Online marketplace CafePress.com is currently the victim of a distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) assault.

DDoS attacks are used by internet hackers to disrupt web sites, flooding them with traffic from zombie computers and making them inaccessible for the general public.

CafePress.com is a web site that allows internet users to set up their own online store to easily sell customised merchandise such as t-shirts, mugs and and coasters.

CafePress.com handles the web site hosting, order fulfilment and payment processing on behalf of the store owner.

'We have seen denial-of-service attacks against gambling websites in the days before a big horserace, so it's sadly no surprise to see an attack against a popular online store just before Christmas,' said Graham Cluley, senior technology consultant for security software supplier Sophos.

In an emailed statement to its shopkeepers, CafePress confirmed that it has been the victim of a DDoS attack, and that it is working with the authorities.

'As you may have read on the CafePress Community Forum, we're experiencing a targeted Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack, which is causing significant service interruptions. As of right now some customers have access that appears normal, some have intermittent access, and some have no access at all.'

In October, a Russian gang were jailed for blackmailing gambling websites to the tune of USD 4 million by threatening denial-of service attacks.

Previously, in January 2004, software company SCO announced that it was offering a $250,000 (£127,000) reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the author of the W32/MyDoom-A worm, which successfully blasted its web site off the internet through a DDoS attack.

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Further Reading:

Deterrence must be the key to avoiding DDoS attacks

Million Dollar Homepage felled by DDoS attack

Third of UK businesses at DDoS risk