Friday, March 25, 2011

Back Up Your Blog Content!

Friends, as you know, I oft lean toward my lighter side, my whimsy, sarcasm (perhaps?), and apparently my "self-indulgent" wittiness. But, yesterday, was fairly traumatic for me, so I'm going to have to tone down the glitter and talk real with you. 

It all started with a Facebook message on the Fashion Momma page, Wednesday night. I logged in to check my personal stuff, when I noticed there was a message. It was from "Mary Sivortne." The message started off pleasantly enough. She/He complimented me on my sartorial choices, writing skills, and the adorableness that is Little S. This person quickly left her warm intro and jumped into an epic paragraph about all the things she/he did not like about my blog. First and foremost, I complain too much about not having the chance to be a stay-at-home mom to Little S. Second, I complain too much about my husband having to work night shift. Third, I complain too much about where I live and how I'd rather be back in Virginia with my friends and family. This person called me selfish, conceited, self-indulgent, transparent, and ungrateful, among too many other adjectives to remember. This person said that I have no right to complain about having to work, because the economy is so bad that I'm blessed to have a job. This person said that I'm selfish and transparent, that I should be thankful for the ability to have children and to have a husband who is alive and working to support his family. This person compared my complaints to the disaster in Japan, and tried to put my "complaining" into perspective. This person also decided to close her/his message with something along the lines of, "Just because your have good writing skills doesn't mean that what you have to say is important enough to be published for public reading. You really have nothing good to say."

You might ask why I keep referring to "Mary" as "she/he" or "this person." Well, after taking a good 20-30 minutes, trying to decide what a civil and appropriate response would be to such a message, I clicked "reply" and I get: Profile no longer exists. So, now, friends... I have to know. Did "Mary" create a fake facebook profile just to tell me how horrible of a person I am? Before you tell me that I'm not any of those things, don't worry. I know that. Is that self-indulgent of me? That I know I'm not selfish and ungrateful? I was simply going to tell "Mary" that if she didn't like my blog, there was no pressure to continue reading, that I'm grateful for a job, and I don't wish to have the opportunity taken away as much as I wish I didn't have to pay someone else to essential raise my child. Part of me was glad that the profile was gone, because the message wasn't worth my time to respond, anyway. Part of me was worried that I'm totally off-base and am portraying myself as this person "Mary" described. Eventually (by 3:00 am), I fell asleep, and woke up a few hours later without a thought in the world about the message.

And then, all hell broke loose at work, today. My Disqus account was hacked and was spamming people who either follow my blog or subscribe to my comments. Within 10 minutes after Disqus was hacked, my personal email was sending out spam emails to random people in my contacts. At that point, I felt violated, but figured I could handle it and get things under control. A few minutes later, though, I was locked out of my email AND my Facebook accounts. And when I didn't think matters could get much worse, my mom called to notify me that when she went to my blog URL, a message popped back saying, "This blog no longer exists." At that point, I contacted our IT guy at work. He came to check out my computer and found that the hacker disarmed Symantec antivirus AND blocked my ability to download anything else to the computer (ie: anti-malware or spyware software). Throughout the remainder of the day, I was traveling to different computers and even using my cell phone to change and update account information for all the places that were hacked. EACH time I changed my email password, the hacker changed it so I couldn't access the refreshed account, within 10 minutes of my recovering things. 

Is "Mary" related to this series of incidents? I honestly have no idea.
Strange that I received the comment right before doomsday, though!

I received notification that this hijacking of my accounts was not a "normal" virus that follows usual protocol. The virus wasn't dropped on my computer to hack all of my accounts and send information to the jerk who did it. Instead, the accounts were hacked, one by one, and when the hacker got deep enough into things and was able to access enough information to get to my work computer, he/she dropped a virus down as a final "Got ya, b!%tch!" From what we know, this hacking was malicious in nature and I am sick from all of it. Clearly, I've restored things for now. I plan to change some things, permanently, but I'll need to do it all from home. I will no longer be reading, commenting on, or posting blogs from my office. It's a huge bummer, because blog reading/commenting is my lunch break treat. But I just can't trust it, again. I feel safe with my MAC at home, so just be aware that I might not be able to comment as often as I used to. It doesn't mean I've stopped reading! 

In the meantime, please protect your content by backing up your blogs. There is a great tutorial for backing up blogger content HERE. After seeing what happened to me, today, several of my blog/twitter friends decided to back up their content. I've done it as well. 

