I supported Caedes for several years even though its pool of users was shrinking. I stopped when I noticed that the security of the site was dropping. Of late there have been numerous "bots" posting fake comments to include advertising links. Complaints have been unanswered. I have to conclude that maintaining this site is not a priority with the owners any longer. For that matter, it has been a really long time since there has been any upgrades. I'm sadden to see it fall apart. I'll stick around for a bit longer, but if I disappear, know that I'll remember all the help given in the past and the limited discussion allowed by the creators of this site.

Jeff,

It is not due to not being a safe site. It is due to the spammers/hackers keep at it until they get in somewhere.

No matter how many �stoppers� *CAEDES puts into place, the next day a new one pops up!!

I care what happens here & I care about the issues.

Please report them. I don�t see everything


Mimi

Mimi, I appreciate that the efforts are difficult. I run several sites and know how difficult it is to keep rogues off the system. I do report each incident, but recently I've noticed that the bot remained after several days. Perhaps everyone handling complaints were busy. But I see this as a breaking down of the security of the site. I assume you are using Joomla as the base for Caedes. No module for verifying users is perfect, though they need to be kept up-to-date. For years everyone had been doing a very good job. I only remember one time there was a breakdown. Perhaps the attacks are increasing in recent days. Perhaps if there was feedback that the complaint was being addressed, it would not appear that nothing is being done.

I don't wish to come across as mean. I'm did want "the powers that be" to know why I stopped contributing because I suspect there are others seeing similar problems. Improvements to the site would go a long way to cause people to understand that their money is being used for more than just keeping the site running (though that is important). I would love to see actual conversations with each image instead of one-way comments. But that is just me. I do appreciate the efforts you are making.

It is sort of ironic the hackers use this discussion stream to bury their ads.

Spam is removed manually. I think I am the one who's doing it all nowadays and I don't have much reason to visit (pretty much all I do is come in, remove spam, check the forums for new content - which is pretty much non existent, then leave). Just to be clear I've never been paid a cent in the 15 odd years I've been moderating here, neither have any of the other mods as far as I'm aware.

It is rather disconcerting that every login throws up a warning that this connection is not secure and logins could be compromised.Clicking Learn More (this is using Firefox) leads to THIS page - even more disconcerting

In Google Chrome and in MS Edge a "not secure" message appears in the address bars.

I also have and still do administer other sites, just one now, and understand the difficulties keeping things spam free. It takes time effort and vigilance and is always an ongoing problem.

However, from this side of the fence it is still off-putting when warned the site is insecure every time one logs in. Many of us have been members for a long time (like Jeff I have been since 2006) Times change, members' priorities change, but there are still members here, old and newer that remain loyal.
Maybe possible new members are frightened off by the insecure issue (?)

Depending on the base provider, a secured site (https) costs about $75 to $120 more. Some, such as GoDaddy, through in security with some of their bundles. I estimated at one time that Caedes is bringing in about $900 to $1000 per year, not including ads. Cost of the site should be in the $300 to $400 neighborhood. LynEve is correct that this site could be upgraded and modernized.

This site has never been a secure site per *Caedes in a previous conversation .

Please remember that * Caedes uses all monies from Cadre memberships to simply pay for the server.

I personally have never received a � not secure� warning since 2004 & I have had 2 desktops & 4 or 5? Laptops all running different browsers.

Mimi, My apologies. It seems like my bookmark for Caedes is still the old HTTP address instead of the new https address. This is probably the same problem LynEve is having. I'll let her know.

Thank you Mimi and Jeff.
I have altered my bookmark. In Firefox I still receive the warning message as I type my password (as I do every time, I don't use password managers). It is not something that stops me from coming here (more than 4000 uploads are proof of that) I was just thinking for anyone here for the first time, now that in these times people are more security aware, it could be 'disconcerting' for them IF they see it. I get no security messages on apple devices, and never have done.
I will look into my Firefox further. It is and always has been up to date, as are all my browsers and machines. . I may just begin using Edge, as using the new address Jeff provided there is no warning in the address bar. I also have plenty of other browsers to experiment with.
I was unaware, as maybe others are, that there had been a change. Did that happen recently ?
My apologies.

Lyn,

I am using Edge with no difficulties nor on my phone (Apple) which unfortunately, I use more often that I like :)

Mimi, as I said Edge is fine for me with the changed address, and I am grateful to Jeff for pointing it out. I use Edge for almost everything but had this site along with a few other favorites bookmarked on Firefox.

I'm not sure hackers are in here to post ads, insomuch as they are to swipe intellectual material, and pass it off as their own - for profit! This is especially done for the benefit of the Asian Market, as illustrations, photographs, CGI, etc. are taken and used as material for websites, e-billboards, and printed items... Best defense is to attach a copywritten logo or watermark (I use the "Poor Man's Method" as well as secured by a lawyer) onto your submissions... As a result, I see very few of my creations out there, unless I grant permission first!