WebHostingTalk (WHT) is down; full db released by hackers

IkY0294 said:
Some files to the script is gone, no one can register I've tried today because they have the 2007 data base and it said that there was no register page. Try to do it it says not found.
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I'm not seeing this problem. The register page comes up fine here.
 
Hi Everyone,

I'm from the Web Hosting Talk/iNET Interactive team and wanted to let all of you know the best place to get updates on the current events happening at Web Hosting Talk. We're working hard to resolve current issues and want to make sure everyone is informed of the latest updates and happenings.

To get the latest information and updates, visit the following threads at Web Hosting Talk:

http://www.webhostingtalk.com/announcement.php?f=31&a=134
http://www.webhostingtalk.com/showthread.php?t=852943

Thanks!
 
I made this post at WHT (the only one regarding the recent/ongoing events and how its managed), but I thought I would state it here as well. I understand full well that some members might consider me biased toward the situation since I run this forum, but I sure hope you don't take it from Artashes-the-HD-owner, but from Artashes-the-ex-iNet-client.

I just realized I had an old CC stored. Definitely too old and definitely expired. Luckily, I had fraud activity take place on the card long before WHT was hacked so it most definitely had different number/data as well. Hence, the card that was stolen is worthless.

I've read all the tens of pages of this thread and others and while there is a lot of drama, here are the key points that I wanted to voice without appearing too biased for obvious reasons):

What worries me:

1. If the hacker did not decide to go the extra step to post about stolen cards, none of us would have known about it and all our cards would have been exposed. iNet did not plan to let us know about it. They most definitely knew the CC information was on the same server, unencrypted and with CVV info, but probably prayed a lot the hacker won't make it public or release it to file sharing sites. Then if you were to get fraud charges few months later, you wouldn't necessarily make the connection, especially that they said the CC info was safe.

2. Now that they know the CC db was compromised, personal contact to card owners is not necessary, and clearly would take days and possible weeks. Just email all card owners immediately and tell them that the information was compromised so they could call their bank. The action would produce the same result.

3. I think suing is unreasonable and yes, stereotypical. But I also think it should be the personal decision of those who might experience REAL damage worthy of trial. I don't like members threatening with legal action just for the fun of it - it sounds immature. Apart from making lawyers richer and wasting your time and nerves, what iNet could do instead, as apology and as compensation, is to provide each advertiser whose card was stolen appropriate advertising credits, like 500,000-1,000,000 impressions, depending on whether the card was valid or expired (categorized on a per card basis). That will keep members happy, advertiser's confidence restored and trouble away from this community.

4. I don't think community moderators or leaders (be they employees or not) should be disrespected or should answer any of your questions really. Some of them are in the same boat as you, and they do it to give you a better place to prosper. But I think the owners and top-management should be doing the talking and explaining, and it is incredibly alarming to me they haven't done so during the last 2 weeks yet. If my business was in the same spot, I would be there first thing to calm customers down and try restore/fix the confidence. As I am sure you would, too. Its YOUR business, its YOUR money, its YOUR customers who make it all real. I also think they should intervene just because hundreds of members asked them to (sounds too much like begging and its a little awkward). They should be doing it from the heart. But then again, the owner himself (if he is the real owner - I am not sure) says: "I don’t really “do” anything at iNET Interactive". For God's sake, Troy, you are the Standford MBA alumni, I am appalled.


What doesn't worry me:

1. WHT getting hacked. It is extremely unfortunate and I really feel for them a lot, but anyone can get hacked. I just wish more physical backups were kept up to date as I am really disappointed about the value of knowledge that was lost. BUT, things can and will be rebuild, and its amazing most of it was restored.

2. WHT is a strong well-promoted name and community. Members are not going anywhere and advertisers will stick around. There is a lot of talk about "trust is lost", "how can I give them my CC again", but the truth is - iNet has already mentioned they will no longer store CC information and someone else will be processing transactions on a separate server. Now you know, so the issue is solved.


Overall, I just feel very strange. I don't know why. Let's see what happens and I hope for the best.
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Artashes said:
I made this post at WHT (the only one regarding the recent/ongoing events and how its managed), but I thought I would state it here as well. I understand full well that some members might consider me biased toward the situation since I run this forum, but I sure hope you don't take it from Artashes-the-HD-owner, but from Artashes-the-ex-iNet-client.
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I completely agree with you there. I haven't really paid too much attention, but your points about the CC's not being disclosed properly by iNet and them not actively answer questions, were well put. I had 2 cards on there personally that were, just like Artashes', expired, so no harm done.

I believe that the reason I did not really even expect iNet's actual employees (Troy included) to say anything on the forum is because you hardly ever see them there. The Community Leaders are like their lap dogs/public faces who took the brunt of it.

Be as it may, I don't think WHT is going anywhere soon. And whether you like it or not, WHT is a good advertising place, even if you don't buy banners or sticky threads on the forum.
 
Artashes you make a very good point. I get the same strange feeling about the whole situation. I think it could of been an inside job. But it really makes me think that I am not going to buy membership anytime soon because of this. I was real close to and am very happy that I didn't.
 
cyberworldhost said:
Artashes you make a very good point. I get the same strange feeling about the whole situation. I think it could of been an inside job. But it really makes me think that I am not going to buy membership anytime soon because of this. I was real close to and am very happy that I didn't.
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"Why do we fall down Bruce?.. So we can learn to get back up again"
It's not all bad. Just imagine the amount of site's that have redone/assured security to their systems lately simply because of WHT getting hacked.
 
siforek said:
"Why do we fall down Bruce?.. So we can learn to get back up again"
It's not all bad. Just imagine the amount of site's that have redone/assured security to their systems lately simply because of WHT getting hacked.
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Very true I will problem get a membership but I don't even understand what is the benefit of getting one.
 
Very well thought out and comprehensive post Artlashes. It does hit upon a lot of their members frustrations.
 
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