Jan Still's Website Badly Damaged
 

Someone hacked Jan Still's website and did extensive damage. The webmaster is working to try to restore as much of it as he can.

This is a terrible loss as much valuable information on many types of early handguns in addition to Lugers has been posted on this site. Let us wish a speedy and complete recovery for that forum.

I agree with you.... Having had my Porsche site hacked about 3 years ago (replacing about 1000 pages with porn pics/images) - any website owner feels absolutely "violated"....

My best and sincerest wishes to get back on-line completely and quickly.!!!

IMNSHO - any hacker should have the same penalty as someone who writes Viruses - a quick and speedy trial - and the firing squad would probably be appropriate....

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva">Originally posted by John D.:
<strong>IMNSHO - any hacker should have the same penalty as someone who writes Viruses - a quick and speedy trial - and the firing squad would probably be appropriate....</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva">I can think of more appropriate punishments for any sorry SOB who intentionally wrecked Jan's site. I simply don't understand the mentality that takes delight in ruining the hard work of others. I can only hope that the attacker can be identified and made to pay for his/her actions.

Ron,

This is really distressing... thankfully John D., our benefactor here did some serious backups this morning to help us recover in the event someone tries to do this to us...I am not in my normal location and do not have access to my "favorites"... so I can't visit Jan's site to view the damage...

Just out of curiosity... were Jan's pages singled out... or was the whole website that supports him brought down? Since I work in the Computer Security industry... I am curious about the details on the extent of the hack...

Please check your private messages to get my current email address for a reply.

thanks,

John S...the Anti-Hacker(...who was that masked man?)

John,
It was Jan's forum, and Jan's forum only...

It takes a sicko to do something like that!

Regards, Brandon

I hate to hear this! There was lots of valuable technical information and information that I hope can be restored.

Jan sent me this e-mail, he said to pass it on, so I figure posting it here would be a good way to disseminate the message...

Here it is:

"Fellow Collectors and members of the GERMAN LUGERS, CENTRAL POWERS & AXIS
PISTOLS Forum www.Lugercollector.net

Our Forum has been hacked and the damage may be complete. Apparently this
attack was directed at our boards and only our boards. Collectors from all
over the World have poured their expertise, comments, and photographs into
this site to make it the best in the World. This destruction breaks my
heart. If anyone has any information as to the hacker that would destroy our
work please come forward.

I talked to Tuco last night and the site will be up and running again in
spite of this destruction. WE WILL BE BACK?

Jan C. Still (Please pass this on to fellow collectors, as I have limited
means of communication)"

"The message that I received last night from Tuco" (Brent)

"We might have a serious problem here. It looks like someone got into
the database and really screwed with the system. I am going to have to get
some outside help to look into this and assist me. It appears they altered
the database and erased it. If that did happen that means everything on the
boards- posts - membernames - you name it - is GONE and maybe for good.
This was directed at your boards and only your boards. Again I will update
tonight or tomorrow when I know more. What a pain in the butt! Someone had
an issue with you or just happened across the site and decided to raise
hell - Brent"

Hi Doubs..!

The only problem with making some one "pay" - is how do you place a "value" the information that was in Jan's Forums? It was a huge repository of Luger information (and some terrific info on Drillings and other collectibles) offered by collectors throughout the world - and unfortunatley - it's now been turned into pixie dust... It's a sad commentary on any society where hackers want to destroy something as valuable that....

Anyway - I hope that when Jan get's his site back up and running (he will..!!! :) you'll join me and either register or re-register on that site too - and POST CONTENT!.. Frankly - I think Jan would do the same for me, if this site were hacked like that.

See - in my "world" - any site that tries to support collectors and enthusiasts is a "good". Those who try to "destroy" those sites - well, should be delt with swiftly and with extreame prejudice....

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva">Originally posted by John D.:
<strong>Hi Doubs..!

The only problem with making some one "pay" - is how do you place a "value" the information that was in Jan's Forums?

Anyway - I hope that when Jan get's his site back up and running (he will..!!! :) you'll join me and either register or re-register on that site too - and POST CONTENT!.. Frankly - I think Jan would do the same for me, if this site were hacked like that.

