This wasn't the first time, but it most definitely was the worst.
A few weeks ago, when I was "in jail", someone or some group hacked into one of our rented servers and destroyed the Forums. I repaired it relatively quickly, so few of you might have noticed it. What was interesting in that hack, was that the hackers got access to the server, and deleted all the files that form the basis for the forums, photo library, and other things. If you haven't noticed, these forums are fairly complicated and involved; losing all of their respective data was a bit of a nightmare. Except for the fact that we had backups. The server was rebuilt fairly quickly. The hackers uploaded a new index page to taunt me, the admin, and also blamed the hack on Islamicists. I kind of doubt that Islamicists would be interested in disrupting russbo.com. There are other groups that I think would be more interested in hurting us, especially after our April Fools stuff a few months ago.
This hack was different. It was not only a very difficult thing to do, because of the new security measures I had in place, but, it was very disruptive. And, well, different. I suspect that we most definitely have pissed someone off.
This time, the hackers did not destroy data, probably knowing well that we keep very extensive backups of the entire site and the various databases that run it. This time, there was a disruption of the software that runs the MYSQL databases, software that runs the server itself. How these people got into that part of the server, is quite interesting. My server techs were a bit curious as to how this had happened, especially since it took about a few days to repair the server software (we're on a new server now, not sure what happened to the old one). I can't imagine how long these hackers spent just trying to do what they have done. It has taken me a few days to fix the rest of the site. Again, we have backups of everything. The problem is, putting it all back together, especially in a site as complicated as russbo.com.
I find it quite disgusting to think that someone would want to spend the inordinate amount of time necessary to cause damage as this, especially since I provide this site, solely at my expense, as a community service to those interested in the topics that this site gets involved in. We make no money on this site, and we offer no advertising. Everything that we do here, is for you. These sorry individuals that bother with this sort of needless destruction really do need to get some sort of a life.
Questions have arisen concerning the origins of this hack. I have the access files, and after a while, I might be able to narrow down where the originators of this hack are. Some have suggested that the Chinese have been involved in this, especially those that have allegiances to certain Shaolin officials. I find this suggestion humorous, though possible, and, if true, quite pitiful.
I should have the rest of the site functioning soon. My shoddy internet access prohibits me from getting this done sooner than later. Please advise me of anything that does not seem to be working correctly.
doc
A few weeks ago, when I was "in jail", someone or some group hacked into one of our rented servers and destroyed the Forums. I repaired it relatively quickly, so few of you might have noticed it. What was interesting in that hack, was that the hackers got access to the server, and deleted all the files that form the basis for the forums, photo library, and other things. If you haven't noticed, these forums are fairly complicated and involved; losing all of their respective data was a bit of a nightmare. Except for the fact that we had backups. The server was rebuilt fairly quickly. The hackers uploaded a new index page to taunt me, the admin, and also blamed the hack on Islamicists. I kind of doubt that Islamicists would be interested in disrupting russbo.com. There are other groups that I think would be more interested in hurting us, especially after our April Fools stuff a few months ago.
This hack was different. It was not only a very difficult thing to do, because of the new security measures I had in place, but, it was very disruptive. And, well, different. I suspect that we most definitely have pissed someone off.
This time, the hackers did not destroy data, probably knowing well that we keep very extensive backups of the entire site and the various databases that run it. This time, there was a disruption of the software that runs the MYSQL databases, software that runs the server itself. How these people got into that part of the server, is quite interesting. My server techs were a bit curious as to how this had happened, especially since it took about a few days to repair the server software (we're on a new server now, not sure what happened to the old one). I can't imagine how long these hackers spent just trying to do what they have done. It has taken me a few days to fix the rest of the site. Again, we have backups of everything. The problem is, putting it all back together, especially in a site as complicated as russbo.com.
I find it quite disgusting to think that someone would want to spend the inordinate amount of time necessary to cause damage as this, especially since I provide this site, solely at my expense, as a community service to those interested in the topics that this site gets involved in. We make no money on this site, and we offer no advertising. Everything that we do here, is for you. These sorry individuals that bother with this sort of needless destruction really do need to get some sort of a life.
Questions have arisen concerning the origins of this hack. I have the access files, and after a while, I might be able to narrow down where the originators of this hack are. Some have suggested that the Chinese have been involved in this, especially those that have allegiances to certain Shaolin officials. I find this suggestion humorous, though possible, and, if true, quite pitiful.
I should have the rest of the site functioning soon. My shoddy internet access prohibits me from getting this done sooner than later. Please advise me of anything that does not seem to be working correctly.
doc
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