#credentials: im a compsci major cyber security minor entering my senior year

[disappointingyellowhighlighter]

A little explainer on what happened with AO3:

Basically, someone or a group of someones decided to levy a DDoS attack. What this means is that they created a botnet (network of devices controlled by a bot, usually run in the background of an unsecured IoT device or computer being used for other things. Think data mining) to flood the servers with false requests for service.

What this does mean: AO3 might go back down, if the attack is relaunched. These types of attacks are usually used against businesses where traffic = money, thereby costing a company money. This isn't really an issue here since AO3 is entirely donation and volunteer based.

What this doesn't mean: stories, bookmarks, etc will be deleted and your anonymously published works will be linked back to you. No vulnerable points are breached during this process, so unless this group ends up doing something else, no data breaches will happen. You are safe, your content is safe.