08-11-2011, 04:32 AM

Hmmm - but then again (if you've seen my other post *somewhere on here*) I was browsing the forum on our XP platforms at work... OLD browser.

Okie dokie...

Ok wow!!! iMac? Safari? Totally different computer and different location. Clicking the link you just posted.... I get the same thing!!!

08-11-2011, 04:36 AM

As I say, somewhere you've been recently on both machines has resulted in your inadvertently installing a DNS redirect malware.

If you can get to it, read the link I posted in my previous post regarding this and some of the links THERE will help you correct the issue. You may start having trouble with other links.

08-11-2011, 04:36 AM

Originally Posted by MACyMouse

Hmmm - but then again (if you've seen my other post *somewhere on here*) I was browsing the forum on our XP platforms at work... OLD browser.

Okie dokie...

Ok wow!!! iMac? Safari? Totally different computer and different location. Clicking the link you just posted.... I get the same thing!!!

Same here iMac 2007 with Lion. NO other site does this. Trying my Mini right now. There is no malware on my system. For sure.

08-11-2011, 04:38 AM

Ummmm I don't get it. How can I be on both machines at the same time?

I'll go read it.

08-11-2011, 04:39 AM

Very strange. I went back and clicked on the link in my original post again. Goes exactly where it should (ie it's not happening to me).

By any chance are either of you Comcast?

08-11-2011, 04:41 AM

Brand new install CLEAN install of Lion on Mac Mini. Never used on the internet. Does the same thing as Macymouse. No possibility of anything with this mini. Nothing install. Fresh clean Lion install. If I type in the link to Apple it goes right in, if I click the URL on Mac Forums it does what Macymouse is seeing.

No, AT&T DSL here. I edited your post and checked and the STRANGE thing is the URL is correct. If I use that URL away from your message here at MF it's fine. I think it's the forums software as earlier Bob and I were trying to approve a post and it was not allowing it. It's acting very strange the last few hours.

08-11-2011, 04:42 AM

I live in Australia... so no Comcast for me.

Yep, same as dtravis... I can click the link in my email no problems. but the link in the forum redirects.

08-11-2011, 04:44 AM

Same here, I can email myself the URL and it goes right to the page. I did a test post on MF and it did what yours is doing. I tried it on a URL on my web page, does not do it. Everything is pointing to the forums or forums server or something.

08-11-2011, 04:45 AM

Apple - Support - Switch 101

This url does the same thing.


This is what it's showing. It putting an address before the actual address. I don't get it anywhere else even with the same URL except in a post here.

http://clkuk.tradedoubler.com/click?...ort/switch101/


Google

Anandtech

Apple

It only does it here if the url has www.apple.com. Strange. even on a brand new install.

08-11-2011, 04:53 AM

Be curious if anyone else besides us two are getting that weird link as well?

08-11-2011, 04:58 AM

Originally Posted by MACyMouse

Be curious if anyone else besides us two are getting that weird link as well?

Macy, check my post above yours. All the other URLs I posted go right in but Apple gets that url! Try it.

Chas, BTW, not blaming you or your URL. It only happening with an url with apples url in it here on Mac Forums, I can post the same url on my web server, site and in email and it goes right in.

08-11-2011, 05:01 AM

OHH!! You're right!!! It does too!

08-11-2011, 05:32 AM

The plot thickens. Tried it on another forum running VB where I am an admin. No matter how I enter that URL it works perfectly there.

Made a quick test thread here on the forums but a different new thread and the URL works fine there. This is getting Twilight Zone like even!

08-11-2011, 06:52 AM

wow!!! Ummmm.......

K, good luck then!

08-19-2011, 06:11 PM

Hi,

I'm brand new to these forums and while browsing I came across this thread and while most points would be very helpful to a new Mac user, I felt a need to post because something caught my eye I felt needed to be addressed.

I'm referring to point number 4 in chas' post - "I know it's hard to believe, but security is handled, and its a non-issue to you.". Hardly sage advice, from my point of view.

As a computer scientist who has specializes in Information Security I can tell you, without a doubt, that security is NEVER a non-issue, for anyone. Regardless of age, experience, or operating system, as long as you are connected to the internet you are at risk.

The attitude of security being a "non-issue" is a very common one among Mac users and it is one that is come by honestly. Chas is correct, your computer does ship in stealth mode, which basically acts as a virtual firewall - anything that tries to communicate from the internet without you being the initiator receives no response from your machine. Apple also has a fairly wide range of built-in security features, including a limited malware detector, which are turned on by default. As such, many users know nothing about these security measures and so think that they are simply bullet-proof when it is simply not the case.

Chas is also correct in that malware of the Mac-targeting the variety is in relatively short supply. The chief reason for this is that Apple's operating system has been a relatively small part of the market share up until the last few years, rising to about 10% sometime last year. The people who write malware are generally after your computer, usually to use it as a part of a botnet to send out Viagra (or something) spam to other people in order to make money. So an OS that takes up that little of the market is not worthwhile. But, think of this: OSX rose to 10% of that share last year and will undoubtedly continue to rise. How long until it becomes an attractive target? What then? The stuff that is out there which targets Mac's right now is not all "non-critical" either, take this recently discovered trojan:

New Mac Trojan horse masquerades as virus scanner | Antivirus & Security | MacUser | Macworld

It's also untrue that you'll only get these type of things from downloading "porn codecs" and pirated material and that a virus will have a "snowball's chance" of reaching you (for a virus to known about, someone is usually infected with it first, and equal odds that person is you). While chas is right that many of these malicious programs rely on tricking the user (such is the case for Windows malware too), it does not mean that it relies on you being stupid, merely unedcated. Maybe you opened an email sent by someone you know with strange subject line, or maybe you accidentally clicked inside a pop-up while attempting to close it. That's all it would take. Don't believe me? Check out the Pwn2Own competition held every year for the past few:

Pwn2Own - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

If you don't believe Wikipedia (I don't blame you) there are many other reputable sources who print the results. As you can see, OSX/Safari isn't spared from intrusion by any means.

Now don't get me wrong, I'm not calling chas down, he gives some good advice. I only think that the attitude of security being a non-issue is a dangerous one. And I'm also not saying you should be terrified while on your computer. What I'm trying to do is make sure people have the right attitude and are at least somewhat educated, because as any security professional will tell you, the uneducated user is always the weakest link.

Cheers,

infosec