IMPORTANT: forum was attacked

[Whitney]

The forum was attacked by a hacker today...that's why you may be seeing some odd error messages at the top of the page.  Apparently I need to update the forum to the  newest version of PHPBB Plus to avoid this happening again, I didn't realize a .1 difference in versions made that much of a difference. My hosting provider has removed the malicious content but says they will suspend the account if it happens again.

Everyone, please make a note of my email address (add it to your contact list) just in case the update fails or they suspend the site and you need to get in contact with me.

We may loose content in the update if it doesn't go smoothly, however I did do a backup last week so we won't loose too much.  If you have something you posted that you want record of please save it to your hard drive or print it.  This is just a precaution since I know sometimes updating can cause screw ups and loss of information.

The forum will not be available during the update, I do not know how long it will take me to complete the process but shouldn't be more than a few hours.

[Will]

Thanks for being a good owner/admin and I'm sorry there are idiots out there who are threatened by our amazing wisdom.

[Whitney]

Update...I'm currently having my host back up the database and will begin the update when that is completed.  Depending on how long it takes them and how long it takes me to do the update the forum may be offline from when I start the update (planning on later tonight) till tomorrow when I get home (if it takes too long and I have to go to bed before it's done).

Update...I installed some security patches which should keep everything fine for now...I'll try the update tomorrow.

[Bella]

Thanks for being a good owner/admin and I'm sorry there are idiots out there who are threatened by our amazing wisdom.

Yea, what he said.

[McQ]

And we have a new troll on the forum it appears too. Lucky us!

[Mister Joy]

He's been on here before as this guy, I'm fairly sure: http://www.happyatheistforum.com/profile.php?mode=viewprofile&u=425

I'm assuming you're talking about Mister Look-here's-a-mutated-lamb-the-end-is-nigh! yes?

[McQ]

He's been on here before as this guy, I'm fairly sure: http://www.happyatheistforum.com/profile.php?mode=viewprofile&u=425

I'm assuming you're talking about Mister Look-here's-a-mutated-lamb-the-end-is-nigh! yes?

Yep. That's who I was thinking about.

[Whitney]

I'm not feeling good today and there are some cleaning things I have to do before the update takes place (waiting on the host to do something)...it will probably be tomorrow before the update happens.  I found someone who can be paid to update the forum if I run into any issues...however, I'm not going to go that way unless absolutely necessary because it requires temporarily giving control over to someone I don't know and I may have a friend here in town who can help for free if I really need it.

[Whitney]

I think everything is ready to try an upgrade and security should be up to date.  Everyone, let me know if you are getting any weird errors...they should be gone now.

[Edizzle]

Thank god nobody was hurt.

[Freethinker]

*sigh* I hate people who do this. We don't go and bash religious forums, why do they have to bash ours?

[Mister Joy]

Actually atheists do bash religious forums... I've seen it happen a few times, unfortunately. It annoys me a whole lot when others who represent my side come wading into a discussion with theists telling them that they're all deluded and need to get a grip on reality before even listening to what they have to say, adopting a holier more rational than thou attitude while at the same time relying more on personal attacks than rational analysis. In fact I get more irritated by atheist bigots than Christian bigots, in an odd sort of way.

[SteveS]

In fact I get more irritated by atheist bigots than Christian bigots, in an odd sort of way.

That's totally understandable to me.  They make us all look bad, for pity's sake!

[ILOVEJESUS]

well done for the site.. its a shame when anyone of any belief decides to act in a distructive and ignorant way. may god damn their souls. ( hmmm not much chance of that happening though)