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Keeping a Google Analytics eye on a website I manage (pro bono) I have observed occasional hits from overseas. They are of three types.
1) Those that picked it as "Nassau" thinking it was an island in the Caribbean (instead of an island in NY)
2) Sporadic ones from nearly anywhere that my be curiosity or Private VPN's
3) From China
The last of these is by far the most common. It makes me wonder if the site's being probed for some sort of mayhem (which would be weird - no economic content and this time of year, maybe 5 hits/day on the average). So they really covet want my traffic.
Any suggestions or speculations as to what might explain this ?
| Ravings en masse^ |
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| "The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits." - Albert Einstein | | "If you are searching for perfection in others, then you seek disappointment. If you seek perfection in yourself, then you will find failure." - Balboos HaGadol Mar 2010 |
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Do you have access to analytics for other websites? Maybe you could compare if you filtered just for odd traffic within certain parameters (like IPs originating from Asia and that don't have a common user agent or something)
Basically it would be interesting to see if it's a pattern that's isolated to your website or if other websites get similar pings from China.
Real programmers use butterflies
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Other website, if I set up the analytics, have so few hit's there would be no useful data. Pretty much long-abandoned sites.
This link may hold a hint. How to Get a China IP Address Anywhere — Updated in 2021[^]
There have been IP's from China for quite a while but they seem to have become the predominant non-US address. Once upon a time it was Pakistan, but they were screen-scraping to send SPAM for sales promos (I punished them severely and they avoid my site like a plague). No marketing from China.
What I really may need is another webmaster observing similar visitations.
Here's a thought: this website once had a slightly different name and when it was changed the old domain was just dropped. It was immediately commandeered by a Thai-based gambling site and they had all my earned credentials (longevity, search-engine position). They gave up after a while. I'm curious how they would expect trust (for gambling/money) when they misrepresent themselves to get clicked-through? Scarfing up newly abandoned sites is, apparently, a common practice for similar purposes and someone may be testing to see if it's available.
| Ravings en masse^ |
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| "The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits." - Albert Einstein | | "If you are searching for perfection in others, then you seek disappointment. If you seek perfection in yourself, then you will find failure." - Balboos HaGadol Mar 2010 |
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You're probably right about that. In any case, I personally wouldn't worry about it but that's why nobody puts me in charge of securing anything. "Oh, it will be fine" 
Real programmers use butterflies
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Had a client on GoDaddy. ASP.NET Web server; data only to Windows kiosks; no "web presence".
The server was constantly probed by Chinese "bots" attempting to log in: Admin; Guest; Admin1; etc. Minute by minute; if not the second.
It's all in the Windows Security Log.
They just use bots and cycle through IP addresses looking for an open port / weak password.
It was only in wine that he laid down no limit for himself, but he did not allow himself to be confused by it.
― Confucian Analects: Rules of Confucius about his food
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It's a remotely hosted website and it's running CPanel under LINIX.
The bots could spend their time better elsewhere - the site is public as if every page. In fact, all that they could steal of any value would be some of my php/javascript code- and there's nothing profound in what I put on the site.
Good luck them trying to hack in: the uid is one assigned by the host (jibberish) and I left it that way. Password: most place consider it strong (and no real words).
Or - I can turn it all around and be proud that the site is a distraction from their nefarious schemes!
| Ravings en masse^ |
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| "The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits." - Albert Einstein | | "If you are searching for perfection in others, then you seek disappointment. If you seek perfection in yourself, then you will find failure." - Balboos HaGadol Mar 2010 |
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This is probably bots probing ip addresses. I work for a multi-national and we see this all of the time with all of our public domains, some of which are very similar to yours. I suspect that the bots are looking for access into any ip address and phones home with what they have found. There is probably a database with this info which is searched for potential targets. First identify and then target.
"When you are dead, you won't even know that you are dead. It's a pain only felt by others; same thing when you are stupid."
Ignorant - An individual without knowledge, but is willing to learn.
