Article Directories Hacked

Mark Clayson

14 years ago

Are they on one particular platform?

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1 reply

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vicone

14 years ago

I'm not sure. I was rushing to make submissions and noticed trouble with a few but it did not at first occur to me that they'd been hacked.

When I looked more closely at a later site which was proving difficult I realized that this was a problem I'd encountered earlier and then saw a statement from the perp boasting about what he'd done.

Ivan

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vicone

14 years ago

I've been removing hacked sites from my submission list but I find new ones are appearing. These latest sites are using the Article Dashboard software.

Ivan

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dvduval

14 years ago

Originally Posted by vicone

I've been removing hacked sites from my submission list but I find new ones are appearing. These latest sites are using the Article Dashboard software.

Ivan

Ouch, yes. It looks like hundreds or even thousands of sites were hacked in the last day or two.

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PatriciaJ

14 years ago

It happened to my directory when I used AD. Somebody got in and tried to email all of the authors, I was lucky that my host didn't close me down as they did others. Another time a link to a Russian blog was placed right at the bottom of all of the pages. Another thing to watch out for is them linking to their own sites through your category titles at the top of your article pages.

I changed passwords regularly after that and made sure they were hard to figure and I removed the edit templates function from admin. I think that somebody came up with an add on to deter hackers but can't remember where I saw that.

Thanks
1 reply

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aborana

14 years ago

Is there a quick fix for this problem? My directory appears to be hacked as well. Anyone knows what I need to do?

Thanks

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TheRichJerksNet

14 years ago

Originally Posted by aborana

Is there a quick fix for this problem? My directory appears to be hacked as well. Anyone knows what I need to do?

Thanks

Again I highly suggest upgrading to a custom solution... If you are serious about business then getting a custom solution should not give you any 2nd thoughts....

James

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2 replies

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GarrieWilson

14 years ago

Originally Posted by TheRichJerksNet

Exactly why I custom code all my sites... Open source code is a target although I know many will not agree with that. Look at all the wordpress and joomla sites being hacked, it is because they are open source code and the hackers have full access to the code.

It's a target because it's popular. It's just easier to find exploites since it's open.

Originally Posted by TheRichJerksNet

Again I highly suggest upgrading to a custom solution... If you are serious about business then getting a custom solution should not give you any 2nd thoughts....

You are so full of it.

What OS is your server on? A *nix flavor? If it is, you aren't serious about business.

I use open source, custom solutions, commercial and even modified open source sites. It all depends on whats needed, what's available and the project type.

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aborana

14 years ago

Originally Posted by TheRichJerksNet

Again I highly suggest upgrading to a custom solution... If you are serious about business then getting a custom solution should not give you any 2nd thoughts....

James

Do you mean just sticking with ArticleDashboard, but upgrading to a paid version? or completely changing to another article directory platform?

Fuad

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GarrieWilson 14 years ago

Originally Posted by aborana

Do you mean just sticking with ArticleDashboard, but upgrading to a paid version? or completely changing to another article directory platform.

He is saying make your own from scratch.

He is also a programmer and thats why he thinks that.
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TheRichJerksNet

14 years ago

Originally Posted by aborana

Do you mean just sticking with ArticleDashboard, but upgrading to a paid version? or completely changing to another article directory platform?

Fuad

No I mean going and getting a custom coded script (NOT OPEN SOURCE CODE).. Those regular everyday adsense farms are becoming more and more useless as they are pretty much offering nothing.

I would go custom coded and have features built into the script that nobody else offers. Get a properly coded script you can have it secured so you do not have to worry about that hackers.

James

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1 reply

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aborana

14 years ago

Originally Posted by TheRichJerksNet

No I mean going and getting a custom coded script (NOT OPEN SOURCE CODE).. Those regular everyday adsense farms are becoming more and more useless as they are pretty much offering nothing.

I would go custom coded and have features built into the script that nobody else offers. Get a properly coded script you can have it secured so you do not have to worry about that hackers.

James

Recommendations and cost???

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TheRichJerksNet 14 years ago

Originally Posted by aborana

Recommendations and cost???

Find a coder, I no longer take on clients.. There is the programming forum here (go to the main page and scroll down you will see the programmer forum), you could post in there...

Ask about a custom solution and be very specific on what you would like.

