Neopets Notice Board

The Notice Board is an underrated feature on Neopets that allows players to post classified advertisements for various Neopian activities. Whether you want to promote your shop, guild, pet’s homepage, or even your Neopian gallery, the Notice Board is a prime spot to catch the attention of other players. This guide will explore how the Notice Board works, why it’s useful, and how to create and optimize your advertisement for maximum visibility.

What is the Notice Board?

The Notice Board is a section on Neopets designed for users to post classified ads related to in-game activities. It functions as a bulletin board where players can advertise anything Neopets-related. Ads are arranged in order of the amount of Neopoints paid, with higher-paying advertisements displayed at the top.

Advertisements remain live for one week before expiring, but their position on the board can shift depending on the payments of other advertisers. With only 500 available slots spread across 50 pages, securing a spot high on the board requires strategy.

Common uses for the Notice Board include:

Advertising shops and galleries.
Promoting guilds.
Sharing pet pages or custom designs.
Drawing attention to Neopian fan projects.

Why Use the Notice Board?

The Notice Board provides excellent exposure for your Neopian activities. While there are other ways to promote your content, such as through the Neoboards or fan sites, the Notice Board guarantees a prominent place for your message.

Here’s why players find it useful:

Visibility: With enough Neopoints, your ad will be one of the first things users see.
Customization: You can use HTML to create visually appealing ads.
Traffic: Well-placed ads can drive users to your shop, guild, or pet page.
Community Connection: It’s a great way to introduce your projects to the Neopets community.

How to Access the Notice Board

Accessing the Notice Board is easy. It’s located in Neopia Central, or you can find it via links in your shop, inventory, or the main navigation bar. Look for an icon resembling a notice pinned to a board.

Once you’re on the Notice Board page, you’ll see a list of existing ads sorted by their payment amounts. Clicking on ads takes you directly to the linked pages.

Creating an Advertisement

Here’s a step-by-step guide to creating your own Notice Board ad:

1. Click “Add Your Notice”

On the Notice Board page, there’s a button labeled “Add your notice”. This will open the form for creating an ad.

2. Design Your Ad Content

Title: Write a short, attention-grabbing title for your ad.
Message: Use the body of the ad to clearly describe what you’re advertising. Mention your shop’s name, your guild’s theme, or why users should visit your page.

You can enhance your ad using HTML for bold text, colors, or even images to make it stand out. If you’re new to HTML, check out Neopets’ HTML Help Page.

3. Set the Payment

The amount of Neopoints you pay determines where your ad will appear on the board. The more you pay, the higher your placement.

Minimum cost: 2,000 NP.
Maximum cost: 4 million NP.

Ads with the same payment are sorted by the time they’re posted.

4. Preview and Post

Before finalizing, preview your ad to ensure it looks perfect. Double-check your links, text formatting, and overall design. Once satisfied, submit your ad.

5. Wait for Approval

It may take a few minutes for your ad to appear on the board. If you encounter issues, double-check your formatting or try again later.

Maximizing Your Advertisement’s Effectiveness

A successful ad on the Notice Board requires more than just paying a high price. Here are some tips for getting the most out of your Notice Board placement:

Use Eye-Catching HTML

Take advantage of HTML to create visually appealing ads. Add bold headers, images, or colorful text to make your ad stand out among the competition.

Be Concise and Clear

Don’t overwhelm viewers with walls of text. Highlight the most important details, such as:

A brief description of your shop or guild.
Any special promotions or features.
A direct call-to-action (e.g., “Visit my shop today!”).

Monitor Placement

If your ad falls to the lower pages, consider reposting with a higher payment. Ads at the bottom of page 50 risk being pushed off the board entirely.

Current Notice Board Issues

As of recent reports, some users have experienced glitches when attempting to post ads. A common issue is an error message claiming fields are incomplete, even when everything is filled out. If you encounter this problem:

Refresh your browser and try again.
Clear your cache or use a different browser.
Report the issue to Neopets support.

While the Notice Board may have technical problems occasionally, it remains a valuable tool for Neopets players.

