDOS attack; the client is back up. If you need any further assistance, please contact our CS dept,” the Tweet said.

Our techs have been able to mitigate the DDOS attack, the client is back up. If you need any further assitance please contact our CS dept

— Americas Cardroom (@ACR_POKER) September 1, 2017

However, 5:20 AM the company Tweeted that their networks are under another DDoS attack forcing the site to pause all running tournaments. “We are experiencing another DDOS attack; our techs are working in order to mitigate it. All running tournaments have been paused.”

We are experiencing another DDOS attack, our techs are working in order to mitigate it. All running tournaments have been paused

— Americas Cardroom (@ACR_POKER) September 1, 2017

Then at 3:53 PM which was 10 hours after their last Tweet the network said they are still facing DDoS attacks causing the service outage. “The DDOS attack is still underway Our techs are mitigating it, causing for some players not being able to connect. Will update soon.”

The DDOS attack is still underway Our techs are mitigating it, causing for some players not being able to connect. Will update soon

— Americas Cardroom (@ACR_POKER) September 1, 2017

At 5:40 PM the poker site again mitigated the attacks but after a few hours, ie, the very next day on 2nd September, America’s Cardroom sent a series of Tweets announcing that all running tournaments will be canceled and refunded since their network is once again under cyber attack.

[fullsquaread][/fullsquaread]

The next day (September 3rd) the company again Tweeted about another DDoS attack and canceling of all running tournaments. However, WPN CEO Phil Nagy explained the situation on his Twitch channel.

According to Nagy: “We had the attacker get on chat and say I am gonna attack you in one minute and he does the attack, but I will never pay an attacker I won’t pay a ransom, I won’t do it because once you get the bully get your lunch money, he’s taking your money all the time. Once they make you a bit*h, you are a bit*h, and I don’t like the idea of being a bit*h.”

Nagy told the attacker to “get some job,” in reply, the attacker said, “This is my job, some other site is paying me to attack you.”

WPN is not new to the DDoS attacks as Nagy said: “Throughout the year We have suffered DDoS attacks.” He also plans to implement proper security measure to avoid damage in case they are under cyber attack in the future.

In the end, the DDoS attacks were mitigated by the IT department on WPN. However, their websites (americascardroom.eu and americascardroom.net) were still offline.

With each day passing, the incidents involving DDoS attacks leading to ransom demand are increasing. The most prominent incident was witnessed in November 2015 when encrypted email service ProtonMail suffered non-stop DDoS attacks after which attackers demanded ransom. ProtonMail then paid $6000 as ransom, but the attacks continued nevertheless.

The same is the case with ransomware attacks in which attackers infect a targeted system, take control and demand ransom money. The latest example is South Korean web hosting company NAYANA who had their Linux based server infected with Erebus ransomware. The company ended up paying $1m ransom.

Watch live video from AmericasCardroom on www.twitch.tv

  • Tags
  • Cyber Attack
  • Cyber Crime
  • DDOS
  • gaming
  • internet
  • Ransom
  • security
  • Technology
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest
Previous article Spam Campaigns Using Trickbot Banking Trojan Against Cryptocurrencies
Next article Chinese Man Who Sold VPNs Gets 9 Months Prison Sentence
Waqas

Waqas

I am a UK-based cybersecurity journalist with a passion for covering the latest happenings in cyber security and tech world. I am also into gaming, reading and investigative journalism

Related Posts
NetWalker ransomware disrupted - Cryptocurrency and domain seized

NetWalker ransomware disrupted - Cryptocurrency and domain seized

World's Most 'Resilient Malware' Botnet Emotet Taken Down

World's Most 'Resilient Malware' Botnet Emotet Taken Down

Top Cybersecurity Threats to Watch in 2021

Top Cybersecurity Threats to Watch in 2021

Newsletter

Get the best stories straight into your inbox!



Don’t worry, we don’t spam

Latest Posts
NetWalker ransomware disrupted - Cryptocurrency and domain seized
Cyber Crime

NetWalker ransomware disrupted - Cryptocurrency and domain seized

43
Transferring Whatsapp data from iPhone to Android with MobileTrans
How To

Transferring Whatsapp data from iPhone to Android with MobileTrans

29
World's Most 'Resilient Malware' Botnet Emotet Taken Down
Cyber Crime

World's Most 'Resilient Malware' Botnet Emotet Taken Down

85

HACKREAD is a News Platform that centers on InfoSec, Cyber Crime, Privacy, Surveillance and Hacking News with full-scale reviews on Social Media Platforms & Technology trends. Founded in 2011, HackRead is based in the United Kingdom.

Follow us