More than anything, I'm extremely sad that
- I've seriously made someone angry, and I don't understand why
- Someone would go so far just to get a rise
(mission accomplished, by the way. good job.)
- People spend their time doing this kind of crap...

36 comments:

  1. what a horrifying experience, kimberly - i'm so sorry this had happened to you. you are truly an amazing and inspiring individual to not only be able to handle these things has they were happening, but to pick up the pieces, share and learn from your experience, and still be your effervescent self coming so clearly through your blog...

    i, and many others i'm sure, are glad you're back =)

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  2. A total stunner. I don't even know what I would have done. I'm such a tech-nube, I would have just had a meltdown. I am SO glad you got to rectify it..and regained access to your accounts.

    I am sorry that this happened to you. I don't know why some people take a lot of trouble to spread misery, in this case malicious misery. I hope this doesn't happen again. thank you for sharing the link to back up blog. Must read now. xo. -Bella Q

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  3. Wow, Jessica! You make me feel so good about myself. I really needed some uplifting, today. My blog friends certainly came to the rescue. I'm so glad to be a part of this community!

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  4. Honestly, at first, I thought it was a message from God, basically telling me that I spend too much time on the blog. If it was gone, I probably would have had to muster up A LOT of strength to build it from the ground up. Not saying I wouldn't, but it would take a while to process everything and re-start.

    What makes me so upset is that someone's life is *that* awesome and they channel their energy to making other people miserable. :(
    Thanks for all of the support, as always. You're a wonderful friend!

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  5. Babe, that is awful. My heart was pounding and I'm pretty sure my face was white as a ghost as I was reading your post... how terrible!!! Glad it is somewhat on the mend.. I was actually thinking about you all day.. Hope my good thoughts for you somehow made it your way! :o) xo

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  6. I am so sorry you went through this and so proud of you for not giving up and letting them get to you.

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  7. Thank you so much, Jess! I'm feeling much better. There's much work to be done to keep things safe and secure, but I'm definitely not a ball of white mush, anymore. Must've felt your calming! Much love!

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  8. Oh my goodness! Not good at all. It sounds as though it all worked out, I hope? I am thinking good thoughts for you to have a better day. And by the way, not cool of "Mary's" commentary. The blog is you and all about you and the things you like (part of why we "blog"). "Mary" can choose to read it or NOT read it. I love your blog! And I choose to read it. Cheers to a fabulous Friday and no problems with any of your accounts.

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  9. Thanks so much for your comment, Elle! It means a lot. I knew that person was a total jerk and thought nothing of what she said other than, "Stop reading if you have a problem with me or my blog." That profile is deleted, though, so I don't even have a way of contacting her. I did notify Google and they are conducting an investigation. This stuff makes me so sick!

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  10. Thank you SO much, Heather! I truly appreciate all of your support and the sweet things you've said. :) "Mary" can shove it, for all I care. I just want everyone to know I'm here to stay! ;)

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  11. Thank you for your sweet comment, girl! This blog and the friendships I've made from it mean so much to me. I wouldn't have fallen without a giant fight!

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  12. I'm glad in the end everything turned out okay...I really hope whoever was behind all this is over causing all of this destruction and will leave you alone. In any case, I'm really glad you shared it with all of us, I know I definitely backed up my blog today. Here's to a much better day tomorrow!

    Shopping and Spreadsheets

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  13. I'm so glad I could spread some awareness! And thank you for your support on the blog and via Twitter, today! Phew. It was a toughie!

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  14. Fashionista_Next_DoorMarch 25, 2011 at 2:58 AM

    Oh Kimberly, I am so sorry. What a horrible day you've had. I am glad that you were able to get all your accounts restored. That had to be so nerve racking.

    and I am also sorry to hear about that nasty email from "Mary." (if she was even a real person.) You don't need us to tell you that none of the awful things she said were true. Keep your head up!

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  15. I still cannot believe the events that transpired throughout the day.....its sad that someone would seriously go through all of that to make a point known, when "Mary" had already done so. I think it may be more than just a coincidence too.....I'm so very happy that you were able to restore things and I too, wouldn't TOUCH that computer from work, there's obviously some issue there......I'm glad you were able to do the back up from home....I did mine as soon as the link was posted, you just never know:(

    Stop by and say Hello:)
    Statements in Fashion Blog♥

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  16. Kimberly I had no idea it got that bad! I'm so sorry you had to deal with all of that :( I'm glad your blog is back and that you have access to all of your accounts again. Please do not even consider believing what "mary" wrote. You're an amazing lady who's sharing your life with those of us who love you. If someone doesn't like what they see they can leave but there are plenty of us who will love you and continue to read your blog no matter what!

