Michael Myers

What to do when you’ve been hacked.

In #misc
07/29/2009
6 Min read
W

Or maybe this post should be called; what I did when I was hacked. Either way . . .

I was recently hacked and wanted to share my experience to help those unfortunate souls that this happens to. There are lots of ways to get hacked and in my case it was Malware. (Malware? is that Tupperware you get from the mall?) The hacker most likely got in via some old libraries I had from Scriptaculous or some files from an Axure generated file. Either way. The got in. When a user went to my site using Firefox, Safari or Chrome it looked like the image below. IE was fine of course!

I was working on my blog in the WP admin when this came up. I had no idea what the hell was going on. I clicked on the ignore this warning link in the bottom right hand corner. It took me to my site where it appeared as though all was well. I clicked  back and then clicked the Why was this site blocked? button. I got the following (screenshot located here):

Safe Browsing

Diagnostic page for michaelmyers.biz

What is the current listing status for michaelmyers.biz

The site is not currently listed as suspicious.

What happened when Google visited the site?

Of the 2 pages we tested on the site over the past 90 days, 0 page(s) resulted in malicious software being downloaded and installed without user consent. The last tiem Google visited the site was on 2009-06-15, and suspicious content was never found on the site within the pagst 90 days.

The site was hosted on 1 network(s) including AS26347 (DREAMHOST)

Has the site acted as an intermediary resulting in further distribution of Malware?

Over the past 90 days, michaelmyers.biz did not appear to function as an intermediary for the infection of any sites.

Has the site hosted Malware?

No, this site has not hosted malicious software over the last 90 days.

Next Steps:

  • Return to the previous page
  • If you are the owner of this web site, you can request a review of your site using Google Webmaster tools. More information about the review process is available in Google’s Webmaster Help Center.

After reading this I was more than just confused. I was pissed off. This alert tells me that everything is alright and that I’ve done nothing wrong. WTF!?!?! I then went to my Google Webmaster tools account and saw essentially the same status. I contacted Dreamhost (my ISP) and let them know what was up.

About 2 hours later I went back to my site and the message was now quite different. It listed uadrenal as a threat, via my site. About the same time I got this, I received an email from Dreamhost. They said they had found a suspicious iframe in many of my files.

<iframe src=”http://<hackingbastards>.com” width=0 height=0 style=”hidden” frameborder=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0 scrolling=no></iframe>


I then spent many minutes manually removing these entries from my files. (I really wish Matt Mensch (@themensch) had been there so he could have whipped script magic on it.) Anyway, I cleared it out and then found out online that I needed to resubmit my site for reconsideration. When I went to Google’s Webmaster tools, there was no mention of Malware specific to my site. I looked and found what I believed to be the right reconsideration request. I then asked several online experts and they told me that I should NEVER have my site reconsidered if it had established any SEO based traffic. But I could not find anywhere else to have my site revisited to get it cleared. So I submitted my site in the Google webmaster tools, knowing that it was not the right step; but willing to try anything since there were no other options visible. (This is now 24 hours after the initial explosion.) 48 hours after the hack, I logged into Google webmaster tools to see an alert that essentially read: You’re site has been identified as distributing Malware. Once you have removed the Malware, click here for a review to insure your site is ready for primetime. I completed the brief form and waited to hear back. Within 24 hours Google had my site cleared and the Malware warning was gone. Unfortunately there was no way to stop the reconsideration and since then I have all but vanished from search results. If you have existing Google juice DON’T EVER submit your site for reconsideration. (The option lives on the left hand side of the Google Webmaster Tools interface; marked ‘Site Reconsideration’. I am curious to see when my site/posts come back.)

This is my story and I hope it doesn’t happen to you. If you get hacked,I would suggest the following steps:

  1. Notify ISP and see if they can tell you what has happened/what to do.
  2. After 1 -2 hours check back at the warning message and see if there is a URL included in the warning message.
  3. Clean up the mess if the ISP won’t (either from the ISP or the Google warning; you should now know what to look for and remove it. Dreamhost is excellent.)
  4. Check for old software and update were needed.
  5. DO NOT request your site be reconsidered in the Google Webmaster Tools interface.
  6. Keep checking back with Google Webmaster Tools until you see the Malware message.
  7. Once you see that message, there will be a link included to have them review your site; do this.
  8. Site should come back in less than 6 hours (although favicons in Firefox may be terminally hosed).

