The attack is then launched by pressing the red button in the GUI labelled as 'Fire Teh Lazer'. Then a booster file is added which uses.hoic extension to define dynamic request attributes, launch attacks on multiple pages within the same website and help evade some defense filters. The power option sets the request velocity with low at two requests per second, medium at four and high at eight requests per second. The basic routine of an attack is to input the URL of the website which is to be attacked, and set the power option on low, medium or high. The minimalist GUI of the tool makes it user friendly and easy to control. In addition, HOIC can simultaneously attack up to 256 domains, making it one of the most versatile tools for hackers who are attempting to co-ordinate DDoS attacks as a group. This basic version of the attack can be customized by using the booster files which follow the VB 6 mixed with VB.NET syntax. The denial-of-service DoS attack on the target URL is accomplished by sending excessive traffic in an attempt to overload the site and bring it down. HOIC primarily performs a denial-of-service DoS attack and a DDoS attack when co-ordinated by multiple individuals. Simply described, HOIC is a program for sending HTTP POST and GET requests at a computer under attack, that uses a lulz-inspired graphical interface. Apart from allowing user agents to implement some form of randomization countermeasures the booster files can and have been used to increase the magnitude of the attack. HOIC was the first tool of its kind to have support for the so-called 'booster files', configurable VBscript modules that randomize the HTTP headers of attacking computers, allowing thousands upon thousands of highly randomized combinations for user agents. HOIC was designed to remedy this with the ability to cause an HTTP Flood with as few as 50 user agents being required to successfully launch an attack, and co-ordination between multiple users leading to an exponential increase in the damage.

However the Low Orbit Ion Cannon was not powerful enough to launch attacks with such a limited number of users. However a large part of Anonymous remained focused on launching opt-in DDoS attacks. This forced many members of the group to rethink their strategies and subsequently this part of the group launched Operation Leakspin. As Operation Payback concluded there was massive pressure on the group from law enforcement agencies, which captured and prosecuted more than 13 individuals connected with the group. HOIC was developed during the conclusion of Operation Payback by the hacktivist collective Anonymous.

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