Oh Boy..

[Jaded_Goth]

My Boss e-mailed me earlier,because someone had reported some bad links on our main website.

When I clicked on a link to a sister-site,I was taken here.Now,I suppose this means that the sister-sites are under attack and not actually our website..

All the same...what can we do?...Temporarilly stop linking with the sites under attack,but I guess that's the whole objective for these Cyber-vandals,isn't it?

I should add that the other links now point to "Dating Services",so,if this one is just a result of a linked site changing I.P.-the others can't be.It's too much of a coincidence.

[Jaded_Goth]

Why do these thing always kick off at bedtime,eh?

[Jaded_Goth]

Am I in an episode of The Sopranos or what?!

[ProxRocks]

Dollars to doughnuts - hit refresh and the site "magically" connects the second time around... That is, for those Proxo "can't finds"...

[Jaded_Goth]

Probably.I'll have to wait until morning to find out about the others,though.Seems like every link on the site is bad-after checking all of them..

Meantime,I've mailed all the concerned parties (where URLS appear to have been taken over.)

[Oddysey]

Jaded_Goth;

Recognizing that you aren't complaining, only asking for advice, I'd offer this for your consideration....

You opined that you could remove the link(s) temporarily, but that might be giving in to the vandals. Good thought about them little b_st_rds. So, instead of removing the link entirely, why not put a simple warning/disclaimer on the page right before the links in question. Perhaps something like this:

Code:

Please be aware that some of these links point to sites that are experiencing very high traffic volume, which may cause them to be temporarily unavailable.  In such cases, please try again later.

Shouldn't tip off the yo-yo's, I would think. The excuse is plausible, it happens to many sites around the 'Net. And when everyone is back up and running without hindrance, you can then remove the disclaimer.

Just an idea, not even an original one of mine. I've seen it done before.


Oddysey

[Jaded_Goth]

Recognizing that you're being a real sweetheart,Oddysey,I send you a big,sloppy kiss via telepathy.

That's a good idea.It has an added sting in the tail;gives the impression the sites in question are massively popular.Meaning *lots* of people worldwide know all kinds of things about stuff...

My main concern was that those imposters could be browser-hijackers,perhaps (res:C related,see below).I can't tell.Wouldn't like to guess what may occur if someone visits with an unpatched I.E..

http://www.pchell.com/support/onlythebest.shtml

[Shea]

I think Merijn gives a better analysis of browser hijackers.

http://www.spywareinfo.com/~merijn/cwschronicles.html

[Oddysey]

I was unpleasently surprised to see that pchell says, and I quote: ".... although CWShredder isnt updated to handle it and wont be, ....". I wonder what they know that Merijn doesn't know. After all, he's the author of CWS Shredder. I don't think there's any reason to doubt that he's on top of things, is there?

Or has something happened on the 'Net in that last few days of which I am not aware?


Oddysey

[Oddysey]

Jaded_Goth;

You're welcome! That kiss got a little ephemeral by the time it arrived, but it was still nicest thing to happen to me so far today!

Your concern over browser hijackers is valid, to say the least. Sadly, if you warn your viewers of such potential, then you have indeed "caved in" to the mongrel dogs that usurped your sister sites. This would also "tar" with the same brush you, your site, your boss, your company, yadda yadda yadda. How long would it take for you to recover that lost good will? 'Far too long' is the correct answer.

I don't know what kind of website(s) you are running, but if there is a possibility of leading your viewers to a page about security/safety, still on your own site of course, then you might wanna chat up this option with El Bosso. It wouldn't hurt, in that it shows you are concerned for your viewer's safety, but at the same time, you don't have to do anything more than write a simple page with some prose about security, maybe the current state of affairs (dismal), and several links for more info and proggies. I would think this wouldn't distract from your site's mission, but who knows how bosses think, eh? :P

BTW, just for your edification, we used to have a fella here who's favorite saying was "I practice safe hex - you should too". [lol]


Oddysey

[Shea]

The information on PCHell about CWShredder is correct. Merijn said he quit updating it because the CWS trojans are getting too hard tricky and he is unable to remove them in VB.

[Oddysey]

Shea;

Quote:Merijn said he quit updating it because the CWS trojans are getting too hard tricky and he is unable to remove them in VB.

Ooooh, that's gotta hurt!


Oddysey

[Jaded_Goth]

To end;I have repeatedly contacted all parties concerned.Some of them are plain uncontactable-suggesting their sites have folded and nobody saw fit to imbibe us of this fact.

As for the other "webmasters"-either they don't know what we're blathering on about,or they aren't bothered.I'm pretty cross over the attitude,actually.

Essentially,the site is in the same mess it was three days ago.Have therefore advised Elle Presidente to kill the links.

[Oddysey]

Jaded_Goth;

Quote:To end;I have repeatedly contacted all parties concerned.Some of them are plain uncontactable-suggesting their sites have folded and nobody saw fit to imbibe us of this fact.

As for the other "webmasters"-either they don't know what we're blathering on about,or they aren't bothered.I'm pretty cross over the attitude,actually.

Essentially,the site is in the same mess it was three days ago.Have therefore advised Elle Presidente to kill the links.

Given the reponses you've received, or lack thereof, I'd say your recommendation is right on target.

BTW, just what site are you associated with? IYDMMA.


Oddysey