Regarding Google's malware database and malware warnings on FR

October 27, 2015 | Jim Robinson

[Jim Robinson]

Basically, it's full of crap. Apparently, they have two issues with FR. One is that a user (a long-time user not a hacker) posted a link to an image that (unknown to him) resides on a site google has registered in their database as a malware site. We've pulled the post and notified google. Have no idea when they'll stop flagging us.

The other is that we have links to aim.org. NSS. Aim is a conservative site. Have no idea how many, but I'm sure we've had hundreds or even thousands of links posted to aim.org. We're not going to pull them.

Why google is apparently randomly flagging unrelated threads on FR I have no idea. Your guess is good as mine.

But it's not just google Chrome. Any browser that relies on google's database is doing this.

If you want to stop these erroneous and obnoxious warning messages immediately, you can set a browser option to ignore such warnings. Your virus protection software will catch any real viruses.

Thank you all very much for notifying me. I've received dozens and dozens of these already. Sorry, cannot answer each one individually.

[FamiliarFace]

I’d like to know also.

[silverleaf]

Bookmark

[usconservative]

Thanks Jim. I'm still getting the "malware attack" redirect pages in both Chrome and Firefox.

The safety sieve known as Internet Explorer let me on without issue.

[John 3_19-21]

Thanx Jim

[TigersEye]

Ah, I see. I have Adblock and have never seen these warnings. I just went directly to the aim.org site and didn’t get one there either.

[onyx]

Dearest Trish,

Please see this thread, (provided you’re able).

[usconservative]

However, I'll throw in a recommendation for the AdBlock extension. It's available on both Chrome and Firefox. You won't see ads from the aggregators at all -- malicious, benign, or just annoying.

Which specific Ad blocker extension are you referring to? There's something on the order of 300+ available for Firefox that have similar names.

I have Adblock Plus installed and still had an issue accessing FR with it.

I also use Ghostery in both Chrome and Firefox which may have also blocked access. Not 100% sure.

[mowowie]

I’m not running Android, Not using Chrome, Do not have GOOGLE up on a tab so what the FRIGGING F do they care what site i am on?
Is GOOGLE monitoring and tracking me everywhere?

[caww]

Thanks Jim...I’ll see if I can get my browser to block them...thanks again for keeping us informed....

Caw

[ButThreeLeftsDo]

AFAIK, IE and Windows 10 with Edge have been unaffected.

I use WIN7 with IE at work and 10/Edge at home.

[GOPJ]

Posted on 10/27/2015, 8:21:09 PM by Jim Robinson

Basically, it’s full of crap. Apparently, they have two issues with FR. One is that a user (a long-time user not a hacker) posted a link to an image that (unknown to him) resides on a site google has registered in their database as a malware site. We’ve pulled the post and notified google. Have no idea when they’ll stop flagging us.

The other is that we have links to aim.org. NSS. Aim is a conservative site. Have no idea how many, but I’m sure we’ve had hundreds or even thousands of links posted to aim.org. We’re not going to pull them.

Why google is apparently randomly flagging unrelated threads on FR I have no idea. Your guess is good as mine.

But it’s not just google Chrome. Any browser that relies on google’s database is doing this.

If you want to stop these erroneous and obnoxious warning messages immediately, you can set a browser option to ignore such warnings. Your virus protection software will catch any real viruses.

Thank you all very much for notifying me. I’ve received dozens and dozens of these already. Sorry, cannot answer each one individually.

[freeandfreezing]

By the way, looks like google is flagging all posts linked to aim.org.

The warning page also comes up on FR pages that don't have any links to aim.org, or really any interesting content at all. (I reviewed the page source)

Firefox uses site ratings from stopbadware.org, and they apparently rely on Google data which may be site wide, not specific to a particular URL.

I think organizations that allege some other site is hosting malware should be ready to pony up some evidence - otherwise what they are doing is a unethical.

[smoothsailing]

Interesting that i am no where near google, have nothing to do with them but yet they know and i imagine record each page i visit? WTF?

Google is the default data base for other search engines.

[Thumper1960]

Since using Ghostery, and adware block, have had noooo issues anywhere. Sites load much faster and I can click on what *I* want to see.

[DoughtyOne]

Thank you.

[RushIsMyTeddyBear]

When I try to access FR by bookmarks on my LG Android device through Google.....FR doesn’t show up any more. Is there a ‘Google bomb’ going on? This is very disturbing.

[onyx]

Just one more reason to fully fund Free Republic and end this fund raiser.

Right. Now.





B T T T ! ! ! ©

[usconservative]

I think organizations that allege some other site is hosting malware should be ready to pony up some evidence - otherwise what they are doing is a unethical.

I think so-called online advertisers who don't review their content which lets malware into their ad-stream oughtta get their asses nailed to the wall.

It irritates the sh*t out of me that I had to use IE to see what the hell was going on with FR.

[No!]

Just use Maxthon...
no nonsense AND works best as well!

[caww]

Ok...I’m also going to do that and hope it works....thanks