New York Times Web Site Hit With Malicious 'Advertisement'
Such problems seldom affect major Web sites, but an "unauthorized advertisement" has been causing trouble for some visitors to The New York Times site, CNET News reports. Even more odd, the Times isn't sure how the ad got on the site or even if the site has been compromised by the attack. In a note to readers, the Times said that it is "working to prevent the problem from recurring."While the ad doesn't appear to be very dangerous, it's certainly very annoying (Update: see below). When you visit the site, the ad warns that your computer might be at risk of infection and sends you to a site that supposedly offers anti-virus protection. (Although there have been no reports on the subject, and we certainly aren't going to download it ourselves to find out, this 'anti-virus' program is likely malicious.) Here's where it gets annoying. A reader told CNET News that the scam "hijacked his browser," forcing him to close out of it, since he couldn't leave the page. Another reader (who also took the screen capture above) told All Things Digital that he realized the ad was a scam, since he runs OS X and the ad mimics a Windows XP page.
Even if you're not trolling questionable sites, be sure to keep an eye out for scams like this. There's been a recent rash of ads spreading malware on reputable sites as a result of ad networks farming out ads to third parties. Remember: If you find yourself redirected to a suspicious site, close it out (the browser, that is). [From: The New York Times, CNET News and All Things Digital]
Update: The pop-up advertisement urges you to perform a scan of your PC for malicious software. If you click the "scan" button, the fake anti-virus software will claim to detect 38 infections. What has actually happened is the ad has installed a trojan on your system that will likely present you with fake warnings about virus infections and try to lure you into purchasing the fake security software. Thankfully, it appears that, if you don't click "scan," the trojan is incapable of installing any additional software, or stealing any data. If you did click, we recommend you check out ComboFix, a freeware spyware remover.
Death of Print
Elle Girl
In April 2006, Elle Girl's print edition was closed down, but the Web site lives on at ellegirl.com.
CosmoGirl
Though it will be folded into Seventeen magazine, the teen version of Cosmopolitan will publish its last print issue in December 2008. It will live on at CosmoGirl.com.
Christian Science Monitor
Founded in 1908 by Mary Baker Eddy, this venerable paper will move all its daily content to the Web starting in 2009, though it will still publish a weekly print version.
Radar Magazine
Was it too snarky for its own good? We'll never know, but this modern-day successor to '80s-era Spy magazine shut down in October. AMI, owner of the National Enquirer, bought RadarOnline.com, however, which will focus on celebrity gossip a la TMZ.com.
US News and World Report
Once a serious competitor to Time and Newsweek, US News and World Report is now best known for its College guides, which it will continue to publish. The weekly newsmagazine, however, will be turned into a monthly, and all daily operations are moving to the Web at usnews.com.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
FOURDOGSLAUGHING said 8:09PM on 9-14-2009
RECENTLY EXPERIENCED THE REDIRECT TO ANOTHER SITE! CLOSED OUT FROM THAT SITE IMMIEDATELYAND DIDN'T CLICK ON ANYTHING !
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mvesurfer said 8:15PM on 9-14-2009
This actually happened to my computer and it is now seriously infected. A program claiming I had a serious virus turned out to be a copy of another credible sercurity program. Now everytime I open up anything on my computer this fake system starts running. The only program that works without it opening is my internet explorer. I believe they are in hopes that I will purchase something online so they can steal my information.
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bjbraxy said 8:29PM on 9-14-2009
This happened to me as well. I "restored" my computer to a prior date and it fixed the problem.
Miss Tarheel said 8:31PM on 9-14-2009
The same thing happened to me, with a faux window of "My Computer" and flashing text that said, "Your Computer Is Infected" or something like that. I put my firewall in lockdown, ran 2 scans (2 different anti-virus software) and the shut the PC down. Luckily, no damage was done, but it looked so real (the window, etc.) that someone like my sis or husband may have entered the malware site.
People who write these programs should be shot.