James
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theimdude 14 years ago

Originally Posted by aborana

Is there a quick fix for this problem? My directory appears to be hacked as well. Anyone knows what I need to do?

Thanks

Hi,
I am using article friendly and it seem to be supported fairly well. He also do a uncoded version so instead of getting somebody to custom code for you buy the uncoded version which is secure currently and the owner supports it. The cost for the pro version is $50 and the uncoded one $89

It is not as easy getting somebody just to code something for you as James say as he is a coder and the average coder out there is not going to fix your problem when you get hacked for free. To get a coder to do a site for you would cost a fair amount as well.

You can try article ms as well but I don't like the features. There is a very nice wordpress article site plugin.

As for wordpress and security I have over a 100 domains using WP and don't have any issues. There was a problem with 2.8 but the problem was fixed and WP seems very secure currently.
The problem with James secure version of WP is that WP is open source and now he has a "non open source WP" which I don't like and every time WP is updated it will be an issue to update James's "secure version"

We also need to remember that wordpress as a open source project is very well supported.

Article friendly also have a script that you can convert your AD article to AF

I think one golder rule that needs to be followed;

1) Backup
2) Make sure directories is not 777

If you serous about your site the do rule 1 as if you do have a issue it is easy to rollback
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dvduval

14 years ago

I heard that the code is encrypted too, meaning it is not as simple as just looking at the code and fixing the issue. Is that true also?

(that is one of the reason we have kept phpLD's source code open)

Thanks

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TheRichJerksNet

14 years ago

Exactly why I custom code all my sites... Open source code is a target although I know many will not agree with that. Look at all the wordpress and joomla sites being hacked, it is because they are open source code and the hackers have full access to the code.

James

Thanks
2 replies

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Todd Sampson 14 years ago

I noticed the other day while trying to set up Articlebot that 7-8 of the
confirmation emails came back as ...hacked by so and so. So, yeah it
looks like somebody hacked a bunch of directories running the same
script.

wishing you success,
Todd Sampson
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TheRichJerksNet

14 years ago

Originally Posted by Nathan Segal

The only site I have experience with is Wordpress and yes, it can be hacked. I was hacked and I had to close down 3 of my blogs. With help, my 4th one was saved.

It's also possible to close down many of the ways that hackers get in. It's not foolproof, from what I understand, but then again, I don't know of anything that is.

Nothing is 100% secure Nathan, you're right ... But not using open source code will help you a great deal better. While many of those AD directories got hacked many of us that custom code our sites do not have to worry so much about it because our code is not in the open public.

James

Thanks

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aborana

14 years ago

If you have an Article Dashboard Directory, here's a temp solution for the problem!

Article Directories Hacked by z7faan-h4ck3r

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aborana 14 years ago

Originally Posted by aborana

If you have an Article Dashboard Directory, here's a temp solution for the problem!

Article Directories Hacked by z7faan-h4ck3r

The Warrior forum post shown above has been deleted. I do not know for sure why, but I think it happened after I submitted the entire HTML code that the hacker uses to destroy the site.

For those who did not get to read the solution, here it is again.

It seems like the entire code is placed in the "indexnav.tpl" folder (Article Dashboard Directories)

Steps to clear the problem

1-Change password to a stronger, hard to guess password

2-Go to your "article" sub-folder in your site directory

3-Open the "templates" folder

4-Look for indexnav.tpl and open folder and inspect the code.

5-if you have a backup folder, delete the infected folder, or replace the entire code with the healthy code you have in your back up file, and save the new folder under the same name "indexnav.tpl"

At this point, your site should open without the annoying popups and scary video.

Hope this helps
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Keith Choy

14 years ago

Hi aborana,

Thanks! I got hacked today as well. After looking at your steps, I was able to successfully cleaned up my AD site. Just to share that there were many TPL files hit. This includes files in admintemplates and templates directory (just in case other Warriors hit this same problem as well).

cheers,
Keith Choy

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aborana

14 years ago

Originally Posted by Keith Choy

Hi aborana,

Thanks! I got hacked today as well. After looking at your steps, I was able to successfully cleaned up my AD site. Just to share that there were many TPL files hit. This includes files in admintemplates and templates directory (just in case other Warriors hit this same problem as well).

cheers,
Keith Choy

You are welcomed.