Overall my experience was pretty good (except for that whole hacking thing). Google got my site, out of millions, back on the road in less than 24 hours after the review. The issue was that the message telling me what to do, did not show up for 48 hours. For my business/blog – very uncomfortable. For an eCommerce based business, this timeframe could be deadly. Maybe the timeframe is based on traffic. I don’t know.

The other consideration when this happens is Twitter. If you listed your site in your Twitter account and it gets hacked, your Twitter account will be locked. There is a mechanism that helps deter “bad folks” from using Twitter to get Malware installed. Twitter had my account reinstated within several hours. The initial feeling was that the hacker had all my information. My site account info. My Twitter account info. etc. Not a good feeling. Hope this never happens to you and if it does, I hope this recipe helps.

49 comments

  • Of note, different layers of endothelial and perivascular Nestin gfp cells may make arterioles appear brighter under the microscope, which raises the possibility that arteriolar Nestin gfp bright cells under the microscope may not completely overlap with the brightest cells isolated by FACS as single cells 50 where to buy cheap cytotec no prescription These may include blood tests, scoping procedures, and genetic testing

  • 966271 494320Superb publish from specialist also it will probably be a wonderful know how to me and thanks quite considerably for posting this valuable data with us all. 574412

  • 728101 183348I agree with most of your points, but some need to be discussed further, I will hold a small speak with my partners and possibly I will appear for you some suggestion soon. 759399

  • 344821 536179You completed quite a few good points there. I did a search on the problem and located practically all individuals will have exactly the same opinion with your weblog. 362010

  • 910018 958223Wow! This can be 1 particular of the most beneficial blogs We have ever arrive across on this topic. Truly Wonderful. Im also an expert in this subject so I can recognize your hard work. 289264

  • 377138 877612I was suggested this internet website by my cousin. Im not confident whether this post is written by him as nobody else know such detailed about my issue. Youre incredible! Thanks! 105953

  • RTBet bietet eine breite Auswahl an Spielen, einschließlich Spielautomaten, Tischspielen und Live-Casino-Spielen, die alle hohe Qualität und Vielfalt bieten.
    Das Casino bietet eine breite Auswahl an Spielen,
    einschließlich Slots, Tischspielen, Live-Casino und Jackpot-Spielen. Auch wenn es derzeit keinen Bonus ohne Einzahlung gibt, kannst du von regelmäßigen Promotionen, Freispielen und einem großzügigen Willkommensbonus profitieren. Die mobile Version des Casinos
    bietet eine benutzerfreundliche Oberfläche, die es dir ermöglicht, überall und jederzeit zu spielen.
    80 Freispiele ohne Einzahlung + 200% Bonus bis 1.000€ + 100 Freispiele 220%
    Bonus bis zu 1000€ + 200 Freispiele Vor allem bietet es Sicherheit und ist ein Angebot
    der beliebten Rabidi N.V. Gruppe. Mir fehlt ein Telefonsupport und eine umfangreichere FAQ-Seite.

    Der Anbieter bietet einen ordentlichen Spielerschutz,
    Datenschutz und achtet auf verantwortungsvolles Spielen.

    References:
    https://online-spielhallen.de/instant-casino-mobile-apps-dein-pocket-casino-immer-dabei/

  • Doch nicht nur das Casino profitiert von diesen Bonusangeboten.
    Je attraktiver der Casino-Anmeldebonus, desto höher sind die Chancen, dass ein Spieler bei
    diesem Casino bleibt und Spiele wie Slots, Tischspiele oder Poker spielt.
    Viele Spieler fragen sich daher, warum ein Casino so etwas anbietet und ob möglicherweise nur Betrüger einen Bonus von 50 Freispielen ohne Einzahlung und Ähnliches bereitstellen. Der 50 Euro Bonus eignet
    sich am besten zum Spielen an Slots , da dort die meisten Vorteile auf Sie warten und
    Sie das Beste aus Ihrem gratis Bonusgeld herausholen können.
    Ein guter Online Casino Willkommensbonus ohne Einzahlung rundet das Angebot dann ab und motiviert zur Registrierung.

