NEWSEA, a rival site to TSR has been hacked and the data of 3,322 of its users has been posted online.
CHANGE ALL OF YOUR PASSWORDS NOW.
Unlike the last information leak, where 614 people had their names email address shared on the grapevine, this new leak is far more dangerous, the online list not only contains usernames and emails, but your PASSWORDS and your country of origin and and some full names.
I understand there are rumors already in the community, and in some cases these rumors are not being believed, I can confirm that I have seen the full list online and I can not stress how urgent it is that you take action to change your passwords. The information is listed in this format: id - username - email – password - firstname - lastname - country
On May the 10th, a few members of staff were approached, and on May 11th were given subscriber passes to Newsea. The idea was to download and share Newsea subscriber only files through torrent sites in an attempt to damage the Newsea business and limit their monetary income. I was under the impression that TSR had bought the subscriptions. Shortly after, I heard that Newsea was willing to sell the site to TSR and return as FA. Talks broke down apparently when Tom accused Newsea of being greedy and wanting far too much for the site, I have no idea what Newsea asked for or what he was offered, but whatever it was, Tom said it was too much but he was certain Newsea would be back with ‘his tail between his legs’. Yesterday I was told that every member of Newsea has had their username, email name and password leaked online. Shortly before this news went public, TSR posted a cryptic and confusing message on their front page.
“TSR members are being targeted in the community by people trying to cause trouble. Please remember that nobody from TSR will ever ask for your password for the site. If anyone approaches you on Facebook, Forums or Chat, claiming to be from TSR and asking you for your login details, do not give them out!”
You may wonder what is so cryptic and confusing about this message? For a start the first paragraph is the focus of events that have never happened, there have been no reports of anyone being approached on facebook, forums or chat by anyone asking for login details. This part of the statement is clearly just an opener and just an excuse to make an announcement so that they can get to the second paragraph..
Passwords stored at TSR are encrypted. ( No they are not. ) Staff, Admins and Mods do not have access to your passwords used, ( some staff and all admins do. )
“but not all sites work that way.” Now we are getting to the point of this announcement .. Sites like Newsea? How perceptive of TSR to know that a rival site was about to have it’s entire unencrypted data leaked online. How thoughtful of TSR to let us know how *cough* secure their site is and how unsecure rival sites may be. We could have done without the demonstration.
This has not just been a hack, it has started with blackmail. With this being posted on or around April 27th
Followed by attempts from TSR to damage the business through sharing.
When Newsea refused to sell and rejoin TSR for what was probably a very low offer, the information gathered from the site was released to the public. ( ..after the careful removal of TSR FA accounts! ) You do not need me to explain what this means to the 3,322 people who have had their emails and passwords displayed for all to see, or the damage to the reputation of Newseas site.
Still not convinced that TSR are liars? TSR have even gone as far as writing words in Newsea’s TSR blog, that were not written by Newsea and replying to messages that were not replied to by Newsea -In fact Newsea have NO access to their own TSR blog. What kind of respectable site would impersonate an artist through blog posts and messages while locking them out of their own account. That in itself is illegal.
Newsea says: “Please do not give the newsea of TSR site message! because the account has been modified by the TSR, we do not have the permissions of that account, all speak of the newsea of TSR site not what we say!”
Hacking. Blackmail. Impersonation. This is how low TSR will go to destroy the competition. For those who have very little sympathy for a paysite like Newsea, remember that paysites are not the only rival to TSR.
May 22, 2012
Urgent Tumblr Warning! UPDATED
I have just received news that TSR are targeting Tumblr accounts. 3 sites, rawsimguts ,* ulnargroove. and another un-named site have been hit. It is unusual for 3 Tumblr sites to be hit together in this way. At this stage I do not know if TSR are using passwords from their database or if they have found a vulnerability in tumblr. Please, if you have a Tumblr account, back it up NOW, and never use a password you have ever used on TSR.