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  17. Wow. That is ridiculous. I am so sorry that you had to go through such idiocy.

    I can never understand the idea that some people have that they have the right to tell you (always through email or something I've noticed, never face to face) exactly what they don't like about you. (You as in anyone.:)

    I received an email like this once and it blew my mind. How do they think it's their right?

    Anyway so sorry you had to deal with this. Sounds like such a hassle. I very much hope today is a better day!

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  18. OH MY GODDDDD! This is scary! I'm glad though, you still have a positive outlook and did not take that message to heart...and are continuing to blog, found a wayt o back up what you have lost as well. It's unnerving.

    thank you for the tips...I will definitely be backing up my blog.

    xoxo

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  19. It breaks my heart that there are such meanies out there that just insist on spreading their bullshit!! It totally sucks that you had to go through all of this. Thanks for sharing the link to back up a blog - I will definitely be taking a look at that.

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  20. Holy crap! I am so sorry all of that happened to you! :(

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  21. Oh. My. Goodness. I can not believe someone would do that. That is absolutely horrible!! And just a testament of the kind of person they are, NOT the kind of person YOU are! I truly enjoy reading your blog and seeing your pics. You're a great person and although I don't comment awesome, I love you and your blog!

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  22. So sorry you had to deal with all that! I took your advice and backed up my blog!

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  23. You already know that you didn't deserve any of this. That's just...people nowadays. I'm really sorry this had to happen to you. I was telling Steve about it last night and how you were seriously the last person that deserved this - he's much more of a "computer person" than I am and he was literally disgusted with the lengths someone went through to hurt you. His exact words were "no one deserves that, and I can't believe a single person had so much time on their hands and such a malicious attitude".

    I'm glad you're back up and running!

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  24. First off, I am SO sorry you had to go through that. I'm happy the problem was fixed. It is unfortunate that someone would do such a thing :( Sending happy thoughts your way and wish you the BEST weekend ever to make up for a crappy Thursday! XOXO-Jackie

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  25. Cant believe someone could go to this much trouble. So crazy!

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  26. I know, girl! Thanks for all of your support, yesterday. It's people like
    you that make me realize I have a supportive group behind me!

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  27. Thank you so much, dahling! I'm taking all the necessary precautions, but
    it's taking FOR EH VER!

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  28. I'm just glad something good came from it, and that I could help spread the awareness!

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  29. I'm so glad you got it all worked out, and glad you'll feel safer now.
    I totally backed my blog up as soon as you posted that tutorial to Twitter, and actually this morning I discovered my email was hacked as well! W.T.H.
    So I've completely deleted that email account and have switched to a new one. Frustrating, but I'd rather do that now than have something worse happen.
    *hugs*

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  30. Did you have your email connected to your blog? If so, did it compromise
    your blog sign-in or did you change that?

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  31. What a nightmare! I never read blogs on my work computer, which is probably far more secure than my computer at home. Guess I'm a little paranoid that the IT guys have a full record of where I go on the Net and my fellow employees don't need that info.

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  32. I'm not afraid at work at all... Not of the people it what they think I do. Just of creeps that do this stuff for fun and have that much time on their hands!!

    Kimberly :)
    http://fashionmommaintraining.blogspot.com

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  33. People are PATHETIC. It's hard at the time but in retrospect all you can do is laugh/shake your head at how sad and little people are sometimes. Like, do they not have anything else going on in their life? Ridiculous. I'm sorry this happened to you but glad to see you've recovered!

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  34. Thanks so much, Taylor! I'm glad everything's okay, too. Now... I have to
    figure out how to move my blog to my new email account.

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  35. I still can't believe this happened to you. I didn't even know someone could hack that much. I have a feeling this person may have looked at your life, and obviously isn't in the best place in their life. Maybe they think you have it easy. Which is ridiculous. It's fine to want to be a stay at home mom, and be with your daughter. There is nothing wrong with that desire. I moved from family, and it was the hardest thing I ever did. I can't imagine what you are going through. One year later I left a good job, and my boyfriend left an amazing job to be close to my family. But, I wouldn't change a thing. I think you are an amazing woman, and I'm sorry this happened to you. I love what you have to say, and I can't wait to see more.
    My Heart Blogged

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  36. I'm so happy you got everything fix. I can't believe how mean people are. You blog is great. I love reading it.

    http://amyfashionblog52.blogspot.com/

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Just like Ke$ha (minus the craziness and whatnot), YOUR LOVE is my drug!