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  1. - Top - End - #1
    Barbarian in the Playground
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    Default How Safe is DeviantArt

    I don't mean NSFW content because that's probably not forum appropriate. What I mean is how secure is it? Like I've heard it's more prone to viruses/malware and if you go on it you'll get a virus. Just wondering if anyone out there can confirm or deny this.

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    Ogre in the Playground
     
    ElfPirate

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    Default Re: How Safe is DeviantArt

    Technically speaking the protection should be in your computer. The site should be securing their side, but you need to do you part or it doesn't really matter anyway.

    I think it's hyperbole to make such a claim about deviantart. I suspect it means they aren't too picky about adds that show.

    You can't really run a site in this day and age that's regularly spreading viruses because the rest of the world will start to block you.


    If you ask me the people whining about deviantart want to blame that instead of admitting to the pornsites (many of which are very secure because they have a reputation to uphold) they visited.


    Bottom line though, cue Smoeky the Bear, "Only you can prevent virus and malware infections".

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    Bugbear in the Playground
     
    Iruka's Avatar

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    Default Re: How Safe is DeviantArt

    This is the first time I hear about that. I have had a DA account for several years now and never had any problems.

    The site itself is completely legit, maybe be careful with clicking on any links people post there.


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    Titan in the Playground
     
    Knaight's Avatar

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    Default Re: How Safe is DeviantArt

    It's fine. It's not hugely secure by any means, but it doesn't particularly need to be.
    I would really like to see a game made by Obryn, Kurald Galain, and Knaight from these forums.

    I'm not joking one bit. I would buy the hell out of that.
    -- ChubbyRain

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    Bugbear in the Playground
     
    The Random NPC's Avatar

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    Default Re: How Safe is DeviantArt

    Quote Originally Posted by snowblizz View Post
    Technically speaking the protection should be in your computer. The site should be securing their side, but you need to do you part or it doesn't really matter anyway.

    I think it's hyperbole to make such a claim about deviantart. I suspect it means they aren't too picky about adds that show.

    You can't really run a site in this day and age that's regularly spreading viruses because the rest of the world will start to block you.


    If you ask me the people whining about deviantart want to blame that instead of admitting to the pornsites (many of which are very secure because they have a reputation to uphold) they visited.


    Bottom line though, cue Smoeky the Bear, "Only you can prevent virus and malware infections".
    Fun fact: You're more likely to get a virus from a church's website than a pornsite. Pornsites usually have a dedicated professional IT guy, while chuches usually rely on volunteers, many of whom are not qualified to do IT.
    See when a tree falls in the forest, and there's no one there to hear it, you can bet we've bought the vinyl.
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  6. - Top - End - #6
    Ogre in the Playground
     
    cobaltstarfire's Avatar

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    Default Re: How Safe is DeviantArt

    You'll be safe as long as you use adblock, or something similar. (or buy a subscription so you don't see ads at all)

    They often have problems with malicious redirects in their ads which has been consistent for well over 5 years. I occasionally give them a chance because using adblock breaks some parts of their website, and they always disappoint. Though I haven't given them a go without adblock in about 2 years now, so it's possible that they actually police their ads now?

  7. - Top - End - #7
    Colossus in the Playground
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    Default Re: How Safe is DeviantArt

    I remember the last few times I went there I tended to get a lot of malware block popup notifications. How much of that was stupid tracking cookie stuff or serious I have no clue, but it did happen a lot as I browsed. But that was a long time ago.
    "Interdum feror cupidine partium magnarum Europae vincendarum"
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  8. - Top - End - #8
    Barbarian in the Playground
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    Default Re: How Safe is DeviantArt

    Quote Originally Posted by snowblizz View Post
    Technically speaking the protection should be in your computer. The site should be securing their side, but you need to do you part or it doesn't really matter anyway.

    Bottom line though, cue Smoeky the Bear, "Only you can prevent virus and malware infections".
    I have McAfee.

    Quote Originally Posted by Traab View Post
    I remember the last few times I went there I tended to get a lot of malware block popup notifications. How much of that was stupid tracking cookie stuff or serious I have no clue, but it did happen a lot as I browsed. But that was a long time ago.
    What do I do if those happen? In the past I've clicked them and have gotten viruses.

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    Barbarian in the Playground
     
    NecromancerGuy

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    Default Re: How Safe is DeviantArt

    Quote Originally Posted by Magic_Hat View Post
    What do I do if those happen? In the past I've clicked them and have gotten viruses.
    Never click on a pop-up. Close it from your Windows Task Bar. Don't even trust the 'Red X' in the corner.

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    Knaight's Avatar

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    Default Re: How Safe is DeviantArt

    Quote Originally Posted by The Random NPC View Post
    Fun fact: You're more likely to get a virus from a church's website than a pornsite. Pornsites usually have a dedicated professional IT guy, while chuches usually rely on volunteers, many of whom are not qualified to do IT.
    That said the risk is pretty small for both. It's when you download things that the risk spikes - shady torrents will throw viruses at a computer like nothing else.
    I would really like to see a game made by Obryn, Kurald Galain, and Knaight from these forums.

    I'm not joking one bit. I would buy the hell out of that.
    -- ChubbyRain

    Current Design Project: Legacy, a game of masters and apprentices for two players and a GM.

  11. - Top - End - #11
    Barbarian in the Playground
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    Default Re: How Safe is DeviantArt

    Quote Originally Posted by LordEntrails View Post
    Never click on a pop-up. Close it from your Windows Task Bar. Don't even trust the 'Red X' in the corner.
    Just close the web browser and that should make it go away?

