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Posted: Sat Nov 20, 2004 12:25 am Post subject: Spammers suck
After many wasted days and nights of beating my head against the wall trying to figure out what was crashing the server and bringing it to its knees every day, I finally found the culprit... and no, it wasn't the server. It was a butthead spammer. He created a user webspace account and managed to upload a mailing script. Since the webspace program disallows .php or .cgi scripts he simply renamed his file, "logo.gif", uploaded it and then renamed it. Once the script was renamed he was able to upload a text file containing all of his email addresses and then run the script thereby sending his crap porn spam.
I finally caught him in the act around 2am this morning and locked the server down until I could find out how he was doing it.
The problem is security issues with the free webspace program, until I can figure out a workaround I am locking it down so this cannot happen again.
This means that members will no longer be able to create or manage their free webspace... sorry guys! You will still be able to see your files and pictures etc via the web, but no uploading or editing. I know some of you may have important files uploaded and need access to them, if that is the case, then please let me know and I will make them available to you as time permits..please, don't everyone hit me at once!
As a result of the spammer, the server has been added to many of your blacklists...meaning many of you who subscribe to them no longer receive mail from elcaminocentral.com. It's a bummer, I know, but we should fall off of the lists in a few weeks... provided the server stops sending out spam.
Now that that problem is fixed, at least temporarily, I can once again focus on administering and upgrading the site... and sigh, just a little.
Necoa #: 2730
Location: 13(TX)
Joined: Mar 24, 2004
Posts: 370
Year: 1974
Model: El Camino
Posted: Sat Nov 20, 2004 12:30 am Post subject:
Let me know if I can be of any help on any of this from helping get us off black lists or help with server security. I do IT security for a financial institution and have experience/certifications in doing audits/pen tests.
Excellent job Robert. Keep up the great work. We do appreaciate all your time and effort. If you need any help, don't hesitate to ask. _________________ JW - NECOA #768 2011 El Camino SS - http://elcaminocentral.com/users/a73elkyss/.
Watch for the 6th gen Elco's
So thats why I hadn't received any topic posting notifications at my yahoo account. It's a shame that some people just waste their talents by using them in such harmful ways. That really ticks me off. I think you should tell us who the spammer is so we can do a little vigilante justice. One of us must be close enough to him to be able to go bitch-slap him a few times and then stick his computer where the sun doesn't shine. _________________ Ernie
87 El Camino
"To be Old and Wise, you must first be Young and Stupid"
Necoa #: 2314
Location: 20(HI)
Joined: Jan 29, 2004
Posts: 3653
Year: 1979
Model: El Camino
Posted: Sat Nov 20, 2004 2:32 pm Post subject:
Oh, those damn spammers make me so mad I could just explode. _________________ 1979 El Camino\r\n1955 Chevrolet Del Ray\r\n1962 Corvette\r\n1966 Corvette Coupe
Necoa #: 4202
Location: 9(IN,KY,MI)
Joined: Oct 30, 2004
Posts: 372
Year: 1971
Model: El Camino
Posted: Sun Nov 21, 2004 9:11 am Post subject:
Why is it that theres always one person to #&@% it up for the rest of us, can't we just have a "public flogging" or a good, old fahioned, hanging ? _________________ M:)rt
Posted: Mon Nov 22, 2004 1:40 pm Post subject: Spam
It is most unfortunate that a lot of good peoples activity is dominated by the stupid (for lack of a better discription) acts of a few. _________________ '81 Elky
'87 Choo-Choo S/S
'46 Chev 1/2 ton
'79 Cougar XR7 (Wife's classic)
excuse me, sorry i don't know what a spanner is but i can see that i am one because of my posts, lol, whats bad about it and what does it mean. i don't do anything and don't want to mess up your helpful site.
Necoa #: 2321
Location: 15(AZ,NM)
Joined: Jan 30, 2004
Posts: 1168
Year: 1974
Model: El Camino
Posted: Sat Jan 29, 2005 12:39 am Post subject:
Is it possible to somehow use an authentication mechanism that requires a valid email address and reply before allowing access?? Maybe disallowing the changing of filenames once uploaded? I haven't even been able to find the website section so I have no idea as to what the process is. I'm just thinkin about how to lock it down in general. Sometimes changing a folders attributes to something like read instead of read and execute can stop that kind of stuff.
I guess you could just install some kind of site builder app that locks everyone into a format that wouldn't allow this kind of thing to happen.
I dunno, just some theorizing here.
I hope the guy who did it gets all his fingers broken so he can't use his computer anymore..
_________________ 74 El Camino Classic - project car #1
96 Camaro - RIP, Traded 10-16-2007
2008 Mustang GT, It ain't a Chevy but at least it's American!
Actually now it requires my personal authetication. I also monitor the logs and web space daily. Time consuming but worth it! _________________ El Camino Central Founder/AdministratorAuto A/C & Electrical Shop Owner, ASE Master
And very appreciated Robert ! _________________ 81 conquista 350-700r4, changed frame, yr4 of 3 yr project
82 EC 229 soon to be nephews first car/truck
79 EC 305 2bbl 700R/4 daily driver
Central lower Michigan
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