Posted by Dr. Bob on July 5, 2007, at 18:51:01
In reply to Hacked, posted by Dr. Bob on May 13, 2007, at 9:50:36
> I'll try to keep you updated, and when the dust settles, we'll need to discuss the consequences of this.
I guess that dust has more or less settled... First, to review:
> it should be safe to turn on your cookies ... because the hacker was able to post as others, those who seemed to be responsible for the problem posts may not actually have been.
>
> someone else may have your posting password [may have had it then], but as far as I can tell, your computer hasn't been infected by a virus, the data on your computer isn't in danger, etc.> As far as I know, they didn't get access to the server. Or, as I mentioned before, to the computers of any users. Those who had cookies (or Javascript) turned off weren't affected -- and are probably safer in general.
One of the consequences of someone having your posting password is that with it, they can access the information you entered to register here, and if that includes an email address that can be linked to your real name, then what you've posted could be linked to you.
> FYI, what the hacker did was insert malicious instructions into a post that sent them information from the Babble cookies of those who came across that post.
That post was on the main Psycho-Babble board from 5/10 to 5/12, so I think only posters who visited that board during that time were at risk.
Taking your registration information without your permission is theft of personal information, and if you think it's being used to harass you or to pretend to be you (especially if it's to involve you in some kind of fraud), please let me know, and I'll pass that on to the FBI.
Again, I sincerely regret that that happened.
Bob
poster:Dr. Bob
thread:758315
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/admin/20070702/msgs/767922.html