.HOIC definition:
'HIGH ORBIT ION CANNON'

Its also a hacking tool created by the group Anonymous.

Someone changed there Player name in minecraft from:

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UPDATE: the DDOS attack appers to have subsided and AUTH. servers are back up and running.
you can check the mojang status of servers at: https://help.mojang.com/

   Mojang's authentication servers have been up and down all day today, and some other services have
   also been flaky such as the skin servers. If your skin is displaying as Steve or Alex, this is why!

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As many Minecrafters are now becoming aware,
apperently mid-afternoon (for most people) an attack began on The minecraft servers.
By LATE wednesday night, hardly anyone was able to get on there favorite mc servers due to the minecraft authenfication servers being done.

MOJANG support crew have been working tirelessly to fix the issues. as of 9am
this morning they tweeted they were still having issues though.

So here is what we know so far,

It all began when a minecraft playe known as 'xNodus' requested a hacker,
or group of hackers to DDOS HiveMc, Mineplex & HyPixel (the 3 BIG MC servers)



Later that afternoon, a twitter account by the name of HOICsquad began saying that
he was responsible and that he wanted people to #EnjoyLife. His definintion being
" go outside and play" Twitter as since suspended this account,

But it did not stop. HOICSquad apperntly 'hacked' or stole someone elses account
on twitter and changed its name to 'HOICSquads', he then began twitting again about the attcks. Publicly and fully takeing blame for the Autentication servers being done. LizardSqaud is reported as tweeting to HoicSquad 'lol @HoicSquad for takeing down minecraft' This tweet was later removed by LizardSqaud as they likely DO NOT
want to be associated with this ( and thus risk jail time)

Shortly after the attacks began, (centraltime) a new twitter account was created called
"ANITHOICSqaud" whos sole purpose was to undermine the botnets and programs that
HOICSqauds was using for the DDOS attack.

Its was  reported on a few forums i found that ANITHOICSquad was working in TANDEM with MOJANG support teams to help STOP the attack. Though, this is not verified by MOJANG or even ANTI Themselves, as they did not tweet about this.
EDIT - ANTIHOIC as responded back saying they were NOT working WITH MOJANG support to stop the DDOS attack.
The operated as a freelance organaztion.

ANITHOICSquad began tweeting a bit later into the attacks that the new twitter account: @HOICSqauds
was an FAKE account created by @RhysplayMC.according to ANTI, they were never ACTUALLY involved in ANY hacks,
It was simply a Second account  by @RhysPlaysMc to have some fun on the fear being induced By the attack.

If this is all true, then HOICSqaud &( RhysPlaysMC who used an ALT. acount to take credit for the attack)
have gotten themselves in a lot of trouble since Microsoft owns MOJANG and has A LOT of force behind them.

ANTI is reported on twitter as saying that had located the IP of where this all started.
Meaning, an arrest may be happening very soon to the person/persons repsonsible.

MOJANG as not responded to any requests for feedback on rather or not this was an actual attack or some kind of hoax.
But as soon as they do, I will update this article with the news.

As of this morning, the apperent issues on the auth. servers were still being dealt with at mojang headquarters.

Some pics that i found while researching that show TWEETS from the suspended account:
 PICTURE LINK