This can't be good news. A new flaw in the TCP protocol was discovered.
The flaw affecting the Internet's "tranmission control protocol," or TCP, was discovered late last year by a computer researcher in Milwaukee, Paul "Tony" Watson, 36, who said he identified a method to reliably trick personal computers and routers into shutting down electronic conversations by resetting the machines remotely.
Routers continually exchange important updates about the most efficient traffic routes between large networks. Continued successful attacks against routers can cause them to go into a stand-by mode, known as "dampening," that can persist for hours.
Update: NetCraft has published an article detailing how this flaw was secretly repaired beginning March 21st when Paul Watson first announced that he had discovered it. Paul Watson presented his research findings at CanSecWest yesterday, April 21st.
Bob Baker