First data Can not connect to server

I am using 1.3.9f with the built in First Data module. The site was working fine then sometime last week the credit card module stopped working. You can get to step 3 of 3 of checking out but when you submit the information i get "We apologize for the inconvenience, but we are presently unable to contact the Credit Card company for authorization. Please contact the Store Owner for payment alternatives"

The log file shows:
=================================

Communication Result: 7 - couldn't connect to host

Response Code: < <

=================================

My host claims: I did some testing and I was able to make a connection in and out from your account on port 1129. Most of the time if another source is not able to connect to your site and the port is open is if there is a problem with the script that is supposed to be listening on that port.

I uninstalled and reinstalled the module with the same result. Any ideas?

Update from my hosting company:

"Good Morning,
Upon further investigation we find the cause is that the server is under ddos protection. Unfortunately the only option is to have you run the credit cards manually until the ddos attack stops. I would normally suggest we migrate you to another server if we cannot resolve the problem on our end, however because of the ddos protection, we cannot migrate any accounts to or from this server. I've checked with one of the server admins and there really isn't any solution other than to wait it out. Commonly ddos attacks last 1-2 weeks, but there really is no way to know."

Not an answer i like since my credit card processing is not working..