Looks like hackers hit the Depot again...

[tracer]

The Depot's server went down sometime early Sunday morning, and from the evidence that Jeff (IBT) found so far it appears to be another hacking. Bernie should have his home computer back online by tomorrow (modem problem...yup, some folks still rely on dial-up! [:D]), and will start the restoration process ASAP.

I'll post more details/info as I get them.

[Alby]

Cannot send email from the Depot email account either using Outlook.

[tracer]

I just did a little investigating myself, and it looks like the forums and webmail are effected.  The Depot's homepage still comes up, and from there I was able to enter the chat area which seemed to be working OK.  Bernie and Jeff have put reliable and redundant back-up systems in place, so our database is safe.

The individuals who do this sort of thing think that it makes them appear powerful or threatening, but even an online newbie knows how easy and mindless such a 'feat' really is.  Any 10-year-old hanging out around the numerous hacker sites and Usenet/IRC groups can pick up the latest 'bombs' (complete with idiot-level directions) and spend their days trying them out on various websites.  If this is the best way that they have found to 'waste away the hours', then I pity their sad and pathetic lives.  Powerful? Hardly; and about as much of a threat as an angry child who breaks a window and runs away.  It takes us a couple hours to load the back-up and patch the security 'hole' (yawn!), leaving them with nothing to show (no $, no 'sensitive info', nothing) for all their time and effort ...you could almost question their sanity.[8D]

[tracer]

...and Happy Birthday to Belisarius (30) and Swamprat (40).

Have a great one guys!

[chief]

Tracer:  tanks fer de info and keepen us posted, parden my spellink misstakes, iron lernink it. Englasia dat is.

[IBTyrone]

The Depot is back up, for now. [:)]

[IBTyrone]

Whoops. Spoke too soon. Still working on it.[:@]

[IBTyrone]

Crossing fingers...it's been up for at least an hour. [:)]