Vb login error! [Archive] - RealScam.com - Is it, or isn't it? You Decide.

trader

12-13-2013, 01:08 PM

Site appears to be unreachable thru a search for realscam or realscam.com and then clicking on search results.
End up being redirected to yahoo.com homepage.

Doesn't matter if using goggle or bing as search engine or have cookies cleared or not

Soapboxmom

12-13-2013, 01:51 PM

Thanks for letting us know. Never a dull moment in scambusting land!

trader

12-13-2013, 02:29 PM

6575

And sometimes get this message from Web of Trust software when click on search result for realscam.
Guess also being re-directed to various other not so desirable places.

Originally came across Realscam when a friend of mine (CPA in private practice) became suspicious of an 'investment' a client was involved in.
Asked if I could check it out.

Didn't take very long - it was Profitable Sunrise.
But in the process came across Realscam and asked him to simply have his clients check here first.
Very good , useful site, entertaining as well.

But many of his clients aren't very computer literate.
A redirect to Yahoo is 1 thing - a redirect to a potential dangerous site is something else.

Unfortunately will have to UN-recommend it for now.
Don't want to be responsible for sending someone to a site that can screw up their computer.

ps - a little reading here and guess this has been going on for a bit - months.

Soapboxmom

12-13-2013, 02:50 PM

Anti-scam blogs and discussion sites are frequently targeted as the fraudsters are desperate to silence legitimate critics. We regularly update software and security. We will do everything possible to keep the site up and running and safe for our visitors. Please understand the site is owned by someone who supports our mission and run by volunteers. So, there will be kinks in the works now and then.

ProfHenryHiggins

12-13-2013, 06:03 PM

"Fake APP Attack, Fake AV Redirect 29" is what Norton just reported to me.
An attempted redirect to malware site 4pu.com.

Poyol

12-14-2013, 09:50 AM

I will be banging my head against it on Sunday GMT and I'm sure in the meantime other Admins are working on it.

In the meantime thanks for your patience, everyone!

adminrealscam

12-14-2013, 04:13 PM

Checked the php files and a lot were hacked and the line eval(base64_decode" excessively long code"
was injected. Removed all I could find and set the files to read, execute.
The redirects using IE or Firefox are fixed for now.

The files were updated without changing the date/time stamp which is annoying.

Fgold

12-15-2013, 01:38 PM

This looks like it should be working normally now!

Still not working for me. Still need to use F5 to be logged here :(

scratchycat

12-15-2013, 06:17 PM

I have not been on much but have not had any problems. Have had to ditch Internet Explorer since using Win 8 and went to Chrome if that helps anyone. I am not 'into' apps but it looks to be the future of Windows. :(

littleroundman

12-15-2013, 08:09 PM

Still not working for me. Still need to use F5 to be logged here :(

It's an ongoing and never ending process, Felipe.

Forums are prime targets for hackers and spammers, so the forum software and plugin developers are continually releasing upgrades as new exploits are detected, similar to the security updates Microsoft releases monthly for its' operating systems.

The main difference being, instead of patches, the developers release a whole new version, which requires the forum to be shutdown temporarily while it's installed and overwrites the previous version.

Even after the forum software is upgraded, there are always incompatibilities and small problems left behind which need to be manually solved.

It is for this reason we ask members to notify us of any problems they may still be having

adminrealscam

12-17-2013, 11:34 AM

Had to restore the website php files from backup last night as a lot of php files that were left with 604 privileges were hacked a 9:14AM and the eval(base64_decode"blahblahblahcode" was inserted.
It was easier to restore from a backup taken 12-15 after verifying all files were clean.
All the php files I could find have been set to 404 (read only).

The root directory had a subdir called evil. In it there is a css.php file that is nothing but the eval(base64 hack. Hopefully this is where the back door was for the hack.
This file has been set to 000 (no access).

Fgold

12-18-2013, 11:30 AM

It's an ongoing and never ending process, Felipe.