Stupid - An individual without knowledge and is incapable of learning.
Idiot - An individual without knowledge and allows social media to do the thinking for them.
modified 19-Nov-21 21:01pm.
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Check your access logs for those IPs; odds are that you'll find multiple exploit attempt URLs pushed to your server by the Chinese traffic. They basically do Hail Mary attacks against every website all the time.
I have a WAF on a slightly (but not terribly much) more trafficked website and the crap that I see from them is just remarkable.
"Never attribute to malice that which can be explained by stupidity."
- Hanlon's Razor
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They want to take over any server so they can launch their real attacks from an IP that does not track back to them.
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That makes sense of the whole thing (+)
| Ravings en masse^ |
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| "The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits." - Albert Einstein | | "If you are searching for perfection in others, then you seek disappointment. If you seek perfection in yourself, then you will find failure." - Balboos HaGadol Mar 2010 |
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How we identify to others inside explosive contest (10)
"I have no idea what I did, but I'm taking full credit for it." - ThisOldTony
"Common sense is so rare these days, it should be classified as a super power" - Random T-shirt
AntiTwitter: @DalekDave is now a follower!
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Explosive: T NT
How we identify to others: OUR NAME
Contest: TOURNAMENT
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You are up tomorrow!
"I have no idea what I did, but I'm taking full credit for it." - ThisOldTony
"Common sense is so rare these days, it should be classified as a super power" - Random T-shirt
AntiTwitter: @DalekDave is now a follower!
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Nice clue ?
"I didn't mention the bats - he'd see them soon enough" - Hunter S Thompson - RIP
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I liked it?
"I have no idea what I did, but I'm taking full credit for it." - ThisOldTony
"Common sense is so rare these days, it should be classified as a super power" - Random T-shirt
AntiTwitter: @DalekDave is now a follower!
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Yes so did I
"I didn't mention the bats - he'd see them soon enough" - Hunter S Thompson - RIP
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Well, just had a first attempt before I have to go and do some work, and if it stays like it is, no, sorry, it's a stinker! 
(Not sure if you were complimenting OG for his clue or asking if mine will be nice!)
modified 10-Aug-21 9:38am.
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Greetings!
After spending more years that I care to discuss in a procession of unrewarding, soul crushing jobs, I am thinking of making a change to programming for my sunset years, and I'm looking for advice on the best ways to make that happen.
A bit of background; in the late 80s I signed my life away for a student loan to attend a "technical college" where I learned Pascal, C, 8086 Assembly, dBase/Clipper, and some RPGIV. I was, however, never able to actually land a programming job, and since food and rent cost money, I moved on to other things. (I don't call the experience wasted, I met my wife there.)
However, I'm just at that point where I am likely to go completely around the bend if I don't mmake a positive change. And while there seems to be a truckload of advice for younger people out there, I'm finding very little for older people such as myself. So, begging the indulgence of the gallery, I've some questions I wish to pose:
1. I am no spring chicken. While the word "junior" in a title would not bother me in the slightest, how likely are hiring managers going to be to hire a middle aged 'junior' programmer?
2. As near as I can tell, my best bet for languages would be C#, Java, C++, and JavaScript. Am I missing something there which would make me more employable? (of those 4, the only one I feel like I might struggle with is C++, not so much syntax wise, but just because of how rich the language is when used correctly.)
3. I am not above a boot camp style program with an ISA, but experiences with this soft of arrangement seem to be mixed. Can anyone who's actually gone that route relate their experiences? And would having a boot camp on my resume (as opposed to just being self taught) help or hinder my efforts?
I'm sure that there's an important question I may not be asking, so I'll again beg your indulgence in that and ask that if something jumps out, please speak up.
I also note that most of those who read this have jobs and responsibilities, so I understand if you don't drop everything to answer this. I honestly expect that the whole process is going to take at least a year, so its not like this is urgent. Meanwhile, I do thank you for your kind attention!
