Fans around the globe are celebrating as AO3 makes a triumphant return! After enduring a challenging period over the past few days, the dedicated volunteers at AO3 have successfully overcome the malicious DDoS attack that plagued the website.
A DDoS attack, or Distributed Denial-of-Service attack, is a cybercrime in which a server is overwhelmed with an excessive number of requests, rendering it inoperable. For the past two days, AO3 has been targeted by a group known as Anonymous Sudan, a collective of hackers with religious and political motivations. They claim to have attacked AO3 due to its content, which they deem as “disgusting smuts” and other LGBTQ+ and NSFW material.
In their initial declaration, the group stated that the attack would last for only 24 hours. However, they later issued a threat, indicating that unless AO3 paid them $30,000 in Bitcoin, they would continue their assault on the website for weeks.
AO3, short for Archive of Our Own, is a nonprofit website established by the Organisation of Transformative Works. As the most popular platform for fan-created content, AO3 features an extensive collection of fanfiction and other fanworks. Its user-friendly interface allows fans to filter content according to their preferences, making it widely acclaimed by content creators across various fandoms.
AO3 is known for its commitment to inclusivity and minimal content censorship, fostering a safe space for fans to express their creativity. As a nonprofit initiative, AO3 relies solely on contributions from its users and operates with the dedicated support of volunteers. Despite the taxing DDoS attack, AO3’s volunteers have tirelessly worked to restore the website’s functionality. Thanks to their efforts, fans can once again indulge in the repository of content it offers.
Grateful AO3 users have taken to Twitter to express their appreciation for the hardworking volunteers. Additionally, they are encouraging anyone who is able to do so, to donate generously in support of these volunteers’ exceptional dedication.