Be sure to improve your security by following these steps. You can get hacked again easily if you don't. Is this article directory got hacked or intentional?

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Keith Choy

14 years ago

Originally Posted by aborana

You are welcomed.

Be sure to improve your security by following these steps. You can get hacked again easily if you don't. Is this article directory got hacked or intentional?

Thanks. Done that earlier on as well already.

I have also separately email the creator of the AD script to suggest him updating the manual to change those settings as well.

- keith choy

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amitjain

14 years ago

How can anybody hack these article directories is there any loophole in the platform ??

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Terry Crim

14 years ago

Whats the point? They going to steal your articles? Weird.

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2 replies

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GarrieWilson 14 years ago

Originally Posted by Terry Crim

Whats the point? They going to steal your articles? Weird.

Use it to do drive by downloads, sends spam, etc.
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TheRichJerksNet

14 years ago

Originally Posted by Terry Crim

Whats the point? They going to steal your articles? Weird.

What is the point of having a secured website ??? Well I do not know about other people but I put my members first and that includes their personal info. Not only do I have my site monitored 24/7 along with several firewalls, I also have secure coding that I know I can trust because I coded it. I also have a 3rd party that monitors the site and everything is under 356 Bit-Encryption SSL...

The point for me is caring about my members and my business but I can not speak for anyone else...

James

Thanks
1 reply

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Terry Crim

14 years ago

What is the point of hacking an article directory.

I was commenting on the surface of the OP. Yes I understand and agree with you about security.

I wasn't thinking about the various devious reasons why to hack an article directory. I just saw the OP post thread title and to my mind articles sprang to the center of my mind.

Of course thinking, which I really didn't put a lot of thought into the subject until further posts after mine. That phishing, download pushing virus trojan bot deviousness would of course make sense and be main point.

My states main websites just got hacked over last few days, this is a common thing happening right now. Big push by pirates, scammers and spammers going on right now.

- T

Originally Posted by TheRichJerksNet

What is the point of having a secured website ??? Well I do not know about other people but I put my members first and that includes their personal info. Not only do I have my site monitored 24/7 along with several firewalls, I also have secure coding that I know I can trust because I coded it. I also have a 3rd party that monitors the site and everything is under 356 Bit-Encryption SSL...

The point for me is caring about my members and my business but I can not speak for anyone else...

James

Thanks
1 reply

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TheRichJerksNet

14 years ago

Oh opps .... sorry ... lol

James

Originally Posted by Terry Crim

What is the point of hacking an article directory.

I was commenting on the surface of the OP. Yes I understand and agree with you about security.

I wasn't thinking about the various devious reasons why to hack an article directory. I just saw the OP post thread title and to my mind articles sprang to the center of my mind.

Of course thinking, which I really didn't put a lot of thought into the subject until further posts after mine. That phishing, download pushing virus trojan bot deviousness would of course make sense and be main point.

My states main websites just got hacked over last few days, this is a common thing happening right now. Big push by pirates, scammers and spammers going on right now.

- T

Thanks

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DigiCypher

14 years ago

Can someone explain to me the mentality of people who do this kinda thing? Why go out and screw with others hard work? Just out of spite? Boredom? A vendetta or something? I just don't understand it... Apparently these people need the asteem high from being able to say they hacked something and screwed with thousands of people. It's the same thing I don't understand about people who creates viruses, adware, spyware etc.

Just boggles my mind...

Well anyway, hopefully you all who were affected get it sorted out.

Best of luck.

Thanks
1 reply

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TheRichJerksNet

14 years ago

Originally Posted by DigiCypher

Can someone explain to me the mentality of people who do this kinda thing? Why go out and screw with others hard work? Just out of spite? Boredom? A vendetta or something? I just don't understand it... Apparently these people need the asteem high from being able to say they hacked something and screwed with thousands of people. It's the same thing I don't understand about people who creates viruses, adware, spyware etc.

Just boggles my mind...

Well anyway, hopefully you all who were affected get it sorted out.

Best of luck.

Many do it just to prove they can do it .. No reason at all behind it. Many also do it to get names, addresses, emails (personal info), and some others do it to toss adsense ads on your site to get those clicks even if it remains for 24 hours before the owner finds out...

