TU site malware
A few people have emailed us today about the the Times Union site having a "virus" problem. In an update on its site, the TU says it's fixed the problem and blamed the prompts "to download malicious software" on the company that supplies comics to the paper. We've heard (unofficially) that the issue has led a handful of state offices to block access to the TU site.
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Comments
Still down on state computers as of 2 PM.
... said TP on Dec 17, 2009 at 2:02 PM | link
Still works at my (rather large) agency.
Now if only they'd fix that annoying behavior where it adds the page URL to your clipboard whenever you copy any text from an article. Being a control-freak does not make people use your site more, nor would you lose traffic by removing this bug.
... said Ellsass on Dec 17, 2009 at 3:47 PM | link
Strange.... this effected people in my state office this morning also. The problem appears to be fixed now, but, I was able to get on the Site where my two next door neighbors were not.
... said juboga on Dec 17, 2009 at 4:07 PM | link
Some agencies use a type of software (sorry, I don't remember the name) that automatically adjusts and blocks access to sites that have been identified as sending out malware, spam, etc. So it's not like the IT administrator is actively blocking the T-U or any other website -- the site shows up on some central registry as a problem, their software implements a block, and then eventually if the problem is resolved the block goes away. I've even had this happen to my private business website, because I was using a pooled IP at my ISP and somebody else in the pool was identified as a spammer. Suddenly, huge numbers of people couldn't get my emails, and I didn't even know it was happening. It clears up eventually.
... said CJ on Dec 17, 2009 at 6:58 PM | link
I see that the trouble was with Adobe Reader (formerly Acrobat Reader) -- an egregious piece of bloatware that no one actually needs, especially as a browser plugin. Get rid of that noise.
You're better off letting Google Docs Viewer display online PDFs. It'll also handle PowerPoint Presentations and TIFF images.
To make this especially easy, try a bookmarklet that doctors all PDF, PPT and TIFF URLs to route the file through Google Viewer. Natch GV also offers a download link, if you still need a physical copy of the file.
Easier still, if you use Google Chrome (or Chromium) there's a browser extension that automatically routes such files through GV. No surprise that there's one for Firefox by now, too.
LQ
... said Lou Quillio on Dec 17, 2009 at 10:22 PM | link
In an opposite story, GE just started allowing the use of twitter at work. Quote : ""GE is allowing access to Twitter for a limited time to help communicate the need for F136 funding" What is F136 funding? Did Christmas come early this year?
... said Jessica R on Dec 18, 2009 at 5:03 PM | link
F136 is an engine for the F-35 JSF fighter aircraft. Presumably there's political Twitter traffic about F136 funding issues, and GE would like its employees to add their voices.
Joint Strike Fighter is a generally good idea because it seeks to standardize the configuration of a fighter aircraft to be deployed by many western nations, making it relatively simpler and more economical to produce and maintain. It's been a long time since I worked in defense procurement, so can't say if it's a good idea in practice.
LQ
... said Lou Quillio on Dec 18, 2009 at 8:50 PM | link