Curse

fenix · Apr 14, 2008, 03:15 AM // 03:15

Just a warning to those of us who might want to visit GWO. It has been declared officially by Google as a 'bad' website, due to badware. According to StopBadware.org;

Google has found that some portion of incgamers.com/ contains or links to badware or otherwise violates Google's software guidelines. Link to site.

Some websites intentionally distribute harmful software, while many others have been compromised without the knowledge or permission of their owners. StopBadware reports information provided by Google about these sites (see 'Reporting entities' to the left) and offers a process to assist webmasters in removing their sites from Google's list (see 'I am the owner of this site' below).

Just a warning, I don't want to see anyone getting their accounts hacked or getting viruses from visiting GWO. Best bet is to stay away, and stick with good ol' Guru

Arkantos · Apr 14, 2008, 03:18 AM // 03:18

Good thing I don't visit GWO, I wouldn't want to get a virus.

bj91x · Apr 14, 2008, 03:18 AM // 03:18

Hm... I wonder if that's the reason why it takes two clicks of the "back" button to back out of a forum post at GWO (something that happens often with suspicious sites). Since their update, it has been kind of weird. Guess I'll just stay away from GWO for a few days.

Unlucky Slayer · Apr 14, 2008, 03:21 AM // 03:21

I dont know how I should feel.

(For my true feelings come find me in IRC.) =)

fenix · Apr 14, 2008, 03:21 AM // 03:21

Take a look at this link;

http://www.stopbadware.org/reports/c...incgamers.com/

and this one;

http://www.alexa.com/data/details/tr.../incgamers.com

Obviously it's a big issue for GWO, and should be taken seriously.

1 up and 2 down · Apr 14, 2008, 03:21 AM // 03:21

I'll make sure not to visit GWO with internet explorer.

ShadowsRequiem · Apr 14, 2008, 03:22 AM // 03:22

Wha? whats a GWO

EmptySkull · Apr 14, 2008, 03:28 AM // 03:28

Here is the link
http://www.stopbadware.org/reports/c...incgamers.com/
NINJAD!
I believe it has to do with their in-line ads. I've been a user since July 2006. Never had any problems with them.

fenix · Apr 14, 2008, 03:28 AM // 03:28

GWO is the other main Guild Wars fansite, has existed for quite a while as well. It seems now they have been listed as a dangerous site to visit, as it says when you search for incgamers on Google;

IncGamers
This site may harm your computer.

Inde · Apr 14, 2008, 03:32 AM // 03:32

Just as an explanation for what is going on there, it's actually very devastating for a site to experience this. Google provides a large amount of traffic for any site and to lose that linking is very bad. 60% of all internet searches occur on google.

Google themselves flagged this site as possibly malicious. Incgamers themselves is not what is malicious and I'm going out on a limb to say it was probably their ads that contained malicious code and/or sent people to a malicious site.

Google's process in all this is that if a site is flagged they attempt to send out emails to the website owners and admins to make them aware of being flagged. If nothing is changed and there's no response they prevent their search engine from directly linking to the site. Yes, a lot of sites can be flagged and be perfectly safe. Which makes the long appeal process very hard for site administrators. It also goes to say that a lot of sites that are malicious have not been flagged by Google either. So this process is not perfect.

Edit: In response to the in-line ads comment... very doubtful. It would be the ad content itself/and or link and not the placement that is cause for being flagged.

RPGmaniac · Apr 14, 2008, 03:37 AM // 03:37

Yet another reason why Guru is better

Brianna · Apr 14, 2008, 03:43 AM // 03:43

Either way this is weird, I don't visit GWO so I'm not that concerned honestly, it's just kind of odd.. but since it's an Elite fansite then I'd imagine things will be sorted out soon.

Unlucky Slayer · Apr 14, 2008, 03:51 AM // 03:51

If you wanted to know what the warning page looks like.

Toutatis · Apr 14, 2008, 03:51 AM // 03:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by Inde

Google themselves flagged this site as possibly malicious. Incgamers themselves is not what is malicious and I'm going out on a limb to say it was probably their ads that contained malicious code and/or sent people to a malicious site.

Your guess there is probably correct. Online ad campaigns and the push technology that powers a lot of them these days has become the number 1 method of malware distribution in this day and age, affecting both servers and home terminals alike. It just highlights the point that everybody needs to take IT security seriously, whether you're a webmaster or a surfer.

fallot · Apr 14, 2008, 03:55 AM // 03:55

I guess its a step up from containing "bad"

GWO, now with added ware!

MMSDome · Apr 14, 2008, 03:56 AM // 03:56

Can we suspect many more new guru members as a result of this?

jonnieboi05 · Apr 14, 2008, 03:58 AM // 03:58

yup. i don't use GWO, only ever heard of it once or twice from guildies but never decided to ever go check it out. i am stricly guru, so...

~LeNa~

Inde · Apr 14, 2008, 04:00 AM // 04:00

I'm sure their administrators will address the problem soon and will be posting a message to their forum members on the status. Reassurance from the administrators will go a long way to explain the situation and assure people this is just temporary and that they are taking steps to address the issue.

Redfeather1975 · Apr 14, 2008, 04:23 AM // 04:23

I like GWO too and I hope they sort it out.
2 popular fansites for a game are better than 1.
Options are nice.

EmptySkull · Apr 14, 2008, 04:29 AM // 04:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by Inde

snip..

Edit: In response to the in-line ads comment... very doubtful. It would be the ad content itself/and or link and not the placement that is cause for being flagged.

Sorry not being specific. But yeah that inline ad can be used to trojan stuff on your machine. If I'm not mistaken, you would know more about this Inde, is they place the link there. The ad server is not under their control right? The content coming into the ad box is from another website right? So you could get a virus or some other baddie.
But they do have to fix this or they will lose a lot of new traffic that is for sure.

I'm no expert for sure.

ninjad again!