Forums are prime targets for hackers and spammers, so the forum software and plugin developers are continually releasing upgrades as new exploits are detected, similar to the security updates Microsoft releases monthly for its' operating systems.

The main difference being, instead of patches, the developers release a whole new version, which requires the forum to be shutdown temporarily while it's installed and overwrites the previous version.

Even after the forum software is upgraded, there are always incompatibilities and small problems left behind which need to be manually solved.

It is for this reason we ask members to notify us of any problems they may still be having

It's good to know that admin cares about solving this issue.

Obviously not an easy process but a skilled staff can solve these things and detect it even before members start reporting it.

Poyol

12-18-2013, 12:23 PM

It's good to know that admin cares about solving this issue.

Obviously not an easy process but a skilled staff can solve these things and detect it even before members start reporting it.

Correct in your use of the word 'Staff'. None of us are Staff ... we don't get paid! If I was paid to look for problems 8 hours a day less problems would occur/arise! :RpS_smile:

ProfHenryHiggins

12-20-2013, 05:57 PM

Another redirect managed to infect the site. This one may be virulent, from the brief glimpse I had of the end site.

Fgold

12-20-2013, 10:18 PM

Correct in your use of the word 'Staff'. None of us are Staff ... we don't get paid! If I was paid to look for problems 8 hours a day less problems would occur/arise! :RpS_smile:

There are staff who work as volunteers and are doing a great job. Getting paid or not sometimes does not mean anything... Maybe RS admins still not skilled enough to lead with these situations and are trying to explain these thing with such kind of lame excuses... :pao:

littleroundman

12-20-2013, 10:28 PM

There are staff who work as volunteers and are doing a great job. Getting paid or not sometimes does not mean anything... Maybe RS admins still not skilled enough to lead with these situations and are trying to explain these thing with such kind of lame excuses... :pao:

You could be correct, of course.

On the other hand it could just be you have absolutely no bloody idea about how much work is involved in keeping the forum protected, how many intrusion attempts we fend off, how many spammers we encounter, just how persistent and clever hackers can be, ESPECIALLY when it comes to forums which speak out against fraud and fraudsters, how many security updates are put out by the developers of the vBulletin software AND all of the third party plugins needed to run a forum of this type and how much it costs and the time involved in fending off constant and persistent DDoS attacks.

Fgold

01-01-2014, 02:10 PM

You could be correct, of course.

On the other hand it could just be you have absolutely no bloody idea about how much work is involved in keeping the forum protected, how many intrusion attempts we fend off, how many spammers we encounter, just how persistent and clever hackers can be, ESPECIALLY when it comes to forums which speak out against fraud and fraudsters, how many security updates are put out by the developers of the vBulletin software AND all of the third party plugins needed to run a forum of this type and how much it costs and the time involved in fending off constant and persistent DDoS attacks.

I know how hard is that task but justifying it does not help anything in solving this issue. I think RS admins don't care too much or don't want to invest too much money and/or time in solving these type of issues...

Soapboxmom

01-01-2014, 05:49 PM

I know how hard is that task but justifying it does not help anything in solving this issue. I think RS admins don't care too much or don't want to invest too much money and/or time in solving these type of issues...
Well, I take it you would be happy to contribute funds to support this board. The owner funds it knowing that it will never generate a dime. All of those that volunteer have full-time jobs and or families and other responsibilities as well. We all care deeply, but this is a hobby that we engage in because we wish to serve our fellow man by to warning and informing folks about possible scams. Let me know how much you would like to donate.

path2prosperity

01-01-2014, 06:16 PM

Well, I take it you would be happy to contribute funds to support this board. The owner funds it knowing that it will never generate a dime. All of those that volunteer have full-time jobs and or families and other responsibilities as well. We all care deeply, but this is a hobby that we engage in because we wish to serve our fellow man by to warning and informing folks about possible scams. Let me know how much you would like to donate.

Well said SBM.

