Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

New York Times Site Pop-Up Says Your Computer Is Infected

Posted by timothy on from the if-you're-reading-this-you-have-a-virus dept.

Zott writes "Apparently, 'some readers' of the New York Times site are getting a bit more with their news: an apparently syndicated adware popup with a faux virus scan of the user's computer indicating they are infected, and a link to go download a fix now. It's entertaining when a Mac user gets it, but clearly downloading an .exe file isn't a good way to keep your computer clean ..." Update: 09/14 03:20 GMT by T : Troy encountered this malware, "and did basic forensics. Summary: iframe ad then series of HTML/JS redirects, ending at a fake virus scanner page with a "Scan" link (made to look like a dialog box button) that downloaded malware." Nice explanation!

13 of 403 comments (clear)

  1. I saw it by HangingChad · · Score: 5, Funny

    But when it starts telling me the C:\ drive on my Linux box is infected it's hard to stop laughing.

    Still was a job to get rid of the circle jerk pop ups.

    --
    That's our life, the big wheel of shit. - The Fat Man, Blue Tango Salvage
    1. Re:I saw it by DoofusOfDeath · · Score: 5, Funny

      But when it starts telling me the C:\ drive on my Linux box is infected it's hard to stop laughing.

      You moron, it was complaining about your .wine directory!

  2. And they wonder... by PC+and+Sony+Fanboy · · Score: 5, Funny

    And they wonder - Why is print media dying?

    Because they can't adapt properly. Seriously guys, filter your ads!

    1. Re:And they wonder... by wampus · · Score: 5, Funny

      Yeah, I was sitting over breakfast reading the Sunday Times and this popped up. Doomed.

    2. Re:And they wonder... by Bigjeff5 · · Score: 4, Funny

      Yup, they're "too big to fail", while the rest of us are "too small to succeed".

      Gotta love the government, creating oportunities (for the already super-rich) at every turn!

      --
      Security is mostly a superstition... Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure. - Helen Keller
  3. Damn right by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    but clearly downloading an .exe file isn't a good way to keep your computer clean ..."

    Absolutely, .com, .bat and .scr are the only way to go!

  4. Funny by bryan.copeland · · Score: 2, Funny

    I get these occasionally as well me being a mac user it's humorous to see my "c:" drive being scanned ...

    1. Re:Funny by Yvan256 · · Score: 5, Funny

      I've renamed my "Macintosh HD" to "C:" to accommodate the viruses, but they still won't run!

  5. In my day ... by PPH · · Score: 5, Funny

    ... if we wanted to catch a virus from the New York Times, we had to read a copy that some hobo had used for a blanket.

    Now you kids stay off my lawn!

    --
    Have gnu, will travel.
  6. I Applaud by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

    I really have to thank the N.Y. times for going far above and beyond the call of duty and notifying their readers of virus infected computers.
    Best 40 bucks I ever spent, I can now browse the web with confidence with my shiny new AntiVirus 2010 Enterprise.

  7. F-U New York Times! by Morris+Thorpe · · Score: 3, Funny

    I had the popup (despite FF w/adblock enabled) while reading a story this morning.
    I never even considered that the Times would be running something like this so I launched into cleansing mode. I wasted an hour hunting for malware or a virus that was not there. Thanks a lot!

  8. You think this is bad by Centurix · · Score: 2, Funny

    I opened the local paper rag yesterday and my local physician was telling me I had swine flu.

    --
    Task Mangler
  9. Re:Ouch by Arcady13 · · Score: 3, Funny

    She had someone else put Windows back on, and doesn't want to hurt your feelings.