Tracking cookies
 

What are the DVinfo tracking cookies doing?

My antivirus software is popping up with this message...

Thanks,

Without knowing what the cookie was it's hard to tell, but it may have been a cookie from one of our advertisers. Did it just start showing up today? If so, I have no idea.

You have all the info in the image - I only cut out my computer name.

What makes you think it's one of ours, Ervin? I'm pretty sure it isn't.

I overlooked Jenn's timing question. I don't know if this is something new or not, I just installed AVG a few days ago.

Chris, I'm not sure I understand - I got it while on this site, with no other site open in the browser. The warning does not pop up while on my own site for example... I do get much stronger warnings while on some sites, or so I think... this one seems to be labelled 'low' risk.

Please don't get me wrong - I'm not complaining about you guys tracking my computer, just trying to understand what's going on.

Thank you,

Ervin, every time I get a tracking cooking found while doing a scan, I open up the preferences in my browser and add the listed domain to my "Blocked" list. In your case, it looks like you need to add advertising.com (which *IS* in my blocked list).

Part of what's going on is that security software vendors derive their subscription renewals from the fear of what might be going on. They'll make use of any opportunity to throw up an alert so that you think their software service is worth every penny.

On a practical level, you might as well ignore it. If you're the nervous kind (not a bad thing), delete your cookies once a month.

Andrew

PS. Upgrade to Firefox.

Thanks, let's not get into any browser wars here - I'm happy both with my browser and my AV soft, which, by the way, is free, so I don't see why they would lie to me.

Plus I don't feel threatened by the practices of this website, all I'm trying to do is understand what's going on.

MANY, if not all of the so called "security" software packages flag cookies - supposedly they represent some potential threat, though I doubt it's any "real" danger... but as already stated, it makes them appear thorough.

If you're set to log in to most any site (DVi included), it's probably because there's a cookie set on your computer that allows the site to recognize your computer when you come back... that's my guess.

Most advertising uses some form of cookie tracking too, and DVi does have a few site specific ads, and if it helps keep the site running (via revenue), it shouldn't be a worry. DVi only serves up content appropriate ads from what I've seen, so not a bother to me, and far better than some of the ads on some sites!

"This web site has been reported as unsafe" pop-up
 

I have attached a screen shot that started popping up just today. I cleared my cookies and it still happened. The computer I log on with has not been changed.. I have been clicking "report that this site does not contain any threats" but I just wanted to make sure. Thanks.

Yup, something is up...
 

A script or something. I don't even run anti-virus software and this just popped up while reviewing a DVi page.

"I'm sorry, Dave."

HAL

I got the same thing Shaun. Must admit it was weird. It said the site has been reported as unsafe.

See Google Safe Browsing diagnostic page for dvinfo.net

"What is the current listing status for dvinfo.net?
This site is not currently listed as suspicious."

Understood Chris but remember, I'm not RUNNING any AntiVirus software at all. That screen popped up in my browser (Safari on Mac under Tiger) while viewing a page and had a click through.

If it tripped AV software to bring up that message I would have less concern.

I think we've nailed down the culprit and expect to have this issue resolved by the end of the day... thanks everyone for your patience and assistance on this thing,

An anti-virus scanning window popped up on my machine, I don't run anti-virus software, that's another story. I clicked on the window to drag it out of the way, (not on any of the buttons), and the malware quit working, and I was able to track it down, kvxoie.exe in the temp folder.

If you scan for it with Windows explorer, does not show up unless you do the advanced scan for hidden and system files. See screen captures below.

They are back...
 

... or should I say they never really went away...

Am I correct suspecting that these are the bening type only used for metering the revenue ads bring to the website?

Thank you,

Chris,

Can we get a little bit more of an explanation? This is one of a handful of sites that I go to on my editing machine. I don't begrude DVInfo trying to make money, I just want to know what might be getting loaded on to my computer. I have another machine for general use. If I have to I'll use that instead.

Thanks.