Dear Hacker

You have probably noticed that things have been a little quiet around these parts. Nearly two weeks ago, my world was turned upside down when I received an email suggesting that I check out some malware on my site. There were pornographic images on my sidebar. After sending an email to my ad provider, I found out that my blog had been hacked. HACKED! I got the email, right as I got to the gym. There was nothing I could do about it immediately. I made it through the workout and went straight home to look into the hack further.

It was bad. There was malware absolutely everywhere. The hacker had deleted a lot of the elements that make my blog function. There wasn’t hope in sight in the immediate future. I felt completely hopeless, overwhelmed, violated, and scared. I got down on my knees and prayed. I sobbed as I prayed. I knew that the only one who could truly give me the comfort that I needed, was my Heavenly Father. After I prayed, I felt a little more at ease. I knew it wasn’t going to be an easy process, but I felt like this was just a trial I was going to go through, but everything would work out.

After 12 days of very slow moving progress, my blog was finally functional. Although it is still missing some of the pretty elements I had on here, it is functional and I can blog again. It really is a miracle that it is back. I could cry, but I don’t think I have any more tears to cry over this dang blog of mine.

I learned a few things through this whole experience. I learned how to protect my blog a little more and I was reminded of the great, genuine friends that I have that helped carry me through this mess. I am so grateful for all of the friends and family who offered their love, support, and prayers.

I honestly can’t figure out the mind of a hacker. I have given it a lot of thought these last few weeks. I just don’t understand where the thrill of trying to ruin someone’s livelihood is. I have gone through periods of intense anger and hatred for this person. I was scared of this person at other times. Now I don’t have really any emotion when I think of the hacker. I think it was a scummy person who doesn’t deserve my thoughts and I am not going to give them any more. Dear hacker, I am over you.

If you have a blog, or even just an email address, or really any account of any kind on the internet. Protect yourself! Change your passwords often. Do various scans on your computers for malware. If you are a blogger, do your research to find the services available to keep your blog backed up and secure. I feel the need to educate others so this doesn’t happen to the people I care about.

I am so happy to be back with you again! Please excuse the messy sidebar for now! Things will get cleaned up around here one of these days!