# Low Orbit Ion Cannon

> open source network stress testing and denial-of-service attack application

**Wikidata**: [Q1340021](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1340021)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Low_Orbit_Ion_Cannon)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/low-orbit-ion-cannon

## Summary
Low Orbit Ion Cannon (LOIC) is an open-source network stress testing and denial-of-service (DoS) attack application. It was released into the public domain in 2016 and is compatible with Windows, Linux, macOS, and Android. LOIC is notable for its simplicity and widespread use in cybersecurity research and testing.

## Key Facts
- **Open-source software** distributed under terms allowing free use, study, modification, and redistribution
- **Compatible with** Microsoft Windows, Linux, macOS, and Android
- **Released into the public domain** by its copyright holder on December 27, 2016
- **Latest stable version** is 1.0.8, released on December 13, 2014
- **Data size** of the application is 131 kilobits
- **Named after** the concept of an "ion cannon," a fictional weapon in science fiction
- **Followed by** High Orbit Ion Cannon, another network stress testing tool
- **Programming language** is C#
- **Available in multiple languages**, including English, Spanish, and French
- **Hosted on SourceForge** under the project name "loic"

## FAQs
### Q: What is Low Orbit Ion Cannon used for?
A: LOIC is primarily used for network stress testing and conducting distributed denial-of-service attacks. It is designed for cybersecurity research and ethical hacking purposes.

### Q: Is Low Orbit Ion Cannon legal?
A: The legality of LOIC depends on jurisdiction and intended use. In many countries, unauthorized use of DoS tools can result in criminal charges. It is intended for legitimate stress testing and research.

### Q: What operating systems does LOIC support?
A: LOIC is compatible with Microsoft Windows, Linux, macOS, and Android, making it accessible across multiple platforms.

### Q: How do I download LOIC?
A: LOIC can be downloaded from its official SourceForge project page, where the latest stable version is available.

### Q: Is LOIC still maintained?
A: The last update to LOIC was in 2014, and it is no longer actively maintained. Users should be cautious when using outdated software.

## Why It Matters
Low Orbit Ion Cannon holds historical significance as one of the earliest open-source tools for network stress testing and DoS attacks. Its release into the public domain in 2016 made it widely accessible for cybersecurity professionals and researchers. LOIC played a role in raising awareness about the importance of network resilience and the potential risks of unchecked DoS attacks. While its use is controversial due to its association with cybercrime, LOIC remains a valuable tool for ethical hacking and security testing. Its compatibility with multiple operating systems and its open-source nature contributed to its widespread adoption in the cybersecurity community.

## Notable For
- **Open-source availability**, allowing free use and modification
- **Multi-platform support**, including Windows, Linux, macOS, and Android
- **Historical role** in cybersecurity research and network stress testing
- **Public domain release**, making it freely accessible to users
- **Predecessor to High Orbit Ion Cannon**, influencing later network testing tools

## Body
### Overview
Low Orbit Ion Cannon (LOIC) is an open-source network stress testing and denial-of-service (DoS) attack application. It was released into the public domain by its copyright holder on December 27, 2016. LOIC is designed for cybersecurity research and ethical hacking, allowing users to simulate network attacks and test system resilience.

### Compatibility
LOIC is compatible with multiple operating systems, including Microsoft Windows, Linux, macOS, and Android. This cross-platform support makes it accessible to a wide range of users, from cybersecurity professionals to hobbyists.

### Version History
The latest stable version of LOIC is 1.0.8, released on December 13, 2014. The application has a data size of 131 kilobits. LOIC was developed using the C# programming language.

### Legal and Ethical Considerations
The legality of LOIC depends on jurisdiction and intended use. In many countries, unauthorized use of DoS tools can result in criminal charges. LOIC is intended for legitimate stress testing and research, but users must adhere to ethical guidelines and applicable laws.

### Availability
LOIC is available for download from its official SourceForge project page, where the latest stable version is hosted. The project is named "loic" on SourceForge, and the application is also known as "LOIC-0" in some contexts.

### Language Support
LOIC is available in multiple languages, including English, Spanish, and French. This multilingual support helps cater to a global audience of users.

### Successor
LOIC was followed by High Orbit Ion Cannon, another network stress testing tool. The naming convention reflects the progression in network testing technologies.

## Schema Markup
```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "SoftwareApplication",
  "name": "Low Orbit Ion Cannon",
  "description": "Open-source network stress testing and denial-of-service attack application",
  "operatingSystem": ["Microsoft Windows", "Linux", "macOS", "Android"],
  "applicationCategory": "Network Stress Testing",
  "softwareVersion": "1.0.8",
  "dateModified": "2014-12-13",
  "license": "Public Domain",
  "url": "https://sourceforge.net/projects/loic/",
  "sameAs": ["https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q206855", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Low_Orbit_Ion_Cannon"]
}

## References

1. [SourceForge](https://sourceforge.net/projects/loic/)
2. [Source](https://sourceforge.net/projects/loic/files/loic/loic-1.0.8/)
3. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013