Alternatives to the Notice Board

If the Notice Board is unavailable or your ad gets lost among higher-paying ones, consider these alternatives:

Neoboards: Post about your shop, guild, or activities in relevant forums.
Guild Boards: Use your guild’s board to promote your content.
Social Media: Engage with Neopets fan groups on platforms like Reddit or Discord.
Pet Pages: Create an informative or artistic pet page to draw attention.

These methods complement the Notice Board and can help you reach even more players.

Conclusion

The Notice Board is a powerful tool for promoting your Neopian endeavors. While it requires an investment of Neopoints, its ability to provide visibility and drive traffic makes it worthwhile for shopkeepers, guild leaders, and creative players alike. By understanding how it works and crafting an effective ad, you can take full advantage of this feature and grow your presence in Neopia.

Spring Gift Basket – What Neopets Treasures will you Open Up?

The Spring Gift Basket is a unique Toy item in Neopets with a rarity level of r101 (Special). Released on April 5, 2011, it offers an exciting opportunity to obtain a variety of spring-themed items. Here’s everything you need to know:

Key Information

Estimated Value: 10,000 NP (not reflective of market trends).
Price History:
- 2,000,000 NP (-1,500,000 NP) on November 30, 2024.
- 3,500,000 NP (no change) on September 28, 2024.
- 3,500,000 NP (+1,500,000 NP) on July 12, 2024.
Status: Active and tradeable.
Categories: Toy, Openable, and Playable.
Image Filename: toy_springgiftbasket.gif

Obtaining the Spring Gift Basket

Quest Log Prize: Awarded as a weekly streak prize from October 24, 2023, to May 15, 2024.
Random Events: Occasionally granted through random events.

How to Use It

The basket is openable, providing two random items, often with a higher probability of receiving chocolate-themed items. Additionally, it can be played with by your pet for added interactivity.

Possible Rewards

Opening the basket can yield:

Chocolate Items (r1 to r99).
Cybunny Plushies (r1 to r99).
Exclusive Easter Neggs and Morphing Potions, such as:
- Blue Cybunny Morphing Potion: ~2,000,000 NP.
- Faerie Cybunny Morphing Potion: ~5,600,000 NP.
- Luxury Chocolate Easter Negg: ~730,000 NP.
- Starry Cybunny Morphing Potion: ~10,000,000 NP.

Special Features

Playable Toy: Engage your Neopet with the basket for fun interactions.
Used for Requests: Sometimes required for events like the Charity Corner or Faerie Festival.

The Spring Gift Basket combines nostalgia and value, making it a delightful addition for collectors and those seeking rare Morphing Potions and seasonal goodies!

How to Transfer Neopoints Between Accounts in Neopets

Transferring Neopoints (NP) between accounts in Neopets can be essential for managing your wealth, ensuring your side accounts are functional, and achieving your goals across accounts. While Neopets allows users to own multiple accounts, there are strict rules for how these accounts can interact, especially regarding Neopoint transfers. This guide covers the approved methods, best practices, and potential pitfalls to help you safely transfer Neopoints between accounts while following Neopets’ rules.

Understanding the Rules of Neopoint Transfers

Before transferring Neopoints, it’s critical to understand Neopets’ policies to avoid risking a frozen account. Neopets allows players to have one main account and up to four side accounts, but side accounts are restricted in certain ways:

Earning Neopoints is prohibited on side accounts. This includes playing games, using the Shop Wizard, or engaging in activities like Stock Market trading.
Transferring Neopoints between accounts is allowed only for specific purposes, such as feeding Neopets, managing galleries, or customizing Neopets on side accounts.

Violating these rules, such as appearing to “farm” Neopoints across multiple accounts, can result in account warnings or bans. Following legitimate methods for transferring Neopoints ensures you stay within the rules.

Legitimate Reasons to Transfer Neopoints

Here are some common reasons why you might transfer Neopoints between accounts:

Feeding Neopets on Side Accounts: Use Neopoints to stock up on Neolodge stays or buy food.
Running a Gallery: If you have a themed gallery on a side account, you may need Neopoints to purchase items.
Customization: Transferring Neopoints to buy wearables for your Neopets housed in side accounts.
Organizational Purposes: Keeping a reserve of Neopoints on a side account for savings or long-term goals.

Methods to Transfer Neopoints Between Accounts

Neopets offers several tools to facilitate Neopoint transfers. Each method has its own advantages and considerations.

