# Chrome just flagged this site as malware for me **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [May 13, 2014, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chrome-just-flagged-this-site-as-malware-for-me/688352 "2014-05-13T14:39:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 8
**Author:** ![jabiru](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/bbce88/32.png) [@jabiru](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jabiru)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2014, 6:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chrome-just-flagged-this-site-as-malware-for-me/688352/141 "2014-05-14T06:56:05Z")
Got a malware warning on Safari. What’s the story? ---
**Author:** ![jabiru](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/bbce88/32.png) [@jabiru](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jabiru)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2014, 6:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chrome-just-flagged-this-site-as-malware-for-me/688352/142 "2014-05-14T06:57:08Z")
And, to add insult to injury, the Board claims I was here at 1:42pm today when I was avoiding the place like the plague because of the malware message. ---
**Author:** ![2sense](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/2/e47774/32.png) [@2sense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/2sense)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2014, 7:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chrome-just-flagged-this-site-as-malware-for-me/688352/143 "2014-05-14T07:27:14Z")
And I’m back. Chrome is no longer flagging the site for me. ---
**Author:** ![Kenm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/bc79bd/32.png) [@Kenm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kenm)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2014, 8:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chrome-just-flagged-this-site-as-malware-for-me/688352/144 "2014-05-14T08:08:20Z")
> [@AaronX](#): > > Speaking of ads, recently, when surfing the SDMB on Safari on my iPhone, I get App Store popups almost on every page. I mentioned this kind of ad here: > [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=705335](http://internal/tab?url=http%3A%2F%2Fboards.straightdope.com%2Fsdmb%2Fshowthread.php%3Ft%3D705335&referrer=http%3A%2F%2Fboards.straightdope.com%2Fsdmb%2Fnewreply.php%3Fdo%3Dnewreply%26p%3D17374581&target=_blank) > It only affects mobile users, and it’s not _really_ a security breach, but it’s extremely irritating. I didn’t mention it because it happens on almost every ad-supported site now, e.g. Buzzfeed (has the SDMB fallen to Buzzfeed’s level?) I mentioned this in another thread somewhere, but if you download the iCab browser from Apple’s app store, you can change the browser ID to that of a desktop Mac, which stops those popups. I use it almost exclusively on my iPad. You can also download the same ad blocker lists that the desktop Firefox and Safari browsers use (not sure about Chrome, not that I’d download it to find out). iCab gives the user granular control of it (tons of settings), without ever going into the iPhone/iPad settings. You can check it out on YouTube, though it was completely rewritten so any YouTube videos may show the older version. Sometimes with Preview Post it double-spaces paragraphs, though. I had to go back and fix that before making this post. I have no connection to iCab, other than using it. ---
**Author:** ![stui\_magpie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stui_magpie/32/11010_2.png) [@stui\_magpie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stui_magpie)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2014, 8:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chrome-just-flagged-this-site-as-malware-for-me/688352/145 "2014-05-14T08:39:02Z")
Interesting. I tried to get on today from work using Chrome and got the warning about malaware. I changed the settings in Chrome to bypass the warning and instead the work firewall blocked me and said that the site was a known Malaware site. So I couldn’t get on to report anything. I’ll see how it goes tomorrow, I have the option of flagging the site and saying that it’s not a malaware site and stop blocking it, but work is still running with Windows XP as the SOE so they may have turned up the firewall until they’re able to upgrade the SOE (which should happen sometime in 2017) ---
**Author:** ![AaronX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/7bcc69/32.png) [@AaronX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AaronX)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2014, 10:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chrome-just-flagged-this-site-as-malware-for-me/688352/146 "2014-05-14T10:20:50Z")
> [@Kenm](#): > > I mentioned this in another thread somewhere, but if you download the iCab browser from Apple’s app store, you can change the browser ID to that of a desktop Mac, which stops those popups. I use it almost exclusively on my iPad. Thanks. I was thinking emulating a desktop browser is the best way to go. ---
**Author:** ![magellan01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@magellan01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/magellan01)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2014, 11:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chrome-just-flagged-this-site-as-malware-for-me/688352/147 "2014-05-14T11:27:50Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > I just got this in Safari: Me, too. No warning this morning, though. ---
**Author:** ![Si\_Amigo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/si_amigo/32/2877_2.png) [@Si\_Amigo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Si_Amigo)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2014, 1:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chrome-just-flagged-this-site-as-malware-for-me/688352/148 "2014-05-14T13:01:18Z")
I logged into another computer this morning and went to the Straight Dope on a Chrome browser like a normally do and didn’t get the message. Wasn’t even thinking that I should use Explorer instead. Is this a sign of “all clear”? ---
**Author:** ![TubaDiva](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tubadiva/32/507_2.png) [@TubaDiva](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TubaDiva)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2014, 1:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chrome-just-flagged-this-site-as-malware-for-me/688352/149 "2014-05-14T13:32:58Z")
> [@hajario](#): > > Oh, and can we get a cite for “Google is becoming infamous for false positives”? > > As if. > **[Information Security and IT Security News - Infosecurity Magazine](https://www.infosecurity-magazine.com/news/)** > > Keep up to date with the latest Information Security and IT Security News & Articles - Infosecurity Magazine ---
**Author:** ![MsWhatsit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eb8c5e/32.png) [@MsWhatsit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsWhatsit)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2014, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chrome-just-flagged-this-site-as-malware-for-me/688352/150 "2014-05-14T13:36:06Z")
Really? Whatever. Of all the posts in this thread, that’s the one that gets a response. OK. The malware problem on this site is embarrassing. It’s been years since I referred a friend to the SDMB, and this is why. ---
