WARNING!! VIRUS!!

[happyhens1972]

Sorry, I don't know where else to put this but I have been plagued by a persistent virus on this website. On certain miscellaneous posts, the page disappears and I get a flash page telling me I need a Java update in order to view the post and then giving me a 'run this program' file to click on.

My Norton Anti-virus immediately alerts me every time and automatically removes the threat.

Now, I know my Java IS up to date and I can view all material on here without issues so this is clearly a scam....please watch out!!!

 

[Drewnkat]

Your "antivirus" may be up to date, but it sounds like your browser has been infected with malware.

I would suggest getting malwarebytes or another free malware removal program (malwarebytes has free and paid versions).

Sometimes malwarebytes catches things my other antivirus programs missed, because they aren't "technically" viruses, just clutter that has attached itself to my browser.

 

[Nifty-Chicken]

Thanks for the report. We've got thousands of people on the site throughout the day and fortunately no other reports, which makes me think that either:

1) It's specific to your computer
2) There may be a thread where someone posted an image from a 3rd party site and the image may be setting off your alerts

Can you send me a PM with the link of the page you get the alert on, and also send a screenshot of the alert? That will help us look into it a bit more.

If anybody else sees anything similar, please let us know since we definitely take these kinds of things very seriously.

 

[ChickenLegs13]

My antivirus alerted on this trying to download: diaoplayer. com/download/Flash/DMG/US/auload.html?installer=Video_Player_for_Other_Browsers&browser_type=KHTML&dualoffer=false
while on BYC today but I'm unsure of it's origin.

edited to clarify that's the page that opened while viewing BYC when the av alerted

 

[Nifty-Chicken]

Thanks for the details!

Do you know which page you were on (the URL specifically) when you got that message?

(btw, I edited your post so the link was broken as I don't want anybody accidentally clicking on it)

 

[ChickenLegs13]

Yeah I was hoping no one would click that.
I left several threads open in different windows and went outside to have a smoke and when I returned my AV had alerted and I'm not sure which page set it off or if it even orginated from BYC. Reading this thread made me think it *may* be related.
I know these 2 were open for sure, maybe others.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/f/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/894983/zinc-poisoning-in-galvanized-feeders

 

[happyhens1972]

I will take more notice of which threads next time it comes up and let you know. Pardon my ignorance though, I have no idea how to do a 'screen shot' but if you tell me, I'll do my best!

And, incidentally, this ONLY happens when on BYC so I don't think it's my computer.

 

[SixChickFlock]

HappyHens, It probably IS your computer.

To be safe, you should run MalwareBytes. The free version is fine. Check to see that Norton is all up to date... Then consider dumping Norton (and all other pay for use protection software) and instead, activate (FREE) Microsoft Security Essentials. It is built in to your Windows OS.

For me, MSE works better than Norton or any of the other paid services. It seems to run more efficiently in the background. All of the anti virus services use the same virus definitions. Updates just happen. And it will NEVER ask you for money.

Once upon a time I used a nice suite of cool programs to protect different aspects of my computer health. Microsoft Security Essentials has kept me trouble free for three or four years now.

Good luck!

MalwareBytes download at malwarebytes dot org

 

[happyhens1972]

Thank you so much SixChickFlock. I have downloaded the program from the link, scanned and it found 39 threats!!! It has now removed them so with any luck, I'll have no further problems....watch this space! x

 

[ivan3]

My antivirus alerted on this trying to download: diaoplayer. com/download/Flash/DMG/US/auload.html?installer=Video_Player_for_Other_Browsers&browser_type=KHTML&dualoffer=false

while on BYC today but I'm unsure of it's origin.


edited to clarify that's the page that opened while viewing BYC when the av alerted

Could be that the site linked to hasn't the foggiest as to what's coming through the `tubes'. Seems like a recent (still in the wild) variant of the usual PUPware (Potentially Unwanted Software) http://urlquery.net/report.php?id=1402086561146 `redirect'.

Never click on any `message' that requires one to do something (NOW). Flash/Private Message reminders/AV updates? Go to the Adobe, etc. sites and check, yourself, before doing anything else.

Screenshot (how to)::
http://www.lightroomforums.net/show...t-screenshot-quot-on-Windows-or-Mac-computers


If you feel the FUD, you're being played.