Computer Hackers

[LisaTx]

I was just telling Mr. Cricket this morning that I love learning new things. I taught myself how to repair a toilet a long time ago. One of the more interesting things I taught myself was how to use Paint Shop Pro to edit photographs. You can have soooo much fun doing that.

 

[caitycaity]

LOL

 

[RoutemanDan]

<img src=http://www.boomerweb.net/users/garage/clipartist/bjal.gif>

 

[I <3 Eeyore]

 

[LisaTx]

 

[debster812]

You KNEW RMD could not leave that alone!


hee hee hee

 

[betz]

Originally posted by WebmasterAlex
OK.. couple of points...

The passwords are encrypted, there is no way to pull them out in a usable fashion, for example a fairly short password comes out looking like this:
62d3222aaf5426af18123d6268624e8d ...

If having PHP encoded is considered encryption I am sure then the passwords are encrypted.
The problem with PHPA is that if somebody has a Green Hornet Decoder Ring they can crack into anything

 

[Crissup]

Originally posted by betz
if somebody has a Green Hornet Decoder Ring they can crack into anything

Only if they've upgraded to Green Hornet Decoder Ring Version 2.

 

[HorizonsFan]

The problem with PHPA is that if somebody has a Green Hornet Decoder Ring they can crack into anything

vBulletin and most other PHP message boards use md5 hashes to store passwords. It is not an encryption per se but simply a mathmatical algorithm generated from the characters in the password. This algorithm is generated whenever a person types in their password and is compared to the algorithm stored in the database. One can not "decode" the password from the md5 hash because it's not actually there.
The greater danger is someone hacking the database and creating a new user with admin priveleges but with proper firewall software in place, it's pretty difficult to do.

 

[WebmasterAlex]

The truth is, and we all know it, that anybody can break into anything if they are willing to put enough time and effort into it. I was just trying to make the point that they aren't just stored in plain text.

 

[Snowgod]

If a computer is connected to the internet, it can be hacked. If it is a windows based system it is fairly easy. If you are worried about someone breaking into your personal camputer then unplug the phone line or network cable. If you have to be connected then start with a router or some sort of gateway. Then add a firewall. is a firewall foolproof, no. NAT or network address translation helps by changing the address of your computer from a public address as asigned by your ISP (internet service provider) to a private address. Do not use File Sharing. File Sharing helps to advertise your computers presence to others. do not use email atachments or accept email with an attachment. The most common method for hacking a computer is to send someone an email with a script attached that sends back the information needed by the hacker. These methods will help prevent a hacker from attacking you but if a person has enough time and resources, then you can be hacked.

 

[HorizonsFan]

Good advice...
The only thing I would add is that if you have a dedicated connection such as cable or DSL, you should run a trojan scanner in addition to any anti-virus software you may be running. Norton and McAffee may say they detect trojans, but they don't do as good as they claim...