[Alex Pepple]

Dear Eratosphereans,

My investigation of the first attack reported in the earlier thread indicates that it originated from IP address 193.77.138.250 (Amsterdam origination). The attacks were repeated yesterday, this time from 193.170.96.92 (also from Amsterdam, and owned by the same ISP as the previous one.)

From my analysis of the server security, it became clear that the operating system was too old and not robust enough to withstand the new generation of hacker exploits. Hence, it became necessary to take the system offline yesterday to upgrade the operating system to a newer more secure release. (For those of you in knowledgeable in such matters, we went from the rather old Red Hat Linux 7.3 to the new, highly robust Red Hat Enterprise Linux, Release 4.) I think it is better to be offline as we were for the past several to perform this upgrade, and the subsequent pain of getting everything back to the original state, than go on with the old system and risk a possible attack that might kick us offline for days on end!

I've completed the upgrade and restored the server data and posts. I think I've fixed all the obvious issues resulting from the slight incompatibilities between the old and new operating systems. Thus, everything should be working as before. However, if you notice any problem, or anything I missed, please post it here and I'll look into it.

I am positive, we're now past the server security vulnerability problems, and the system should be a lot more stable and secure from hacking and other exploits … once, I also get around to upgrading the forum software, it will be even more so!


Thank you all for your support and continued patience while I slowly get the 'Sphere back to normal.

Cheers,
...Alex

[Michael Juster]

Thanks for all your hard work, Alex! The PM system seems to be down.

[Carol Taylor]

Yes, thanks, Alex. So far everything seems to be working except the PM's. I can see that I have a new PM but can't access my inbox by either door. The message I get says


Apache/2.0.52 (Red Hat) Server at www.ablemuse.com Port 80

Carol

Edited to say I'm back in now. That was quick! I sent you an email re the IP #'s.

[Alex Pepple]

Thanks, Mike & Carol. I've just fixed the PM problem and it should be working fine. If not, let me know. Carol, I'll check that IP email right after this.

Thanks,
...Alex.

[Elle Bruno]

You're the greatest Alex! Thanks for all your hard word. Dee

[Clive Watkins]

Well done, Alex, and, as ever, thank you…

Clive

[Rose Kelleher]

That was fast!

Alex, you are awesome.

[Alex Pepple]

Thank you Dee, Clive and Rose ... Your support is much appreciated!

Cheers,
...Alex

[Elle Bruno]

Okay Alex, one problem. If I visit a forum, then try to click back to the main Eratosphere page, I get this:

#
### PRIMARY UBB SCRIPT ##
#
# Ultimate Bulletin Board is copyright Infopop Corporation, 1998-2000.
etc etc


I then have to shut down and bring the board up again. It does not happen when traveling within a particular forum. I'm wondering if others are experiencing this also. Thanks! Dee

[Dick Morgan]

Hi Alex:

I can't post new pictures on the ART FORUM. I get USER NAME DOESN'T EXIST. Hope you can help.

Dick Morgan