a method is disclosed that enables mitigating at least some of the problems caused by a packet attack . when a first internet protocol - capable device is subjected to a packet attack , it indicates periodically to a second ip - capable device that certain communications with the first device are to be suspended . the periodic transmitting of the indication is performed at a slower rate than the keep - alive mechanism that is normally used to detect loss of connectivity . when the second device receives the transmitted indication , it refrains from transmitting keep - alive messages to the first device for a predetermined interval . meanwhile , the first device also refrains from transmitting keep - alive messages to the second device for a similar interval . in transmitting the suspend indication , the illustrative embodiment seeks to prevent pairs of communicating devices that are experiencing packet attacks from continuing their operation under the erroneous assumption that each device is unavailable .