I was about to ask him what he did to make his contribution to scam busting. Perhaps it would not hurt to remind readers how much you have already spent from your own funds to get this forum started. Comments such as the one from Fgold are extremely irritating and he needs to be told that he is doing his own cause no good whatsoever.

Whip

01-01-2014, 06:44 PM

littleroundman

01-01-2014, 08:05 PM

I know how hard is that task but justifying it does not help anything in solving this issue. I THINK RS admins don't care too much or don't want to invest too much money and/or time in solving these type of issues...

With "THINK" being the operative word.

Other than what you "THINK" you have no bloody idea what the REALSCAM (http://www.realscam.com) admins care about, do, or have done, how much time and money they have spent, whether this is a single issue or ongoing series of issues, whether the "issues" are permanently solvable or whether new exploits in the forum software are being discovered weekly, if not daily, requiring continuous and ongoing software maintenance and upgrades.

This is not a ladies knitting forum.

We are a prime target for hackers, spammers, scammers, DDoS attackers and all manner of 'net users whose business it is to attempt to disrupt what the forum sets out to do, some of whom are bloody clever and seriously malicious.

IOW, Felipe, if you don't like it, you are completely free to leave and we'll be only too happy to organize a guaranteed full refund of your membership fees.

Whip

01-01-2014, 09:31 PM

With "THINK" being the operative word.

Other than what you "THINK" you have no bloody idea what the REALSCAM (http://www.realscam.com) admins care about, do, or have done, how much time and money they have spent, whether this is a single issue or ongoing series of issues, whether the "issues" are permanently solvable or whether new exploits in the forum software are being discovered weekly, if not daily, requiring continuous and ongoing software maintenance and upgrades.

This is not a ladies knitting forum.

We are a prime target for hackers, spammers, scammers, DDoS attackers and all manner of 'net users whose business it is to attempt to disrupt what the forum sets out to do, some of whom are bloody clever and seriously malicious.

IOW, Felipe, if you don't like it, you are completely free to leave and we'll be only too happy to organize a guaranteed full refund of your membership fees.

This explains why I have been displeased with the lack of a crocheting forum.

path2prosperity

01-02-2014, 02:18 AM

This explains why I have been displeased with the lack of a crocheting forum.

Was that a snide comment "whip" or astute marketing?

Antique crochet patterns are an extremely marketable commodity.

The German prisoners who worked on our farm during the war did some some remarkable crochet work, when they returned to their POW camp. However when one of them presented a gift to my mother made from bits of her horses tail, she was not so pleased! Hope you caaan find some good patterns because somebody could donate the horse hair.

path2prosperity

01-02-2014, 02:35 AM

This is not a ladies knitting forum.

Are we getting sexist LRM? Clothes were on the ration in UK during the war and many teenage males had to knit their own socks and gloves. My brother didn't have much choice. He had to knit his own because there were not many for men who took size 14 shoes in the shops and he could not persuade his Mum or sisters to knit any for him as he was perfectly capable of doing his own knitting.

Fgold doesn't seem to be very creative with his marketing ideas. Does he? Old bone knitting needles are a good product to market as they are one of the few things that can be used in certain antique restoration projects. They can be bent to make replacement tusks for ebony elephants!

littleroundman

01-02-2014, 02:52 AM

Are we getting sexist LRM?

Not at all.

In my experience of knitting clubs, ladies knitting clubs are generally just like mens' knitting clubs, only without the beer and farts.

Fgold

01-02-2014, 10:05 AM

Well, I take it you would be happy to contribute funds to support this board. The owner funds it knowing that it will never generate a dime. All of those that volunteer have full-time jobs and or families and other responsibilities as well. We all care deeply, but this is a hobby that we engage in because we wish to serve our fellow man by to warning and informing folks about possible scams. Let me know how much you would like to donate.

I know its a hobby and non profit project but it could be better with a bit more efforts from admins. Yea too much efforts in "posting" but too low efforts on forum maintenance...