James

Thanks
2 replies

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Marhelper 14 years ago

So, if you do have a Joomla site what is the best way to hack-proof it? Have a long alphanumeric password ... what else?
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- TheRichJerksNet 14 years ago
  
  Originally Posted by Marhelper
  
  So, if you do have a Joomla site what is the best way to hack-proof it? Have a long alphanumeric password ... what else?
  
  I have not looked into Joomla sites although some asked me to create a product for it like I did wordpress. I just do not have the time to go through all their coding. Joomla is a massive monster compared to wordpress.
  
  Changing your password is not going to help very much, it is changing the coding so the hackers do not know what was changed that will help secure it.
  
  James
  
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- Keith Choy 14 years ago
  
  Originally Posted by Marhelper
  
  So, if you do have a Joomla site what is the best way to hack-proof it? Have a long alphanumeric password ... what else?
  
  First thing to check is not to leave your directories with permission 777,
  
  Second thing is change your password to a stronger one.
  
  This are 2 quick simple steps.
  
  I agree with James that custom-codes is better. But the above 2 points still applies even for custom-codes.
  
  - Keith Choy
  
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DigiCypher

14 years ago

Originally Posted by TheRichJerksNet

Many do it just to prove they can do it .. No reason at all behind it. Many also do it to get names, addresses, emails (personal info), and some others do it to toss adsense ads on your site to get those clicks even if it remains for 24 hours before the owner finds out...

James

Yea i can see the reasoning there, as underhanded as it is. Sure would be nice if they'd just crawl back into their holes and go away. Or better yet, do something honorable and productive.

Thanks
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vicone 14 years ago

I submitted some articles to directories today and found that about 20% of those on my list had been disabled due to hacking.

Ivan
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ratherton

14 years ago

I just had this problem and fixed it as follows:

I deleted the following directories and reuploaded them from the backup versions:
/admintemplates
/templates

I also went in to "Edit Settings" as these morons had also changed things like the name of my site.

That looks like it has fixed everything and I can find any other files that look out of places or with a dubious date/time stamp.

If anyone from Mossad is reading this thread and needs to borrow a passport for a more permanent solution for this hacker, just send me a PM.

Thanks
1 reply

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aborana

14 years ago

Originally Posted by ratherton

I just had this problem and fixed it as follows:

I deleted the following directories and reuploaded them from the backup versions:
/admintemplates
/templates

I also went in to "Edit Settings" as these morons had also changed things like the name of my site.

That looks like it has fixed everything and I can find any other files that look out of places or with a dubious date/time stamp.

If anyone from Mossad is reading this thread and needs to borrow a passport for a more permanent solution for this hacker, just send me a PM.

You might want to check your "Categories" setting as well. He added to categories to my directory. You delete added categories from the "manage Categories" or from "prefix_adminsettings" in MySql database.

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arunseo 14 years ago

Dear Guys !

Thanks for supporting......

Now I am facing problem to admin login...it shows "INVALID LOGIN".
Either My database have same login/pwd.

Arun
- Thanks
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arunseo

14 years ago

Originally Posted by aborana

You might want to check your "Categories" setting as well. He added to categories to my directory. You delete added categories from the "manage Categories" or from "prefix_adminsettings" in MySql database.

Hi !

Thanks for supporting......

Now I am facing problem to admin login...it shows "INVALID LOGIN".
Either My database have same login/pwd.

Thanks
Arun

Thanks

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TheGraduate

14 years ago

I would modify your opening post if I was you, hacking is not exactly a misdemeanor offense. You might not want your eyes, ears and nose to somehow be found to be connected to that in any way or form. (just a little advice)

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Bosco

14 years ago

Originally Posted by TheGraduate

I would modify your opening post if I was you, hacking is not exactly a misdemeanor offense. You might not want your eyes, ears and nose to somehow be found to be connected to that in any way or form. (just a little advice)

Yeah, Graduate, when I first read the opening post I thought he must have some kind of inside information.

But later realized that the perp put his handle on sites taking credit.

If the authorities are suspicious of vicone, it's only because he's one of those people who can read. A dadgum reader.

(Yes the previous line was an attempt at humor. I saw a comedian once who spoke of being in a southern state and he was outside reading a book and some guys walked by and one of them said, "Look at whut we got us here. We got us one of them READERS.")

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duia

14 years ago

It is really a serious thing. I have never heard that many article directories sites can be hacked easily.

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