PlaymoFriends
General => News => Topic started by: Indianna on October 20, 2009, 17:19:24
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Has anyone been able to get more information about what happened to Playmoboard? The same message about being "hacked" is still on the PB homepage.
Also, I can't find the other thread(s) where this was previously discussed here at Playmofriends. I am pretty sure people talked about this a couple of months ago. Or am I just losing my mind (even more quickly than I thought?) ;D
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You're not going mad, the thread appears to have been quietly deleted or removed. :hmm:
Maybe it was causing grief to the moderators, certainly the crash/hack is causing me grief because I'm holding a box of 10 Spanish Soldiers, fully kitted out and bought through spares orders with MY MONEY, for a guy in Europe who I only knew on that board.
If the board isn't back up in a couple of months (or the guy has the sense to join Playmofriends and make himself known to me) they're going with me to Oregon, and staying there.
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It is certainly odd that somebody deleted this thread. Can we have some explanation about this from the mods?
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Yes, we feel it is in our community's best interest to keep the peace :-X Certain things are best left sleeping ;) as unfortunate as they may be we do not want to invite trouble 0). Hopefully Panos is well and trying to solve the problem and will have Playmoboard back up soon.
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What Ras said is it in a nut shell everybody! It was decided that a discussion regarding another forum was not a harmonious topic, so it was shelved.
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Then will this thread be deleted?
As for my two cents, I think Playmoboard will never reopen.
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Then will this thread be deleted?
No, as long as everyone stays on topic and doesn't try to speculate on other matters surrounding the Playmoboard crash.
You can use this topic as a way of sending messages to members of Playmoboard who you have not yet been able to reach.
We moved the "Playmoboard hacked" topic because of the increasing chance that PlaymoFriends would get stuck in the middle of a mud-slinging match. Just trying to keep the peace, as Ras and Bill said. It has always been a policy of PF's admin and founders to try and offer a positive environment, free of the "board-rivalry" sometimes shown on other forums.
Sorry for the inconvenience or confusion caused by the missing topic.
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Thanks for clearing up the confusion, Ras, Bill, & Sylvia. :yup:
Thanks also for keeping Playmofriends such a pleasant and civilized place to be! :love:
I hope that Playmoboard is not lost forever. Even though I haven't posted over there for many years I still feel that it was an important part of the Playmo fan community, especially with regard to the wealth of information held there. Many of the PB members also contributed to other forums, including Playmofriends, so I hope they will all be able to reconnect with their online friends somewhere, even if PB never resurfaces. I also hope that PB can rise again in some form, even if it is only as a searchable archive. :crossed:
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It has always been a policy of PF's admin and founders to try and offer a positive environment, free of the "board-rivalry" sometimes shown on other forums.
Playmofriends is a VERY positive environment, IMHO, and I really appreciate it. The negativity of some fan boards always surprises me and then turns me off. I don't get it and I don't want to be a part of it. Thanks moderators for keeping us on the sunny side of the street!
Betsy :wave:
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i created the "playmoboard hacked" thread and i think i was the first one to notice it had been "deleted" 1 month ago.
although i firmly dislike any kind of censorship i can understand why the administrator of this forum decided to "freeze" the thread and i think she is in her right to do so. :yup:
having been a playmoboard member (i was kicked out) i will not miss it if it is gone forever.
that is not something i desire but that is not something that will make me sad. :-\
i believe that being polite (and you can be polite even if you say "negative" things) is what makes this forum such a great place. ;D
this doesn't mean that we always have to stay in the "sunny side of the street" and always look at things in the "positive" way.
the way i see it bad things deserve a negative response and, sometimes, the rainy side of the street also has its charms... ;)
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Thanks moderators for keeping us on the sunny side of the street!
I don't totally disagree with you, Cachalote, but like Betsy, I prefer the "sunny side of the street!"
Many of us here could easily escalate this thread, but let's not. Let's think positively and be very happy that Sylvia created Playmofriends. In fact, we should all rejoice, sing hallelujah and dance in the streets because we have such a wonderful forum! ... <:>
All the best,
Richard
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You're not going mad, the thread appears to have been quietly deleted or removed. :hmm:
Maybe it was causing grief to the moderators, certainly the crash/hack is causing me grief because I'm holding a box of 10 Spanish Soldiers, fully kitted out and bought through spares orders with MY MONEY, for a guy in Europe who I only knew on that board.