    Wenn ihr auf der Suche nach etwas anderes, als einem Startbonus
    mit Startguthaben ohne Einzahlung seid, könnt ihr auch auf unserer Seite
    für Online Casino Bonus Codes vorbeischauen, wo wir täglich aktualisierte Bonuscodes präsentieren. Oder
    kannst du dir vorstellen, in eine echte Spielothek oder eine Spielbank zu gehen und als erstes einen 20-Euro Schein in die Hand
    gedrückt zu kriegen, damit du die Casino Spiele ausprobieren und damit gewinnen kannst?
    Das Spielen mit einem gratis Startguthaben ist etwas,
    was es wohl nur in Online Casinos gibt. Du merkst schon, hier heben sich online Casinos von herkömmlichen Spielbanken deutlich ab.

    LevelUp Casino – Exklusive Freispiele ohne
    Einzahlung, nur für neue Spieler!
    Denn alle Glücksspiele können nicht beeinflusst werden und der Ausgang
    dieser geschieht zufällig. Das Casino hätte ausschließlich einen Verlust mit
    der Werbeaktion gemacht.Durch diese Werbeaktionen versuchen neue Online Casinos
    und Spielotheken ebenfalls neue Kunden für sich zu gewinnen und
    diese an sich zu binden. Würde ein Casino einen Anmeldebonus
    oder geschenktes Bonusguthaben nicht an solche Umsatzbedingungen knüpfen, wäre das ein denkbar schlechtes Geschäft für das Casino.

    References:
    https://online-spielhallen.de/vinyl-casino-auszahlung-ein-tiefer-einblick-fur-spieler-in-australien/

  • Du kannst deine Auswahl jederzeit überprüfen und deine Zustimmung zurückziehen, indem du
    auf den Link ’Einstellungen zur Privatsphäre’ in der seitlichen Navigation klickst.
    African Dreamtravel bietet Ihnen eine schnelle und professionelle Beratung von unseren Experten für Afrika Safaris und Reisen nach Namibia
    sowie kompetente Buchungen mit individueller und freundlicher Betreuung von Reiseprofis
    für Afrika. Das Avani Hotel ist der „Place to be“
    von Windhoek, umgeben von Geschäften, gegenüber einem Kunsthandwerkermarkt und nur wenige
    hundert Meter von den wichtigsten Sehenswürdigkeiten und Attraktionen der Hauptstadt Namibias entfernt.
    Sind die Hotelzimmer mit einer Klimaanlage ausgestattet?

    Wie weit ist der nächste Flughafen entfernt? Wie weit ist der nächste
    Bahnhof entfernt?
    WLAN nutzen Sie in den Hotelzimmern kostenlos. Finde das beste Hotel in Windhoek für deine Reisedaten, nach Preis oder Präferenz Verarbeitungszwecke Das Restaurant Dunes bietet
    auf der Speisekarte Gerichte der amerikanischen Küche an. Die Hotelgäste können jeden Morgen im Restaurant frühstücken.
    Bekannte Sehenswürdigkeiten der namibischen Hauptstadt, wie der Tintenpalast und der Zoo sind nur wenige Gehminuten entfernt.
    Zu den Besonderheiten dieses Doppelzimmers gehört ein Pool auf der Dachterrasse.
    Das Doppelzimmer verfügt über ein eigenes Bad mit einer ebenerdigen Dusche, einer Badewanne,
    kostenlosen Pflegeprodukten und einem Haartrockner.
    Ein Pool auf dem Dach macht Ihren Aufenthalt in diesem
    Doppelzimmer zu einem besonderen Erlebnis.

    References:
    https://online-spielhallen.de/alles-wissenswerte-uber-jackpot-de-slots-casino-freispiele/

  • Das vom Unternehmen Starscream Limited mit einer Kahnawake-Lizenz betriebene X7 Casino bietet bei Anmeldung über unseren Link ein exklusives Willkommenspaket.
    Das X7 Casino veranstaltet regelmäßig spannende Turniere und bietet attraktive
    Promotionen. Mit über 5.200 Spielen bietet das X7 Casino eine der umfangreichsten Bibliotheken auf dem Markt.

    Das X7 Casino bietet eine breite Palette an Optionen und spricht damit sowohl traditionelle als auch moderne Spieler an.
    Nicht jedes Casino bietet eine so umfangreiche Auswahl an Jackpots an, daher ist es
    ein deutlicher Vorteil des x7 Casinos, diese hohe Anzahl
    an Jackpots zur Verfügung zu stellen. Unter der Rubrik „Brettspiele“ innerhalb der Live Casino Lobby
    sind alle Tischspiele zusammengefasst. Es gibt jeweils eine
    Lobby für die verschiedenen Spielautomaten und die Live Casino Spiele und Tischspiele.
    Die Spiellobby ist gut organisiert und bietet einige Kategorien und
    Filteroptionen. Die benutzerfreundlichen Mindesteinzahlungs- und Auszahlungsanforderungen sowie die breite Palette
    an akzeptierten Zahlungsmethoden tragen ebenfalls zu den positiven Bewertungen bei.

