Suspect someone is searching our profiles for personal information

[Gayle]

A while back BigKriss posted this link to see who is online. I use it regularly because I find interesting (to me at least) old threads (like the one on the 535 vs 525) that I would not otherwise find. I look at what the guests are searching for and that is how I stumble across interesting information.

For the last week I have noticed that 2 or 3 or 4 guests at a time are looking at profiles and often the profiles they are looking at are ones of people who are not currently active. Just now, I noticed that the two profiles they were looking at happen to be next to each other alphabetically.

http://www.bimmer.info/forum/online.php?

I am not sure what information people could get or what use it could be put to, but I do think something is going on. Probably a good idea not have full birthdays or if you live in a small town, not to have the town.

[MarkD]

Is there any way to disable the search feature for guests? I know that Roadflea requires you to sign in to perform a search.

It would be interesting to know if the IP addresses of these guests are from the same IP address block, and the location.

Maybe it's time to require ALL access to require that you register and enter a valid email address that the server sends an email to as part of the registration process. I really don't see a problem with that.


MarkD

[Gayle]

Is there any way to disable the search feature for guests? I know that Roadflea requires you to sign in to perform a search.

It would be interesting to know if the IP addresses of these guests are from the same IP address block, and the location.

Maybe it's time to require ALL access to require that you register and enter a valid email address that the server sends an email to as part of the registration process. I really don't see a problem with that.


MarkD


That is probably a good idea, but I am not sure how much protection that would give us. I personally have 8 valid email addresses.

[shogun]

That is a program glitch/error. I know the same question from other boards.
Actually guests should not be able to look into that.
Logout and try it here too.
I have not tried it yet.

[Paul in NZ]

i dont see any problem with that eihter.If you dont register with a valid email addy,you shouldnt be able to do ANYTHING.

[Dan in NZ]

Sounds like a good idea to me, requiring registration that is. Wouldn't affect any new users, and people could still read posts before decididng if they wanted to join.

[Zeuk in Oz]

A while back BigKriss posted this link to see who is online. I use it regularly because I find interesting (to me at least) old threads (like the one on the 535 vs 525) that I would not otherwise find. I look at what the guests are searching for and that is how I stumble across interesting information.

For the last week I have noticed that 2 or 3 or 4 guests at a time are looking at profiles and often the profiles they are looking at are ones of people who are not currently active. Just now, I noticed that the two profiles they were looking at happen to be next to each other alphabetically.

http://www.bimmer.info/forum/online.php?

I am not sure what information people could get or what use it could be put to, but I do think something is going on. Probably a good idea not have full birthdays or if you live in a small town, not to have the town.

Given the nature of this forum this phenomenon may or may not be sinister.

I usually do not log on to read posts and only log on to post and then immediately log off. Cannot offer a reason other than it has become a habit as I find reading the threads off line easier than on line.

I am a member of a couple of other forums relating to motor vehicles and both required a person to be logged on to view member profiles.
I, for one, would be more comfortable if this forum was the same.

I do not quite know what anyone could do with any of the information in the profiles but do feel the added security would be worthwhile.

On many forums it actually lists those members currently online and this might also be worth considering.

[uscharalph]

A while back BigKriss posted this link to see who is online. I use it regularly because I find interesting (to me at least) old threads (like the one on the 535 vs 525) that I would not otherwise find. I look at what the guests are searching for and that is how I stumble across interesting information.

For the last week I have noticed that 2 or 3 or 4 guests at a time are looking at profiles and often the profiles they are looking at are ones of people who are not currently active. Just now, I noticed that the two profiles they were looking at happen to be next to each other alphabetically.

http://www.bimmer.info/forum/online.php?

I am not sure what information people could get or what use it could be put to, but I do think something is going on. Probably a good idea not have full birthdays or if you live in a small town, not to have the town.
I'm gonna check on what info I've got there.