If the board isn't back up in a couple of months (or the guy has the sense to join Playmofriends and make himself known to me) they're going with me to Oregon, and staying there.
Perhaps if you told us here what his Playmoboard name was, someone might have contact details? I've got many old members email addresses, for example, from the year I did the SS. Also if you contacted Panos direct he might be able to put you in touch.
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Val, is that you?!?!?! :yippee:
How wonderful to see you on Playmofriends! I know you have been a member here for a long time but it is lovely to see a new post from you. I hope that we will see more of you now! :*)
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Perhaps if you told us here what his Playmoboard name was, someone might have contact details? I've got many old members email addresses, for example, from the year I did the SS. Also if you contacted Panos direct he might be able to put you in touch.
I wish I could remember - It was John or Jon something. He was a very new member.
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Val, is that you?!?!?! :yippee:
How wonderful to see you on Playmofriends! I know you have been a member here for a long time but it is lovely to see a new post from you. I hope that we will see more of you now! :*)
Yes, it's me. I dip in and out when the mood strikes. Have to say though that I'm in a bit of a dry phase as far as Playmo is concerned...it's all packed up in the attic while we do house improvements, bah.
Still all there, though...... ;)
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Yes, it's me. I dip in and out when the mood strikes. Have to say though that I'm in a bit of a dry phase as far as Playmo is concerned...it's all packed up in the attic while we do house improvements, bah.
Still all there, though...... ;)
Me too, even my stalwart Roman Contubernium that had been camping on the mantlepiece have had to strategically withdraw to a Zipperus Lockius Crumens...
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I think the site has been taken over by hackers or scammers. I loaded up the playmoboard site today to find this message:
"Welcome to Playmobil recently we did a update on our website which now requires you to download and run this file to continue. Please download it and run it and then you will be able to view our newly updated site!
Click here to download"
All the link on the page redirect you to download the one "PlaymoboardV1.0.exe" file. I don't know how to verify how harmful this exe is to your computer.
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There's something very wrong going on over there. :(
Even if Playmoboard had been recently upgraded, there is absolutely no reason at all why anyone would have to download or run an executable file in order to view it. :no:
The hackers must think they are being oh so clever by keeping the banner at the top, but then they make a totally obvious error by using the phrase "Welcome to Playmobil" instead of Playmoboard. ::)
I really do hope no-one gets taken in by this scam! >:(
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It seems to be a trojan with the name "back door" in it. :0
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I tried the exe file on another computer (try and crash)
my virus scanner refused the file
I did a format C and tried with a fresh windows no virusscanner installed
nothing happens afther installing
The site keeps repeating to install the exe file
Conclusion : seems something really wrong there
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Hello :wave:
Welcome to Playmobil recently we did a update on our website which now requires you to download and run this file to continue. Please download it and run it and then you will be able to view our newly updated site!
Click here to download
home | forum | playmochat | gallery | links | disclaimer | contact | my profile | register | search | faq | privacy statement
All the links go to the same site "http:/www.playmoboard.com/PlaymoboardV1.0.exe" Do not use even thought it is disabled
Very interesting development :hmm:
So does this mean the "Hacker" is still on the site ?
If they are how likely is it to get rid of them ?
Mac Gayver you must have a lot of computers or know how to fix them well to try a know hackers site ;) I think I might try but I will go to the coffee/tea shop and use theirs ;D
Rasputin "The Mad Monk"
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I'm not that desperate to take any chances on this situation :no:! I consider it too dangerous of a proposition :omg:!
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complete and utter madness. It's never ever necessary to use an exe to view any kind of forum on the user end.
forums run on php files (most of m anyway) with a database behind it.
It's obvious the hacker has taken over, but the on the other hand, why isn't the board put back online by now?
I admin several sites and have been attacked, but it was always solved within 1 or 2 days, either by me or my host. :-\
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Interestingly enough the domain playmoboard.com came up for renewal on Oct 11, and it still shows that Panos renewed the domain for another year and it's still under his possesion. Why he did this when the forums were disabled for months is beyond me.
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One question comes to my mind : has anyone heard from Panos since this happened :yup:?
Karim :)
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Hello everyone. Playmoboard was hacked yet again. the forum is still down and I am anticipating more attacks. I apologize for the inconvenience, it's unfortunate that some people find it necessary to resort to malice, even in the Playmobil community. If you have any information, please send an email to playmoboard(at)gmail.com Thank you, and once again I apologize for the inconvenience. Thank you Nick for letting me know. -Panos (playmoboy)
Tune in next week for the never ending saga of playmoboard. I anticipate the forums will prolly never come online again Panos doesn't even notice on his own when his website gets attacked.
