Can A Discussion Forum be Linked to a Virus?

[anoroc]

This is a bit odd and I certainly don't want to promote another discussion forum. I visit three and I happen to see others from this forum particpation on those forums as well.

Well, yesterday their was a hot debate on this other forum that made its way to about . com where it was referred to in a pretty poor light.

This morning when I go to open up that other forum some type of virus trys to download to my computer by disguising itself as spy shredder software. My Nod 32 picked up on it. I tried to login several times and the same thing happend

The other forum is agents online. Please be aware of this and make sure you are protected.

Is it possible for that to happen to this forum link as well?

[SEO Nick]

I got that too! agentsonline

[anoroc]

I don't know how it happened there but can it happen to this forum too?

[SEO Nick]

I have no idea. I hope not... I wonder if Mike(mod from AO.net) knows about this.

[Malok]

I'm not familiar with this - does it attempt to auto-install as soon as you got to the site? Or do you have to "do something" for it to be a problem?

[SEO Nick]

If you try to log in, a msg box pops up asking you to do a virus scan. If you click cancel, it brings you to a page where it looks like it's scanning your HD. Clearly not the case.

[REW Reed]

It sounds like either all of your computers have been compromised (unlikely) or their site has. If their site has been compromised, it can definitely spread to your computer if you are tricked into downloading it and don't have a good virus scanner (that is 100% up to date).

[SEO Nick]

I'm doing a scan right now (Go, Kaspersky!). I'll let you know if it find anything.

[REW Reed]

Looks like they got hacked and are up again.

We run our forums in a Linux environment behind some serious firewalls. I have little fear we will see that hack here.

[anoroc]

I tried again and the same thing happened. I also ran NOD 32 and Spyware doctor and it appears that I am clean.