How to avoid PHPBB3 being hacked and spammed?

How to avoid PHPBB3 being hacked and spammed

I tried a forum 1 year ago but I kept on fighting of hacking and spam so I dropped it. Is there any trick to do to keep the hackers away like hiding index or closing stuff that they can use? I am trying to use as few mods as possible since they can be open to hacking.

 

The key is constantly updating your forums software and using strong passwords

 

make sure you have CAPTCHA enabled for registration. seems to halt spam bots in their spot.

 

From being hacked, that's nearly impossible. There will always be a security hole somewhere...
Best solution: Strong Passwords, Up-to-date software, Limited Access (Do not give admin to your new best friend you've known for 3 days)

From being spammed, that is quite easy: Captcha

 

i saw something of hiding index.php or can you even hide the links telling people its a phpbb3 forum. I mean they must search random for forum?

 

You cant, upgrade to VBulletin or invision power board. If you want a free solution, go with SMF.

I have seen, and been a member of communities that stayed hacked. One site went through a 2 or 3 month period where they were hacked every couple of weeks when using phpbb. The site was finally closed, moved to smf and reopened.

A good buddy of mine, he only lives about 45 minutes from me, he finally closed his phpbb site because he was hacked so many times. He gave up on the domain name and phpbb. I did not visit his forum a lot, one day I went to his site and it was gone. So I called him on the phone and asked what was going on. He told me he got tired of being hacked and closed the site.

You ca do stuff about the spam, such as use captcha. But the hacking is something totally different - this is a security issue you might not be able to fix. If you have been hacked, and went back with the same software, what is going to stop the next hacker? If you have been hacked, its time to consider what is going on with the forum software. Hacked twice - its time to change. Hacked 3 times - its your own fault.

My personal preference is VBulletin. If you are serious about your forum, then use serious software.

 

I hear you i just want to test the subject for a while if it goes well i will change VB. I guess back up often and check the forum all the time is a good plan.

 

Sorry to interrupt. Is it PhpBB3 (latest version) ?
I am asking out of curiosity because Php BB3 looks promising and I thought hacking history of Php BB reduced with latest version. (Though I never been a great fan of Php BB)

 

Yes the number 3 or 3.02 is the last version. It looks nice but i seen some people getting hacked already. So i want to know trick how to avoid the evil eye of the hackers

 

Sorry but I don't suggest using PhpBB at all, considering it's hacking history.
Even if you lose on some features, I suggest you to use SMF - that is more secure.

 

Well i think also SMF can be hacked i just want to know tricks not to get hacked. In wordpress you can hide the admin file and such.

 

This page should be of some help then. Even though the post is about vbulletin, just replace "vbulletin" with what ever you are using now. If you are using SMF, as you are reading, just replace "vbulletin" with "smf."

Some of these suggestions do not relate to smf or phpbb, so just use your imagination.

Source: http://www.vbulletin.com/forum/showthread.php?t=172234

 

great post this kind of tricks i am looking for