1. The Trading Post Method

The Trading Post is one of the safest and most straightforward ways to transfer Neopoints.

How to Use the Trading Post:

Log into your side account and list a low-value item (referred to as a “junk item”) for trade.
Set no specific wishlist so anyone can bid.
Log into your main account and bid on the junk item, offering Neopoints and a small junk item in return.
Accept the bid from your side account to complete the transfer.

Advantages:

Reliable and secure.
The Trading Post allows up to 2,000,000 NP per transaction, making it ideal for larger transfers.

Tips:

Avoid setting unrealistic prices or frequent trades that could appear suspicious to moderators.

2. The Shop Till Method

If your side account has a shop, you can use the Shop Till feature to move Neopoints.

How to Use the Shop Till Method:

From your main account, send a low-value item to your side account.
Log into your side account and price the item at the desired amount of Neopoints in your shop.
Return to your main account and purchase the item.
The Neopoints will transfer directly to the Shop Till of the side account.

Advantages:

Straightforward for small amounts.
Easy to use when managing smaller transactions.

Considerations:

Avoid pricing items far beyond their usual market value, as this could trigger suspicion.

3. Auction House Method

The Auction House is another viable option, particularly for smaller amounts of Neopoints.

How to Use the Auction House Method:

Log into your side account and auction a low-value item.
Set the starting bid equal to the amount of Neopoints you want to transfer.
Bid from your main account to win the auction.
Collect the Neopoints from the Auction House in your side account.

Advantages:

Allows flexibility in pricing and auction duration.

Disadvantages:

Maximum starting bid is capped at 99,999 NP, limiting this method to small transfers.

4. Neofriend Gifting and Item Transfers

While Neopoints cannot be directly sent as gifts, you can transfer valuable items instead. These items can then be sold on the receiving account for Neopoints.

How to Use Item Transfers:

Purchase a high-value item (e.g., a Paint Brush or Battledome weapon) from your main account.
Use the Neofriend gift feature to send the item to your side account.
Sell the item on your side account’s shop or Trading Post to generate Neopoints.

Advantages:

Bypasses caps on direct Neopoint transfers.
Useful for moving large amounts of Neopoints indirectly.

Drawbacks:

Subject to the market value of items.
May require time to sell high-value items.

Best Practices for Neopoint Transfers

To ensure safe and efficient transfers, follow these best practices:

Keep Transfers Infrequent:
Frequent or large Neopoint transfers between accounts may appear suspicious to Neopets moderators. Space out transfers and keep them reasonable.
Maintain Transparency:
Use item descriptions or shop notes to indicate that trades are between your accounts.
Don’t Use Side Accounts for Profit:
Remember, side accounts are for storage and creative purposes—not for earning Neopoints.
Avoid High-Risk Transactions:
Overpriced shop listings or frequent high-value bids can raise red flags. Stick to typical item values and standard transfer methods.
Secure Your Accounts:
Regularly clear your browser cookies and avoid logging into multiple accounts from the same browser to prevent accidental violations of Neopets’ policies.

What to Avoid

While transferring Neopoints is allowed, there are common mistakes that could result in account warnings or bans:

Playing Games on Side Accounts: Do not engage in activities that earn Neopoints.
Unusual Trade Patterns: Avoid transferring amounts that exceed typical gameplay needs.
Using Third Parties: Never involve other players in Neopoint transfers between your accounts.

Conclusion

Transferring Neopoints between accounts can be a valuable tool for managing your wealth and resources in Neopets. By using approved methods like the Trading Post, Shop Till, or Auction House, and adhering to Neopets’ guidelines, you can safely move Neopoints without risking account penalties. Always approach transfers with moderation and transparency to enjoy a smooth and rule-compliant experience. With these tips, you can make the most of your Neopoint wealth across all your accounts!

Neopets Database Leak: What Was Leaked and What It Means for Users

Neopets, a beloved virtual pet site that first launched in 1999, has suffered multiple significant data breaches in recent years. These incidents exposed sensitive user data, leaving millions of accounts at risk. This article provides an in-depth overview of the breaches, what was leaked, and what users should do to protect themselves.