I am awaiting news from the site owner ( via ‘Name’ ) to see if her password was the same as on TSR, if she had any takedown notices, if she had any links, downloads or content that may have upset them or any reason at all she may have been targeted. I have no words to express how sorry I am to hear about these sites being attacked or how angered I am at the vulgar use of extreme pornography in a place where children can visit. I will update if/as soon as I find out anything more..
Many thanks to ‘Name’ for the warning, hopefully this early warning may save some sites from attack.
*Update. The rawsimguts hack was unconnected with the other Tumblr hacks, She was hacked by her boyfriends brother. However Tumblr seems to still be very much in the target sights with reports that 2 more Tumblr blogs were attacked in connection with the recent LivingSims hack. One had their password changed and the other, belonging to LivingSims, was deleted completely.
Update on Ulnargroove’s hack.
Here is a message from Ulnargroove..
Many thanks to Ulnargroove and ‘Name’
Text version of both screencaps for use with translators here.
TSR, EA and YOU!
You may think that reporting problems such as this to EA has never been of any benefit, that perhaps it is a waste of your time and that EA have done nothing. Think again. Since TSR adopted a ‘Mafia’ attitude and EA have been hearing about it in many corners, a whole lot has changed already. You would have to be blind not to notice that the glowing support EA once had for TSR has dwindled to nothing. When was the last time TSR had an exclusive on a new exp or stuff pack? ( Not counting the Medieval ‘exclusive’ Steve had to scan from PC Format magazine! ) Hell, EA did not even trust them to preview KP sweet treats! When were they last interviewed by EA? When was the last time someone… anyone? from EA appeared in their forums …..A long time ago.
At the end of the day EA are a business, and yes it makes great business sense to keep on good terms with ‘the largest site in the sims community’. EA may be slow on the uptake, but even they can see now that TSR is only the ‘largest’ because they have been open for 12 years. ( not the longest, as TSR claim, but certainly a long time .) A vast percentage of all their members did not join TSR as it is today, they joined the free community site that it was in 1999, before it was sold off as a money spinning business to the Isakssons. None of the members amassed throughout the years can delete their own accounts or uploads. So that is 12 years of joining with 0 people allowed to leave, you do the math. If they were a regular cult they would need their own country by now. TSR masks itself as a happy place, no negative comments are allowed and until recently candy sweet good comments were rewarded with free subscription days. ( Kudos) Good artists appeared to be dumping their own sites just for the pleasure of working for the popular TSR, and the padded download stats look great. No wonder EA believed the hype. It was only after the dirty dealings and lies came to light that EA have finally distanced themselves from the monster they created. Many of these incidents only came to light because you, the community decided to tell them.
What EA thought was a good business move in ‘turning a blind eye’ to the EULA ( for what seemed like the good of the community at the time ) ended up crushing a large proportion of the true fan community. The free pass that TSR thinks they have has gone right to their heads. Appearing as the largest sims site is not good enough anymore, they want to be the only sims site. This, thankfully, will never happen but while a money crazed madman believes this is possible, many fan sites are still closing due to the hackings, false file or site TOU reports, virus infections or buy outs. Yes, the community has survived and it will continue to, but think how much bigger and better the community would have been now if TSR had not attacked/targeted so many ‘rival’ websites, and continue to do so. This has a direct effect on EA/The Sims franchise. How many of these sites that TSR forced to close, the people TSR has hunted and harassed, the creators forced to quit and the children they exposed to goatse porn just for the shock value have given up on the game completely? CC and the community play a big part in the enjoyment of the game for many, and how many times do you read someone saying that the community is not the same and not fun anymore, reasons usually cited is because their friends have left, favorite sites/forums are gone, their own sites have been attacked or they are being bullied or dictated to. TSR are mentioned directly in 99% of these comments and not in a good way.
