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Warning! Takeover attempt!

Rodrica	Date: July 5, 2006 @ 12:37 PM Two cookies from two separate advertisers (?) redirected me from this site and one tried to install their programme on my computer! Fortunately my computer is set up to stop this kinda thing. But to be safe I disabled my internet connection, cleared my computer and ran a virus/spyware check. I did NOT accept their cookies when this happened. The companies are errorsafe.com and systemdoctor.com. Errorsafe tried to download stuff which I didn't want while I was viewing a DM page and Systemdoctor has 3 times re-directed me from DMusic to their site. Please can someone look into this?
ChillinBuzz	Date: July 5, 2006 @ 12:45 PM I've had the same when I've not logged in, errorsafe.com suddenly opens up a new page over my current page which is highly annoying. (This is on Firefox) Something else keeps killing my adblock list too, not sure if it's a fault between adblock and FF yet. It seems a lot of companies are using Flash now to do unsavoury things to people's computers...
Rodrica	Date: July 5, 2006 @ 12:46 PM I don't think they should be allowed to get away with this intrusive style of operation...
celtaidd	Date: July 5, 2006 @ 1:52 PM Just had the same problem, and yes, Firefox as well
imemine	Date: July 5, 2006 @ 7:56 PM Sounds like to me that you may already have something installed that is doing that. Nothing like that ever happens to me here and I spend a little time here. Firefox IS a good idea though!
kingo	Date: July 5, 2006 @ 8:09 PM two things - if it's happening from ads it won't happen to a subscriber (imemine.) AND it sounds exactly like the virus related to errorsafe. If you google errorsafe virus there's a lot of info about that infection. You could've picked it up somewhere else.
Woof	Date: July 5, 2006 @ 8:53 PM Still stubbornly using IE here, and no sign of anything like this... and I'll usually surf the site for awhile before logging on.
TameasDust	Date: July 5, 2006 @ 9:42 PM what are you running for an antivirus??
Woof	Date: July 5, 2006 @ 9:50 PM Me or Roddz? Norton 2006 over here...
ChillinBuzz	Date: July 5, 2006 @ 10:01 PM no sign of a virus here, seemed to be more like my mouse moved over the ad, then some seconds later i got another page appear. wont be happening again, added errorsafe to my blocklist and managed to stop it from being wiped too
TameasDust	Date: July 5, 2006 @ 10:37 PM roddz
TameasDust	Date: July 5, 2006 @ 10:37 PM I run avast ... Arr
victorsskull	Date: July 5, 2006 @ 11:30 PM I am a virus bring it on
imemine	Date: July 6, 2006 @ 12:13 AM Funny, I always thought of you as a bacteria!
Opossum	Date: July 6, 2006 @ 12:49 AM Never happened to me on here. I've had similar things happen on other sites, though, but rarely. I just use the Windows hosts file to block everything, including every ad server known to man.
ShadowMom	Date: July 6, 2006 @ 12:56 AM Subscribe.
leedsquietman	Date: July 6, 2006 @ 4:00 AM errorsafe is considered spyware by several anti-spyware programs. whatever you do, do NOT buy this program, it allegedly loads up spyware/adware and gives false positives about errors on your computer to entice you to buy it. http://www3.ca.com/securityadvisor/pest/pest.aspx?id=453097282 download HijackThis and post your log on a security site like geeks to go, castlecops or spywarewarrior http://www.spywarewarrior.com/index.php
Rodrica	Date: July 6, 2006 @ 4:54 AM OK...this is gonna be long-winded but bear with me... I can 100% guarantee that I don't have a virus picked up elsewhere on the web, or from this site - but that's due to my package which is a Mac and other anti-virus software. I have stuff on maximum security. Tame, I'd rather not go into exactly what I have because I'm not happy with the security on this site at present and I'm not going to give details which would assist one of these intrusive advertisers in getting past my security. Let's not try and blame ppl's computer packages - this problem is DEFINITELY a DM problem and it has occurred before with one of DM's other advertisers (which was subsequently dealt with). The current situation occurs intermittently. I have never had this problem on any other site whilst using my current pacakge. And thanks to the fact that Mac keeps its portals closed, I hope to keep it that way. Subscribing? Yes, when DM has a SECURE shopping cart. Again, for security reasons I will NEVER use paypal. However, subscribing will not ensure a safe site. Selection of bona fide, honest advertisers WILL. If DM hasn't already got a policy regarding the behaviour of advertisers then it should introduce one - fast! Right now DM has two advertisers who are blantantly using unacceptable methods to market their products. What I find laughable is that they are purportedly a company providing security software for our computers. Do they seriously think that by trying to force their way into my computer that I will accept their goods? This is one of the most ridiculous and unproductive forms of marketing I've had the misfortune to witness...and I was ad Advertising Director for over 5 years and in advertising for over 10. So I hope that DM understands that I am in no way anti-advertiser - they are essential to the current success and future development of the site...but not THESE kind of advertisers, their tactics can only be a negative thing. This fiasco didn't affect my computer at all (it was picked up and dealt with) - but it may seriously affect other ppl's if this kind of thing is allowed to continue. Let's clean up this problem and make the site safe please. I think someone needs to go and have a quiet word with the advertisers
Rodrica	Date: July 6, 2006 @ 4:58 AM ...and yes Chill I've blocked their IP as well. Let's hope they don't emerge with a different one.
jack	Date: July 6, 2006 @ 5:13 AM Where are these banners being displayed? At the top?
