The Community Shrinks: SkinArtistry Closes

Damn hackers

http://skinartistry.com/sitedown.php
from WinCustomize Forums

If you've tried to visit SkinArtistry.com in the last day or so, you've found yourself staring at the following notice:

"Skinartistry.com is now officially closed due to hackers installing a series of php scripts, to send out spam, and other various malware. I am sorry that it had to come to this, but they say the third time is the charm. To all those that made SA what it is today, I thank you. Especially all Admins, thanks for your hard work! I will be talking to some that may want to revive the site, but for now, SA is Closed for business."

SA was one of the older skinning sites out there, with the domain registered all the way back in 2004.  Along with sites like Skinning.net, SkinBase and Skinz.org, it made up a large chunk of the skinning community beyond the walls of sites like WinCustomize and DeviantArt.

The shutdown of SA is a blow to skinning, and to the overall community.  Any time a site goes down, we lose not only the skins and artwork hosted there, but we also lose a unique voice and perspective on the hobby and community we've all come to know and love over the years.  It's especially frustrating when we lose a site not because the owner moves on, or for not being able to pay for the site, but because a bunch of punks with nothing better to do decide to tear down something that others put years of hard work into.  Some in the community lost their virtual home because some losers sitting in their parents basements wanted to send out spam.

To the skinners, moderators and administators of SkinArtistry, and on behalf of everyone here at Stardock/WinCustomize, I'm sorry it had to come to this.  Please let me know if there's anything we at WC can do to help salvage what's left and possibly get things going again.

20,389 views 43 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top
well now that just plain sux...I'd like to wring the neck of some of these schmucks. :( 
Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I don't know what to say besides that sucks. 
ObjectDock - Access shortcuts and frequently used applications from an animated dock.
Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Looks like we all lose out on a valuable part of the community thanks to some Noob Hackers that haven't anything better to do with their time.... a lot of other sites are prolly too hard for them to attack.  X-( 
Reply #4 from WinCustomize Forums Top
could not agree more on your views of these hackers, well-said zoomba, what a bunch of low-life. i'm really sorry to hear about skinartistry...
Reply #5 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I would like to offer my services in anyway I can from maybe a hosting plan domain art work for the revamp of the site or just whatever is needed.Any level of assistance from helping build or run the site or maintenance. Please contact me if some are willing to help we will get it back up and going! Harley :)
Reply #6 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Even more infuriating is that it's not necessarily "some losers sitting in their parents' basements wanted to send out spam". Quite possibly "some losers sitting in their plush offices wanted to send out spam". Spamming and hacking has turned into such an industry that it's attracted the bottom-feeding parasites-for-profit of the world who will happily wreck anything they can for a buck, somehow managing to prove yet again that it's always possible to sink even lower in the food chain.
Reply #7 from WinCustomize Forums Top
My question is...what's to stop this same sort of attack at WC and the other skinning sites? (:( 
Reply #8 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Wouldn't it be great to be able to find these spammers/bottom feeders or what ever and turn the tables on them!
Reply #9 from WinCustomize Forums Top
This is the kind of thing which makes you mad.

If I could get my hands on the bastards I'd chop their goddamned nuts off 
Reply #10 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Now, now, Vulcans are supposed to be able to control thier emotions. ;) 

It does piss you off, though.
Reply #11 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Can't believe SA closes...which interest to attack a site like this ? it's a shame, really. :( :( :( if this kind of guys just put 1/10 of their talent to make good instead of bad , the world would be paradisiac....
Reply #12 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Typically when this happens, the site being attacked is using some sort of platform software which has documented or exploitable holes. Such platforms like phpNuke and e105 frequently have new exploits, and site managers have to scramble to update before their site is comprimised. While it's not completely out of the question that WC may have a lingering hole we havent yet found, our stuff is all developed in house and thus, the source code is not available for people to pick through and find problems. We also have a service which checks out sites for holes on a regular basis...

Reply #13 from WinCustomize Forums Top
This is the kind of thing which makes you mad.
End of quote


If you knew how senseless it all was and that Tom (bones2112) got no assistance from the people he leased the domain name from. As the matter of fact, at one time they accused him if I remeber correctly. The whole thing is the suckiest suck that ever sucked. If I ever visit Pakistan, I know the first place I am going. :)
Reply #14 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Pakistan huh? I think that's on the list...
Reply #15 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Just a reminder ... Even though the Skinartistry site is no more; the people that made it what is was and contributed are still alive and kicking. ;)

My personal thanks to Tom and all the people I worked with through the years over there. I couldn't have asked for a better bunch of folks.
Reply #16 from WinCustomize Forums Top

We at Skinning. net would like to express our sorrow at the news of the closure of the SkinArtistry site. SkinArtistry was a valued member of the skinning community and will be missed. One can hope that sometime in the future a SkinArtistry will once again open it's doors to the community. Thanks to all that managed the daily site activities and to those members who contributed their wonderful talents in their skin submissions. SDN would also like to extend our assistance if needed.

Reply #18 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Very sad, senseless, my condolences. :NOTSURE: 
Reply #19 from WinCustomize Forums Top
If I ever visit Pakistan, I know the first place I am going.
End of quote


Pakistan? Where does that come in? Am I missing something? :NOTSURE:
Reply #21 from WinCustomize Forums Top

The hackers are from pakistan.
End of quote

... or they're bouncing through a proxy in pakistan

Reply #22 from WinCustomize Forums Top
or they're bouncing through a proxy in pakistan
End of quote


not in this case.

They haven't tried to hide where they are from.  ;) 
Reply #23 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Damn that sucks, SA was a great site full of great people. Damn hackers!! :(
Reply #24 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I'm floored! As a member of SA I want to thank Tom from the bottom of my heart as he ans Reppiks were the first to welcome me there. I learned alot and grew alot with the marvelous, kind and sharing community. Everyone was always made to feel welcome! I think of all the works that may not be able to be replaced it's a ceying shame. I want to thank you all across the skining community for your kind heartspoken words, your support, and being there in a time of need! And Pictoratus your right even tho we're stunned we're all still alive and kicking! That you WC and S.n for your support!
Reply #25 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Thanks Mike and WC for your heartfelt words. I feel like a part of me died and in the words of Nightrain
The whole thing is the suckiest suck that ever sucked
End of quote