There has been a widespread DDoS attack that is choking the internet for the last week. The attack was focused on a company SpamHaus, an email cleaner. That attack was focused on creating congestion at a number of interconnect points around the world.
"While there have been no direct reports of this attack having a direct impact on Australian Internet users, Akamai Technologies foresees home users experiencing slower Internet or receive unwanted emails as part of the attack."
http://www.arnnet.com.au/article/457...ource=security