Regarding donations you can put a "donate" button in the bottom of the forum and also place sponsor ads to get extra funds to support this project. Obviously only ethical advertising and nothing like hyip/ponzi banners :RpS_tongue:

Fgold

01-02-2014, 10:14 AM

With "THINK" being the operative word.

Other than what you "THINK" you have no bloody idea what the REALSCAM (http://www.realscam.com) admins care about, do, or have done, how much time and money they have spent, whether this is a single issue or ongoing series of issues, whether the "issues" are permanently solvable or whether new exploits in the forum software are being discovered weekly, if not daily, requiring continuous and ongoing software maintenance and upgrades.

This is not a ladies knitting forum.

We are a prime target for hackers, spammers, scammers, DDoS attackers and all manner of 'net users whose business it is to attempt to disrupt what the forum sets out to do, some of whom are bloody clever and seriously malicious.

IOW, Felipe, if you don't like it, you are completely free to leave and we'll be only too happy to organize a guaranteed full refund of your membership fees.

Well I've just said what you make me think about what you care about this site... Maybe you care a lot but the results does not show the same... I think that its not only me but a lot of visitors here also think that admins don't care enough to avoid and solve the issues and due to that fact many attackers will see this place as a good target... It seems that you're glad to be "a good bait for the hunters" :loser:

Fgold

01-02-2014, 10:26 AM

Well said SBM.

I was about to ask him what he did to make his contribution to scam busting. Perhaps it would not hurt to remind readers how much you have already spent from your own funds to get this forum started. Comments such as the one from Fgold are extremely irritating and he needs to be told that he is doing his own cause no good whatsoever.

The contribution to scam busting is something very vague and not easy to be measured. I'm satisfied with my contributions for that cause not only here but also in other places online and offline and that's what matters for me. Your comment doesn't contribute anything to solve the forum issues... Reporting the causes of problems and suggesting new solutions that would contribute more and that's what I'm trying to do.

littleroundman

01-02-2014, 10:50 AM

I think that its not only me but a lot of visitors here also think that admins don't care enough to avoid and solve the issues and due to that fact many attackers will see this place as a good target... It seems that you're glad to be "a good bait for the hunters"

"I THINK"

"a lot of visitors also THINK"

"it SEEMS"

Yep, you're right, you don't "KNOW" anything, you only "THINK" you know what we do.

HINT: Microsoft spends millions of dollars and hundreds of millions of hours on security for its' Windows OS and yet, hackers and spammers STILL find new exploits on an almost daily basis.

We don't write the forum software. We rely on the software and addon providers to provide us with updated software and security fixes.

AND, we do it at no cost to our members so that they can continue to whinge, whine, complain and criticize to their hearts content.

ribshaw

01-02-2014, 11:14 AM

Well, I take it you would be happy to contribute funds to support this board.

I think setting up a donate button to a Paypal account is a sound business and mission decision.

Would prefer to stay away from ads, especially (thanks to creepy Google tracking) people will likely see ads for the very things few of us would be promoting without vetting. Certainly I don't speak for the group, without the missus don't even speak for myself. She said I would be plenty happy to throw a few bucks in the hat to defray some of the cost of admin's time.

It is hard to get the message out if people click and get a file 72 error and never show up, or worse get a virus. So to the extent, "investments" in the forum would help further the mission, count a yes vote here.

NikSam

01-02-2014, 02:00 PM

The contribution to scam busting is something very vague and not easy to be measured. I'm satisfied with my contributions for that cause not only here but also in other places online and offline and that's what matters for me. Your comment doesn't contribute anything to solve the forum issues... Reporting the causes of problems and suggesting new solutions that would contribute more and that's what I'm trying to do.

Filipe, thank you for changing your profile logo as some saw it offensive, that is your biggest contribution to scambusting.

trader

01-02-2014, 02:24 PM

I think setting up a donate button to a Paypal account is a sound business and mission decision.

.....