    References:
    https://online-spielhallen.de/wunderino-casino-freispiele-alles-was-sie-wissen-mussen/

  • Engagement rings are traditionally worn on the ring finger, or fourth digit, of
    the left hand of the wearer. From timeless emerald cut engagement rings and elegant oval engagement rings to non-traditional hexagon and kite cut engagement rings, our collection offers something special for
    every style. Our women’s wedding rings are handcrafted using 14K gold and rare gemstones.
    That’s why we use recycled precious metals and mine-free diamonds and
    gemstones. For custom rings, let us collaborate with you to create something wholly
    inspired by you. Each ring from Rustic & Main is hand-crafted in our North
    Carolina workshop by our team of skilled artisans to represent your history, your love, and your story.

    Women’s engagement rings typically feature a center stone, halo setting, or other show-stopping details.

    Therefore, wearing a ring on this finger and hand meant that
    the ring was closer to the heart and made it a stronger symbol of love.
    Embrace the charm of vintage-inspired engagement rings or opt for
    a sapphire engagement ring to make a bold statement.

    But how much you should spend on an engagement ring is entirely dependent on you and your partner.
    You may have heard the outdated claim that 3 months’ salary is an ideal amount for a women’s engagement ring.
    Whether you choose one wedding band or two is completely up to you
    and your preferences. Some of our couples also opt for what
    we call a “Bridal Suite”.

    References:
    https://blackcoin.co/mr-o-the-best-crypto-casino/

  • The way these games work is that you’re shown a
    screen with a first-person point of view.

    Following the trend of gamification are first-person games like blackjack
    and craps, mostly developed by Pragmatic Play and ICONIC21.
    So, what has future tech brought to online gambling?

    The welcome package is competitive, and the ongoing promos are attractive, making it a strong contender among both
    new and older casinos. With over 6,300 games from leading studios such as Pragmatic Play and BGaming, it easily
    keeps up with the best-in-class. Spinando is the latest addition to the best new Australian casinos, launched in 2025.

    This method is preferred by players who prioritise security over transaction speed.
    These options make depositing funds and playing on your preferred site possible.
    Choosing games with high RTP percentages is a smart strategy for maximising your chances of winning.

    Its popularity stems from the excitement, skill, and strategic thinking required to succeed in this thrilling game of chance.
    If you have a blackjack strategy, you can improve
    your chances of winning the game. Blackjack is a popular table game that requires a bit
    of skill to win. Online pokies, also known as
    slots, are very popular in Australia.

    References:
    https://blackcoin.co/ruby-fortune/

  • Fair Go casino demonstrates genuine commitment to player wellbeing by providing resources for problem gambling support and maintaining transparent policies about underage
    gambling prevention. Fair Go casino transforms mobile gaming through HTML5
    optimization that delivers flawless performance without requiring any downloads.
    Regular promotions keep the excitement flowing, with daily bonuses,
    cashback offers reaching 15%, and exclusive tournaments that award massive prize pools.
    This explosive offer transforms your initial deposit into double the
    playing power, extending your gaming sessions and amplifying your winning potential from the very first spin.
    Fair Go casino delivers banking solutions that are secure, swift,
    and tailored specifically for Australian players.
    The nature of the copyrighted work If you plan to use copyrighted
    material you didn’t create, we’d strongly advise you to take legal advice
    first. In many countries, certain uses of copyright-protected works do not infringe the copyright owner’s
    rights.
    In addition to the $25 free chip, Fair Go Casino also offers various free spins no-deposit bonuses.
    Fair Go is a great online casino for Aussie players, first and foremost they
    accept Australian dollars. Unfortunately, things go wrong sometimes, and an online casino needs
    to be able to assist its players quickly. In any
    case, remember that you need to deposit at least
    $20 to unlock casino bonuses. If online pokies aren’t your thing, there is a small selection of
    table games.

    References:
    https://blackcoin.co/5_types-of-casino-bonuses-in-new-zealand_rewrite_1/

  • Always read the terms and conditions to understand wagering requirements
    and game restrictions. Enter the amount you wish to deposit and wait for the payment to process.
    After verifying your account, head to the cashier or banking section to make your first deposit.

