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Started by John, May 12, 2008, 04:47:54 PM

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Rage

Quote from: John on May 12, 2008, 04:47:54 PM
I have the Microsoft Sql database backup file from the forum but I can't restore it on the server. Several things on the server are not working since the last hack.  I've tried my best but I'm not going to get the forums converted to vBulletin.

I'm not able to release the backup because of the previously published terms of service.

I'm ordering the server be dismantled. At that point www.renaissancefestival.com will no longer redirect to http://forums.renfaires.com. I'll check with Lady Serena and Tom if they want to host the redirect before pulling the plug.

I'm sorry it's come to this.



John,

Is the server a hosted server? If so they should have been making back ups and they should have the ability to fix the problems on the server. If its not and its your personal box then I don't get the terms of service that you mentioned.

If this is your personal box then there are probably several people on the forum or companies that can help you with this. I personally am not educated with servers (hardware, software, & operating systems are my thing) but I have many friends who are and a friend that may be willing to hack proof the server for you. I can talk to him for you, he teach these skills to the us military. I have no idea if a cost is involved.

Please know that if the attacks where driven through a zombie box (a personal computer infected with a Trojan turning it into a zombie computer that a hacker can use to attack sites) then it could be someone from the forums computer. This is a possible situation that both you & DB should consider. My suggestion would be to help educate our members to the steps that should be taken to help prevent their machines from being infected. Anti-virus, spyware sweepers and the use of firewalls.

I am not saying that this was how the attack occurred just that it was a possibility. If it was a directed attack then the hacker has the link to this forum. Many forums are suffering the same problems and most of them are being attacked by zombie (bot) armies.

I post this as my way of trying to help. I am willing to do anything I can to help prevent this from happening again.

theChuck

man, that's a real bummer. i really liked the directory listing part; here's hoping we can get that up somewhere else.
The Renlist - find faires near you!

John

Thanks anyhow Rage but I'm making a clean break from the windows server.

Rage

Quote from: John on May 13, 2008, 03:14:37 PM
Thanks anyhow Rage but I'm making a clean break from the windows server.

Don't blame you there, most of the people I know are running Mac or linux servers now.

Lady Amy of York

I just want to take  a momment to thank all of the members on here for  the wonderful years  and  times we had in/on  our  old  site. :) :-*

Huzzah  to John  and DB  for their hard work  and efforts  in trying  to save  the old  site,  but life   does go on, and we can rebuild,  and we will make   it a even better home  then before.   

Thankyou Lady Serena  and Tom for providing us  with  a  new  home  ! :)
Lady Amy of York/CaptainAmy of FeistyLady pirateship
Cheiftess Feisty of Clan O' Doinn
HF:Sterling

Pascal

Quote from: Rage on May 13, 2008, 01:13:12 PM

I am not saying that this was how the attack occurred just that it was a possibility. If it was a directed attack then the hacker has the link to this forum. Many forums are suffering the same problems and most of them are being attacked by zombie (bot) armies.

I understand the Snitz forum software had some unplugged holes that let hackers grab ahold of the database and do nastiness (unplugged holes?  Can you say "Microsoft"?).  Most forum attacks tend to be bots posting spam and porn messages and such -- I think Snitz was unique in that it was open to database takeovers.  If the Snitz hacker visits this forum, his old techniques won't work (not to say there aren't new techniques -- but this guy seemed to focus on Snitz forums)

Sir Francis Drake

All things must come to end at some point; both the good and the bad.

A battle may have been lost, but the war continues on.

The King is dead!!!!!!!!!!


Long Live The King!!!!!!!!!!!

Master of the Golden Hinde
Captain-General of The Brotherhood of the Waves
In Service to HRM Queen Elizabeth I

Welsh Wench

OK  so I just paint the new place, add some throw pillows and fresh flowers and re-arrange my old furniture.

Now, do I have to redecorate the dungeons again? I mean, I have some really good ideas.
I'm thinking tropical colours with some palm trees and Buffett being piped in.

And on Wednesdays we have a lobster bisque that will make any prisoner inmate    'guest of Glenlivet' never want to leave!
Show me your tan lines..and I'll show you mine!

I just want to be Layla.....

festmum

Quote from: Welsh Wench on May 14, 2008, 06:39:42 AM
OK  so I just paint the new place, add some throw pillows and fresh flowers and re-arrange my old furniture.

Now, do I have to redecorate the dungeons again? I mean, I have some really good ideas.
I'm thinking tropical colours with some palm trees and Buffett being piped in.

And on Wednesdays we have a lobster bisque that will make any prisoner inmate    'guest of Glenlivet' never want to leave!

Of course, the Lobster Bisque would only be served "in season", right?  After all...you don't want to break the law and end up a permanent resident yourself, do you? ;)

Tom

Quote from: lady amy of york on May 13, 2008, 05:10:07 PMThankyou Lady Serena  and Tom for providing us  with  a  new  home  ! :)

You are most welcome ;D.

Tom
Thanks,

Tom

A.K.A. - Lady Serenas husband

Lady Ann of Draycott

"When one door closes, another opens, but we often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door that we do not see the one which has opened for us."
-- Alexander Graham Bell
Collector of Wine and Roses
Clan McLotofus Elder
Landshark No. 96

DragonWing

 ::)  Well I finally made it. I kept popping in but never registered. Was a little busy.
I was reading some of the other posts and what John was saying. Sorry to hear that things were lost and the old server will no longer be home. 

But as I can see we will prevail. HUZZAH!!!!!

Dragon rider and mage,
(aka Vince)

Joyce "Delfinia DuSwallow" Howard

John and DB, thank you for everything you two have done. My thoughts are i will miss the old site very much, there was so much GREAT info out there, but this site is starting to build already. So I'm just VERY,VERY happy to have some place to go. Once again THANK YOU very much for all you do! ;D
MDRF Dandy  "Delfinia DuSwallow"
Sun'n Penny - Clan O'Morda
LandShark #71
Maker of Buttery Nipples

Amras Elfwine

Quote from: Mischka on May 12, 2008, 08:23:50 PM
A truly lovely and moving speech, Amras.  HUZZAH to those who tried so hard to preserve the past, and HUZZAH to the future!!

You are too kind, lass...as one of my personal mottos goes, "I'm just happy to be here"...I learned that from an old friend, and it becomes a mantra from time to time.

R/F member since 2004
"They say that men who go warring afield look ever to the next hope of food and of drink." ~Tolkien

"Who are you callin' plushy??" ~ Todd the Squirrel

Lord Figaro

It's not fun to think of all that was lost, but knowing the people of this community I know we will make it into something else once again. You can't keep a rennie down. Thanks to John and DB for all the hard work, no one deserves more praise for all you do. And huge thanks to those who are lending us the space to keep in contact. We shall over come as a family. For that is what we have always considered ourselves. Just like any family, they may have some hard times, but we shall all recover and be stronger for it.
Those who do not remember their past are condemned to repeat their mistakes.

George Santayana