Message Board Security Problems

Security leaks can be a big problem for any site using a message board. Hackers can actually use your message board to go in and change things on your site. This has happened to me at least four times. Once an iframe was added to every single page of one of my very large sites. Thankfully, I had it completely backed up, so all I had to do was send the pages back up to the server. Twice, the front page of one of my sites was hijacked. The entire content of the front page was replaced by some note from a hacker stating he had been there.

The last time one of my sites had to be taken down to prevent the server from crashing. After calling my web host they were able to tell me my message board was the cause of the problem. I used, and still do on some sites, the phpbb message board. It is one of the most popular boards on the internet, and it's free. The web host tech told me that the problem was that a virus of sorts had been placed onto the server, through the message board, in the message board folder, and was calling out to other servers causing a major load on my web host's server. To fix the problem the web host tech found the file and deleted it. After that, all I had to do was update to the latest version of phpbb and so far so good.

If you use a popular message board like phpbb you need to make sure you've always got the latest version. The more popular a message board is, the more hackers are likely to strike. Perhaps the familiarity is the problem or maybe the hackers know they can get a lot of bites going after a widely used board. As of this writing, the most current version of phpbb is 2.0.15. As the phpbb guys are always security conscious they have added to this version a re-authentication to access the administration panel.

Forums are a very important part of a website, but they can be the downfall if your board script is not updated on a regular basis.

Webmaster of Web Host Reviews

In The News:


pen paper and inkwell


cat break through


Blogs as Safe Haven for Cybercriminals?

To blog or not to blog? Well, why not? Lots... Read More

Web and Computer Security

Well, if that would have been said to me by... Read More

Is Shopping Online For Your Horse Gifts Safe?

Shopping for horse gifts or other gift items on the... Read More

Web Browsing - Collected Information

You may not realize it, but as you are surfing... Read More

Whats All This I Hear About Firewalls?

At this point, if you've got the whole "turning the... Read More

Phishing - Learn To Identify It

Phishing: (fish'ing) (n.)This is when someone sends you an email... Read More

Wireless Network Security

Working from home has its advantages, including no commute, a... Read More

3 Steps to Ending Scams and Virus Problems

Watching how the traditional media covers the latest virus or... Read More

Remove Rogue Desktop Icons Created By Spyware

If you have used a Windows machine for a while,... Read More

Are They Watching You Online?

When surfing the Internet you probably take your anonymity for... Read More

Cyber Crooks Go Phishing

"Phishing," the latest craze among online evil-doers, has nothing to... Read More

How to Protect Your Child from the Internet

When the Internet first came about, it was realized it... Read More

The Top Twelve Threats No Computer User Should Ignore

The internet is undoubtedly a fantastic resource for families and... Read More

Protecting Your Children On The Internet

If you are a parent, as am I, I think... Read More

File Sharing - What You Need to Know!

File sharing on p2p is soaring despite the music and... Read More

Are You Surfing Safe?

Ok, you've got a computer, and you get online. You... Read More

All About Computer Viruses

Your computer is as slow as molasses. Your mouse freezes... Read More

Another Fine Mess!

I'm in the Anti-Spyware business, and I'm doing a lot... Read More

Adware and Spyware: The Problems and Their Solutions

The Threat10 years ago you could probably have run no... Read More

Viruses and Worms: The Problems and Their Solutions

History and BackgroundThe virus was one of the first ever... Read More

Identity Theft - Dont Blame The Internet

Identity theft ? also known as ID theft, identity fraud... Read More

Internet Scams: Dont be a Victim

As the number of people using the Internet as an... Read More

Do You Know What your Kids Are Doing Online?

It's a sad statistic, but hundreds of unsuspecting kids are... Read More

Dont be a Dork ? Protect Yourself

There are folks out there who use their powers for... Read More

Spyware, What It Is, What It Does, And How To Stop It

Spyware is software that runs on a personal computer without... Read More

The Attack of the Advertiser - Spy Mother Spy

The menacing campaigns that drive the corporate spyware and adware... Read More

Its Time to Sing the Encryption Song - Again!

Yes, I'm wearing my encryption hat again. Why you may... Read More

Social Engineering: You Have Been A Victim

Monday morning, 6am; the electric rooster is telling you it's... Read More

Social Engineering - The Real E-Terrorism?

One evening, during the graveyard shift, an AOL technical support... Read More

Can I Guess Your Password?

We all know that it's dangerous to use the same... Read More

Spyware ? Your Web Browser is the Culprit!

My first experience with a spyware BHO based infection was... Read More

Website Security - Creating a Bulletproof Site in 5 Easy Steps

When it comes to a secure website and passwords it... Read More

Five Excellent Indie Encryption And Security Solutions You Have Not Heard About

Geek SuperheroGeek Superhero watches your computer for changes, immediately notifying... Read More