See - in my "world" - any site that tries to support collectors and enthusiasts is a "good". Those who try to "destroy" those sites - well, should be delt with swiftly and with extreame prejudice....</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva">Hi John,

I've been a member from day one and post using the same name "Doubs".... with the avitar of a turtle tying the laces of his running shoes. (I post on other boards as "StampedingTerp"...... a life-long MD Terps fan.) I forget how many posts I had but it was more than a few. I scanned the board every day at least a dozen times looking for new information. I do the same on this board.

Placing value on the content of the board is impossible, of course, but when I suggested some other punishment, I was intending to imply that shooting them is much too lenient and quick.

When the board comes back up, I'll be there.
<img border="0" alt="[jumper]" title="" src="graemlins/jumper.gif" /> <img border="0" alt="[cheers]" title="" src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" />

Hey Doubs...!

Actually - I think I was in a few of the same threads as you - as I posted under " jd-08" :) When Jan's site comes back on-line - I'll catch you over there as well.... :) Again - I hope that folks focus on posting to Jan's site when it's "live" and re-establish content very quickly.

Come on folks - I know we can do it.!!!

As well - Jan probably does it for the same reasons I do it - simply because it assists budding and sage collectors alike - and we enjoy learning, discussing and collecting these firearms. I can tell you we don't it for the money - and for this site, the day it generates a single $1 - I'll probably frame it....

<img border="0" alt="[jumper]" title="" src="graemlins/jumper.gif" />

The more I read about this hack, the more irate I become... what possible motive would someone have for destroying such information? I hope the perpetrator can be traced... or maybe is stupid enough to brag about his exploits...

Flogging isn't good enough for wanton destruction of an information resource like this... <img border="0" alt="[soapbox]" title="" src="graemlins/soapbox.gif" />

I didnt post much, but I sure read a lot over there. I will reregister for sure!

This is a sad day for us all...I know I spend way too much time on Johnn D's and Jan's site but to take them away would be a great loss for me.

I am of the opinion that if it is possible to track down the henious bastard that does this type of thing, the death penalty should be swiftly applied. Untill this society is willing to get serious with this criminal behavior we are all at risk.

I would hope when Jan gets the site back up it can be made impervious to this sort of thing...John ,is it possible? Jerry Burney

Not impervious, but it can be "hardened" a little better...

It really depends on the security measures that were in place... and if the other boards on that site are protected by the same measures then they are just as vulnerable.

Hi Jerry,

Well said - as it is a sad day.... I will say that when Jan's site is back, you will see a "push" from me and others on this site to start "immediately" posting on Jan's site. My personal effort will be in the HK area, by posting a photo review of one of my HK's that has not been shown in this, or any other Forum. I also have another "hair brained" idea I e-mailed Jan about - and sincerely hopes he accepts, again - to get folks *immediately* back to his Forums as well.

As for making a site "impervious" to attacks? In all honesty - the simple truth is probably not. While this site and my other sites are fairly well protected as I'm technically able - I'm sure that if someone is intent on destroying them, they'll find a way. It's a sad truth. I'm not sure what Jan's site actually used for software or how the servers are protected, but whenever something like that happens - it shakes up all website operators.

My Best to you Jerry..!!!!

Guys,

My only concern is that our user ID's and passwords have been compromised. I suggest changing our passwords for future posting on Jan's site and others. Some of us use the same password and our user ID's/profile and may have been "hacked" ........... including the IP address that we post from. I am going to changed my password from my log in , www.P38guns.com ....... My 2C.....

Mark

P.S. At least John D assigns passwords, no chance of attack !!!

Backup the backps and then make backups of the backup backups.

And don't forget to test them :)

I've had experience with companies that backed up for years only to find out they couldn't restore what they had backed up when they eventually needed it...

Preferrably store your material on a 'platform' that has no links to the outside world. Nobody is going to hack a CD in a safe...

I am very surprised that the site was not backed up on a monthly basis. Weekly backup is essential and normal in a small business environment. If nothing else, it would have saved a lot of webmaster expense.
A bunch of work is ahead.

Guys,

Any ETA when Jan's site will be back up and folks can re-register...???

Regards,

Pete... <img border="0" alt="[typing]" title="" src="graemlins/yltype.gif" />