Low Orbit Ion Cannon

Low Orbit Ion Cannon ( LOIC, engl. " Ion cannon in low orbit ") is a load testing application for networks. It produces a high load on the target computer whose behavior can then be observed up to failure. LOIC is open source software and public domain. The name of the software refers to a fictional weapon of mass destruction from the computer game Command & Conquer.

Development and use

LOIC is written in C # and was originally developed by Praetox Technologies. It performs a denial of service (DoS) attack against a target computer from by these flooded with TCP packets, UDP packets, or HTTP requests to paralyze with the intention of the particular service or the entire computer. If several LOIC users together and attack the same target, it is called a distributed denial of service attack (DDoS ), ie a distributed attack. Its meaning acquires the program mainly by its simple operation, low demands on the user's skills.

This version can be put " Fashion Hive " and then be controlled centrally via Internet Relay Chat in the so-called. Thus, it allows the participation of attacks without much action on their part. A new implementation in JavaScript called " JS LOIC " can be started from the browser and reduces the demands on the capabilities of the user to the calling of a website and pressing a button. For all versions of LOIC, the IP address can, however, be relatively easily tracked. This allows the identification of the attacker when he is not protected by an anonymizer program. By such protection but is usually reduced the data transfer rate to the extent that a DoS attack is no longer possible.

Legal situation

The feasible with the program DoS attacks are threatened in Germany by a custodial sentence of up to two years or a fine. (Data change according to § 303a StGB). Once the attack is successful and the data page is no longer available, the maximum term of imprisonment is increased to three years ( computer sabotage by § 303b StGB). In addition, civil claims may be asserted.

In the United Kingdom threatens even to the naked downloading the program a prison sentence of two years.

In the Netherlands, stands on participating in DDoS attacks a prison sentence of six years.