The Internet Archive, a renowned digital library, encountered a significant Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack on May 27, 2024, disrupting most of its services temporarily. Despite the attack, the organization assured users that their data remained secure. The assault, described as a “back and forth battle” with the attackers, necessitated continuous adjustments to mitigate its impact.
The DDoS attack commenced in the early hours of May 27, 2024, prompting the Internet Archive to confirm the incident through its social media channels, including X (formerly Twitter) and Mastodon. Although the data remained intact, access to the majority of the archive’s services, notably the Wayback Machine, was disrupted. Users encountered difficulties accessing the site and its resources, leading to frustration and concern within the digital preservation community.
Efforts to restore services were swiftly undertaken by the Internet Archive’s team, resulting in significant progress within a short span of time. Nevertheless, the attack drew widespread criticism and concern from online communities, with users on platforms like Reddit and Hacker News expressing dismay, likening the assault to “setting fire to a library.”
While the attack did not compromise the integrity of the Archive’s data, the temporary service disruption underscores the vulnerability of even well-established digital repositories to cyber threats. As a critical resource for preserving digital history, the incident highlights the importance of robust cybersecurity measures to safeguard valuable online resources against malicious actors.