[Interceptor]

I am not sure what information people could get or what use it could be put to, but I do think something is going on. Probably a good idea not have full birthdays or if you live in a small town, not to have the town.
Is this sort of paranoia common in the US? :)

So what if someone is browsing thru the profiles? It's not likely someone's searching a user who lives close to him so that he can steal a 15 year old car... C'mon, people... :)

[pundit]

Is this sort of paranoia common in the US? :)

So what if someone is browsing thru the profiles? It's not likely someone's searching a user who lives close to him so that he can steal a 15 year old car... C'mon, people... :)
I know who you are and I saw what you did! ;)

[Interceptor]

I know who you are and I saw what you did! ;)
Hihihi :) Don't tell my parents, please! :)

[MarkD]

Is this sort of paranoia common in the US? :)

So what if someone is browsing thru the profiles? It's not likely someone's searching a user who lives close to him so that he can steal a 15 year old car... C'mon, people... :)


I know of cases where rather rare BMW's have been stolen. About 10 years ago, someone I know had his highly modified E28 M5 stolen from his work, and it was even caught on video speeding out of the parking lot. It seems that someone had a way to get keys based on the VIN which they could read off the dashboard. Now if I was a car jacker, I'd probebly look on the enthusiast boards also to see what's available. (especially if it has an EAT chip) :D

MarkD

[winfred]

sorta like the people who blank out their licesnce plate in pictures, what about the thousands who see it everyday in traffic, if someone wants to **** with you they will

[uscharalph]

sorta like the people who blank out their licesnce plate in pictures, what about the thousands who see it everyday in traffic, if someone wants to **** with you they will
Amen!

[Interceptor]

I know of cases where rather rare BMW's have been stolen. About 10 years ago, someone I know had his highly modified E28 M5 stolen from his work, and it was even caught on video speeding out of the parking lot. It seems that someone had a way to get keys based on the VIN which they could read off the dashboard. Now if I was a car jacker, I'd probebly look on the enthusiast boards also to see what's available. (especially if it has an EAT chip) :D
I will certainly put a "NO E.A.T. CHIP INSIDE!" sticker on my car! :)

Jeff, are any of those available yet? :)

[Interceptor]

sorta like the people who blank out their licesnce plate in pictures, what about the thousands who see it everyday in traffic, if someone wants to **** with you they will
That's why I always disconnect the positive lead from my battery when getting out of the car! What criminal mastermind could penetrate that fortress of security, eh?! :)






LOL, j/k :)

[Booster]

I will certainly put a "NO E.A.T. CHIP INSIDE!" sticker on my car! :)

Jeff, are any of those available yet? :)

Hehe.........a theif might read that with a heavy accent as saying..." dont eat chips in car "!!
:p
...........Vinny

[Phil Sanderson]

regards
????

[genphreak]

A while back BigKriss posted this link to see who is online. I use it regularly because I find interesting (to me at least) old threads (like the one on the 535 vs 525) that I would not otherwise find. I look at what the guests are searching for and that is how I stumble across interesting information.

For the last week I have noticed that 2 or 3 or 4 guests at a time are looking at profiles and often the profiles they are looking at are ones of people who are not currently active. Just now, I noticed that the two profiles they were looking at happen to be next to each other alphabetically.

http://www.bimmer.info/forum/online.php?

I am not sure what information people could get or what use it could be put to, but I do think something is going on. Probably a good idea not have full birthdays or if you live in a small town, not to have the town.ON ya Gayle... all these 'people looking at profiles' are more likely search bots cataloguing taking email addresses for spammers.

Hey Ed, please don't make our personal info publicly available... it is important to take data security seriously, especially if we wish to encourage people to fill out their details.

But anyone else can do it too. It should not be enabled, vBulletin has a switch for this (which should not be enabled by default but proably was when this forum was setup)

:) Nick

[Gayle]

ON ya Gayle... all these 'people looking at profiles' are more likely search bots cataloguing taking email addresses for spammers.
:) Nick

This is the first thing about this that has made sense to me. Thanks Nick.

.

[Torque]

I have developed a new guide for posting images of our cars online:
http://img406.imageshack.us/img406/6634/10007676pb.jpg

Basic idea is to black out the licence plate, lights (euro or us elipsoids or just regular lights), grille (wide or narrow), rear badge, vin number location, potential parking pass, and wheels in case you have some sweet m-pars you don't want anyone knowing about.

[genphreak]

I have developed a new guide for posting images of our cars online:D Indeed Torque, that is true online automotive security. The parts manufacturers have been practising this for some time now... hmm I reckon tho, from the look of the tread on your rear tyre I can isolate your location down to 50m of your garage using GPRS IXV-b and some new IPV6 tools (NOT)... :D Nick

[Torque]

:D Indeed Torque, that is true online automotive security. The parts manufacturers have been practising this for some time now... hmm I reckon tho, from the look of the tread on your rear tyre I can isolate your location down to 50m of your garage using GPRS IXV-b and some new IPV6 tools (NOT)... :D NickSee what I mean folks ? Even one tiny detail and those sick bastards will be able to track and steal your car. :D

[Interceptor]

Basic idea is to black out the licence plate, lights (euro or us elipsoids or just regular lights), grille (wide or narrow), rear badge, vin number location, potential parking pass, and wheels in case you have some sweet m-pars you don't want anyone knowing about.
LOL! That picture rules! :)

[Torque]

LOL! That picture rules! :)I forgot to black out the hood area -- I realized that it gives away the grille configuration, but it was too late.

