An additional thought on the USPS API failure

Monday, December 8, 2008, 10:59 PM
Business by John (Article #231)

The USPS API server does not reject persistent connections. I checked it in testing what was wrong. Their server will let your POST drone and drone and drone without cutting you off.

Does anyone else think this is an invitation to a denial of service attack?

For example, if you post to the USPS API using LibcURL, and you don't include a timeout, guess what happens? It drones and drones without ever disconnecting. Well, damn near ever. Minutes on end. I can't even imagine what millions of inbound connections never disconnecting but never finishing would be like!

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Welcome!

Wonder where to start with your web design business?

This blog follows along with my efforts to build and grow a website design business, Pro Content and Design.

The goal of this blog is to fill in blanks that may be empty as you get your business rolling.

This blog, particularly the source code section, is not intended for beginners. If you are not comfortable with databases, Ajax, DOM objects and other advanced methods, I strongly suggest you go take a look over at W3 Schools before even reading -- let alone tinkering with -- any of the code here.

I hope this blog has some value to web designers as they attempt to get their businesses going.

Good luck, and happy reading.

Thank you,
John Crawford
Pro Content and Design