Rodrica	Date: July 6, 2006 @ 5:22 AM I've not noticed banners...all I get is a cookie coming up (which I reject) and next thing I know I have a new window with only one option...to download their software! And I had to go offline to remove it too...my computer jumped in to deal with it and everything jammed up - couldn't return to DM or access anything else while I was online. A few times it happened when I was on someone's shoutbox, I wasn't anywhere near a banner!
jack	Date: July 6, 2006 @ 5:30 AM You're sure this was from DMusic? I just checked the advertising table (where the advertisements are kept) and there's no reference to errorsafe or systemdoctor, directly. However, if this is definitely a DM thing, it looks like it might be pulled from a rotation thing we have, where the banners are fetched from a third-party server via Javascript
Rodrica	Date: July 6, 2006 @ 5:36 AM Definitely DM. 100% sure. On days when it happens I've only accessed DM and it's never happened elsewhere in all the time I've had this package.
jack	Date: July 6, 2006 @ 6:07 AM So I sat and browsed DM for a few minutes without being logged in, and this didn't occur. The ads are being set from experclick - who send the ads to us via Javscript. There's no way for us to block an individual ad without contacting the company, I guess, so I'm going to see about that. So just sit tight, or something.
TameasDust	Date: July 6, 2006 @ 8:39 AM errorsafe.com winantivirus.com winfixer.com winantispyware.com systemdoctor.com are all from the same company there is one place for her to search for this C:\Documents and Settings\user\Local Settings\Temp if she is running xp ... it is in the same location as internet files on other versions ... it is a hidden folder http://www.aceviper.net/WinAntiSpyware.php has info on these things
Distilled1	Date: July 6, 2006 @ 2:20 PM ^All these things are nasty. Took 2 weeks to clean a friends PC of them and they had never been here. They dump Trojan downloaders. I was just reading about new delivery methods and flash and java is becoming quite big. And all you running FireFox like me notice that there are pop ups getting around it now?
kingo	Date: July 6, 2006 @ 3:57 PM Yes. Popups in firefox indeed. What a bitch.
Distilled1	Date: July 6, 2006 @ 4:09 PM Just like Macs aren't safe anymore. to many things like this and these scam ones^^ are just stupid, trying to get you to buy a product by faking shit! when I first had firefox I had no pop ups now I get those switch page scripts (not here at DMusic, and pop unders from other sites.
ChillinBuzz	Date: July 6, 2006 @ 4:18 PM it did come from here, Jack, this was the only website i was running at the time and it's also a totally fresh XP installation with all my security apps which has never failed me yet, then again with all the work i put into ensuring my pc keeps as clear as possible i wouldn't expect it to... personally i think it's got a lot to do with what i mentioned previously about companies exploiting Flash.
jack	Date: July 6, 2006 @ 6:53 PM well, even if it is from here, which is possible, it's definitely something coming from a "rotating banner" javascript implimentation we have. I'm going to see what I can do about it.
thesoloer	Date: July 6, 2006 @ 7:17 PM I dont think it comes from here. I agree with Tameas. they all come from the same company. I'm not really all informed to touch the subjects on the matter but I do have a few thoughts. I think that the company is most likely tracking which sites people visit. When there is a "hit" on that site, they most likely send them that link. I did not know all those were made by the same companies but I really dont have problems with sites coming up suddenly and clicking on them. I dont think banners are a problem, but I really dont have problems with that here. :nods:. So I dont know what to say .
BOWILLIE	Date: July 6, 2006 @ 7:52 PM
imemine	Date: July 6, 2006 @ 8:48 PM Say something like rotating banner or javascript implimentation---- that makes you sound really cool!
thesoloer	Date: July 6, 2006 @ 9:32 PM
jack	Date: July 6, 2006 @ 9:37 PM javascript implimentation
thesoloer	Date: July 6, 2006 @ 9:38 PM OOOOOh, oooh, ooh, i have a good one!! How about ROTATING BANNERS?