The problem is that we, the community are fully aware of all this, mostly everyone has either been on the receiving end or knows someone who has. EA are only aware of what we tell them. How else can they find out? Most forums who speak about this do it in the members only sections for fear of TSR reprisals, Websites are afraid of becoming targets for hackings so they say nothing, those that do usually get the content removed via TOU reports/hacks. Not many post in the EA forums for fear of being ridiculed by TSR trolls. Websites are bullied for providing links to information sources such as this blog, the phorum or PMBD. TSR FA’s ever so sweetly join popular forums, this discourages any negative TSR posts from appearing. ( TSR refers to them as TSR ambassadors. ) With so much dust being swept under the carpet, you can see why EA may find it difficult to understand why TSR are so bad for the community, especially when TSR tell them again and again that anyone speaking against TSR are ‘pirates’ who pirate EA content, that anyone speaking against TSR are also against EA.
This is where You can help. If you are one of the many unlucky people attacked by TSR, whether it is through hacking, TOU/TOS reports, take down notices, nasty messages/emails, demands for links or removal of links, lost money on a subscription, leaked private details or any instance where TSR have directly ruined or spoiled your enjoyment of the game and the community you need to tell EA about it. Be sure to show them screencaps of messages, forward emails of demands and threats, forward take down reports. Let them know how this affects you and your enjoyment of the game you paid for. ( Yes this will take a little of your time, but I am sure rebuilding your website, finding new hosts or begging Mediafire to reinstate your own content took longer. ) If you are too afraid, downhearted or TSR has made it impossible for you to make or continue with your Sims fansite, LET EA KNOW! This not only effects you, it effects EA and the exposure of their product.
Do not expect direct action or even a good response from EA, your goal is to simply make them aware of the effect TSR is having on you and the community. EA already know enough to sever links with TSR, now they need to see the full extent of the damage TSR is doing. It is doubtful they will ever take legal action against TSR, they are probably still under the impression they would upset a lot of TSR’s fictional fans and ‘members’ but at the very least they should clarify the legality of a site that exists only to make money by manipulating EA made content. TSR are not fans of the game or the community, in any shape or form. You can not even truly describe them as a ‘business’ as they disregard any controls that would make a business legitimate. TSR are simply opportunists and leeches. EA’s reluctance to commit to their own EULA and say that such ‘business’ practices are wrong have created a monster and they need to stuff it back in it’s box.
What TSR fail to compute is that the EULA still stands and EA can at any time pull the plug on TSR simply by clarifying that The Sims franchise is owned by EA and it was never designed to be exploited by 3rd party sites as a business venture, it was designed for the enjoyment of paying EA customers and should not be the subject of turf wars and the fallout associated with the criminal activities they use to maintain their cashflow.
Contact EA:
https://help.ea.com/contact-us
https://help.ea.com/contact-us?product=the-sims-3
https://help.ea.com/en/the-sims/the-sims-2
support@ea.com
Electronic Arts Inc.
209 Redwood Shores Parkway
Redwood City, CA 94065
May 21, 2012
TSR Demands: EA suggest seeking legal advice. ( Updated )
Note: Because non English speakers find it difficult to translate screencaps, I have included a text version of all the images in this article found here http://tsr.mustbedestroyed.org/?page_id=1532
As many of you will have noticed, aside from their frequent hacking and defacements of ‘rival’ sites, TSR’s ridiculous demands and downright bullying of other sites seems to be escalating. They are already in full swing telling fan sites what they can or cannot host, either by take down notices or by making false reports to Mediafire and other file hosts, resulting in the deletion of files totally belonging to the site owner and having nothing what-so-ever to do with TSR. In addition to this, TSR are telling site owners which sites they can and cannot LINK to! After receiving a PM at TSR, one such site owner was so disgusted she wrote to EA to complain. You can tell from the replies that EA was pretty shocked and in the end suggested she take legal advice.
Below are screencaps taken from the forwarded Emails, I have censored out all personal details, I am still awaiting to see if I have permission to name her website, If I have that I will gladly uncensor that part.
This is followed by an auto response with an incident # ( not published ) and then another general response.
