I wasn't going to post this here so it wouldn't discourage people from visiting or posting on Kat's board over on IDF--but I'm putting out a huge warning for people who read or post regularly over there. I've visited there periodically in past months to see what some of the old-time regulars (who all moved over there permanently for whatever reasons) were saying about some of the recent Kat topics. I've never registered or posted on IDF, but I stopped by last Tuesday night to see what was up. While reading a thread about Kat's singing of the National Anthem at the Women's Conference--a massive spyware package started unloading on my computer, became entwined into my Windows operating system and rendered my computer almost useless. Using a spyware removal software--I managed to get most of the spyware off...but it corrupted parts of Windows XP...showing a black screen and a fake "Warning! You have spyware" message.

I had to call a Windows support line the next day--and spent FIVE hours getting it worked out step by step. Fortunately, it solved the Windows corruption problem. Then the spyware persisted and slowed my computer down. I then called a local house call computer repair service (I told Geek Squad to shove it with their $249 diagnostic test ) to get rid of my spyware. And so they did on Friday at a reasonable cost of $180 for three hours of work.

So I'm mad as hell at IDF and would like to literally sue the owners--even though I've heard warnings of spyware packages unleashing on people's computers there. Now I'll obviously never step foot in there again. How some of the old-timers in the fanbase can post there without that happening to them is beyond me. This is just a warning for those who do and be aware that you could get your computer crippled with malicious spyware programs that unleash without warning (and even with top-of-the-line spyware protection software on your computer)...

I'll look at IDF sometimes at work, but never from home - it frequently crashes my browser. I've had to fend off attempts at spyware installation, too. A firewall will alert you whenever a remote site tries to install something, so that's a good first defense in front of anti-spyware or anti-virus software. I use the free Sygate Personal Firewall at home, but that's not offered anymore. ZoneAlarm is also a free firewall.

http://www.zonealarm.com/store/content/catalog/products/sku_list_za.jsp

Good for you for rejecting Geek Squad's diagnostic test, but I'm sorry you couldn't avoid the $180 fix. CBC recently ran a consumer report about how many computer repair companies try to rip you off by fabricating complicated problems and expensive fixes. Best Buy's Geek Squad was one of the worst offenders. One former computer repair employee (don't remember if he was with Geek Squad) fixed some lady's computer in just a few seconds for no charge (it was just a loose cable), but then was subjected to a half-hour diatribe from his manager for providing the free service. I'm fairly proficient with technical stuff, so I try to do any fixes myself.

Personally, I don't understand why a large group of McPhans want to stick with a general Idol site as their home base.

That's a nice Halloween avatar!

Yeah, they're fast, but I prefer to stay in one place. On top of the browser troubles and the spyware/ads, I don't have the patience to wade thru the insider chit-chat and the hieroglyphic-like emoticon conversations. But if I'm ever in desperate need of virtual action, I'll know where to go.

and then they morph into dogs with a new bone.

Sorry to hear that Greg.

I myself never found IDF to be a particularly comfy place...too many gossipers, too many private conversations,  just too wild and crazy, but they DO get all the goodies lightning fast! But that's just because they have a lot more people out there 'pounding the pavement' for anything and everything Kat.

Long ago, before I was even a moderator here, I used to spend hours a day roaming the Web for anything Katharine. But no more, not enough time to run the board and do field work too!

Thanks for the sympathies on behalf of my computer. I guess I consider that $180 well spent--because there was apparently some other spyware on there that I didn't know about. My computer needed a fine-tuning anyway...and it's operating faster than lightning now as it always should.

While I probably would have registered at IDF eventually (I was just waiting for an opportune time)--that won't ever happen again now. The convos are brazenly (and sometimes hilariously) honest over there...and it would have been ok as an occasional visit. Mostly, I just used the place as a convenient site to go to when some pieces of news were missing from KMF. Also, it's great to see the comments from a lot of the old-timers who I don't see post anywhere else anymore.

Whatever, I bid farewell to IDF just as a precaution. Something dangerous lurks there that I don't want to take a chance with again when I rely on my desktop computer so much for work.

Thanks, trsf, for the info on the firewall and all that. The odd thing was that I already had considerable protection--though only from Comcast themselves. I guess that proves their spyware and maybe firewall aren't failsafe as they say they are. The tech geek who worked on my computer downloaded some other free virus and spyware programs to give me added protection. One is Windows Defender--and another is Avast for virus protection. Of course, the free services just give you basic protection, which means having to pay to get more of an upgrade.

I probably should get back to the Norton programs that usually provide the best protection. I just recently tossed my 2005 edition of their virus software after being told they're the worst thing on the planet. So, as usual, you get a tug-of-war in opinion about what best protects your computer. Just put my computer into an air-tight security chamber--and I guess I'll always feel better.

