24 replies to this topic

[AdvancedSetup]

Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware is mentioned in this article. Sponsored search results lead to malware

Discusses why, how searching for our site can easily lead you to other sites that contain Malware.

[srtools1980y]

Yes it's dangerous to search for security products on net & as reported one will end only on rogue sites mostly. To avoid one can ask for advise from friends or co-workers.

Another tip: you can search reputed sites such as cnet, softpedia, brothersoft like that, if one doesn't know the exact name of the security soft.

Thanks AdvancedSetup for posting the link.

[Firefox]

Nice Read AdvancedSetup.....

Not only that, we have to be protected against ourselves and typo's. If you misspell a site you are trying to go to, you may end up at a malicious site as well....

I cant even count how many folks I have talked to that got infected and they took it upon themselves to try and fix it only to make matters worst be being scammed like this.

Now when I recommend the site to them I send them an email with the exact link to what I want them to download.

[swagger]

Yeah, I have always marveled at some of the links that come up when searching for things. Good publicity for MBAM and hpHosts though

[mountaintree16]

Thanks for the great article, Ron

I'll pass it along to all that I know!

It's too bad for the legitimate companies, though, that sponsored links can be dangerous. I'm sure its causing them to lose out, but I'd rather be safe than risk clicking on a sponsored link, or any link that I am unsure of for that matter.

I agree w. Swagger, definitely makes excellent publicity and public knowledge of Malwarebytes and HPHosts

[GT500]

Great find Ron.

[YoKenny1]

swagger, on Oct 8 2009, 05:13 PM, said:

Yeah, I have always marveled at some of the links that come up when searching for things. Good publicity for MBAM and hpHosts though

That article resulted in a bit of hardship for Steven (MysteryFCM) but he recovered:
http://forum.hosts-f....php?f=2&t=1741

[mountaintree16]

@ YoKenny1

Oh wow! Thanks for the link.

[yardbird]

good find!!!

[exile360]

Nasty stuff and unfortunately common practice. I'm glad that MBAM exists to fight this nastiness since the search providers clearly aren't going out of their way to stop it.

[swagger]

Oh man!!! What a link to your site can do! Sorry to hear that Steven, but look on the bright side, it's for the right reasons...

[noknojon]

There must be a way that genuine resellers can be identified - A seller ## or similar- If the 'bogus' (fake) sellers are allowed to continue then you may lose some of the real people that resell MBAM, and even though there is little profit in it for them, they should be given some "Trademark/Logo" to show they are legal -
I personally know of 2 who are legal resellers and they say business has been slow - They may need to refer back to this site (or similar sites) as the only legal sites - And have a Quote # to show where the client was sent from in order to get the fee for resale ?? -
This only applies if you want more than just c Net as a reseller !!

[GT500]

noknojon said:

There must be a way that genuine resellers can be identified ...

There is. We don't come up in the sponsored links. We come up in the real search results. Since 90% of computer users don't know the difference, and search companies aren't about to explain it to them, a good amount of people fall for these scams.

[js9600]

Hmm, turn off your adblocker and reevaluate what is a reputed site. You might get a shock. Softpedia?, Im close to say even without ads!, other popular download centrals? not even close. Sites dealing with security, like a removal forum - absolutely not. Logic of receiving income but having no responsibility for ad-content is very common among site admins worldwide. Usually not the most popular topic to bring up. Some say it straight out, like "If you dont like Google Ads go sue them". Which is how it is. Ads are income so cant be touched. How to monetize without risking serving crap must be the question rarely anyone is interested in. Google is holy so only answer is personal adblocking but not always approved of either, and backside of adblocking could be whitewashing of content which might not go down so well.

Not that hard finding legit regular ads which trigger Malwarebytes and other programs. pcrunsfast.com, pcdocpro.com, spywareremove.com, regtool.com, freeregistryfix.com, 1clickpcfix.com I will assume could be targets. Matter of definition but must at least be worthy of "highly questionable" label. Took a whole minute to write those down from 2 of the more popular malware removal forums. Problem spelled out I think.

[js9600]

I messed up forum. Added that ads-boxes on forums and sites with log-in often go away if you are a member. Is the case for those 2 I found. But problem does not vanish.

[__redruM]

Maybe I'm missing something here, but in order to place an Ad on a site like google, someone would have to pay money, and Google would have a billing address. Why isn't the FBI knocking on the door of this billing address?

[srtools1980y]

Quote

Why isn't the FBI knocking on the door of this billing address?

The world is not perfect.

[js9600]

Money rules. But Google also in StopBadware, make attack/phishing filters for Chrome and Firefox. Must be walking on a thin line and be careful own browser dont block ads I dont think they are interested in pimping crappy sites but may be impossible to control such a beast. Others will say this is just Google showing how evil they are! Is a can of worm to think about. When is a product or ad a scam, malicious like in should be stopped and when just sign of free market - people have the opportunity be to taken advantage of. I still think something is wrong when a removal forum or supposedly quality based software central and highly questionable software ads are a natural mix. Such a good example but nothing special, just how machinery works. Can probably find the same in other segments of market place as well.

[exile360]

My only real issue with Google isn't the fact that they're reaping profits from the malicious ads, it's that when the malicious ads get reported as malicious, Google does nothing about it. In my opinion this shows a lack of concern for the users of their services.

[srtools1980y]

Quote

My only real issue with Google isn't the fact that they're reaping profits from the malicious ads, it's that when the malicious ads get reported as malicious, Google does nothing about it. In my opinion this shows a lack of concern for the users of their services.

It's due to 'MONOPOLY'.

From Wikipedia:

In economics, a monopoly exists when a specific individual or an enterprise has sufficient control over a particular product or service to determine significantly the terms on which other individuals shall have access to it.

Monopolies are thus characterized by a lack of economic competition for the goods or service that they provide and a lack of viable substitute goods.

The verb "monopolize" refers to the process by which a firm gains persistently greater market share than what is expected under perfect competition.