I use the LinuxQuestions.net e-mail and for some reason, at seemingly random times when I'm changing pages, rather than getting the page I request, it tries to send me a file default.exe. Due to how I have my browser setup (using FireFox on Win98...I don't get a choice on the OS...), sometimes it downloads without me noticing it until I find it later (it doesn't get run, of course). My antivirus (AVG) catches the virus, and while I don't remember the exact name, it's a trojan downloader (downloading trojan?).

I realize the e-mail is provided by a third-party, but I was wondering if anyone else was having this problem, either on LQ's email or someone else's powered by everyone.net. I don't mean to blame LQ or anything like that; quite the opposite, in fact. After all, like I said, the e-mail's provided by a third party. But I do believe this needs to be brought to somebody's attention; it's hard to trust a company that would push a virus on people, either intentionally or on accident (speaking, of course, about everyone.net, not LQ). But, it could be a fluke, maybe something sparked by my account.

I just wanted to know if anyone else is having this problem.

gothgeek84

I get it every so often myself. AFAIK Jeremy has no control over this as I believe its the crap advertisements they have on the site.. they use to be really bad about the gator.com download.. etc... But I just cancel the download.exe.. even though it can't hurt my systems since I'm only on Linux.. etc.

I've been pushing for Jeremy to try and get the free email inhouse, but with lack of money and hardware, its probably going to be quite some time most likely..

You're probably right about it being the ads. I use the Adblock extension to firefox to filter out most of 'em...Hmm, that's an idea. If I can figure out the server it's coming from, I should be able to block it....

But anyway, I agree with you about doing the free e-mail in-house; I also agree with you about how it's hard to do with a lack of money and hardware.

Of course, since most people would be using Linux on here (given the nature of the forum), I doubt it's that big of a deal to most of 'em. But, no matter what the system, it does seem to load instead of the page you want, and that's annoying period.

wow, I didn't know that the ads on everyone.net were *that* bad. Let me see if I can find a replacement.

--jeremy

I haven't had this problem, but rarely use everyone.net.

However, for the record, I would like to say their customer service bent over backwards to please me when they didn't even have to, recently. I had neglected to notice that the "premium" service I paid for, was to be AUTOMATICALLY renewed--and was. I really can't afford to have automatic renewals with anybody, for sometimes I end up with only a few CENTS (American) in my bank account, and I'd be overdrawn! Luckily in this case I had a few dollars left after the renewal, but I was planning on spending the money in question on such luxuries as groceries, rent, etc.

I wrote acknowledging that it was my fault this happened, for not being observant, and asking how I could cancel my premium service.

Everyone.net responded by refunding my money--which they certainly were not obligated to do. And I still have my basic service there.

I will be on the lookout for the .exe file problem if I use the service in the future. Even though my machine, like Trickykid's, won't be harmed by it as it's purely Linux.

Come on Jeremy, how many times have I complained to you myself..

But yeah, the "default.exe" is the most recent annoyance.. use to be the gator.com download they wanted you to download..

Well, I'm not saying everyone.net's a bad company; most places like that outsource their ads anyhow. (Personally, I'm not their biggest fan, but I haven't had much experience with them...and from the sound of things, they're real courtious to their customers)

I just figured I'd bring this to your attention, and see how big of a deal it is. Even though it shows up as a virus, given the name of the virus (trojan.downloader something another), it's probably something akin to gator - spyware. And really, I'm sure anyone using linuxquestions.org isn't the kind of person (notice I don't use stupid...it's not really a matter of intelligence) that would let stuff like that pass through. For me, I can usually catch it at the pass; although when it gets through, it's a good indicator about how agressive my antivirus (AVG) really is...be that good or bad. (It's one thing to alert you when you try to open it...it's another to do it over and over, dozens of times...if I say yes, it's for a reason! But anyhow...)

I don't mean to accuse anybody (company and person), and apologize if it comes off like that. (Although I am tempted to accuse the ad company...not everyone.net, though)

I'm glad you brought this up--I sure would be unhappy if I got unsolicited downloads, regardless of whether they were harmful or not.

I signed up for the everyone.net email through LQ one time when my own ISP (sbcglobal.net, certainly not a minor-league player!) was being BLOCKED wholesale by the IT people using the infamous SpamCop, where a frequent correspondent of mine works. A complaint to the techs there got this fixed, but as an interim measure I used everyone.net with good results. No unasked-for downloads, but that was almost a year ago.