[OT] - Anyone else's Anti-virus going off while browsing realms?

[giliam]

Wasn't sure where to post...
I just noticed today that my Norton Anti-virus started going off while browsing the realms. I think it's due to one of the ads not-behaving. Anyways here is the image capture of the details. This has happened on two separate computers (mine and my wife's) while browsing the realms only.

http://www.bangrevolution.com/images/random/kafuzion.jpg

[Thorgrin]

yeah I mentioned it and the post was moved to the right place (though can't remember where it went to, but it made somewhat logical sense). If you can remember which ads were up when it went off, that might help 'em. I could only remember like 2-3 of them.

[Mjolnir]

Avast AV also got a hit for a Trojan Attack that it blocked.....

[ozzytoys]

my avg blocked a serious threat yesterday, but it's the first time it's happened since i joined. some d**ch* probably hacked the site.

[batman315]

yes happened yesterday

[snatreaper]

This usually comes from the ads. Easiest fix is to become a donor. I know some people think they shouldn't have to, but it's not that expensive, and it's well worth it. It took me forever to actually start donating, and once I did, I regretted not doing it sooner.

[giliam]

This usually comes from the ads. Easiest fix is to become a donor. I know some people think they shouldn't have to, but it's not that expensive, and it's well worth it. It took me forever to actually start donating, and once I did, I regretted not doing it sooner.

Thanks for the info! I think I will do just that. I honestly had no clue there was an ad free / paid sub...

[snatreaper]

Thanks for the info! I think I will do just that. I honestly had no clue there was an ad free / paid sub...

The Donate! button is on the right (on this page). --->

[wonko]

It has happened to me three times now.

[SurreptitiousOne]

This usually comes from the ads. Easiest fix is to become a donor. I know some people think they shouldn't have to, but it's not that expensive, and it's well worth it. It took me forever to actually start donating, and once I did, I regretted not doing it sooner.

This is such BS. "Easiest way not to get a virus from coming to the site is to pay them, even though the site is free." The site shouldn't be giving out viruses to those that don't pay. Either make it a pay site or not, but don't extort payments. This is the main reason I don't donate there is no integrity from the site owners.

[NoGoCat]

Alright here is something for you guys to read.

http://www.hcrealms.com/forum/showthread.php?t=251417&highlight=virus

If you don't want to read the long thread, and be protected, download Firefox and the add on Adblock plus. Make sure you activate and select the Easy list (USA) filter within the Adblock plus option. Additionally if you don't want to download Firefox, you can donate to the sight and there will be no ads.

[TerribleSage]

I don't even visit on my home laptop anymore, I get a virus if I browse more than 5 pages. For some reason my work PC (which has NO anti-virus) has never had an issue, even while using the same browser. Weird.

If you end up getting one of those fake antiviruses from the site, Malwarebytes Anti-Malware cleans it up, and is free. Just keep it updated.

[thanoson]

The malware is MS Removal Tool. Got it last night. Had to go into safe mode and system restore. Except, im using xp and a usb keyboard. Couldn't get into safe until I plugged in my old ps keyboard this morning. Worked like a charm. Be careful.

[Rahe Stone]

This is such BS. "Easiest way not to get a virus from coming to the site is to pay them, even though the site is free." The site shouldn't be giving out viruses to those that don't pay. Either make it a pay site or not, but don't extort payments. This is the main reason I don't donate there is no integrity from the site owners.

blame google ads, they are the ones with the virus on it.

[snatreaper]

This is such BS. "Easiest way not to get a virus from coming to the site is to pay them, even though the site is free." The site shouldn't be giving out viruses to those that don't pay. Either make it a pay site or not, but don't extort payments. This is the main reason I don't donate there is no integrity from the site owners.

They're not extorting any money. They use the ads to pay for the site for those that don't donate. The ads are what keep it free. However, if you donate the NOMINAL fee, then you don't have to deal with the ads, and the site doesn't lose any revenue stream (again keeping it free). You can be mad (and selfish) about it, but then you have to deal with the ads, which may have viruses. It's not the fault of HCRealms that the ad company isn't catching it.

You ever heard the phrase: "You get what you pay for?" :noid:

[gambit38]

They're not extorting any money. They use the ads to pay for the site for those that don't donate. The ads are what keep it free. However, if you donate the NOMINAL fee, then you don't have to deal with the ads, and the site doesn't lose any revenue stream (again keeping it free). You can be mad (and selfish) about it, but then you have to deal with the ads, which may have viruses. It's not the fault of HCRealms that the ad company isn't catching it.

