Recent Bird Board Errors & Problems

[Kevin]

Well this past week or so we had several errors that were causing bb some issues and well.... after several fixes only to find out it happened again and again , I was tipped off by a friend which lead me to find the real issue causing the mess!


Last night I got a call from a friend who asked me If I was on my computer and I was with a friend watching tv..... So I told him I wasn't and he was like is someone else on your pc? Nope I replied...

Well someone is talking to me right now and telling me x y z and I was like sure as hell wasn't me and definitely not something I would say and he was like that's why I called you.

Long story short, the recent errors came by way of computer virus... My pc got infected with a nasty virus or two and compromised my pc allowing them to take control of it.

They found server information on my pc and proceeded to inject malicious code into the website in the most basic of pc languages but since birdboard runs a 3rd party software with a well somewhat unique code the code they injected didn't work and just messed the site up not allowing them to execute what they wanted.

I also noticed several other effects that they did to my pc over the last couple weeks, and now that I am cleaning up the mess. Its been a solid 15hrs or so of cleanup, 4 harddrives, 1.8 million files checked, changing passwords, changing credit cards, you name it.


Long story short I highly recommend everyone download this freeware or several of these free solutions:


Malwarebytes.org - click on products and download there free version!
Ad-Aware by Lavasoft - Antivirus software, free spyware removal, firewall

Lastly pick up a copy of Nortons or some other highly recommended industry leading protection... I wasn't a fan of norton's for awhile becuase it was a bit bulky as a software but there latest version is quite nice.

If there is an outstanding issue or need help with something please drop me a private msg, as i was not getting them for a couple weeks... As they blocked several forms of msgs from reaching me emails, priv msgs and some chat communications.

Symantec Store: Norton Internet Security, Antivirus, Norton 360 Products

[jenseits]

So how can we trust that you are who you say you are and that the links you posted are safe? Maybe all the errors were part of an elaborate ploy to get us to download malware disguised as anti-virus software, hm?

Sorry you're dealing with this Kevin. Computer problems are the pits.

[asulli]

Thanks for the info. Sorry you had such problems.

[Sorechia]

What is wrong with these hackers!!! Sorry you are having these issues! I know what it feels like and it sucks!

[Kevin]

Originally Posted by jenseits

So how can we trust that you are who you say you are and that the links you posted are safe? Maybe all the errors were part of an elaborate ploy to get us to download malware disguised as anti-virus software, hm?

Sorry you're dealing with this Kevin. Computer problems are the pits.

Heh I wish... Today I get to do more clean up with bills and etc

All I know is tonight =

[Lisa B]

well that explains all the weird coding I was getting. Arent ya glad I wont be wakin ya up tomorrow in a panic saying "BB's messed up"!

[Monica]

I do recommend Malwarebytes and Ad-Aware. However, I've heard that Norton may not be the best because it's one of the most common anti-viruses out there, and thus one that hackers are going to go after first. The computer technicians and other computer people that I know recommend Kaspersky.

Some other programs to try include ATF Cleaner [temp file cleaner], Malicious Software Removal Tool [from the Microsoft webpage] and ComboFix. HijackThis may also be good in finding issues.



Had a recent issue with our router, that supposedly got infected via one of the computers, however I do not know how it fixed itself since the router was not reset... I only found out what the issue may have been after it had resolved itself.

[Kevin]

I agree Hijackthis is a good one! and those others...

Its funny no one program finds them all... After I ran malware, adaware, hijackthis nortons still found ones that others didn't.... just shows ya you can't trust 1 or even 2 solutions to protect your computer.

[NotEnoughTime]

The issue with most "anti-virus" software packages is that you are already infected when the software finds the infection - so the infection can "take control." I believe it is much more effective to practice "safe computing" rather than depending on any one (two or three) anti-virus package(s)...

Any major piece of software has bugs... And can likely be hacked... Including anti-virus software... I always keep this in mind when accessing the internet.

Enjoy your evening and I hope you can relax for a while...

[Kevin]

I have obviously not closed the holes they are coming in through yet, I thought I had closed multiple loopholes, bought and ran software, changed too too many passwords and creditcards but it ain't working and our server was attacked again lastnight at around 11:15-11:40 PST.

Tommorow morning around 7am PST

I am going to be taking my pc out back and putting the sucker down.... , buying new hard drives, as well as we will be doing a server maint changing out all pw's and adding additional security measures.. If it strikes again... I am about to go postal on someone somewhere.... Might have to buy a 18 pack of beer by 9am and be nice and toasty by noon will definitely be a first for me!

This is a drain on the finances for birdboard yearly budget cant handle too much more or might have to close down the site for a couple weeks.


its almost 5am and still havent got a wink in, gonna wait till store opens and go pick up some new hard drives... and start fresh a new at this point faster and cheaper at this stage.