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Tune in next week for the never ending saga of playmoboard. I anticipate the forums will prolly never come online again Panos doesn't even notice on his own when his website gets attacked.
maybe there will come something new in it's place (but from someone else 8-) ) ;)
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. . . . This is a bit mysterious maybe, but is there anyone here who can help me out in creating a nice custom logo and banner for a well known playmo site?
It has to be very powerfull graphically and of good quality. It also has to 'describe/represent' the playmoworld and what that new site is about. It's needed on short-term
Because it's in a construction fase, i can't say anything about it right now. But pm me, swear secrecy and i will tell :-)
thnx! ;)
maybe there will come something new in it's place (but from someone else 8-) ) ;)
OK, Martin - spill! What's going on here? You are teasing us mercilessly! ;D
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maybe there will come something new in it's place (but from someone else 8-) ) ;)
Hi M Frankena :wave:
Yes somebody surely could create something new , but then you have to consider its affects . If there are more sites that would spread out the members into smaller groups . When there was 3 or 4 forums there were fewer people at each . Now we are seeing how the crash of 2009 has created a situation where the true collectors have went out in search of other existing sites for their "Playmobil Fix" ( I use the term "true collectors" to distinguish between the collector and the members who only searched for plans etc...)
Rasputin "The Mad Monk"
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there is a new message on playmoboard :yup:
"Hello everyone. Playmoboard was hacked yet again. the forum is still down and I am anticipating more attacks. I apologize for the inconvenience, it's unfortunate that some people find it necessary to resort to malice, even in the Playmobil community. If you have any information, please send an email to playmoboard(at)gmail.com Thank you, and once again I apologize for the inconvenience. Thank you Nick for letting me know. -Panos (playmoboy) "
it seems that the forum was retrieved form the (second) hackers but it is still down.
so the news seem to contradict themselves... 8}
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there is a new message on playmoboard :yup:
"Hello everyone. Playmoboard was hacked yet again. the forum is still down and I am anticipating more attacks. I apologize for the inconvenience, it's unfortunate that some people find it necessary to resort to malice, even in the Playmobil community. If you have any information, please send an email to playmoboard(at)gmail.com Thank you, and once again I apologize for the inconvenience. Thank you Nick for letting me know. -Panos (playmoboy) "
it seems that the forum was retrieved form the (second) hackers but it is still down.
so the news seem to contradict themselves... 8}
hmm, well if the server and board were properly protected there wouldn't any issue to start with.
The only way they could hack in is if they have his passwords to his hosting panel, or if they have truly hijacked the board.
Both cases would be simple to overcome. (true it depends on coöperation and service of the hosting company)
LOL me teasing? no, i wouldn't dare. But something is on the way and it isn't to divide the community, but if playmoboard stays down it might be helpfull ;-) patience and there will be news about it. :yup:
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It's a real shame for people who needed a little help to put together an old set for their kids and have lost the plans. I can understand such folks not wanting to pay the tiny starting fee here, but for anyone who really wants to chat about Playmobil on a longer term basis, surely they'd have joined one of the alternates by now?
It may be that people are enjoying more free time to do other things. I used to chat daily on a website that was ostensibly about Irish Music, but barely visit even once a month now, other things have taken precedence.
I can't believe Playmoboard will ever be back now, if Panos really wanted it done it would have happened months ago. Surely it would be possible to back up to a date before the hacking, put up better firewalls, and go from there? I'm no web programmer, so I just can't see the difficulties, I guess.
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I'm another refugee from Playmoboard and it's such a shame to lose it (hopefully not for good). Didn't post much but I always found it comforting to just browse through and see what others are up to. There's so much stuff in there for research and the town layouts and figure customs certainly inspire and spark new ideas.
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One question comes to my mind : has anyone heard from Panos since this happened :yup:?
Karim :)
I think thas the one question to think about. I was on playmoboard some time ago and now that i have moved from Uk to Athens and settled and got my playmobil collections shorted , buying again , i tried to log in after a long time and when i saw all these problems i emailed Panos ( who is also in Athens I assume ) but never got a reply.. Anyways , this forum is very good i must say and happy to be part of the playmobil community . Again ;D ;D ;D ;D
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Hi :elf:
Looks like this has taken yet another step back. Does this mean Panos stopped paying? The Link to the site now reads the following
This Account Has Been Suspended
Please contact the support department as soon as possible, and please have your site name ready.
