The end of malware complaints on ATS?

I never had any malware problem with ATS, and I use Opera at home and Internet Explorer 7 on Windows Vista at work (but don't tell my boss ).

What I have noticed last week and today (when I went to test it) is that when we try to log-in the first time (or after deleting the cookies), we see the following message.




After this message, other attempts to log-in do not show it again, so I guess there is already a cookie telling ATS that we are not a first time visitor.

After this, if we hit the "log-in" button again or if we close the browser and try again, we get a pop-up (most of the times).

So, yes, we only get the pop-up when we are not yet identified as ATS members, but that erroneous error message about the cookies should be corrected, it is confusing and not even true if we are accepting cookies.

reply to post by Illuminottie

hi there.....

I do use Fire Fox and AVG free, but am in the process of upgrading my hard drive, memory and OS.

Maybe this was my problem too, as I was using the same set-up.
Took my computer to a tech yesterday; he did a back-flip: 6 months ago he told me the AVG free & Mozilla combo was the ducks-nuts! now he says "bunch-o-crap"!
Now I've got trend micro + Opera; seems to run a lot better. I just wonder how I picked the Worm RBot-Gen.1 virus in the first place

Anyone who needs computer assitance in the next few days, I can help you for free. =D

Just let me know at [email protected] It's my MSN so I'll be on, I'm a Network Administrator CCNA certified student and I'm not working now because I have to move to California, so, anyone who needs a computer fix let me know I can set you up, for free. =D

[edit on 10-5-2009 by Revolution-2012]

reply to post by Revolution-2012


OK, where do you live and how do i get there, my space ship just broke down

reply to post by Revolution-2012


Thanks for the offer!!!!
My nephew came over today and sorted it!
These damn new-fangled devices
Bring back the string and tin-can I say

The site does seem to run more smooth now. I don't see any advertising as of yet though, so has the "firing" hurt you in that aspect?

ok i only have one question...

i am running firefox browser, and when this Carousel of job careers Ad is running i am noticing my browser is stalled for about ten seconds or so.i have high speed cable connection.



is anyone else having this problem ?

reply to post by KRISKALI777


I used that Trend PC-cillin years ago and it was fantastic up until just before the 12 months was up, then all hell broke loose. My home page was hijacked and trying to direct me to some program i was expected to pay for to fix the problem, i didn't because 12 months earlier Norton did the same thing.
I'm seriously thinking of trying a Linux base OS, just don't tell my computer guy but yes i agree with you, fire fox and avg seem to be conflicting with each other.

reply to post by Illuminottie
[mo
CONSPIRACY THEORY
Maybe all viruses are created by hot-shot technicians employed by Apple??
You know Macs never get viruses-all so I've heard

reply to post by whitewave thankyou for saying that for me, i don't understand much about what makes a pc work or they're acronyms.
ATS: you are doing a great job

reply to post by SkepticOverlord


Well I still have problems once in a while while in ATS my browser freezes and I have to open another page while trying to close the one that doesn't respond.

This happens so far while on ATS only.

But I have deal with it the best I can.

Originally posted by space cadet
I am getting the johnnygotcash ad too everytime I log on to ATS. What is up with that? I always clear my cookies when I log off, and delete files and history.

That's why you're getting it.

We don't insert the pop-up/under code for logged-in members... if you log out and delete your cookies (there's no need to unless you're on a shared computer), then there's no way for us to know you're a member.

Originally posted by SkepticOverlord

Originally posted by space cadet
I am getting the johnnygotcash ad too everytime I log on to ATS. What is up with that? I always clear my cookies when I log off, and delete files and history.

That's why you're getting it.

We don't insert the pop-up/under code for logged-in members... if you log out and delete your cookies (there's no need to unless you're on a shared computer), then there's no way for us to know you're a member.

