I have the forum set so that guests can only view the guest area. However, on two occasions today, I have seen guests online viewing areas that are only open to members?

any ideas how they are gaining access?

http://collienet.forumotion.com/

nope, I checked out your site and unless they're hacking they can't get in.

oh, so how are they hacking, I dont understand how they do it. I have been banning the IP address when I see them, is that the best way?

that is the best way, I'll try again, know that it's me.

Edit: I can't see how they're getting in.

This would appear to be the case at first glance however they actually aren't.
When they try to view this area it still connects to the url which then activates on the stats however they will be faced with a "you are not authorised to view this section" and redirected away from that section of the forum

This will still show up on the stats as if they are viewing the protected section

regards







Craig

oh right, ok thank you for your prompt responses. cheers.

Not a problem



regards






Craig

can't see how they're getting in

they arnt apparently, but I banned them anyway!!

They cant

it only appears that way because they are still connecting to the url, they get a message advising their not authorised however because they have connected to the url it registers and reflects this on the stats

Giving the appearance they are in that protected section

regards






Craig

I still dont understand, as they can only view guest area, how would it show them as trying to look at something else if the topic isnt available for them to view. My friend has just tried to view the forum, and she is showing as a guest viewing the index, and she cant look at anything else?

logging on to the site only gives the three panels for people to read in the guest area and then join if they want. Even hitting the keywords panel on the right only brings up the log in or sign in box. Haven't managed to get the you are unauthorised to view notice.

logging on to the site only gives the three panels for people to read in the guest area and then join if they want. Even hitting the keywords panel on the right only brings up the log in or sign in box. Haven't managed to get the you are unauthorised to view notice.

This is my point exactly, they are still hitting the links even if they aren't taken to that section!!!!!

• Well they can still see the link
  
• The link once clicked will show on the stats that someone has used it indicating that user is viewing that section
  
• The user is actually being faced with the message "you are not authorised to view this section" OR "Log in Page"
  
• The forum shows users in the forum only when links are used
  
• the forum doesn't actually know what they are looking at hence how you cant see what post they are viewing
  

your forum is safe

If you have Firefox and IE installed try logging into the forum as a guest on one and an admin on the other and have a look about and watch how the stats show you in different area's only when you use the section links of the forum.

regards






Craig

I have just gone on as a guest and when I click on the keywords to the right it just comes up with LOG IN or REGISTER. No message re unauthorised access

Sounds like you don't have that forums permissions set to allow guests.

It doesn't need to be specifically that message

The point being that the links are connected to the stats, Once clicked the stats will change whether or not someone views that page.

Again your forum is safe and no one is hacking you

regards







Craig

Thank you for explanation. But if the link to the area that the stats tell us a guest is viewing is not available for guests, how can they click on it, regardless of whether it lets them view or not?

For example, we have had guests viewing 'members photographs', and 'show scene', and as you can see from the home page, if you are not logged in, that link is not there?