ChillinBuzz	Date: July 7, 2006 @ 2:25 AM just glad it aint winfixer, that total pain in the
Rodrica	Date: July 7, 2006 @ 4:27 AM Thanks very much for all your efforts in looking into this Jack and Chillinbuzz. If we can explore all possibilities, then we can ensure the site will be safe - for users of ALL the most popular browsers and for both macs and microsoft computers. I just feel that we've got to protect ourselves from all these kind of intrusions, especially when people are rather vulnerable when downloading/uploading files, and when we are considering introducing a shopping cart. With regard to the re-design here, I'd trade a few extra features and a visually impressive site for better security any day. Sure, we must generate money for the site, but lets leave the corporate intrusive tactics to other sites. DMusic has survived this long because it is better and it is different
furiousBall	Date: July 7, 2006 @ 7:00 AM i'll add errorsafe to our blocked ads list for our network ads and report this to google and experclick.
thesoloer	Date: July 7, 2006 @ 7:24 AM I have a ! Where we add to the portion of the registration page where we ask people if they want to register to the sites newsletter we could add something there. I think that it would be a better thing to ensure that we have a certain amounts of programs to choose from, so we could like have some programs. To prevent all those annoying winfixer, errorsafe, and proxie programs from coming up. Even though blocking adds is reserved for subscribers I still think blocking adds on here is better for everyone any way we can and if we can do it for free so be it why not tell people how they can do it.
Rodrica	Date: July 7, 2006 @ 8:16 AM Thanks furiousball! thesoler...you can obtain the IP address for any domain name by looking it up using one of the free services on the web (look them up on Google). Then you can use your own security settings on your computer to block their IP address if they become a problem to you or you suspect they might be. Anyone can do that and you don't have to be a subscriber to do that as it's part of the security measures on whatever security software you are running
thesoloer	Date: July 7, 2006 @ 8:58 AM Yeah, but I dont want that to be subscribers only feature. We could have it be for idiots too! Why dont we have a separate registration for idiots then have some other registration for regular members too so they'd know what it is without needing to search for help on it! I think that would help! much!
zedsalt	Date: July 7, 2006 @ 10:52 AM The problem with any process geared toward idiots would be that you'd only be helping those idiots not so idiotic as to realize that they're idiots. Idiocy obviously isn't a complete barrier against making great music. As long as we keep offering kind assistance to idiots, we'll keep getting great idiot-made music.
leedsquietman	Date: July 7, 2006 @ 12:06 PM You should block java and flash in Firfox and other browsers. I would say javascript too, unfortunately this cripples many websites functionalities. Macs can still be plagued with pop-up ads and have their browsers hijacked, etc even if spyware programs don't actually load up and work from within the computer - it will get to you, just as it's getting to firefox and has been with PC owners a long time. Mac/Linux has a better permissions system but this can be overridden and these tricksters will find a way to get you to click buttons that change setttings allowing them in.
thesoloer	Date: July 7, 2006 @ 12:23 PM !! You're right Zedsalt! I dont think that ever will change. That wont even change a bit. I think if at all what can I say. What can I say. Idiocy wont ever change! haha ha. I cant believe how much I'm laughing at this site's forum posts.
furiousBall	Date: July 7, 2006 @ 12:25 PM thesoloer, those ads help pay for this site. we ain't turning 'em off, sorry. the best everyone can do ANYWHERE on the net is to do what Rodrica did, report the problem to the site admins, we'll block and handle those problems as best we can. and also inform our network advertisers of the offending ad. we don't do pop-up ads and opt for the less intrusive ads seen on most websites. whenever you see anything that is questionable, please note myself or one of the admins and we'll handle it asap.
thesoloer	Date: July 7, 2006 @ 12:34 PM yeah yeah yeah, but maybe, you know I have an idea. Maybe, if we create an anti subscriber forum for stuff, idiocy related... maybe enough of the "non-knowing idiot subscribers" would click on the adds. We could make a rule for it. They have to click on an add ten times before they make their next post or they will be banned! I think that sounds good to me. .
leedsquietman	Date: July 7, 2006 @ 12:42 PM This is a good approach. Just be careful about what you're clicking on, many google links/ads link to adware/malware. Removing the malicious ads/sites after they've caused the damage will at least help others but is still a sickener for those affected in the now I think if you're using a PC w/windows (and even XP, it is not great security wise) at home then ad-blocking is a personal choice - When at work, I merrily click on dmusic ads, they have macs behind a very restrictive hardware firewall and filtering system (which won't even let me log in under my user name). At home, I block java and flash ads. Even with a security suite, firewall, second anti-spyware program with active shields, privacy, and running Firefox you are not totally safe. And none of this can rescue you from an exploit (I mean, hackers found a way to exploit windows media player and use jpegs as a delivery method for adware). Hackers are finding new ways to crack IE every day and now Firefox is also being targeted. And when it comes to subscription, count me in as soon as you get the secure c/c system in place, Paypal is a route I cannot/will not take.
thesoloer	Date: July 7, 2006 @ 12:45 PM leedsquietman I completely disagree with you still, just for the sole fact of disagreeing with you! I do feel that people should be informed. But I also feel that people who dont know better should get the bottom end of the nail and should get the dull part of the tip. They should be hit hard!
leedsquietman	Date: July 7, 2006 @ 1:29 PM :haha: