My blog got hacked but now I’m back!

My site recently got hacked. Unfortunately, at the time, I didn’t have any real-time alerts so my only way of finding out was from a Google email notification as I had registered with Google Webmasters (recommend you do the same).

I had found that the hackers had accessed my WordPress blog and database and added redirects to another site involved with essay writing – go figure! It makes absolutely no sense and from what I could see was doing nothing other than redirecting to another site.

Luckily, I keep full directory backups, and database backups, every time I do a full version update of WordPress and the last backup I had was December ’16. I had only posted one additional post and made some minor changes since then (I’ve been slacking).

Everything would have been relatively straight forward had phpMyAdmin displayed a logical error message when trying to import an oversized SQL file (70+Mb). After much deliberation I decided to set up a local install using a MAMP stack, courtesy of Bitnami, to try and work out why the database wasn’t importing. Voila, on my test site everything imported without any problems.

I then took to HostGator who actually have a page explaining what to do with oversized databases (here) and a section called Your import file is too large! under common issues! So I got on their webchat and 15 minutes later they had imported the database successfully back in situe. Unfortunately unless I pay more for hosting (at the minute I’ve an account on the Whitecherry / Frantik reseller package) I will need to get in touch directly every time I want to import a database over 50Mb.

I’d like to do a shoutout to WPBeginner and their following page – http://www.wpbeginner.com/beginners-guide/beginners-guide-how-to-restore-wordpress-from-backup/ – it’s a little outdated but the principles remain the same.

Take it to the limit…

There’s no better feeling than driving a car fast… but it shouldn’t be on a public road when you’re not sure how to handle the car in those conditions.

Forgive me for being a grumpy fart, but I’ve seen too many posts on Facebook recently of people I know writing off their cars (thank goodness without too much injury to themselves) but nonetheless totally avoidable.

I really do recommend everyone goes on a skidpan course to be shown how to handle a car in a skid… but really follow the below:

Leave 2 cars’ distance between you and the car in front
If it’s below 3 Celcius expect ice, even if you can’t see it – so drive slower
If it’s rained heavily after a period of it being dry, the road can be as slippy as an oil or diesel slick – drive slower!

And for all intents and purposes, if you want to “take it to the limit” take the car to the track!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FY5_krxYPeY

The Eagles always do a great job, and the song which inspired this post is brilliant 🙂

Stay safe, and Merry Christmas!

Cute things about my cat…

Okay, so my Mazda is still in the garage being worked on, and the nights are drawing in so I’m working on some “catbait” 🙂

Some cute things about my cat include when it knocks at my office door when I’m not in there… and also at night when I go to the loo and it won’t let me go back to sleep as it wants to lay on my chest like it did when it was a kitten (bad habbit) but it’s furry and warm so I don’t mind! He won’t shut up until I lay flat either!

Whilst you’re reading this far, please take a moment to sign the following petition: https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/168135

Having worked and been associated with Club 85 in Hitchin for many many years, I know first hand what it’s like having people move in to the locality of a long established music venue only to complain about noise levels. To add, most venues need to follow local council regulations for noise anyway. Eg. After 12 or 1 am the PA has to be turned down/off.