Angie said 9:19AM on 9-15-2009
I had the same issue a few months back, just popped up on the start bar. The only way to get rid of it is to restore your computer back prior to when the virus started. If you take it back to two days before, it should get rid of it completely.
rae3160 said 9:31AM on 9-15-2009
It's a verry serious virus my sisters computer is infected with it. One of her kids clicked on something in it and know everything you go to pops up a reb page that wont let you do anything
Erica said 9:57AM on 9-15-2009
I suggest you download Malware Bytes. It's free to download, and it works very well. I had Antivirus 2010 hit my computer (it's a malicious program run by trojan.brexia). It hijacked my system, including my control panel, and made several attempts to hijack my security system, but I ran a full scan on Malware Bytes, and it cleaned everything off of my computer. Don't take my word for it, by all means, ask friends or businesses who work on computers, but it is a very good program, & it's free. Not sure which website you get it from, b/c our computer guy downloaded it for us, but I'm sure you can google it, or whoever you call might know it.
iggynantzzz said 1:56PM on 9-15-2009
the same thing happened to my computer. I went into my c drive and deleted the program but i had to go into the task manager to end the process and be very quick with deleting it. i did use malwarebytes and it cleaned up my computer of everything. i had avg but it would find the problems but not fix them. Now i use mcafee and i'm very happy with it.
aj said 3:16PM on 9-15-2009
you can cll microsoft and they can email you a 'super virus' washer. it should take care of your problem.
if not; then take your computer into such basic tech place as staples, and they can clean your hdrive.
should cost about $35-50 without any further issues.
Beth said 8:24PM on 9-14-2009
It looks like the same thing that infected my computer. It's called Green AV, and downloaded itself without being clicked on. Now I can't get it completely off my computer and have to fight with it daily! I have done all the things recommended by other people and websites, and it's still there. Good luck getting rid of the damn thing!
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stiveri said 2:03PM on 9-15-2009
I had the same problem earlier this week. I even have software on the computer to stop this type of thing. I didn't click on anything. I tried restore - I used anti-virus and trojan updates without success. The solution: I wiped the entire drive and reinstalled XP and the programs I use. Thankfully, I had documents and pictures stored on an external hard drive which was 'off' when my computer was attacked.
gailannflorida said 8:30PM on 9-14-2009
It also happened to me. Interestingly it only happened when I used my Mozilla firefox browser. It did not occur when I used my internet explorer browser .
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SciFiOutdoorGuy said 11:11AM on 9-15-2009
This is what happened to me, as well. I ran Ad-Aware, AVG anti-virus and CCleaner, but they found no threats. It has not happened again.
WTMiller8 said 8:33PM on 9-14-2009
Ah, *that* ad. I've been seeing that one on and off for several months now, and coincidentally, my computer randomly turns itself off sometimes with no provocation. I wish there were ways to find the people who make those damned things, because then there would sure be a lot fewer idiots in the world.
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Joe said 8:32PM on 9-14-2009
Lol this virus isn't new...I've come across that same fake ad dozens of times over the past months.
Anyone here that has Optimum Online, I highly suggest downloading their free anti-spyware program CA, it gets rid of EVERYTHING!
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stiveri said 2:04PM on 9-15-2009
CA was crap for me. I didn't click on the virus link, it simply installed itself on my computer and CA just let the stupid thing invade. No more CA for me - I'm using McAfee from now on.
immorsecode said 8:39PM on 9-14-2009
mvesurfer..... What you have is called Antivirus 360. Look it up. Hopefully this site I am referring you to will help you uninstall this. All is not lost my friend.
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robtheblogger6 said 8:52PM on 9-14-2009
When you get these suspicious popups, either right click on the tab on your taskbar and click "close" or when the browser is selected, hit Alt F4 to close it out. DON"T CLICK on their so-called "X" on the top right since it may just be an "image" and not an actual button.
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immorsecode said 8:58PM on 9-14-2009
mvesurfer.... What you have is called Antivirus 360. It passes through your security because it was disguised as a windows update. It does not affect Mac computers. All is not lost my friend. Search Antivirus 360 and a site there might be very valuable in helping you uninstall this. good luck. need more help let me know.
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Glennuws said 9:27AM on 9-15-2009
I got tired of the viruses and the constant download of antivirus updates...when time came to replace, I went with an i-Mac and I'll never go back.
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