Server Update - Part Two

Da Nag

Da Nag

Administrator
Staff member
OK folks...I'm fairly satisfied with the state of things after the site migration/server upgrade. Now, comes another fun change...

I mentioned in another thread, that migrating to different software for the C-Brats was something I'm looking into. There are many reasons for this, but one of the primary issues I'm trying to address is security. phpBB, the software we use here, has a questionable track record in this area.

Unfortunately, switching to something better won't happen any time soon. In the mean time, I need to configure some server-side protection, that is more universal in nature. Essentially, it scans and blocks hacking attempts by "signature". Think of it as virus scanning on the C-Brat server; it actively looks at incoming requests, and blocks things that look suspicious.

The problem is, there's a balance to be found in setting how aggressive the scanning rules are. If I set them too lax, attackers can still get in. If I set them too strict, I may inadvertently disable some normal site function.

So...let this note be a heads up. I'll do my best to configure things so as not to disrupt any normal activity here, but I'm depending on all of you to reply here if you see something out of the ordinary - I can't possibly test every single function of the site.

I'll be dropping the security module in place tonight (Saturday), and will follow up here once done.

Thanks,

Bill
 
Bill,
Thanks for all of the hard work in maintaining this site and making the changes. I found a couple of times I had trouble logging on--but during this time I was in remote locations, with poor connections.

This specific format --or one similar--has a lot of wonderful features.

The only criticism, is that the search engine seems to be overly broad--but that may be my own fault.

It is arguably the best boating site out there--and again thanks!

Bob Austin
 
I would say "unquestionably" rather than "arguably" the best boating site, even though I haven't seen all the others, I have seen the Hull Truth and a few others. I cannot imagine how a site could be better, whether general or brand-specific! We all owe a HUGE debt of gratitude to Bill and Mike!

thataway":38q9fzej said:
It is arguably the best boating site out there--and again thanks!

Bob Austin
Click to expand...
 
Okee dokee...I ran the scanning rules in "report only" mode for the last 24 hours, and I think I've adjusted the rules so nothing innocent gets blocked.

I've just activated them, so that any suspicious activities will now get blocked. If you see odd errors when doing something, please follow up here with the the following info:

- Approximate time you encountered the error

- What you were doing (page you were accessing, uploading a photo, etc.)

Note: It's important that you follow up in this thread - please don't send me an email or PM. Reason being, I need your IP address to troubleshoot things, and I can easily determine that from your post here.
 
OK Bill... put me in the corner for time out.

I had just sent you a PM... sometimes my signature block post.... sometimes it does not.. I went in and turned it off, logged off, logged back on, turned it back on.... it worked on one or two messages....then... does not again.

Please take me off the hacker list. :mrgreen:

Thanks for all your help on this site. It truly helps in keeping up with my cult friends!!!

See some of yall this weekend on the Gulf, others in a couple weeks on the Cumberland, others... in a few months in the Seattle area.

Byrdman
 
Just like taking your car to the dealership... You bring up something does not work....and it does... you get home...and BAMMMMME! There it goes again.

Byrdman
 
There!!! It did it... or did not do it... The signature block I mean.

This is the 3rd message... Who wants to bet??? WIll the signature block be there...or not?
 
Byrdman":38q5us4a said:
There!!! It did it... or did not do it... The signature block I mean.

This is the 3rd message... Who wants to bet??? WIll the signature block be there...or not?
Click to expand...

Uh hey, bro, don'tcha remember DaNerd fixed it so we could only get one sig per page of messages? He did that back in the "Race for the Most Posts" period.

Now you need to switch from this TN backup device to something with a hard drive and I'll know you've risen above "Redneck" level ....

Don
 
Thanks Sneaks...and some others who PM/Emailed me on the matter.

No wonder I missed it....having to do with a race and all... I tend to go much slower now days.

And who does not giggle a bit when Papy' post that little "getting-my-feet-wet" gizmo.

Never deny yourself the pleasure of helping others.

Thanks Gang!

Byrdman
without the stuff under his name again.. :mrgreen:
 
Sneaks":8qlb0fjz said:
Byrdman":8qlb0fjz said:
There!!! It did it... or did not do it... The signature block I mean.

This is the 3rd message... Who wants to bet??? WIll the signature block be there...or not?
Click to expand...

Uh hey, bro, don'tcha remember DaNerd fixed it so we could only get one sig per page of messages? He did that back in the "Race for the Most Posts" period.

Now you need to switch from this TN backup device to something with a hard drive and I'll know you've risen above "Redneck" level ....

Don
Click to expand...

Don-

Be careful who you're callin' a Redneck!

That's kinda like the "N" word!

They can call each other that good-naturedly, even with pride!

But if some dude from the other end of the country does it...all hell breaks loose!

Joe.

Photo_2.jpg
I think somebody's a-messin' with my C-Dory! :amgry
 
CatyMae n Steve":157ggnag said:
Cool...seems to be working again! Thanks Bill
Click to expand...

Hey CM&S - hate to tell you, but I didn't to diddly. And things have been working fine here, I'm getting routine updates on the threads I'm watching.

I just looked at the mail logs - several messages were sent to you, and there are no return/error messages from your email provider (Hotmail). In fact, the logs indicate Hotmail's mail servers accepted the emails without problem. The fact that things started working all of the sudden, is an indication that the delay in delivery is within Hotmail's system.
 
Bill thanks for all the hard work!! :thup

I have noticed that sometimes, when I get out of the site to do some actual work (and I do work sometimes), when I come back, it doesn't give me just the new posts but sometimes a lot more, like when I visited earlier. Not a problem for me but just different than it used to do!

Charlie
 
8:02 AM PST 10/26. Significant performance slowdown. This happened the night before too. Of course, I have no idea if it is the server or the net.

Warren
 
PM's to both Admin's are still in my outbox....they were sent on the 22 and 23 and this is the 26 of Oct.....if your too busy to read your mail...that's cool, but if the system is broke....maybe now you know.

Also the Photo Album block on the front page show no activity since :Recent C-Dory Photo Activity
Anna Leigh 25 updated: 10/22/07 and I know of lots...since then.
 
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