Mr. Overlord, I respectfully submit that it's apparently not quite that simple. Right now I have 13 cookies from ATS. I can name them if you need proof. I do not delete cookies from this site, and when I sign into ATS, I get the pop-up. Having said that, when I logged in this morning, I did NOT see the pop-up. Maybe that's because I was logged in 8 hours ago (and therefore on the same calendar day)?

Originally posted by Albertarocks
Right now I have 13 cookies from ATS. I can name them if you need proof.

That's about right.

and when I sign into ATS, I get the pop-up.

Yes. Because when you sign out, your all-important session cookie with your username is set to immediately expire. So when you come back, the code doesn't immediately know you're a member.

Having said that, when I logged in this morning, I did NOT see the pop-up.

Right. There is a timed frequency-cap for pops, and all ads for that matter.

Just fyi.. It seems to be worse when you are not logged in. When I am at any computer at work or at a hotel and I come to the site but I don't log in I get all kinds of refreshes and pop ups... If I log in on that computer everything is fine. It's alomst like the visitors to the site get hammered. It's not really conducive to generating new members if they think this is the way the site is...

Let's hope that is the end of it. I posted this issue several times only to be met with strict denial from management. Glad you finally got to the truth.

As for logging in and logging out, I don't ever log out. I do however clear my cookies whenever my computer starts running slow. Even though I do it pretty often, I still have thousands of cookies in my cache to clear each time. When you clear your cookies you get logged out. I haven't figured out how to mark cookies not to be deleted without using a third party program. Since you admit that malware can be inserted without even you realizing it, then it is obvious that computer users need to take every precaution they can. Maybe instead of telling people not to worry about having cookies (self serving), maybe you should let them know how they can delete all unwanted cookies but leave the ones they want intact.

As a result, when I come to the site I get the Josh earned popup. It is very irritating. As a rule I leave sites immediately that deliver a popup on first page visit. It shows a trendous amount of disrespect to the user. Maybe wait for the third click or something. Then when the popup is closed display a message saying if you are logged in you won't get these ads in the future. It would also be much more bearable if it was actually an advertisment offering something legitimate. I would think you lose a bunch of potential members by subjecting them to first page abuse. Something to ponder.

Anyways you better get to thinking of new alternatives as I believe it will only be a matter of time before these bs ad networks get held to task for the crap they deliver. I would expect that opening a additional window in a users browser, without permission, will be illegal. The onus will also be on the website operator to ensure that no malware gets delivered and they will be subject to fines and penalties and restitution of any losses if it does. with profit also comes responsibility. The whole internet will be going the way of Murdoch. It's a shame it has to be this way, but once again the unbridled quest for profit always leads to the wrong thing for America as a whole. The proof is in your cache.

I've never had any problems here at ats. No virus, no malware, and no pop-ups. Glad to see you are making members happy though. That's what makes this place great.

[edit on 10-5-2009 by DEM0N]

It is kind of a bummer that the external images caused some problems. I was using a site to host my avatar they had a feature to be able to host rotating avatars.

Now because I am forced to use the ATS servers I am stuck with a single avatar.

I have never had any issues with malware or malicious code from ATS. Not sure if it was my virus definitions being up to date or what, but I have never had any issues with any content on this site.

I still wonder, will sometime in the future, perhaps for a point fee will we be able to have rotating avatars again?

Originally posted by SkepticOverlord

Originally posted by Albertarocks
Right now I have 13 cookies from ATS. I can name them if you need proof.

That's about right.

and when I sign into ATS, I get the pop-up.

Yes. Because when you sign out, your all-important session cookie with your username is set to immediately expire. So when you come back, the code doesn't immediately know you're a member.

Having said that, when I logged in this morning, I did NOT see the pop-up.

Right. There is a timed frequency-cap for pops, and all ads for that matter.

Ok, so far, so good! Again, I'm not laying any blame on ATS for my malware issues. I'm participating here in hopes of somehow helping, not to argue nor to be difficult. When I find out what the malware was, I'll let you know. I can do that U2U if you like.