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aiolos

Thu 13 Apr, 2006


D-Link routers attack time servers

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Home network hardware supplier D-Link has been accused of harming the net's ability to tell the time accurately.<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b> <b style="color:#FFA34F"></b>
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Detective work has found that many D-Link routers,<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b> switches and wireless access points are bombarding some net time servers with huge amounts of data.<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b> <b style="color:#FFA34F"></b>
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Time servers help many net functions run smoothly.<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b> For instance they have a role in deciding who made the last bid in eBay auctions.<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b> <b style="color:#FFA34F"></b>
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D-Link is now taking action after protests from time server overseers.<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b> <b style="color:#FFA34F"></b>
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The problems caused by D-Link hardware came to light thanks to Danish contractor Poul-Henning Kamp who runs Denmark's time server.<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b> Typically the time servers have links with atomic clocks to ensure they are as accurate as possible.<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b> <b style="color:#FFA34F"></b>
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Mr Kamp said his time server started getting hit with a lot more traffic than usual in August 2005.<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b> Initially he thought it was a web attack as some viruses use web clocks to co-ordinate their activities.<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b> <b style="color:#FFA34F"></b>
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However,<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b> digital detective work by Dr Richard Clayton from the security research lab at the University of Cambridge revealed that all the unexpected data was coming from D-Link hardware.<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b>
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Source BBC News <b style="color:#FFA34F"></b>:<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b> h__p:<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b>/<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b>/news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/4906138.stm