Upgrade a site from 3.8 to 4.x

[John Diver]

Hey,

My site has been hacked and I want to get a license for vb4 - Do everything from scratch but keep the posts / members etc. in the database.

I'm not positive but I really doubt custom vb3 skins can be used with vb4?

Can I just upload vb4 and import the db from vb3?

Thanks

[Mark.B]

You will keep all content and members.
vB4 skins won't work with vB4.
You don't import databases, you need to upgrade:

https://www.vbulletin.com/docs/html/upgrade

Make sure you select vB4 from the dropdown.

Couple of points to note:

1. An upgrade isn't a magic fix for a security breach. You need to fix that separately.
2. There is no actual need to go to vB4 if you wish to keep skins etc. The latest version of vB3 is 3.8.11 and is fully secure, and generally your skins and add-ons will mostly work. You will however need at least php 5.6 for either vB3 or vB4.

Whether you go with 3.8.11 or 4.2.5, you need a vB4 license upgrade which is $149. This will give you the latest version of EITHER vB3 or vB4. You can only run instance of the software per license, regardless of version.

Here are instructions for fixing your site, bearing in mind we don't know the specific nature of the problem

https://www.vbulletin.com/forum/blogs/zachery/3993888-fixing-your-site-after-you-have-been-hacked