(Another slightly geeky article from the minion running TheFarsider machine for Leroy…)

You’ve heard it and may have even read about it: hacking.  Mr. Google defines “hacking” as:

“Hacking is the act of gaining access to or control over a computer system, network, or digital device through means not originally intended by the developers.”

TheFarsider is constantly being bombarded with hacking attempts.  Every day I receive notifications from TheFarsider server advising me of attempted “hacks”.  Here’s an example from just this morning and is typical of ones I receve every day:

Alert: Monday 31st of August 2026 at 08:12:13 AM:
The Wordfence Web Application Firewall has blocked 450 attacks over the last 10 minutes.  Here is a sample of these recent attacks:
August 31, 2026 3:08pm 45.148.10.194 (Netherlands) Blocked because the IP is blocklisted.
(…several more listed)

Hackers target websites for a wide range of motivations, ranging from financial gain to political messaging or personal challenge.  Most listed below probably don’t apply to TheFarsider but are listed for reference.

Primary Motivations

• Financial Gain (Most Common)

  • Data Theft: Stealing sensitive user data like credit card numbers, social security numbers, or personal identifying information (PII) to sell on the dark web or use for identity theft.  In the case of TheFarsider, your personal email address.

  • Ransomware & Extortion: Locking website access, encrypting databases, or threatening to release sensitive corporate data unless a ransom is paid.

  • Resource Hijacking (Cryptojacking): Secretly injecting scripts to use the website server’s processing power to mine cryptocurrency.

  • SEO Spam & Malvertising: Injecting spam links or redirecting traffic to malicious/phishing landing pages to drive revenue.

• Disruption & Ideology

  • Hacktivism: Defacing a site or taking it offline (e.g., via Distributed Denial of Service or DDoS attacks) to promote a political, social, or religious cause.

  • Vandalism & Defacement: Altering content on high-profile sites to mock the site owners or display custom graphics/messages for notoriety.

• Reconnaissance & Access Proplication

  • Stepping Stones & Botnets: Compromising a vulnerable web server to use it as a launchpad for attacking other targets, distributing malware, or hosting illegal files.

  • Corporate Espionage: Infiltrating competitor systems to steal intellectual property, proprietary source code, trade secrets, or strategic business plans.

• Personal & Technical Motivations

  • Thrill-Seeking & Prestige: Testing skills against security barriers to gain recognition or bragging rights within underground hacking communities.

  • Vulnerability Research (Ethical/White-Hat): Identifying security gaps to report them responsible via bug bounty programs before malicious actors exploit them.

In conclusion, rest assured your infomation that is contained on TheFarsider databases is secure.  Not only do I update the server software every week but keep the programs keeping everything secure, one being WordFence that is used to stop the hacks.

I’m open to any questions or concerns regarding TheFarsider website.  Feel free to contact me anytime.

Take care, and stay safe.

Your techno minion,
-Eric