**Author:** ![kayT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayt/32/3633_2.png) [@kayT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayT)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2014, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chrome-just-flagged-this-site-as-malware-for-me/688352/151 "2014-05-14T13:38:25Z")
> [@Deeg](#): > > The warning is gone for me as well. This whole fiasco spurred me into re-upping my SDMB subscription. OMG. Thanks for this, **Deeg** ; I was within a week of expiring and losing my very valuable Status. Makes me tremble to think of it. ---
**Author:** ![jdavis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f6c823/32.png) [@jdavis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jdavis)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2014, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chrome-just-flagged-this-site-as-malware-for-me/688352/152 "2014-05-14T13:38:30Z")
Google removed the SDMB from their blacklist sometime this morning. Probably around 2 AM CST but I’m not exactly sure since they didn’t communicate the change. Google shows the site as healthy. Chrome users should be getting in without a warning page. Assuming Firefox and Safari users will also get in without a warning as well. Could be propagation delays on this clean bill of health getting out to any corporate firewalls that are blocking the site so there could be a delay before everyone is unblocked. Jerry ---
**Author:** ![kayT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayt/32/3633_2.png) [@kayT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayT)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2014, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chrome-just-flagged-this-site-as-malware-for-me/688352/153 "2014-05-14T13:40:58Z")
> [@MsWhatsit](#): > > Really? > > Whatever. Of all the posts in this thread, that’s the one that gets a response. OK. > > The malware problem on this site is embarrassing. It’s been years since I referred a friend to the SDMB, and this is why. I guess I don’t get this at all. I come here every day and I have never fallen victim to malware. I wonder why I am by-passed. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2014, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chrome-just-flagged-this-site-as-malware-for-me/688352/154 "2014-05-14T13:54:48Z")
> [@TubaDiva](#): > > [Information Security and IT Security News - Infosecurity Magazine](http://www.infosecurity-magazine.com/view/30320/false-google-chrome-malware-warning-blocks-tech-sites/) This is the same cite that andros posted yesterday. It’s a year and a half old and it doesn’t substantiate your claim. > [@kayT](#): > > I guess I don’t get this at all. I come here every day and I have never fallen victim to malware. I wonder why I am by-passed. Ads are blocked for paid members. ---
**Author:** ![MsWhatsit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eb8c5e/32.png) [@MsWhatsit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsWhatsit)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2014, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chrome-just-flagged-this-site-as-malware-for-me/688352/155 "2014-05-14T14:16:18Z")
> [@kayT](#): > > I guess I don’t get this at all. I come here every day and I have never fallen victim to malware. I wonder why I am by-passed. People who run adblockers or are paid subscribers won’t be served up ads and therefore aren’t subject to the problem. That doesn’t excuse the fact that the problem keeps happening in the first place. I do appreciate the updates on the situation from **jdavis**. ---
**Author:** ![Morgyn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morgyn/32/3041_2.png) [@Morgyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgyn)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2014, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chrome-just-flagged-this-site-as-malware-for-me/688352/156 "2014-05-14T14:22:29Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > I only had an educated guess that any malware would have been served by ads, and **not someone hacking an administrator account (which happened fairly recently) and installing some crap**. Wait, what? I missed this entirely. When did this happen, and is it still viewable or has it been sent to the cornfield? ---
**Author:** ![kayT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayt/32/3633_2.png) [@kayT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayT)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2014, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chrome-just-flagged-this-site-as-malware-for-me/688352/157 "2014-05-14T15:07:49Z")
> [@hajario](#): > > Ads are blocked for paid members. I do know this. I just didn’t realize that all of the problems were ad-related. Since several people have said SDMB hosts malware, I thought this was putting the blame on the board not just the ads. I realize it’s the board’s “fault” the ads are somehow contaminated but it’s a little different to say the board is the source. Furthermore, there are other ways to not see ads other than joining the board. So I guess those of you who are contending this has been an ongoing issue are suggesting the dope should not have ads? Or should somehow prevent malware from coming in with the ad? ---
**Author:** ![Deeg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/deeg/32/2955_2.png) [@Deeg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Deeg)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2014, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chrome-just-flagged-this-site-as-malware-for-me/688352/158 "2014-05-14T15:13:15Z")
I should add that I re-upped my subscription not out of annoyance at the SDMB. Somebody has to pay for the servers/administrators and if we don’t buy the subscription then it has to be ads. ---
**Author:** ![kayT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayt/32/3633_2.png) [@kayT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayT)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2014, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chrome-just-flagged-this-site-as-malware-for-me/688352/159 "2014-05-14T15:20:35Z")
Ditto. Also I figure I get way more entertainment value out of these dollars than almost any other entertainment dollars I spend. ---
**Author:** ![aldiboronti](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9fc348/32.png) [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2014, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chrome-just-flagged-this-site-as-malware-for-me/688352/160 "2014-05-14T15:32:44Z")
> [@MsWhatsit](#): > > The malware problem on this site is embarrassing. I wonder how many people came here for the first time yesterday to ask a question or simply browse, saw the warning put up by their browser and hastily retreated. Think they’ll come back? As if. I sincerely hope we don’t get flagged too often but I guess that depends on TPTB changing to an ad supplier that doesn’t let noxious ads through at will. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chrome-just-flagged-this-site-as-malware-for-me/688352.md?page=7) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chrome-just-flagged-this-site-as-malware-for-me/688352.md?page=9)