EA push the fact that TSR is no way affiliated with them and ask “what is going on?” ( Ref # censored )
She goes on to explain to EA that she got a message from TSR stating they cannot allow her to place a link to her blog. They also LIED to her by stating that the link she had on her site was also to EA pirated content. There has never been pirated content at http://paysites.mustbedestroyed.org/ In fact that link takes you to a large copy of EA’s EULA where readers might just notice that TSR is illegal. ( Website censored )
EA: “That is completely wrong of them to do that and in no way accepted by us as far as we know.”
EA: ” it would be best to seek professional legal advice on whether or not you are violating their terms of service and whether or not the website is doing anything wrong on their end”
TSR may be in their rights to ask anyone not to promote certain links on their TSR Minisite, but they have NO RIGHTS to order anyone to remove links from their own website. Clearly EA do not have a problem with PMBD links, they suggest you seek legal advice if TSR do.
Just for the lulz, here is TSR’s statement once again..
“Respect for creators is something very important for TSR. … LOL respect is earned and seldom given to bullies.
That is the exact reason why no CC can be included in lots from creators who do not allow it to be included… OH sorry they meant re$pect.
The link you show on your own blog, is about a site that is all about disrespecting creators, specially (FA) creators from TSR. They upload their creations without having their permission. ..How many creations are hosted at TSR despite the creators requesting they are removed. Why can creators not remove their own creations or accounts? There are more creations hosted against the creators wishes at TSR than on any other site anywhere.
We cannot allow you to place a link to your blog when you actually advertise this site on your blog…. Simples. Just delete the TSR link.
You will need to remove that from your creations and from your minisite… Some bullies never leave the school yard, seriously have you heard yourself? How old are you?
And just for your information: that site is not made by EA,… and are they are trying to give the impression that TSR is?
they are in fact very much against them….. Which is why that link takes you to a huge copy of EA’s EULA which states that stealing their stuff and putting it on paysites is illegal? I would have thought the business illegally selling EA content and demanding the removal of links to the EULA was more against them!
..since that same group of people is also pirating EA creations.” TSR=Commercial, Paysite, Business, Pirates. PMBD=Free, Gratis, Noncommercial. Fans. http://paysites.mustbedestroyed.org/
The EULA clearly states that “You may include materials created with the Tools & Materials on your personal noncommercial website for the noncommercial benefit of the fan community for EA’s products” TSR are the only ones commercially selling EA creations, and not for the benefit of anyone other than themselves.
Update
I have included the Url of the website, with permission. Many thanks to the webmistress of lesimsdesigns for coming forward and sharing her experience with TSR and her contact with EA.
May 2, 2012
Have TSR had your files deleted by Mediafire?
Have TSR had your files deleted by Mediafire? In the increasingly likely event this should happen there are 3 options that you can do.
Option 1
Do nothing. Upload your files to another host and hope this does not happen again. Tom has not had much luck deleting files from http://www.99p-services.in/filehost or you can shop around, try different services. Try to find a host that is less gullible than Mediafire, one who actually checks that any files reported as ’stolen’ from TSR are actually stolen.
Option 2
Email Thomas, he is the one who had your files deleted, so he is really going to listen to what you have to say right? Sit and wait while Tom forwards your mail to his inner circle for giggles and await his reply… He has replied! Wow you must be special, this guy has listened to what you have to say and has bothered to reply, what a saint! Read carefully where he tells you it was not TSR, while disregarding the Email from Mediafire that says it was. Mediafire are a bunch of liars anyway. Now you find out from your new friend Tom that Mediafire employs a pirate named Lachandra. It was her that had your downloads deleted. She is one of those greedy pirates in the community who want everything for free and that is why she is taking down free files…wait.. huh?… Nevermind, it must be true. Tom’s a genuine nice guy, he wouldn’t make something like that up. She must be the one hacking all the free sites too. Damn Mediafire pirate. Thank Tom, tell him how much you love TSR. Do not forget to add how you always hated the greedy attitude of the free community anyway. Hope he one day offers you a place in his great community. Make sure your sub is renewed. Write to Mediafire and demand they fire Lachandra. Spread the word to everyone that TSR is innocent and to keep an eye out for the evil Lachandra. Make a shrine to Tom in your bedroom, and nail his picture above your bed.
