I'd be interested to hear how Matthew Prince at Cloudflare would mitigate these NTP/SSDP amplification attacks.
While I agree they are a juicy target for nation states, without proof that claim rings hallow. Why would the NSA/Russians/Chinese want $6000 from Protonmail when all they'd have to do is use XKEYSCORE to filter out Protonmail users and hack computers to get the secret E-mail at layer 7. Shutting down the Protonmail doesn't help a nation state at all. They WANT to know who's sending/receiving encrypted E-mail. The second wave of the attack would be as simple as targeting the last few hops to protonmail. That's not rocket science. If extortion was the goal of a nation state, we'd all be broke.
This attack smells more of a sophisticated asshole blackhat haxor with some advanced tools and a knowledge of vulnerabilities in critical internet protocols.
Try Linux.
http://www.restorethefourth.net/
“The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures...”Find a Protest in Your Area and help Secure YOUR PrivacySpread the word. It's started. #RESTORETHEFOURTH
The US gov's "trash his reputation machine" is in overdrive.
“This administration also puts forward a false choice between the liberties we cherish and the security we provide. I will provide our intelligence and law enforcement agencies with the tools they need to track and take out the terrorists without undermining the Constitution and our freedom. That means no more illegal wiretapping of American citizens. No more national security letters to spy on citizens who are not suspected of a crime. No more tracking citizens who do nothing but protest a misguided war. No more ignoring the law when it is inconvenient. It is not who we are. It is not what is necessary to defeat the terrorists. The FISA Court works. The separation of powers works. Our Constitution works. We will again set an example for the world that the law is not subject to the whims of stubborn rulers and that justice is not arbitrary. This administration acts like violating civil liberties is the way to enhance our security. It is not. There are no short cuts to protecting America.” - Obama
Barack Obama: 10 Questions: Warrantless Wiretaps
Offline action taken. I protest and don't just sit on my ass. I spread the word. Comments on hn is just one mechanism. I fully agree with you though, get off your ass and do something.
"Those Who Sacrifice Liberty For Security Deserve Neither." - Benjamin Franklin
Make no mistake, we live in very dangerous world but it's now clear that the danger is being generated or at least perpetuated by the US government. The war on terror is a lie. We're openly funding terror. The police state is here. The industrial military complex war machine will never stop.
The Patriot act is a danger to free people everywhere. What's wrong with getting a warrant? Due process and the US constitution is dead and you are okay with that? He is not Bradley Manning. Bradley Manning leak may have caused people to get killed. Some people don't want to live in a world where they are not free. You may be fine with that...I'm not.
First they came for the conservatives, and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a conservative.
Then they came for the tea party member, and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a tea party member.
Then they came for the Libertarians, and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a libertarian.
Then they came for the Jews, and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a Jew.
Then they came for the Catholics, and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a Catholic.
Then they came for the Christians, and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a Christian.
Then they came for the Gun Owner, and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a Gun Owner.
Then they came for the activists, and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a activist.
Then they came for me, and there was no one left to speak for me.