What Happened??

[Yorkiegirl]

I have tried to click onto several messages and it keeps telling me my IP address has been banned.

What did I do wrong?? I am so very, very upset. I would never, ever do anything to hurt any one. I am in tears right now.




Vicki

[Joe]

Over the weekend we had 2 "attacks" on our website in order to gather email addresses of members. The first username was "PennyStockNews" the second was named "ComputerFileShare" both of these attackers used a gmail address.
The registration is done by using hacker software designed to register with as many websites as possible. The attacker would then log on to these websites and manually transfer email addresses in order to build up a mailing list which he would then flood with spam mail.

In an effort to protect our members, I banned all email address that used gmail accounts. I should have checked to see how many of our "actual" members used this free anonymous email service. My mistake, because you were one of about 15 valid members.

I have since instituted another protective method. Any new registrants will be presented with a code which they in turn must type into their registration
application. This should stop any automated registrations.

I sincerely apologize for my mistake and have lifted the ban on gmail addresses. I am truly sorry to cause you any distress.

Hopefully you will understand.

Regards
Joe

Webmaster

[StephN]

Joe -
Earlier today I was on this site and my antivirus software warned me of an attempted Attack. I looked at the details and it was it was a "Portscan attack." It gave me an IP address but I did not take that down. Could probably still get it from my "events" file.

Should the rest of us re-register under the new system??

Thanks for shielding us as best you can.

[Yorkiegirl]

Now that is funny since I don't use gmail. I have AOL.


Vicki

[Joe]

Apparently, someone was accessing gmail through their AOL account.


Regards
Joe

[StephN]

I also have AOL and had no trouble reading or posting here.

[Joe]

Gmail is one of those free email services like "hotmail, and "Yahoo mail". Although these are reputable services, they are often used by unscrupulous hackers who wish to hide their identity.


Regards
Joe