Manta Network, a Layer 2 modular blockchain, found itself at the center of a disruptive Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack during its highly anticipated Token Generation Event (TGE). The attack, was reportedly aimed at flooding the Remote Procedure Call (RPC) nodes.

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Attack Details and Impact on Communication

Kenny Li, co-founder of P0xeidon Labs, the cryptographic development team behind Manta Network, reported that the blockchain's nodes were bombarded with over 135 million remote procedure call (RPC) requests on January 18. 

This aggressive assault had a profound impact, severely disrupting communication channels between applications and the blockchain infrastructure.

Despite the chaos, Manta Network assures its user base that the blockchain remains secure, and production is uninterrupted. It is reported that user funds are safely guarded. However, the aftermath of the attack has left the community grappling with sluggish or limited access to Manta's suite of applications, including the popular New Paradigm and Into the Blue.

The DDoS attack coincided with the eagerly awaited MANTA token airdrop scheduled for January 18, 2024. 

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Understanding DDoS Attacks

The term Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) refers to a type of cyberattack in which a flood of Internet traffic is used to disrupt the normal flow of traffic towards a targeted server, service, or network. 

This form of attack relies on networks of infected Internet-connected devices, known as bots or zombies, controlled remotely by the attacker. The attacker orchestrates the attack by sending remote instructions to each bot, collectively forming a botnet. 

When directed towards a victim's server or network, the botnet bombards the target's IP address with requests, potentially overwhelming the system and causing a denial of service to legitimate traffic.

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Ongoing Developments

Despite the unexpected challenges, Manta Network's team extends gratitude to the community for its unwavering support during this difficult period. Acknowledging the mixed feelings within the user base, the team reassures stakeholders that efforts are underway to restore normalcy and enhance the resilience of the blockchain against future threats.

Although Manta Network has experienced setbacks, it has achieved major milestones, including listing its MANTA token on Binance Launchpool, as the 44th project doing so.

Earlier achievements, such as P0xeidon Labs' $25 million Series A funding round and the introduction of Manta Pacific's layer-2 infrastructure, showcase the robustness and innovation of the Manta ecosystem. During the project's testnet launch in July 2023, 150,000 wallets were created and over 3.5 million transactions were processed.