# I haven't followed the hack/crack stuff too closely,but I think I know how it happens **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [August 18, 2001, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-havent-followed-the-hack-crack-stuff-too-closely-but-i-think-i-know-how-it-happens/76856 "2001-08-18T02:56:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![simulpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bcef8e/32.png) [@simulpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/simulpost)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2001, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-havent-followed-the-hack-crack-stuff-too-closely-but-i-think-i-know-how-it-happens/76856/1 "2001-08-18T02:56:37Z")
Since the search is changed it’s not worth looking things up, but if someone has a link to the initial hack/crack thread I’d appreciate it. Anyway, I gather that someone got “super powers”. The same thing happened to me once. I’d asked TubaDiva to change my name right after I got it, because it seemed wrong. When she said it had been done and I posted a test, I was startled that my “title” had changed to “Super Administrator” or some such. The first thing I did was erase that post, which I was able to do! Drunk with power, but afraid of exposure, I quickly erased the rest of my posts so no one could see my new status. Then I realized the only thing I could DO without giving everything away was to erase things. So I got a new name. The next time I tried the original name, it was normal. Sigh. I was Super Administrator for a day and couldn’t come up with a reason to care. ---
**Author:** ![SPOOFE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c5a1d2/32.png) [@SPOOFE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SPOOFE)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2001, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-havent-followed-the-hack-crack-stuff-too-closely-but-i-think-i-know-how-it-happens/76856/2 "2001-08-18T04:04:48Z")
Wow… my head is _spinning_!!! 😕 ---
**Author:** ![Una\_Persson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/una_persson/32/346_2.png) [@Una\_Persson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Una_Persson)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2001, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-havent-followed-the-hack-crack-stuff-too-closely-but-i-think-i-know-how-it-happens/76856/3 "2001-08-18T17:17:01Z")
The first rule of cracking the SDMB is that _you don’t talk about cracking the SDMB_. The second rule of cracking the SDMB is that _you don’t talk about cracking the SDMB_. (lather, rinse, repeat) ---
**Author:** ![waterj2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/858c86/32.png) [@waterj2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/waterj2)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2001, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-havent-followed-the-hack-crack-stuff-too-closely-but-i-think-i-know-how-it-happens/76856/4 "2001-08-18T17:23:37Z")
Incidentally, you’re not supposed to have two names at the same time. You should probably email TubaDiva to get rid of the one you don’t intend to use. Assuming that I’ve read your post right, and you signed up for a new name in addition to the one that was screwed up. ---
**Author:** ![simulpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bcef8e/32.png) [@simulpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/simulpost)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2001, 5:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-havent-followed-the-hack-crack-stuff-too-closely-but-i-think-i-know-how-it-happens/76856/5 "2001-08-19T05:21:44Z")
SPOOFE - Confused? Don’t be. I’m just trying to help here. I think the current problem may have been created when TubaDiva changed someone’s name or status. A typo, a control code, she hit Back instead of Next, whatever. She should check the profiles she modified lately to see if someone has an odd status field. Anthracite - There’s a lot of things you don’t know. Just add this to the list. waterj2 - I know you’re a simpleton. I know you have no life, because that goes with a high post count and posts that span the entire day. But that doesn’t mean you have to fill up the board with the obvious. Give the “Gotta post on every thread I open” routine a rest. ---
**Author:** ![Una\_Persson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/una_persson/32/346_2.png) [@Una\_Persson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Una_Persson)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2001, 6:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-havent-followed-the-hack-crack-stuff-too-closely-but-i-think-i-know-how-it-happens/76856/6 "2001-08-19T06:39:02Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by simulpost \* > **Anthracite - > There’s a lot of things you don’t know. Just add this to the list.** OK, that’s a given. But I’m unclear as to what this has to do with my comment. ---
**Author:** ![waterj2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/858c86/32.png) [@waterj2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/waterj2)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2001, 7:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-havent-followed-the-hack-crack-stuff-too-closely-but-i-think-i-know-how-it-happens/76856/7 "2001-08-19T07:13:41Z")
> [@](#): > > Anthracite - > There’s a lot of things you don’t know. Just add this to the list. She does, however, know that insults do not belong in ATMB, which I had always though was pretty clear. ---
**Author:** ![SPOOFE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c5a1d2/32.png) [@SPOOFE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SPOOFE)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2001, 10:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-havent-followed-the-hack-crack-stuff-too-closely-but-i-think-i-know-how-it-happens/76856/8 "2001-08-19T10:33:05Z")
> [@](#): > > Confused? Don’t be. I’m just trying to help here. Well, I just couldn’t figure out if you were throwing out random ideas regarding the hacking/cracking/whatever-ing, or if you were trying to tell a joke, or if you were trying to cause trouble (don’t take it personally), or if a potted plant had simply fallen on your keyboard and typed up some mumbo-jumbo… I THINK what you’re doing is offering up brainstorms about how somebody managed to gain Administrative access… yes? ---
**Author:** ![simulpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bcef8e/32.png) [@simulpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/simulpost)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2001, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-havent-followed-the-hack-crack-stuff-too-closely-but-i-think-i-know-how-it-happens/76856/9 "2001-08-19T16:41:44Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Anthracite \* > \*\* > > > [@](#): > > > > \*Originally posted by simulpost \* > > **Anthracite - > > There’s a lot of things you don’t know. Just add this to the list.** > > OK, that’s a given. But I’m unclear as to what this has to do with my comment. \*\* I guess I was unclear what your comment had to do with the OP. If you came here to heckle, you have to expect a comeback. > [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by waterj2 \* > **She does, however, know that insults do not belong in ATMB, which I had always though was pretty clear.** Once again with the obvious? See note above. I believe Anthracite was trying to insult me with “rinse repeat”, not the other way round. SPOOFE - (Finally a person with an actual contribution!) Yes. But it’s more than a brainstorm, it’s personal experience. It has happened, and we all know those who ignore history are doomed to repeat it. ---
**Author:** ![Una\_Persson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/una_persson/32/346_2.png) [@Una\_Persson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Una_Persson)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2001, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-havent-followed-the-hack-crack-stuff-too-closely-but-i-think-i-know-how-it-happens/76856/10 "2001-08-19T17:23:20Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by simulpost \* > **I believe Anthracite was trying to insult me with “rinse repeat”, not the other way round.** Nope. It wasn’t an insult at all. It was meant to convey in a humorous manner (obviously failing) a general message that talking in depth about Board operation/hacks/whatever has been seriously frowned upon in the past - and even I have gone too far in posting details before. My insults are normally pretty unambiguous. ---
**Author:** ![TubaDiva](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tubadiva/32/507_2.png) [@TubaDiva](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TubaDiva)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2001, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-havent-followed-the-hack-crack-stuff-too-closely-but-i-think-i-know-how-it-happens/76856/11 "2001-08-19T19:33:44Z")
Damn, one little slip of the keyboard and no one lets you forget it. Actually this has nothing to do with the crack, but thanks for playing. And I’m closing this thread. your humble TubaDiva Administrator