Guests visiting a hidden forum

[beans]

Hi, our forum is supposed to be hidden - we have selected the options to not accept new members, not appear in the forum directory, be a 'hidden' forum, and for memberlist/forum/search etc all to be viewable by registered members only.

So in theory we think no one should be able to find or access our forum through any search engines or anywhere other than knowing the exact correct link - and even then they shouldn't be able to view any threads or the memberlist etc.

But we are having a lot of "Guests" showing up in the "who's online" section
- sometimes they stay for a long time, like 20 minutes, so not likely a member just taking their time signing in (some are the same ip addresses coming back repeatedly)
- they're not always just browsing the index or front page, they are shown as being in parts of the forum that should be private...
- I initially thought they might just be search engine crawler things (although I'm not sure if I should be worried about them having access or not...) but I don't think so now because I've noticed while searching this forum in case my question had already been asked, that 'bots' have shown up on other people's stats as 'bots', with 'guests' listed seperately.

So we're a little freaked out that we're not as secure as we thought ... help?

thanks in advance

[Sanket]

Are you sure the permissions are set for only the members to view the various forum? For guests, the permissions are unchecked. Because its impossible that they are viewing your forum otherwise.

[beans]

Yep, I'm sure that all the forums are members only.

But in the 'whos online' section it still shows 'guest' as browsing in the members only forums.

That's why i'm confused

[Sanket]

If the permissions are set, that guests can't view anything you should just relax.

[Guest]

Hey Beans,

Yeah, don't worry It's just about getting the permissions right

[bob8972]

Admin Panel> General> Categories and forums
click on permissions, and make sure "View the forum" for guest isn't checked off, or "View the forum and its messages" make sure it says members.

[beans]

thanks bob8972, have just gone and checked that screen now, and yep it all looks like it should, so i guess i'll just chill out and let those browsing guests remain one of the many things i just dont understand about life

thanks for your help everyone

[Sanket]

Since this thread appears to be solved, I will lock this thread and mark it as solved.
Glad we all were able to help you.
Sanket