You ever heard the phrase: "You get what you pay for?" :noid:

I think thats a bit unfair.
I have never donated for the same reason.
I love this site, but "pay us to keep it free" and "pay us and don't get a virus " are not great tag lines.
If the site has virus problems, then what guarantee's are there that you pay your money and then the site crashes and loses all records of any fee's.

[red king]

No problems here.

[RSIxidor]

No problems at all, I also use NoScript most of the time, though.

[hail_eris]

I don't even visit on my home laptop anymore, I get a virus if I browse more than 5 pages. For some reason my work PC (which has NO anti-virus) has never had an issue, even while using the same browser. Weird.
Google Ads draw their content from your personal browsing habits and a given page's keywords. So if you're looking at nothing but, say, your company's HR portal while you're at work, the Google Ads are going to be totally boring and legit. If you're looking at something that's a bit, erm, "racier," on your home laptop, well, that's what Google's going to throw into the ad box. "Racier" content means sketchier advertisers, hence the virus protection warnings.

[snatreaper]

I think thats a bit unfair.
I have never donated for the same reason.
I love this site, but "pay us to keep it free" and "pay us and don't get a virus " are not great tag lines.
If the site has virus problems, then what guarantee's are there that you pay your money and then the site crashes and loses all records of any fee's.

Look, I didn't donate for the longest time for some of the same reasons, but during one of the "Double Donor" promotions, I figured what's $10 for a whole year of no ads on a site I love? My answer was: "A price worth paying." And as I said in another post, I regret that I didn't do it sooner. All I'm saying is, it's worth the nominal expense, IMO.

[gambit38]

Google Ads draw their content from your personal browsing habits and a given page's keywords. So if you're looking at nothing but, say, your company's HR portal while you're at work, the Google Ads are going to be totally boring and legit. If you're looking at something that's a bit, erm, "racier," on your home laptop, well, that's what Google's going to throw into the ad box. "Racier" content means sketchier advertisers, hence the virus protection warnings.

O...so now it's our fault....:-)

[KillerSavage]

I'm not sure how anyone can have a PC and not use some kind of virus protection.

[phantalien]

First off no one is extorting money from anyone. I hate it when people say that the site is extorting people once a person says that an ad gave them an advertisement. I just went back five pages, which took me to September and there was no mention of viruses. Were we extorting money at that time? How is today different than the past 6 months? I hate it when people jump to conclusions about stuff like that. It's like saying that you will never go to New York because you heard someone got mugged.

If you don't want to get viruses you have to avoid the ads. Like I mentioned above there has been at least 6 months of viruses not appearing with the ads but the ads have still be appearing. There are many ways that mention how to avoid the viruses above. The reason why there are ads and the ability to donate is because this is a privately owned site.

Heck I don't even get paid. Would be nice though. Come to think of it I do not get a free donor status except for "blood donor" that all mods get.

If you want to be civil be like the OP and post this and give the best information you can so Typhon can double check on the ads and make the site better.

Needless to say. No one is forcing you to donate, that is why it is a donation. There are perks to it as well. If you don't want to donate then look above at the suggestions to stop the ads. If you are experiencing a problem then make a post or create a new thread if there is not one open already.

[DemonRS]

This is such BS. "Easiest way not to get a virus from coming to the site is to pay them, even though the site is free." The site shouldn't be giving out viruses to those that don't pay. Either make it a pay site or not, but don't extort payments. This is the main reason I don't donate there is no integrity from the site owners.

Well that seem unfair to blame the owner of this site for what google ads does.. I mean If you want the site to be FREE than we need adds to make revenue for the site to pay for hardware and webspace.. If we don't pay then the site goes away.. Whilst you get the benefit of the site being entirely free the fact of the matter is for Typhon there is a cost associated with keeping the site running.

If the ads go away, then the site makes only money from donors.. and if that's not enough to cover the people who want to access the site for free (again not a problem with it), then the site can't exist.

Nothing in the world is free.. Unfortunately google has some bum sellers that get advertising space that add trojans and stuff to their ads. Google is supposedly addressing this, but the problem lies with them not HCR. I'm certain if donations could cover the full cost of running the site, Typhon would opt to remove the ads.. But it does not... And so ads must be in place and we hope that Google weeds out the bad seeds..