Rasputin "The Mad Monk"
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Hi :elf:
Looks like this has taken yet another step back. Does this mean Panos stopped paying? The Link to the site now reads the following
This Account Has Been Suspended
Please contact the support department as soon as possible, and please have your site name ready.
Rasputin "The Mad Monk"
It's my opinion, & of course I could be wrong, but I think the site has been scrapped. I wonder if he is still getting paid advertising revenue & if the little picture eBay listings are still showing up?
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Alternatively, at least it's movement, and maybe this is one stage in getting things fixed?
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Hi Bill :elf:
I found an interesting web site that calculates a web sites worth.
playmoboard.com Estimated Worth $2248.4 USD
Title
Description
Daily Pageview 450
Daily Ads Revenue $3.08
Then there was Index data, Traffic data and Server info
@ $3 a day X 30days. Is $90/month enough to cover the costs of having a site ?
Rasputin "The Mad Monk"
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Hi Bill :elf:
I found an interesting web site that calculates a web sites worth.
playmoboard.com Estimated Worth $2248.4 USD
Title
Description
Daily Pageview 450
Daily Ads Revenue $3.08
Then there was Index data, Traffic data and Server info
@ $3 a day X 30days. Is $90/month enough to cover the costs of having a site ?
Rasputin "The Mad Monk"
Thank you Ras, for that info, very revealing! I think that pretty well explains its future,......Oh Well!
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That's a hosting issue. Panos owns the domain name until fall of next year. It's only then that the risk of it being snapped up by a spam ads place comes into play.
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I don't know much about web sites, but Tiermann has brought an interesting idea in to this topic, & I was wondering if some of us could gain rights to that domain to prevent spam ad sources gaining control, to preserve the valuable information that has been submitted through out its existence if it could be done, & brought onto here at PFZ with Sylvia's okay of course?
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I found an interesting web site that calculates a web sites worth.
playmoboard.com Estimated Worth $2248.4 USD
Title
Description
Daily Pageview 450
Daily Ads Revenue $3.08
The same website estimates PlaymoFriends to be worth $2328.7 USD with a daily ad revenue of $3.19. :hmm: Hmmm... the last time I looked we didn't have any ad banners on the site. :P It's true we make some money from membership fees but it's not anywhere near $1164 per year. :lol: I wonder where they get their information from.
... I was wondering if some of us could gain rights to that domain to prevent spam ad sources gaining control, to preserve the valuable information that has been submitted through out its existence if it could be done, & brought onto here at PFZ with Sylvia's okay of course?
All of Playmoboard's pages would be contained within a database which only Panos has access to.
Simply buying the domain name does not give one the use of any data held by the previous owner.
I think it would be very difficult to integrate Playmoboard into Playmofriends (even in the unlikely event that we had permission to do so). For starters, we are using an entirely different program. I wouldn't like to try something like this as it could risk damaging or losing our own database. :(
Best case scenario is Panos fixes his forum and gets it back online.
Second best is that he hands it all over to someone else who is capable of running it.
I don't see either of these happening, but we can always hope. :crossed:
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The same website estimates PlaymoFriends to be worth $2328.7 USD with a daily ad revenue of $3.19. :hmm: Hmmm... the last time I looked we didn't have any ad banners on the site. :P It's true we make some money from membership fees but it's not anywhere near $1164 per year. :lol: I wonder where they get their information from.
All of Playmoboard's pages would be contained within a database which only Panos has access to.
Simply buying the domain name does not give one the use of any data held by the previous owner.
I think it would be very difficult to integrate Playmoboard into Playmofriends (even in the unlikely event that we had permission to do so). For starters, we are using an entirely different program. I wouldn't like to try something like this as it could risk damaging or losing our own database. :(
Best case scenario is Panos fixes his forum and gets it back online.
Second best is that he hands it all over to someone else who is capable of running it.
I don't see either of these happening, but we can always hope. :crossed:
From the sounds of things, it looks to be doomed, & lost forever!
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Hi Sylvia :elf:
And I thought you were raking in the money off your snow flake adds. We all know they are subliminal messages hidden in there telling us to go buy more blue boxes, buy more blue boxes ,buy more ahhh 8} see it works
Rasputin "The Mad Monk"