They're particularly hard on Greek bones.

I use Firefox + NoScript  add-on everywhere. No drive-by downloads like Internet Explorer. IDF uses adservers like valuead that have been used before to deliver malware:

Facebook-banner-ad-serves-an-IE-exploit
link

But to be infected, your computer generally has to be unpatched (but not always).

Regardless, Firefox+NoScript should block any adserver hacks, which leaves more time for IDF and less !

Thanks for the tips, Diff. I've long used Firefox for most internet activity--with the NoScript add-on. I only use IE for a few media things and safe sites, but otherwise leave it alone for the Comcast main page. I found out several years ago that to Bill Gates won't necessarily make you afraid to start your car in the morning.

Well, if Ken was getting some detection for spyware and viruses--then it proves they're still around on that board. The spyware/malware/virus package that infected my computer could (and I stress, could have) been some kind of timed virus I picked up somewhere else, but it's too much of a coincidence it launched when I was on IDF that night. It might be akin to Russian Roulette over there who gets this malicious package that hijacks your computer--so I still give a warning without discouraging any posting being done.

I'm pretty sure that I had everything needed (other than relying on Comcast's possibly weak spyware software as my main spyware defender)--despite having some upgrades now since this happened.

Feeling more protected aside, I'll probably never go back to IDF as a precaution unless they go onto a new server that isn't riddled with spyware and malware. If anything major is being said over there (and there usually is within 50 pages )--feel free to PM me here or just post on KMF if you can so we're all in the know most of the time. I know IDF is possibly one week in the future within Kat time, but people like me can wait a week to get the news without throwing a tantrum.

Well, the best (worst) malware would do everything silently when the ad (generally, Flash animation) is displayed, without you clicking. Almost all drive-bys take advantage of programs that have updates available but haven't been updated, so one of the keys to protection isn't just AV and antispyware but keeping programs updated.

Most versions before Firefox 2.0.0.8 and Flash Player 9.0.47.0 can be paths to drive-by infection, singly or in combination. Ken I'm curious if yours were up-to-date when you got a hit with your AV.

Currently (Nov 21, 2007), Firefox is up-to-date at version 2.0.0.9.  Version 2.0.0.8 is ok too.

Flash player is up-to-date at 9.0.47.0. To get your Flash version, right-click a Flash animation and choose About. Or go to http://www.adobe.com/software/flash/about/

Real Player, Quicktime, Opera.... They're all potential avenues to infection if not updated.

Internet Explorer gets most of the bad press, but it's more about what the bad guy chooses to target rather than flaws in just one program. IE happens to be a big target, as is Flash. Firefox is getting bigger.... So is Mac OS X.... (Queue ominous music) Basically, if bad guys chose to target Firefox, people would be bitching and complaining about FIrefox instead of IE. The baddies just wouldn't be making as much money.

Anyway, they definitely have problems at IDF. Their attitude unfortunately is that they're not directly serving up malware, which is true, and they just wash their hands of the problem., which is lame.
 

You don't have to worry. It's nowhere near a week. More like hours or minutes. Often seconds!

  

I've been going to IDF for ages and never had a problem. I've very loose about anti-virus/spam software. I never have popup blockers on. I don't use any email anti-spam - I don't mind briefly scanning my spam and disposing of it manualy. I do have AVAST installed, free anti-virus software. I go everywhere without worry and freely use my core email address everywhere and my credit cards and have never had a problem!

Sheesh, $180 bucks for repairs? There are always the free things like pc-cillin and adaware and spybot. You can almost buy a new computer these days for not a lot more than $180 bucks.

Surely the "no script" addon doesn't block javascript, you'd be lost without it, so what does it block?

Anyway, real reason I'm here is to check out the new mini embedable katpedia. Works fine! Just think we should start it off with something already selected...

Nominations for a teaser performance?

While all your technical information and advice are pretty well spot on, your impression of the admins at IDF is quite off target. I don't think any reasonable person can argue against the necessary evil of advertisments to help alleviate some of the financial strain of maintaining the site. Unfortunately, the way our advertising space is sold and resold, it's very difficult to isolate the few bad apples.

Even identifying the problematic ads is difficult, given regional serving. Unless someone else identifies and reports the problem to the admins, they may never know there's a problem because they never see it. I assure you though, when they are able to act against a problem ad, they do.

And try as they might to protect our visitors, individuals need to take personal responsibility as well. There's plenty of good advice like your own out there, and we encourage people to take it. But when people choose not to protect themselves, they're bound to get burned one way or another anyway.