Option 3
Instantly change all your passwords to one you have NEVER EVER used on TSR. Write to Mediafire, calmly explain the situation and forward the email you got from them. Inform them that the accusation is false. Tell them that in order for you to understand the complaint against you, you need more information about the complainant and you need to know what necessary steps they took to verify that you did steal from TSR and also what steps they took to verify who in TSR was the actual complainant. You need to find out:
- Was the complaint filed via an online ticket system, or forum? If so, did it log the IP of the complainant?
- Was the complaint filed by Email? If so did the Email of the actual sender match the Email listed in the complaint? ( DMCA )
- Was the DMCA filed by fax? If so you need details on that and a copy of the signature.
- Did they contact the complainant by telephone? If so did the number match the one in the DMCA?
- Finally, did they email the complainant to notify him that they are taking action or send an auto generated mail to confirm his complaint has been received? ( usually, they do both ) and if so did the complainant respond in any way to stop the deletion?
You then need to find out the steps involved for restoring your files, and also for making a formal complaint against the complainant.
If you have written to Tom and been ridiculed with his LaChandra ‘joke’ make sure you forward that mail to them as well. Ask them to confirm that LaChandra ( or any of the other Mediafire staff who may be mentioned on the take-down email ) actually exists and is not a member of the Sims community/pirate/supernatural source/crazy cult or whatever story Tom has spun you.
It is up to you which option you take and how keen you are to get to the bottom of this.
May 1, 2012
TSR attacks Baufive: UPDATED
In the same style as Zveki was attacked, TSR have now attacked another website with a false copyright infringement claim to Mediafire. This time it was Baufive from b5studio. Baufive posted a message stating that Mediafire had suspended his original content downloads due to a complaint lodged from TSR, claiming copyright infringement. Below is a donated screen cap of the post ( Cropped and red splodged by me )
View from clicking on Baufives downloads
I am told that not only has Baufive NOT infringed any copyrights, he is also a paying subscriber at T$R. He plans to contact Thomas and try to get this resolved, however the last person to do this ( Zveki ) ended up being the butt of a cruel ‘joke’ and was additionally slapped with a lifetime ban from TSR. http://tsr.mustbedestroyed.org/?p=1450
It will be interesting to see what reply Tom has planned this time.
Thank you to ‘Anon’ for the information and screencaps.
UPDATE:
The TSR sock puppets are out in force ( estatica.. really?? ) While Tom remains silent. Possibly he’s either contemplating his next ‘joke’ or busy hacking Baufives YouTube.
Update 1: Tom went for the old joke… and they say lightening never strikes twice 
Update 2:
‘Someone’ hacked Baufive’s Gmail account. How kind of Tom to be the first to notice and let Baufive know on his blog account.
Of course you did Thomas, we believe you.. or are you just taking the piss? I wonder if that last sentence is a thinly veiled threat?
Zveki is back! Pescado saves the day ( Again! )
Great news! Zveki is back
As you may remember Zveki was the subject of take-down demands, false TOU reports, hacking and a cruel ‘ late april fools’ joke at the hands of TSR. http://tsr.mustbedestroyed.org/?p=1450 The loss of his files and youtube was so upsetting that he decided to quit the sims. He had a change of heart and briefly hosted his files at LivingSims on April 24th, however LivingSims was the subject of a hacking just 2 days later on April 26th. Now Zveki is hosting with the great El Presidente of our sims Tropico and savior to many, Pescado.
It is GREAT to see him back, and he is now free to host or convert any file or mesh without the fear of hacking or false TOU reports from T$R.
If anyone has any of the missing files for Zveki’s houses, please could you donate them back to him, and let’s see if we can push his YouTube channel subscribers back to the 1050 it was before Thomas @ TSR hacked him.
Sources: http://zvekisfarriery.tumblr.com/ and http://sunsetsims.mustbedestroyed.org/
Powered by WordPress