Timeline of Leaks

2016 Leak

In 2016, a massive Neopets data leak occurred, but it went undisclosed to the public until 2022, when the stolen data surfaced on a hacking forum. Here’s what was compromised:

Affected Accounts: Approximately 70 million.
Leaked Information:
- Usernames and associated email addresses.
- Weakly hashed passwords. Unfortunately, the passwords were hashed using outdated methods without salting, making them easier to crack using brute force or rainbow table attacks.
- IP addresses linked to user activity.
- Date of birth (if provided by users).
- Other account-related metadata, such as profile preferences and pet-related data.

2022 Leak

On July 20, 2022, Neopets confirmed that their systems were once again leaked, with a hacker gaining unauthorized access to both the database and the site’s source code. The hacker claimed to have exfiltrated data from around 69 million accounts and offered it for sale on the dark web.

Affected Accounts: 69 million accounts.
Leaked Information:
- Usernames and email addresses: Exposed email addresses put users at risk for phishing scams and spam.
- Passwords: While hashed and salted, these can still potentially be decrypted, especially if weak passwords were used.
- IP addresses: Allowing attackers to potentially geolocate users or track past activity.
- Date of birth: This adds a layer of vulnerability for identity theft.
- Gender and location information: If users provided this data in their profiles.
- Other Neopets profile details: This includes in-game activity, preferences, and potentially transactional data related to the in-game economy.

The inclusion of the site’s source code in the leak amplified concerns, as it could allow attackers to exploit vulnerabilities in Neopets’ platform for future attacks.

Why These Database Leaks Matter

The Neopets leaks highlight significant risks:

1. Password Security

Both leaks exposed hashed passwords. While the 2022 leak improved on the 2016 incident by salting the hashes (adding a unique random string to each password before hashing), weak passwords can still be cracked. Users reusing these passwords across other platforms face heightened risk of account compromise.

2. Phishing and Social Engineering

The combination of email addresses, usernames, and other personal information gives attackers enough material to craft convincing phishing emails or impersonation attempts. For example, a hacker might send emails claiming to be from Neopets, prompting users to click malicious links.

3. Identity Theft

The exposure of personal details like birthdates, genders, and locations, though seemingly minor, can be combined with other leaks to impersonate users, especially for younger players who may not have used sophisticated protections.

4. Continued Vulnerabilities

The release of the Neopets source code to malicious actors poses long-term risks. With access to the codebase, attackers could discover and exploit vulnerabilities, further compromising the security of the site.

How the Neopets Leaks Happened

Both incidents are believed to stem from outdated security practices:

Weak encryption standards: The 2016 leak used hashing methods without salting, making passwords easier to decrypt.
Legacy systems: Neopets operates on older infrastructure, which may lack modern security protocols.
Insufficient monitoring: The 2022 hacker reportedly maintained access to the system for weeks, a sign of inadequate leak detection mechanisms.

What Users Can Do Now

If you have ever had a Neopets account, take the following steps immediately:

1. Change Your Passwords

Update your Neopets password, even if you haven’t logged in recently.
Use a strong, unique password for Neopets and every other service.
Avoid reusing passwords across sites.

2. Monitor for Suspicious Activity

Check your email accounts for any unusual login attempts or phishing emails.
Consider using a service like Have I Been Pwned to see if your email was part of the leak.

3. Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)

While Neopets does not currently support 2FA, enable it on other services you use to mitigate risks from reused passwords.

4. Be Cautious of Phishing Attempts

Verify emails claiming to be from Neopets by checking the sender address and avoiding links or attachments.
If unsure, visit the Neopets website directly rather than clicking links in emails.

5. Monitor for Identity Theft

Keep an eye on your credit reports and consider using an identity monitoring service.
Be wary of sharing additional personal information online.

Neopets’ Response

Neopets’ handling of these leaks has drawn criticism. While they acknowledged the 2022 leak promptly, the delayed disclosure of the 2016 incident undermined user trust. Since the 2022 leak, Neopets has committed to:

Working with cybersecurity experts to strengthen their systems.
Implementing new security measures to protect user data.

However, many users remain skeptical about the platform’s ability to safeguard data given its aging infrastructure.

Conclusion

The Neopets database leaks serve as a stark reminder of the importance of modern security practices and user vigilance. For long-time fans of the platform, these incidents are disheartening, but they underscore the need to take proactive measures to protect personal data online.