    Whether you’re a seasoned player or just dipping your toes into the world of online gambling, we’re here to guide you
    through an exhilarating journey. Avid slots players will find
    that the casino’s more than 2,500 smart card machines, which don’t require
    you use cash, are extremely convenient and easy to play.

    Many players love the fact that there are smoking and non-smoking sections while others simply like the convenience of being able to
    play at a casino 24/7. Playing for free with play money
    is not only possible, it’s also a completely legitimate choice for SA players.
    Don’t waste hours searching for the top SA casinos online.

    Top Australian online casino sites use 256-bit SSL encryption to protect
    your personal and financial data. These games offer solid payouts, especially blackjack with its 99.5% RTP when played
    with perfect strategy. Jet4Bet Casino’s online pokies,
    powered by Betsoft, stood out for their stunning visuals and bonus features like free spins
    and multipliers. Fast payouts and mobile gaming are top priorities,
    driving sites like Jet4Bet Casino to optimise for speed and accessibility.Top casinos partner with giants like
    NetEnt, Pragmatic Play, and Evolution Gaming. If a casino hides its licensing info
    or has sketchy reviews, steer clear.Top Australian online
    casino sites use 256-bit SSL encryption to protect your
    personal and financial data. Always choose casinos licensed by trusted
    authorities to stay on the right side of the law.A
    trustworthy casino displays its license prominently check the footer of sites.

    References:
    https://blackcoin.co/special-enrollment-periods-seps-a-quick-overview/

  • The emphasis at this casino is on table games
    and poker. This lack of poker machines, which is a staple at
    most casino venues in Australia, has impacted the ability of Casino Canberra to expand.

    The casino’s operators have campaigned for a law change
    since the very beginning, but the ACT has stood firm
    time and again due to concerns over draining
    revenue from Canberra’s clubs and pubs. There are plenty of gaming options nonetheless, from
    baccarat to roulette to poker, but pokies players will have to
    look elsewhere for the time being. Notable guests at the launch included former Prime Minister,
    Bob Hawke, who actually won the golden roulette ball from the first
    roulette wheel spin in the temporary casino.
    Due to local legislation, the casino does not offer any poker machines (more on that later).

    The graphs below display all bets and their odds, as well as their position on the table.

    You can make any number of different bets each round to increase your
    chances of winning, and several bets can win at
    the same time! The Roulette table has many options for betting and players may make as many different bets
    as they choose during a round. The aim of Roulette is to correctly guess which of the 37 numbered compartments the ball will
    land in by placing bets on sections of the table that contain that number.

    Other notable institutions to visit are the High Court of Australia and the
    National Film and Sound Archive that stockpiles a collection of Australia’s
    early radio, television and film history. If you answered
    Sydney or Melbourne then it’s time to discover the real answer – Canberra.

    If not, what are some alternate dates / times? 1) Can they
    host the event on your preferred date / time? Firstly,
    contact the VenueNow team by submitting an enquiry or
    speaking to one of our team members online or over the phone.
    There are a few steps involved in booking an event at Casino Canberra
    and the VenueNow team are here to do the heavy
    lifting for you. I found the drinks a bit
    on the higher side compared to other casino prices! Well, this is the closest casino
    I can go to from where I live.

    References:
    https://blackcoin.co/betman-casino-a-comprehensive-review-for-australian-gamblers/

  • Every player can play free Australian pokies in a demo mode on our website.
    When one lucky player gets to hit the jackpot, they get a massive win. Game providers are
    always working on releasing new, exciting variations of the original poker games.

    Since there are so many of them and they all have unique styles, the
    fun never really stops when playing pokies. We advise you to read the terms and conditions of each casino before using it.
    Australians are known for their love of pokies and table games.

    #1 Best Australian online casino of December 2025 is Golden Crown casino.
    Also, you can check our favorite, most reputable Aussie casino sites
    below. Casinority Australia is a trusted casino guide with real experts that
    help Australian players make the right choice. In a struggle to find
    a complete and comprehensive Australian online casino guide, Casinority
    comes to the rescue. There are many reputable international
    platforms that continue to accept players from AU.

  • 747152 273937You produced some decent points there. I looked online for your dilemma and located many people will go together with with the website. 841250

  • Way cool! Some extremely valid points! I appreciate you penning this write-up plus the rest of the site is really good.

Read more

By Michael Myers 07/29/2009
49 comments
Michael Myers