Malware Warning - file2store Redirect

**Admiral Nelson** · 23 May 12,, 14:55

I've notice that if I do a google search for 'worldaffairsboard" and then click on the google displayed link, I get redirected to some page called "file2store.info", which is full of nasty pop ups and other nonsense. It does this on multiple computers and even my phone.

Further, google now displays this site as a page "which can harm your computer".

Any ideas?

**Tarek Morgen** · 23 May 12,, 16:00

We are aware of the issue, and have notified "the powers that be", but until their reply I can't do anything about it.

**dmwnc1959** · 23 May 12,, 16:22

When using my laptop I've been getting a full screen Google Warnings page on possible Malware or Virus downloads if I visit this site. I can still visit using my iPhone but hesitant to do so on my laptop.

**TopHatter** · 23 May 12,, 16:38

It's actually an old problem, a script that redirects people who Google search WAB and then try to reach it through the link provided.

**USSWisconsin** · 23 May 12,, 16:40

The solution that consistantly works for me is a bookmark/favorite with the actual address of WAB - http://www.worldaffairsboard.com/

This file2store problem in google searches for WAB is several years old.
As a side note: I wonder who would consider storing their files on such a malicious site.

**dmwnc1959** · 23 May 12,, 16:43

I usually access WAB through a link in my Favorites Folder for the Ghost Fleet Thread. That's when the Google Warning page pops up even though I am not using a Google Search. I am using Google Chrome as my browser so that may be the trigger? As mentioned before I don't get the Warning Page when using my iPhone which uses Safari as its browser. However if I do a Google Search with my iPhone I do get the results page that shows WAB and the warning 'This site may harm your computer' just below.

**Tarek Morgen** · 23 May 12,, 16:50

I am using Google Chrome as my browser so that may be the trigger?

Yes, to he best of my undestanding. But I think the warning might also be triggered for firefox users. IE & Opera did when I tested it.

**dmwnc1959** · 23 May 12,, 16:54

So should I not access WAB using my laptop as a precautionary measure to avoid any possible damage?

**Tarek Morgen** · 23 May 12,, 17:58

The danger comes from the redirect, not WAB itself. WAB itself is not more risky to use today than it was last week. The difference is that the (already existing) redirect from google to the malware site via an exploit was discovered by a Google script.

**kato** · 23 May 12,, 19:17

Actually, there's also a recent issue with a malicious ad script being distributed through the OpenX ad provider. Don't know if WAB uses them, but this was an issue with other sites getting blacklisted by Google.

As for the "malicious content" warning by browsers, Chrome, Firefox and Safari all use the Google blacklist. IE doesn't, browsers for iphone/android apparently don't either.

**citanon** · 23 May 12,, 21:49

Guys, just now my firefox blocked WAB as an attack site.

**Roosveltrepub** · 23 May 12,, 22:55

StopBadware - What is Badware?

World Affairs Board

www.worldaffairsboard.com/

This site may harm your computer.
The World Affairs Board is the premier forums for the discussion of the pressing geopolitical issues of our time. Topics include foreign & defense policy, ...

Your new search status fyi

**JAD_333** · 23 May 12,, 23:03

Originally Posted by citanon

Guys, just now my firefox blocked WAB as an attack site.

You should still have an option to proceed. Rebookmark WAB site...no redirects.

**Roosveltrepub** · 23 May 12,, 23:06

I think the risk is it will scare folks away

**Ken_NJ** · 24 May 12,, 08:34

I visit WAB a multiple times a day. I might get redirected once or twice to file2store. Today I was getting the below message which is what I would say others are now getting. You can bypass it, just click 'Ignore this warning' if you want to. I am using Firefox on Mac OS X Snow Leopard.