All we can really do is report them and hope google takes care of it...

Now you do have the option of donating to help generate the revenue the site needs to be maintained.. But again nobody forces you to do such things.

I think thats a bit unfair.
I have never donated for the same reason.
I love this site, but "pay us to keep it free" and "pay us and don't get a virus " are not great tag lines.
If the site has virus problems, then what guarantee's are there that you pay your money and then the site crashes and loses all records of any fee's.

That's unfair to say too..
Nobody forces you to pay.. Nobody says, "if you don't you'll get a virus."
Unfortunately as i said the ads which are google based are the source of the virus not HCR.. and there's plenty of things you can do to protect yourself. If you FEEL compelled to donate to remove the ads (as it's the cheapest perk you can get) then that's another option.. But certainly not the only option. There are plenty of ways to avoid a virus and enjoy the free site that don't involve donating to the site..

I don't think your tag lines have ever been used. I certainly don't see it advertised..

Unfortunately the hobby market is hard to get a ton of advertising for. We've only currently got one company that pays us for advertising space and the rest is done by google ads. If we can (and Typhon is working on it from what I understand) get more retailers that will pay for advertising space (under the stipulation that only people who have not donated will see it, which is a tough sell) then the site wouldn't need the revenue generated by google ads.

So in summary..
Do you have to donate? No..

Can you access the site/units section/etc without donation.. yes

Can you run programs on your own computer to stop viruses without the need to donate to the site?? yes..

Is the Virus HCR caused? No again it's google ads.

I know it SEEMS like we say, "donate or deal with it" but frankly we're stuck between a rock and a hard place. While we don't want anyone to FEEL they NEED to donate (that's not the point of a donation), we need them to understand why the site NEEDS ads to continue to be free to anyone who desires access..
Which then when the bad seeds slip into google ads makes it look like HCR has a virus problem when in truth it's the sites way to generate revenue and keep itself free that actually has a problem.. But there's no BETTER alternative without finding hobby places that will advertise..
So does donating help the site? yes of course.. Do you have to do it? no.. Can you somehow find a program that keeps ads from messing with things? Yes.. will this solve your problem? yes.. But it does take away a little of the revenue needed to maintain the site..
And what's free for us costs Typhon to maintain..

It's not like this is hosted by a free web site like Geocities (does that exist anymore?) or something.. So again.. Nothings free.. It just turns out others are floating the bill.

[Gentlegamer]

HCR needs to join Affiliate programs, and get paid on click-throughs when a purchase is made so there isn't as strong a need for paid advertising.

I bet some $$ could roll in from just ebay and amazon. The broad interests of this community could support all kinds of online retailers, books, comic trades, video games, collectables, etc.

[DemonRS]

HCR needs to join Affiliate programs, and get paid on click-throughs when a purchase is made so there isn't as strong a need for paid advertising.

I bet some $$ could roll in from just ebay and amazon. The broad interests of this community could support all kinds of online retailers, books, comic trades, video games, collectables, etc.

I know nothing about the click through stuff.. But I believe it's something being looked into (and trying to expand advertisements for a single site) that will eliminate the dependence on google ads.. But like everything.. it takes time.

[Gentlegamer]

I know nothing about the click through stuff.. But I believe it's something being looked into (and trying to expand advertisements for a single site) that will eliminate the dependence on google ads.. But like everything.. it takes time.
It's how CheapAssGamer.com makes money, for example. Most 'deals' websites use affiliate programs to make money. A purchase made from someone that enters the website from the affiliate's site pays a commission.

[DemonRS]

It's how CheapAssGamer.com makes money, for example. Most 'deals' websites use affiliate programs to make money. A purchase made from someone that enters the website from the affiliate's site pays a commission.

I think I phrased my statement wrong.. I understand WHAT it is, just not how one would set it up or anything.. But then the whole ad aspect of the site is not something I deal with. :)

[Gentlegamer]

I think I phrased my statement wrong.. I understand WHAT it is, just not how one would set it up or anything.. But then the whole ad aspect of the site is not something I deal with. :)It's pretty easy, since you only get paid when a sale is attributed to your traffic.

As for donations: make more donation-only functions. I'd keep subscribing if you could save forces from the unit section build box like in the old days. Typhon said it was in the plans back in August but nothing has been heard of it since.