Ziggo has been struggling with DDoS attacks in recent days, as a result of which a large part of the users have been without internet for two evenings. What's going on, and what can you do about it?
In a DDoS attack, a large number of computers - often a botnet, a large network of computers - are used to bombard the servers, in this case of Ziggo, with requests. The servers can't handle the sheer number, leading to internet problems for users. On Tuesday and Wednesday, Ziggo was the victim of such an attack. Also read: 'You have to teach yourself to hack'
The attack rendered Ziggo's DNS servers out of use. Simply put, DNS servers ensure that you end up on this website if you type www.computertotaal.nl or www.macworld.nl. Because things went wrong there, you couldn't access the internet via Ziggo's DNS servers.
Fortunately, there are many more DNS servers than just Ziggo's. By adjusting the DNS server in the settings of your PC, Mac, smartphone or tablet, you can still use the internet via Google's servers, for example. Below you can read how to do that.
Windows
In Windows, go to the Control Panel and click Network Connections. Right click on the connection that should actually work and click Characteristics. In the tab Network are you going to the IPv4connection (or in some cases IPv6) and click again Characteristics. Type in the box Preferred DNS Server the numbers 8.8.8.8. This is Google's DNS server. If you can also set up an alternative DNS server, choose 8.8.4.4.
Mac OS X
On your Mac you go via System Preferences nasty Network. Select the connection to repair and click Advanced. Find the tab DNS and add a new server by clicking the plus sign. Enter the server here, for example 8.8.8.8 for Google's server, and 8.8.4.4 as an alternative.
Mobile
You can also easily change the DNS settings on Android and iOS. On iOS you go via Institutions nasty WiFi, press it i-sign behind the relevant network and press the numbers behind DNS. Delete the numbers and type 8.8.8.8 to connect to the Google server.
It works almost the same on Android: Go to Settings > Wi-Fi, hold your finger on the relevant network and select Show advanced options. Here you can change the existing DNS server to 8.8.8.8 for Google's server.