[peks]

you should blot out the color of the car, too.. especialy if its avus blue

[winfred]

you should of blocked out the fog lights too, i can tell it's a early car by the elipsoid fog lights bwahahahaha resistance is futile you will be assimilated...... or smacked on the ass.... or something


I forgot to black out the hood area -- I realized that it gives away the grille configuration, but it was too late.

[Interceptor]

you should of blocked out the fog lights too, i can tell it's a early car by the elipsoid fog lights bwahahahaha resistance is futile you will be assimilated...... or smacked on the ass.... or something
What kind of foglights did later cars have?

[Gayle]

Have you thought of making that your signature pic?

[Bimmer Nut Ed]

I am checking into this and disabling some options. Thanks for bringing this to my attention. Seems I may have to upgrade to perhaps get some of the correct options for disabling profile info for non-members. I can't seem to find that option in the sea of options vB provides. But I'm still lookingl

[Torque]

Have you thought of making that your signature pic?I have now.

[ArtemLepilov]

omg.... this forum is nothing but trouble :p

Now im going to get my car stolen because of it :-O

[winfred]

i am on another vb forum that has a spell check built in that's kinda cool, it's another choice next to the submit reply and preview post buttons


I am checking into this and disabling some options. Thanks for bringing this to my attention. Seems I may have to upgrade to perhaps get some of the correct options for disabling profile info for non-members. I can't seem to find that option in the sea of options vB provides. But I'm still lookingl

[winfred]

it's just a ribbed glass lens with no projector


What kind of foglights did later cars have?

[Interceptor]

it's just a ribbed glass lens with no projector
Are they better than the old ones? Is swapping the old ones for new ones a simple plug and play process? In what year did they make the change?

Sorry for interrogating :)

[Jeff N.]

All your base are belong to us!

[winfred]

the old ones are better, plug is different but that can be delt with


Are they better than the old ones? Is swapping the old ones for new ones a simple plug and play process? In what year did they make the change?

Sorry for interrogating :)

[genphreak]

I am checking into this and disabling some options. Thanks for bringing this to my attention. Seems I may have to upgrade to perhaps get some of the correct options for disabling profile info for non-members. I can't seem to find that option in the sea of options vB provides. But I'm still lookinglOn ya Ed. I'm surprised we're not all being TADGENIZED, TURBONATED and TURBOFILTERED via email by now... but then again, not much makes it though the spam filters (yet)

:) Nick

[632 Regal]

people wouldnt know it was me with sppel chekc
i am on another vb forum that has a spell check built in that's kinda cool, it's another choice next to the submit reply and preview post buttons

[Johntee540]

Gosh - when did the new standard go into force? Did I miss the memo? I already posted 2 pics with out the camo! - JT

[632 Regal]

I have seperate emails for all the different places I frequent, I havent gotten much spam at all from this place except for a couple disgruntled nube's.


On ya Ed. I'm surprised we're not all being TADGENIZED, TURBONATED and TURBOFILTERED via email by now... but then again, not much makes it though the spam filters (yet)

:) Nick

[genphreak]

I have seperate emails for all the different places I frequent, I havent gotten much spam at all from this place except for a couple disgruntled nube's.Ahhhh but eveidently you have been NOOOOOBONATED though...

[Torque]

Ahhhh but eveidently you have been NOOOOOBONATED though...Will that increase my HP ?

[winfred]

just the usual pecker widener, rolex, drug and morgage bull ****


On ya Ed. I'm surprised we're not all being TADGENIZED, TURBONATED and TURBOFILTERED via email by now... but then again, not much makes it though the spam filters (yet)

:) Nick

[Gayle]

I get the last three but not the first. Surely spammers can't be that intelligent.

[genphreak]

I get the last three but not the first. Surely spammers can't be that intelligent.No they generally aren't but they know coders that are... and they all have an EXCELLENT working relationship :)

The end of the world is nigh... BWAAAAHAHAHAHHAHHAHAH!!!