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Original poster

StopBadware.org

81 replies

NetworkGuy · 22/12/2010 07:43

Looks like someone has found the posts regarding under-13s using FaceBook and decided to report

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/1109156

to the StopBadware.org service. Although the idea is not a bad one, the service is used by Google to 'alert' (like 'scare the hell') people that a site may infect their PC, and does its utmost to stop the user from visiting.

Happened also to a client of mine (photographer with his own site) and lost him some visitors and potential work.

OP posts:
lenak · 22/12/2010 08:28

Oh - and I'm using Chrome

lenak · 22/12/2010 08:28

NetworkGuy

I've posted this elsewhere as well, but in case it helps:

I got the malware message when I tried to enter the site (after typing the url into my browser), not just when I tried to access a thread.

As soon as the site loaded my anti-virus software blocked an attack on my computer from newbadnews.info.

The risk name was: HTTP Fragus Toolkit Download Activity with a High Severity.

I have no idea what any of it means but posted in case these details are helpful.

BlathIceSkate · 22/12/2010 08:27

Also happening on "Am I being unreasonable?
to feel pissed off that the parcel I lovingly slaved over has apparently been received but no one has even mentioned they've received it, not to... "

I viewed and posted on this thread last night.

Original poster
NetworkGuy · 22/12/2010 08:26

SilveyMoon - do you remember adding anything to Chrome, or could an anti-virus application have altered it, perhaps?

Using Chrome (version 8.0.552.224) here but only checked 2 threads which I know FF blocked and they are OK with Chrome on my PC.

OP posts:
SantasNutellaFairy · 22/12/2010 08:25

Firefox here- has ahappened to 3 of the past 6 pages I have tried to look at.

EauRudolph · 22/12/2010 08:25

I'm using Safari and still getting loads of warnings.

BlathIceSkate · 22/12/2010 08:25

Mine seems to be Google blocking it. I get a "Google Safe Browsing diagnostic page" if I click on the "Why was this page blocked?" button.

Original poster
NetworkGuy · 22/12/2010 08:22

Depends, Plenty of Parsnips - someone could manually copy links, or (perhaps more likely) give an index to threads and the server at StopBadware would go 'spidering' - ie find each link and add it to their database. With hundreds of pages of INDEX there are thousands of threads so it would (a) bump up traffic on the MN servers if it loads every thread in AIBU and (b) may take a while to log each one as a 'threat'

OP posts:
monstermissy · 22/12/2010 08:22

firefox here with lots of pages i cannot view.

BlathIceSkate · 22/12/2010 08:20

I'm on Firefox and have been getting blocked pages. Most recent is a baby names thread called "We have names"

nickytwotimes · 22/12/2010 08:18

i am getting it on firefox, but chrome and ie working.

SilveryMoon · 22/12/2010 08:17

I'm on chrome and am getting blocked pages

PlentyOfParsnips · 22/12/2010 08:17

yep, firefox here.

Original poster
NetworkGuy · 22/12/2010 08:16

Out of interest, is everyone getting blocked pages using Firefox ? I had Chrome already open and that is not blocking AFAICS

OP posts:
PlentyOfParsnips · 22/12/2010 08:16

I had already been on the FB thread this morning before it was blocked but after the warning showed on other pages. Does this mean somebody is making these reports right now ???

Original poster
NetworkGuy · 22/12/2010 08:10

Understood Flight... it comes down to malicious reports on StopBadware as far as I can see and I will switch to MSIE for the morning.

I don't believe anyone has any need to 'fear' a page in AIBU but can post and view in Site_Stuff, and as the browser is blocking it, switch browser for a while...

OP posts:
EauRudolph · 22/12/2010 08:08

Thanks for explaining, NetworkGuy, I wondered what the hell was going on!

Original poster
NetworkGuy · 22/12/2010 08:08

OK, gorionine - had not known so many topic areas had problems. I checked a few of the threads where I had been posting (Christmas RadioAddicts MumsnetCampaigns and only in Other have I found another thread 'blocked')

As I said - the pages are all created from the same code being used with just a different database entry... this site_stuff page has exactly the same elements as one on Relationships, AIBU, etc, as the web link is just an entry point for the first post and all the rest of the thread get displayed below.

So there's no implicit difference between a page in Site_Stuff and AIBU, just the contents of the posts.

OP posts:
gorionine · 22/12/2010 08:05

I think I might wait for more HQ advice.

HowToLookGoodGlaikit · 22/12/2010 08:05

about 75% of the threads I have tried to view today have been blocked. Too many to list here.

FlightoftheCrimbleTree · 22/12/2010 08:04

not getting any warnings at all here NG - I'm on IE, not chrome or firefox etc.

Original poster
NetworkGuy · 22/12/2010 08:02

If you have other threads, then need to give links to each conversation as they may have all been reported maliciously...

The big problem with users reporting a site is that in so many automated systems, the report marks it 'bad' before any human checks whether there is any danger.

I cannot guarantee the website is 100% free of any hack attempts, malware or virus, but I would say I feel 99.9999999999999999999% confident because of add-ons which will warn me if I am expected to download something... (and not getting any suspicious attempt to push malware onto my PCs here).

OP posts:
gorionine · 22/12/2010 08:02

sorry x posted with Plenty!

gorionine · 22/12/2010 08:01

NetworkGuy, It is a lot of threads that are "contaminated" Pretty much all AIBU, some in Relationships or Behaviour/developpement. Is it safe to ignore the warning? I do not dare at the moment.

PlentyOfParsnips · 22/12/2010 07:59

So can we probably safely click on 'ignore this message'? This is happening with multiple pages all over the site for me.

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