seen in /var/www/logs/access_log

[J Moore <jaymo_(_at_)_cullmail_(_dot_)_com>]

I've been monitoring my httpd's access logs (OBSD 3.5):
tail -f /var/www/logs/access_log

I regularly receive a "SEARCH /" followed by a long string of repeating 
'\x02+-', followed by a much longer string of '\x90'.

I'm fairly sure this is some asshole(s) rattling the lock, but I've also 
seen a gradual increase in the number of httpd processes as displayed in 
'top'. 

Does anyone know any specifics on this pattern, and/or if there is 
anything that could/should be done about it?

Thnx,
Jay