***Beware of photobucket.com***

Question

Although Photobucket.com is a top site, and was owned by News Corp until sold to a startup company, Ontela, in December 2009, they have apparently been having some virus issues.

I went there this morning (March 10, 2010) looking for a photo and after clicking on several, I clicked on one and immediately had a “tunneling” virus known as “Rouge Security Software”, which tried to install a “Fake Alert” virus.

Luckily, I use a very good “For Pay” antivirus program called Webroot Antivirus( a private company using a Sophos antivirus engine (A highly regarded antivirus company) ), and within a millisecond had it quarantined, however, the Fake Alert program started running since it was coming from a redirected website. I immediately pressed the off button on my computer to “Kill” it. (If this happens to you, do the same thing. TURN YOUR COMPUTER OFF. Then put your computer in “Safe Mode” (Hold "F8" Key at startup) and do a sweep with your antivirus program.)

Also, on the Photobucket site they are using “photobucket.adnxs.com” on their ads.

(Right-click on the ads on the top and right and left, then left-click on properties if you want to see). According to an advisory provided by Google, “Over the past 90 days, adnxs.com appeared to function as an intermediary for the infection of 6 sites.” My software blocks these ads, so I can’t click on them, but I would image if one were to click on them, they would at a minimum get a tracking cookie.

I would suggest that if you are going to use this site, it would be advisable to purchase another cheap computer, or perhaps you have an extra computer to use to download photos.

Here are three links that are posting problems with photobucket.com.

http://www.storm2k.org/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?f=22&t=107434 photobucket virus issues

http://forum.purseblog.com/general-discussion/photobucket-virus-552224.html

http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/forum/topic/860412

Thanks for the heads up, Rolest - Izanoni1, Mar 10, 2010

Changed the topic from Vocabulary and grammar - Goyo, Mar 11, 2010

Answer 1

Photobucket was terrible to begin with, every image linked to its pages never load.

Strange, I use it everyday and have never had any problems with it. - 0074b507, Mar 10, 2010

It's images linked from Google search, you click on the thumbnail but they don't actually load on the PB page. - TheSilentHero, Mar 10, 2010

Many of the online pictures that won't link correctly, I save to my computer, then upload to PB and then link from PB to here. They are in my PB albums. I delete them routin Look at my old threads and you will see that the picture iare gone. - 0074b507, Mar 11, 2010

All of my screen captures are made on my computer, uploaded to PB and linked to here. - 0074b507, Mar 11, 2010

Answer 2

Sooo, any suggestions because that's what I use???

Yo nunca uso phtobucket. Busco imágenes con google y nunca tuve problemas :) - Benz, Mar 11, 2010

imageshack.us (always used this one and still working like the first day) - Zizoun, Mar 11, 2010

imageshack - TheSilentHero, Mar 11, 2010

I never knew!!! No more PB!!! Turns out I didn't need it anyway, I have my own domain and I didn't realize I could load photos through that. - Yeser007, Mar 12, 2010

Answer 3

Just a quick update about Photobucket.com, relative to some of the postings.

I have a computer business and have been working with computers since before 1980.

A big part of my business is removing viruses and trojans. The main difference between the two is that a virus by definition is malicious and is there to cause harm. A trojan on the other hand is used to make money.

As far as what Goyo said in his post: “Whatever was happening in late January is probably a completely different story by now.” He is correct. Viruses mutate frequently, and a good antivirus program will use heuristic scanning techniques to ascertain if a virus has mutated. However, just the fact that other people in the recent past (6 weeks is not that long ago), had trouble with photobucket.com, plus the fact that it also happened to me (3/10/2010), I have to believe that photobucket.com has a problem.

That being said, perhaps the chances of getting a virus from photobucket.com may be slim…or it may not be. They have a large amount of photos, and it may be “hit or miss” if any “one”, is associated with a virus. However, they could do a better job of screening.

Here is a pay site that has very good photos and artwork, and no viruses; however, it is not free. http://www.clipart.com The cost is $159.95 (US) per year. (They have one week/month, etc plans as well).

clipart.com

Answer 4

I used to have problems with imageshack and I switched to photobucket - no problems at all.

Answer 5

Here are three links that are posting problems with photobucket.com.

http://www.storm2k.org/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?f=22&t=107434 photobucket virus issues

http://forum.purseblog.com/general-discussion/photobucket-virus-552224.html

http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/forum/topic/860412

This is no doubt true, but I'd like to point out that these links cited were having this discussion 6 weeks ago. (January 25-26)

In the computer virus world, this is ancient history. Whatever was happening in late January is probably a completely different story by now.

And during this time, I've used Photobucket incessantly with no issues. I'm not going to worry about this at all.

Answer 6

Thanks Rolest, your post promted me to learn a bit more about my own computer. I didn't know I could upload from my own website.

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Answer 7

Thanks a lot rolest, this is a great post, my last picture was taken from there, actually, so no more photobucket, just in case

Answer 8

thanks for telling us!!