It is hard to get the message out if people click and get a file 72 error and never show up, or worse get a virus. So to the extent, "investments" in the forum would help further the mission, count a yes vote here.

Will second that!

okosh

01-02-2014, 05:48 PM

I think setting up a donate button to a Paypal account is a sound business and mission decision.

It is hard to get the message out if people click and get a file 72 error and never show up, or worse get a virus. So to the extent, "investments" in the forum would help further the mission, count a yes vote here.

Would 3rd that....

okosh

01-02-2014, 05:50 PM

Well I've just said what you make me think about what you care about this site... Maybe you care a lot but the results does not show the same... I think that its not only me but a lot of visitors here also think that admins don't care enough to avoid and solve the issues and due to that fact many attackers will see this place as a good target... It seems that you're glad to be "a good bait for the hunters" :loser:

You really are a super twit....

Fgold

01-03-2014, 06:32 AM

"I THINK"

"a lot of visitors also THINK"

"it SEEMS"

Yep, you're right, you don't "KNOW" anything, you only "THINK" you know what we do.

HINT: Microsoft spends millions of dollars and hundreds of millions of hours on security for its' Windows OS and yet, hackers and spammers STILL find new exploits on an almost daily basis.

We don't write the forum software. We rely on the software and addon providers to provide us with updated software and security fixes.

AND, we do it at no cost to our members so that they can continue to whinge, whine, complain and criticize to their hearts content.

Thats right its just what I think... I'm not an expert in that field but I guess that this error can be easily solved by yourself in your admin cp...

Fgold

01-03-2014, 06:46 AM

Filipe, thank you for changing your profile logo as some saw it offensive, that is your biggest contribution to scambusting.

LOL it was just a nazi rat... What's the probblem?? Are there so many jewish people visiting here ??? Don't forget that what they are doing now in Israel is the same that was done in Europe during WW2...

littleroundman

01-03-2014, 06:53 AM

The juvenile offensive humour department is two doors down on the left, Felipe.

Enjoy

CYA

scratchycat

01-04-2014, 05:23 PM

Glad to see you guys & gals 'hanging in there'. I was surprised at the attitude of Fgold - thought that one was a good member at one time. Must have been thinking of someone else. Sorry I have not been around much lately, maybe with all the holidays past and a new year starting up, I will have more time to add my 2 cents worth.

Happy New Year!!

scratchycat

01-08-2014, 10:50 AM

Thanks and I don't mean to be a pest but one reason I don't come here much is the fact that I do not receive any feeds from any of the threads I have requested to follow except the Romance thread by Ribshaw. To me that seems a simple thing to correct but maybe it involves much more than I can phantom and I don't want to cause the admins any problems as I know they are constantly having to fight off hackers and such. It was just nice to be able to be updated through feeds. Happy New Year everyone!

Soapboxmom

01-08-2014, 11:07 AM

Thanks for the heads up. We will check it out!

okosh

01-08-2014, 04:37 PM

Thanks and I don't mean to be a pest but one reason I don't come here much is the fact that I do not receive any feeds from any of the threads I have requested to follow except the Romance thread by Ribshaw.

Thanks for the heads up. We will check it out!

:Fiddler:There’s a hole in my bucket, dear Liza, dear Liza! There’s a hole in my bucket, dear Liza, a hole!

I did mention the email notification not working....That was in April and it;s still not been fixed....
http://www.realscam.com/f24/merged-attacks-realscam-com-2232/index5.html#post52830

I really wasn't that naughty so if I continue to be a good boy can it please be fixed soon??....

http://www.realscam.com/f24/merged-attacks-realscam-com-2232/index7.html#post63630

Fgoldagain

02-10-2014, 01:41 PM

The juvenile offensive humour department is two doors down on the left, Felipe.

Enjoy

CYA

What was offensive was the censorship of my old avatar. People who told bad things about my old avatar are those people who wear Cheguevara T-shirts and at same time are too much hypocrite to say that care a lot about peace and human rights... :NO: