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originally posted by: AlroyFarms
a reply to: AdultMaleHumanUK
If you want my assessment, I'd say it was some harmless trolling. They didn't post anything over the top or nasty. If you read through this thread you'll notice there was some lighthearted sharing of our account changes and updates happening in real time.
They didn't seem to target anyone based on stats or political leanings etc. They seemed to just start with currently online members, then used this thread as a flytrap to mess with anybody new posting in this thread. I then noticed they went down the recent threads list and started altering offline members. No rhyme or reason other than who was a convenient bystander.
The only thing I've seen so far has been alterations to avatar, signature line, and profile details. No actual posts were edited to misrepresent anyone. However, there is now an ad on the homepage? Which I don't think has been there for years. So something got rolled back...
My PC didn't detect anything malicious, nor does my email account tied to this site appear to be compromised. Recall though a few members did mention ATS was eating up their CPU a few days ago? Related or not I don't know.
www.abovetopsecret.com...
One of the signature line updates did say they were accessing the admin account and were just playing around before "pulling the plug." You can see this on WeMustCare's signature line:
www.abovetopsecret.com...
Let's face it, the site is a security risk full of vulnerabilities and there is no ownership or support stepping in. Remember, the mods that are around are totally voluntary and have little ability to do much but continue to volunteer their time to moderating the site.
It seemed like harmless pranking so far, but that remains to be seen...there was a period of about 10 minutes where nothing was loading at all. I assumed it was a DDOS attack or something, as cloudflare said ATS was down.
Remember, consider all your information you post on this site possibly compromised. Private Messages are not private, as the troll used me to demonstrate earlier.
Be cautious and safe! As my most recent signature alteration has been made to say, the troll may just be getting started.
Oh, and if any stragglers are interested, here is a permanent working link to the Official ATS Discord Server "The Phantom Zone."
discord.gg...
originally posted by: AlroyFarms
originally posted by: Oldcarpy2
a reply to: BernnieJGato
Thanks. Can't seem to delete it!
On desktops, make sure you're hitting the 'submit' button to apply any changes. clear the link in the field or replace it with your own uploaded image etc. Click submit. Be aware many of us had to change it a dozen times while the troll was active.
originally posted by: UKTruth
a reply to: Flyingclaydisk
I am confused as to why you can not change your password , though , FCD?
originally posted by: xuenchen
originally posted by: UKTruth
a reply to: Flyingclaydisk
I am confused as to why you can not change your password , though , FCD?
The email system won't send you the new password. It's "broken". 🔐
originally posted by: FullHeathen
a reply to: RazorV66
Try using the function in the IMAGES upload dropdown.
originally posted by: xuenchen
originally posted by: UKTruth
a reply to: Flyingclaydisk
I am confused as to why you can not change your password , though , FCD?
The email system won't send you the new password. It's "broken". 🔐
originally posted by: cocnutcrab883
a reply to: Flyingclaydisk
originally posted by: AlroyFarms
originally posted by: xuenchen
originally posted by: UKTruth
a reply to: Flyingclaydisk
I am confused as to why you can not change your password , though , FCD?
The email system won't send you the new password. It's "broken". 🔐
I think you can change your own password. I believe DBCowboy had success with that early on during the event. Mods can't reset your password if you lose or forget it.
I'm not sure how successful changing your password is going to be as a defense though.
originally posted by: CarlLaFong
So...who, here, who got the Hammer and sickle treatment...ALSO got a "personal Invite" from a fellow member in their PM?
originally posted by: TzarChasm
a reply to: Encia22
Since we're on the subject of avatars, remind me where you got yours. I lost the link you shared a while back and mine is due for an upgrade.
originally posted by: Encia22
originally posted by: TzarChasm
a reply to: Encia22
Since we're on the subject of avatars, remind me where you got yours. I lost the link you shared a while back and mine is due for an upgrade.
Give me a day, it's on my work PC.
originally posted by: Kurokage
What I find odd is that my account/avatar was changed yesterday after all the chaos, so they came back and did mine?? Was anyone else changed yesterday?
originally posted by: Kurokage
What I find odd is that my account/avatar was changed yesterday after all the chaos, so they came back and did mine?? Was anyone else changed yesterday? I wasn't active either when it happened as most have been??
originally posted by: Encia22
I believe changing passwords won't make any difference. In my opinion, the hacks weren't at a profile level (like what you or I would do to change an avatar), but directly in the database... cleaner and faster, and for which one would only need admin access to the backend.