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    Bugbear in the Playground
     
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    Default Re: How Safe is DeviantArt

    Quote Originally Posted by Knaight View Post
    That said the risk is pretty small for both. It's when you download things that the risk spikes - shady torrents will throw viruses at a computer like nothing else.
    That is correct, I just find the dichotomy hilarious.
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  13. - Top - End - #13
    Colossus in the Playground
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    Default Re: How Safe is DeviantArt

    Sorry, I meant the malwarebytes program would give me popup warnings every time a page loaded, basically saying, "Hey! Random cookie khgsxd8722uhdf tried to do something and I stopped it. Thought you should know!" Not actual pop ups like "Click here for the greatest virus to ever exist!"
    "Interdum feror cupidine partium magnarum Europae vincendarum"
    Translation: "Sometimes I get this urge to conquer large parts of Europe."

    Quote Originally Posted by Nerd-o-rama View Post
    Traab is yelling everything that I'm thinking already.
    "If you don't get those cameras out of my face, I'm gonna go 8.6 on the Richter scale with gastric emissions that'll clear this room."

  14. - Top - End - #14
    Barbarian in the Playground
     
    NecromancerGuy

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    Default Re: How Safe is DeviantArt

    Quote Originally Posted by Magic_Hat View Post
    Just close the web browser and that should make it go away?
    Yes. But if it has spawned a different process, you will want to close it from the task bar.
    Quote Originally Posted by Traab View Post
    Sorry, I meant the malwarebytes program would give me popup warnings every time a page loaded, basically saying, "Hey! Random cookie khgsxd8722uhdf tried to do something and I stopped it. Thought you should know!" Not actual pop ups like "Click here for the greatest virus to ever exist!"
    Depends upon your settings. If you have it set to alert on all cookies then most sites that sell add space will trigger those things.

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    Barbarian in the Playground
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    Default Re: How Safe is DeviantArt

    Quote Originally Posted by LordEntrails View Post
    Yes. But if it has spawned a different process, you will want to close it from the task bar.
    Huh? I don't understand. Laymen's terms please.

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    ElfPirate

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    Default Re: How Safe is DeviantArt

    Quote Originally Posted by LordEntrails View Post
    Yes. But if it has spawned a different process, you will want to close it from the task bar.

    Depends upon your settings. If you have it set to alert on all cookies then most sites that sell add space will trigger those things.
    Unfortunately most anti-virus programs like to pretend like they are constantly protecting you from serious attacks (so they can upsell you more security) when in reality it's just a cookie that while annoying wo'nt trash your computer. It's not always possible to modify this behaviour. AVG had an annoying habit of popping me out of games to tell me they really tought I should buy their software every 2 weeks and how I could totally optimise software I seldom run with their help. At least that has now stopped.


    Oh and get Adblock Plus for firefox or something similar for whatever browser you use. Gets rid of ads and a lot of the popups and phising. Then you just have to go back and disable it specifically for sites that ask you nicely to support them.

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    Hunter Noventa's Avatar

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    Default Re: How Safe is DeviantArt

    Quote Originally Posted by snowblizz View Post
    Unfortunately most anti-virus programs like to pretend like they are constantly protecting you from serious attacks (so they can upsell you more security) when in reality it's just a cookie that while annoying wo'nt trash your computer. It's not always possible to modify this behaviour. AVG had an annoying habit of popping me out of games to tell me they really tought I should buy their software every 2 weeks and how I could totally optimise software I seldom run with their help. At least that has now stopped.


    Oh and get Adblock Plus for firefox or something similar for whatever browser you use. Gets rid of ads and a lot of the popups and phising. Then you just have to go back and disable it specifically for sites that ask you nicely to support them.
    Don't get AdBlock Plus, they accept payments from ad networks to whitelist their content. I suggest uBlock Origin and NoScript for the most reliable protection with Firefox, along with keeping your local anti-virus up to date.

    Relevant to the topic, I've never had any issues with DA, but I also have had their ads blocked forever.
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    Excession's Avatar

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    Default Re: How Safe is DeviantArt

    Another thing worth doing is to disable and uninstall Flash, if you still have it. It's been insecure forever, and is now basically dead anyway. I know some people post Flash animations and stuff on DeviantArt, but it's not worth the security risk.

  19. - Top - End - #19
    Ogre in the Playground
     
    ElfPirate

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    Default Re: How Safe is DeviantArt

    Quote Originally Posted by Hunter Noventa View Post
    Don't get AdBlock Plus, they accept payments from ad networks to whitelist their content. I suggest uBlock Origin and NoScript for the most reliable protection with Firefox, along with keeping your local anti-virus up to date.
    Yes ad networks that actually follow common sense rules and guidelines. Which means the sites you visit can actually afford to exist.

    Like for example the Giant used to do with the forums.

  20. - Top - End - #20
    Ettin in the Playground
     
    Griffon

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    Default Re: How Safe is DeviantArt

    Quote Originally Posted by snowblizz View Post
    Yes ad networks that actually follow common sense rules and guidelines.
    Which say they actually follow rules.
    The end of what Son? The story? There is no end. There's just the point where the storytellers stop talking.

  21. - Top - End - #21
    Titan in the Playground
     
    AssassinGuy

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    Default Re: How Safe is DeviantArt

    Maybe im just visiting the wrong sites, but ive never actually seen an ad get through Addblock Plus since ive been using it. I know theres a "allow people we've whitelisted to show ads" setting, but you can toggle that off.
    “Evil is evil. Lesser, greater, middling, it's all the same. Proportions are negotiated, boundaries blurred. I'm not a pious hermit, I haven't done only good in my life. But if I'm to choose between one evil and another, then I prefer not to choose at all.”

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