Topic: Malicous Links (Read 1126 times)

It depends on the user and account age if the underlying url is the same as the main one that's the basic test.
For news articles in the press section etc that have clearly known websites its not a big deal if its a regular.
For newbies with the hey I got a link for you PM me or some sketchy looking one then I scan it first.

Hackers are so sophisticated that they could probably sneak something into a normal link that you wouldn't EVER expect.

An example? A lot of Steam hackers buy a domain that seems trustworthy, like google-snapshots.com (that link right there is one of the sites. Seriously, don't touch it.). Then, they create a directory that is labeled something like "screenshot-11-9.png" so that the link to it looks like a normal download link. PNG files just CAN'T contain viruses, so you go ahead and download it. Well, what really happens is you download a .exe file that is RENAMED as screenshot-11-9.png. Looks legit! You open it, and BAM! GG.

So yeah, NEVER OPEN LINKS.

Live and learn. I lost a thousand hours of music, not to mention pic files, personal projects, old contacts and almost my sanity because of an AVG lookalike scam that crashed my HD.

No, I wasn't smart enough to do a backup.     

Yeah well op is also saying that you can click accidentaly a signature link, but what can really happen for only clicking something, is it that bad?? I dont know about this kind of stuff, this guy made me scared now, i honestly clicked a lot of shit and nothing important happened to my computer so im just wondering if its that dangerous

you are in truth, also to use a VM is a pretty nice idea, good point, i forgot it

not that useful actually, it detect plenty of false positive, it's better to copy past the link in a well secured VM, like vmware that can be encrypted too, or sandbox if you prefer

the temptation of checking a link is the main factor here, malicious coders usually play on this

I've to think twice before clicking on any link. I usually only click on blog links and news articles but still there is a doubt if it could be a malicious link or not as many such incidents have taken place. I guess the forum can add a restriction for newbies to post links as a safety measure or could use any software that could avoid these links from being posted. Usually on other forums, I have seen an ability to add *spam* or *url removed* type of warnings when anybody posts a malicious link.

try to use your common sense and dont clock on suspects links, beleive me common sense is the best antivirus you will have


agree that tool is very usefull.

Dont go jumping in clicking on a new link when a topic/post has just been posted.  If you want to see the content give it some time for more expert members to assess the situation.  After a link has been up several hours with many replys and discussion around it then its a good signal it is safe.  

I very rarely click on links that posters put up on this forum.
People on this place aren't to be underestimated, too many scammers & lots of people here are very advanced in tech.
You can usually tell if it's a dodgy link just by reading it but I personally don't click anything on here.
Just read what is posted, you don't need to start clicking on rogue links.

It's not only links from here you need to watch out for, it's all the links you ever see. There are phishing links in emails, instant messages, ads and you can't be sure which one is going to infect your computer with malicious code. You have to be extremely careful with USB sticks, freewares and website now because your computer now contains money. They will be gone if you are not careful. I think paranoid with links is a good thing.

Yes you should be vary weary. If a link is cloaked or goes to an unfamiliar site you should err on the side of caution. I'd recommending using linux as well to cut down on the chance of viruses but also not surfing the web with the computer you use to store or send your coins is a good idea.

Haha, not S.E.T.I. "Wow!" to be sure, these kind of comments are too pedestrian. I shouldn't have mentioned it really.


So...what's behind that scary link of yours anyway? Just curio. 

Hey LiteCoinGuy, it just so happens that I do run on Firefox so I will check out "nonscript". I used to use AVG (free version) some years ago until I got a screaming popup from something that looked like AVG telling me my computer was infected and to press this link to fix...well that was the end of a very expensive laptop.

Then I was quite happy with Avast until earlier this year my computer was doing weird stuff and grinding to a halt so I'd have to reboot. I learned about all the bundling going on with freeware while reading some thread here in bitcointalk and deleted it from my computer. Now I'm just using Window's Defender and Firewall along with my service provider's firewall. I also disable McAfee AV, I think it came with Window's 7 software but I heard something that made me not want it.

It's all this bundling crap 'n pups I don't know how to deal with me that's got me to strip my defenses. I must say that my computer is running much smoother now but I am worried about not having a good active VP program.

Is there something you could suggest downloading that I don't have to pay an arm and a leg for every year? Something free that I'm unaware of? Or should I just not download anything and scan for viruses and malware as suggested in this thread.

Again, Firefox, Windows 7 Pro, don't like Explorer or Chrome although they're still loaded.


Thanks again for all the help. I'm sure others are finding this thread somewhat useful too. At least I like to think so.



fdyl

I can understand what are you trying to say.If they think the site which they may open is malcious then he should not open it and he can  send it to antivirus for scanning it can be a good way

Thanks for the clarification. I probably deserved it anyway. lol. I think I found the post now you were referring to... wow! 

"noscript" and some other firefox addons should u keep safe (but dont download and install something of course)

and a good antivirus prog of course.

I wasn't calling you an a-hole MicroGuy but I will admit your link was the scariest. Good to know it's just your sense of humour...but I still won't touch it. 


Maybe the poster that told me to turn off my computer and go watch tv is actually a nice guy/girl having fun at my expense as well. I retract that a-hole statement. Unless of course there's a general consensus that he/she is one. 

That was intended to be lighthearted humor. You know what they say about pleasing everyone. 

This is pretty much where I'm at right now but I just don't like it. So I'm going to take some of the advice offered here and try to be less paranoid. Even though a few links posted here in this thread make me extremely nervous but I was expecting that.

And I've been here long enough not to not even take notice of obvious a-holes in the mix...but I'll make an exception this time. I think we all know which poster that is.  

Thanks for the useful feedback folks, much appreciated.


fdyl