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1) I am over 40 and started a new job two years ago (and probably not the last). So... there are still managers that valuate experience (not necessarily in exactly what the job is about).
2) It is mostly personal taste. Try all, see what you like more and get good at it. I personally think that with your background and what you say about c++, you will probably like c# too, and I with it you'll have covered a wide range of possibilities.
3) Boot Camps have not a good reputation over here. I suppose there are some good ones worth the money, but I think most of them are just a legal version of a scam. There are enough good resources out there to learn about many things. A good book, a couple of online sites and practice, practice, practice...
I don't know how fast you can learn and how good you were back at college, but many here will tell, that knowing the language is not necessarily the most important thing. Logical thinking, problem solving, abstraction, creativity, a bit stubbornness... those skills are the ones that can make the difference.
As I said, the first you should have clear is to know what you want to do and which of those languages is the one that you like most. Then get a compiler for it and start with something online, if you think "yeah, that's it" then buy a good book about it and start doing more complicated stuff and do not hesitate to come back with questions when you get stuck.
Good luck
M.D.V. 
If something has a solution... Why do we have to worry about?. If it has no solution... For what reason do we have to worry about?
Help me to understand what I'm saying, and I'll explain it better to you
Rating helpful answers is nice, but saying thanks can be even nicer.
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Cue Guns N Roses: Welcome to the Jungle
Kevin, I'm an old fart (just turned 0x3C) and have been programming professionally since 1980. What you've described is certainly worthwhile and doable, especially if you're presently unhappy. I won't lie to you though, my gut says it's also not going to be nearly as easy as a 20-something fresh out of school would find.
Part of that arises from your time limit. I assume you do want to retire in the not-too-distant future. A common primary element to entry-level positions is that you are trainable, and will be around long enough to put that training to use. How much training and how long to use it depends upon the business' needs. The companies interested in you will be different if you're retiring in 10 years versus 5.
Another part, which you have no control over, is an industry-wide distaste for older programmers. In my case the assumption is that while I may be highly-skilled, those skills are only in older technologies. It's also assumed my thinking will be inflexible when it comes to working with other developers and business processes. Since you're starting out you don't have these issues, but hirers may assume you do if they discover your age.
My thinking is that you will need to find a 'niche' position, a job where the business needs programming, doesn't mind that you're inexperienced, and your *cough* maturity *cough* is appealing. If you can generalize (do IT stuff, networking, set up new PC's, install/maintain apps) in addition to the programming even better. A guy I worked with found a company where he is the sole tech guy in the place. He's revamped their IT setup and been programming applications for their CNC machines (they're a high-end tool and die sort of place). He's much happier now than he was when he worked for us.
Good luck!
Software Zen: delete this;
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I had programmed for 10 years or so coming out of college with a degree in CS then had a nasty divorce and got out of programming for 13 years.
I spent 2 years learning and catching up with all I missed and finally landed a job programming in a small shop.
2 of us were hired me and a kid just out of college. I couldn't keep up and became miserable and after 1-1/3 years they let me go.
These young men just out of college are bright and quick and it's very hard to compete with them.
Good luck!
The less you need, the more you have.
Even a blind squirrel gets a nut...occasionally.
JaxCoder.com
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I really hate to dump on your enthusiasm but I would think you have buckleys chance of breaking into large company development, they have too many young, cheap and enthusiastic fodder to entertain an older entrant. Besides you probably would not put up with the sh*t some companies throw at juniors.
Go with Gary's idea of finding a small organisation where you can fit in as the IT guy, learn the ins and outs of setting up and maintaining small networks and systems then move into development work.
The idea that you will become conversant with a language/technology within a year may be somewhat optimistic.
I do wish you all the luck you can get.
Never underestimate the power of human stupidity -
RAH
I'm old. I know stuff - JSOP
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You might check out platforms like OutSystems.com or SalesForce.com.
They are more solution oriented, but you might find them interesting. They have two different approaches.
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Reverse IP shows it originated in Shijiazhuang, China. 
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