Conservapedia:Vandalism

I heard from Bethany that there was a major vandalism attack and that Philip Rayment locked the database.

When I looked at the "reason" for database locking, I didn't see anything given. I just assumed it was a test, and that Philip got distracted and didn't unlock it after his test.

Let's find a better way to keep each other informed, so that no one accidentally unlocks the database when they shouldn't. --Ed Poor ^Talk 10:54, 9 July 2007 (EDT)

(Oops, I just found out that leaving the edit summary blank is not discreet! I have to put something in it, or else the software copies the beginning of whatever I post!! --Ed Poor ^Talk 10:55, 9 July 2007 (EDT)

Right. However, your point was well taken. Was the database actually locked? I see no evidence of a vandal attack or that edits were actually blocked.--Aschlafly 10:57, 9 July 2007 (EDT)

They were. I couldn't edit until Ed unlocked the database.--Beth^Talk2ME 10:58, 9 July 2007 (EDT)

Ed, you could have tried e-mailing! :-). I seemed to recall Andy telling us to just quickly lock it (although it took me some time to even remember to do it at all!), and don't worry about the reason. Anyway, Andy has shut off general editing now, so it's okay unlocked again.

I left a message that I was locking on Crocoite's page, because he was doing a lot of the vandal-blocking, and there was already a discussion there, but of course you wouldn't know to look there. This page would be a good place to post in future, if we can afford to wait long enough to leave a message.

Philip J. Rayment 11:01, 9 July 2007 (EDT)

The attack was apparently from one person[1] who kept registering under new names (with similar themes) and kept creating new articles about human evolution (copy/pasting the same text over and over). The database was locked for somewhat less than 10 minutes. Philip J. Rayment 11:04, 9 July 2007 (EDT)

Philip, I'm glad you locked it. That's great to exercise security like that. Thank you. We can always undo it quickly and such security really throws the vandals off and deters them from future attacks.

BethanyS, by the way, you already are one of the few who has the power to unlock (and lock) the database yourself. It's in your special pages near the bottom.--Aschlafly 11:05, 9 July 2007 (EDT)

Yes I just realized I have that privilege. --Beth^Talk2ME 11:11, 9 July 2007 (EDT)

Attention! The vandal is still at it, trying to register new users. I am blocking those usernames as they appear.

Yes, the DB was locked. Philip locked it, and I understand the reason. Someone was trying to leave multiple copies of a disorganized pseudo-treatise on human evolution. I have only now finished protecting and scrubbing all the duplicate pages he left, under too many names to count!

Ed, you asked about a treatise on why people believe in evolution. Well, I'll write that as soon as I have time to spare from patrol!--TerryH^Talk 11:06, 9 July 2007 (EDT)

Yes, the vandal has registered three new accounts since the database was unlocked, but two of them since editing was shut off, so that's stymied him! Philip J. Rayment 11:08, 9 July 2007 (EDT)