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
To blog or not to blog? Well, why not? Lots... Read More
Well, if that would have been said to me by... Read More
Shopping for horse gifts or other gift items on the... Read More
You may not realize it, but as you are surfing... Read More
At this point, if you've got the whole "turning the... Read More
Phishing: (fish'ing) (n.)This is when someone sends you an email... Read More
Working from home has its advantages, including no commute, a... Read More
Watching how the traditional media covers the latest virus or... Read More
If you have used a Windows machine for a while,... Read More
When surfing the Internet you probably take your anonymity for... Read More
"Phishing," the latest craze among online evil-doers, has nothing to... Read More
When the Internet first came about, it was realized it... Read More
The internet is undoubtedly a fantastic resource for families and... Read More
If you are a parent, as am I, I think... Read More
File sharing on p2p is soaring despite the music and... Read More
Ok, you've got a computer, and you get online. You... Read More
Your computer is as slow as molasses. Your mouse freezes... Read More
I'm in the Anti-Spyware business, and I'm doing a lot... Read More
The Threat10 years ago you could probably have run no... Read More
History and BackgroundThe virus was one of the first ever... Read More
Identity theft ? also known as ID theft, identity fraud... Read More
As the number of people using the Internet as an... Read More
It's a sad statistic, but hundreds of unsuspecting kids are... Read More
There are folks out there who use their powers for... Read More
Spyware is software that runs on a personal computer without... Read More
The menacing campaigns that drive the corporate spyware and adware... Read More
Yes, I'm wearing my encryption hat again. Why you may... Read More
Monday morning, 6am; the electric rooster is telling you it's... Read More
One evening, during the graveyard shift, an AOL technical support... Read More
We all know that it's dangerous to use the same... Read More
My first experience with a spyware BHO based infection was... Read More
When it comes to a secure website and passwords it... Read More
Geek SuperheroGeek Superhero watches your computer for changes, immediately notifying... Read More
When you signed up for that ultra-fast DSL or Cable... Read More
Never before with Instant Messaging (IM) has a more vital... Read More
In the past I've never really paid much attention to... Read More
"You've just won a fabulous vacation or prize package! Now,... Read More
Have you ever had to call Symantec or McAfee to... Read More
The Threat10 years ago you could probably have run no... Read More
Protect Your PCHaving problems with your pc? Do your kids,... Read More
Every day millions of people go online to find information,... Read More
May. 16th 2005 - MicroWorld has reported the discovery of... Read More
Geek SuperheroGeek Superhero watches your computer for changes, immediately notifying... Read More
1. Importance of a Virus Scanner: A Antivirus program can... Read More
Beware of a New Scam Aimed at Bargain-HuntersTrying to buy... Read More
A little bit of time invested into learning about internet... Read More
Sooner or later everyone with an email account will receive... Read More
Huge number of spyware software applications are available in the... Read More
Phishing in its "classic" variant is relatively well-known. Actually, 43.4... Read More
Identity Theft and Your Personal Information Identity theft is... Read More
They're out there. Individuals trying to make a quick buck... Read More
You can detect spyware online using free spyware cleaners and... Read More
Adware. Spyware. Pesky pop up ads. Internet congestion. Computer malfunctions... Read More
If you are a parent, you have probably wondered at... Read More
If you are wondering how to fight spyware for safe... Read More
Long gone are the days that we could feel secure... Read More
Phishing is the act of some individual sending an email... Read More
Recently, my site and other internet accounts ( http://www.nabaza.com/sites.htm )... Read More
From the "Ask Booster" column in the June 17, 2005... Read More
The Loss Prevention Manager should be receptive to the needs... Read More
If you run any type of Internet business, Adware and... Read More
Shopping for horse gifts or other gift items on the... Read More
Spyware, viruses and worms... oh my!If you are connected to... Read More
Over £5 billion pounds was spent on online shopping in... Read More
Did you know...? 1 in 5 children who use computer... Read More
When we think of adware, what comes to mind are... Read More
Internet Security |