Even as Neopets strives to enhance its security, users must remain cautious and adopt best practices to stay safe in an increasingly digital world.

Secret Laboratory Map

The Secret Laboratory Map is an essential and highly sought-after item in Neopets, specifically tied to accessing the Secret Laboratory, where players can change their pet’s species, color, or stats. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the Secret Laboratory Map, its availability, and ways to obtain it:

Overview

Item Category: Special
Rarity: r99 (Super Rare)
Neopets Est. Value: 385 NP (subject to change)
Release Date: November 13, 2000
Status: Active
Description: This map is a key item in the Secret Laboratory quest. It is composed of 9 separate pieces, which need to be collected to unlock the full map. Once complete, the map gives you access to the Secret Laboratory, where various experiments on your pets can occur.

How to Obtain the Secret Laboratory Map Pieces

The Secret Laboratory Map is broken down into 9 individual pieces, each of which can be acquired in different ways. Here are the common ways to collect the map pieces:

Almost Abandoned Attic: Some pieces of the map can be found in the Almost Abandoned Attic, an area where old items are stored.
Charity Corner: The map pieces were available as a prize for donating five items of the same rarity (r99) during the Charity Corner events held in 2014, 2015, and 2017.
Creative Contests: Winning certain Creative Contests before the prize pool update in Spring 2023 could reward you with a Secret Laboratory Map piece.
Mystery Capsules: The map pieces are available inside various Mystery Capsules, such as:
- Aquamarine Mystery Capsule Tier 1
- Faerie Donation Capsule
- Faerie Recycling Capsule
Key Quest: Players could earn map pieces as a prize by redeeming a gold key in the Key Quest game.
Random Events: Occasionally, the Secret Laboratory Map pieces appear as part of random events, which can be triggered during gameplay.
Tarla’s Non-Toolbar Treasures: You can also receive a piece of the Secret Laboratory Map as a prize from Tarla’s Non-Toolbar Treasures on specific days.
Wheel of Extravagance: Spinning the Wheel of Extravagance and landing on the Nerkmid spot could reward you with a piece of the Secret Laboratory Map.

Secret Laboratory Map Prices

To acquire all nine pieces of the Secret Laboratory Map, the total cost will depend on the prices for each individual piece. Based on the listed prices, the cost for completing the entire map would be:

Total Estimated Cost: 1,709,100 NP

The prices for the Secret Laboratory Map pieces fluctuate based on availability, market trends, and player demand. Some pieces are rare and may cost significantly more, while others are more affordable. If you’re looking to complete your map, patience and careful buying during market fluctuations may help reduce costs.

Assembling the Secret Lab Map

Once you’ve collected all 9 pieces of the Secret Laboratory Map, you can combine them to reveal the full map. This will grant you access to the Secret Laboratory, where you can conduct experiments on your pets, changing their species, gender, color, or even altering their stats.

Benefits of the Secret Laboratory Map

Change Species: You can change your pet’s species, making it into something entirely new. For example, transforming a Kacheek into a Kougra or a Grarrl into a Shoyru.
Alter Color: The Secret Laboratory also allows you to change your pet’s color. Some of the most desirable colors (such as Invisible, Rainbow, and Sketch) are available here.
Experiment on Stats: There’s a chance to change your pet’s stats, including strength, defense, and health, though this can also lead to less favorable results.
One Pet at a Time: You can only experiment on one pet at a time, so it’s essential to choose carefully.

Notes and Considerations

Permanent Changes: Any changes you make to your pets at the Secret Laboratory are permanent, so it’s important to think carefully before conducting an experiment.
Random Outcomes: Each visit to the Secret Laboratory has a random chance of producing various results, meaning some visits could have more significant rewards or even undesirable outcomes.
Free Access: After collecting all 9 pieces of the Secret Laboratory Map, you can access the Secret Laboratory freely, but there’s a small fee for each experiment.

Conclusion

The Secret Laboratory Map is a crucial item for players who want to experiment with their pets and unlock new appearances, species, or stats. Collecting all the pieces requires time and effort, but the rewards are well worth it for Neopians who enjoy customizing their pets. Whether you want to change your pet’s species or give them a rare color, the Secret Laboratory offers many exciting possibilities for customization.