Nigerian ISP's configuration error disrupted Google services
BOSTON (AP) — A Nigerian internet service provider said Tuesday that a configuration error it made during a network upgrade caused a disruption of key Google services, routing traffic to China and Russia.
Prior to MainOne's explanation Tuesday, there was speculation that Monday's 74-minute data hijacking might have been intentional. Google's search, cloud hosting and collaborative business tools were among services disrupted.
"Everyone is pretty confident that nothing untoward took place," MainOne spokeman Tayo Ashiru said.
The type of traffic misdirection involved can knock essential services offline and facilitate espionage and financial theft.