Gaia gets ads from KNOWN -malware distributors-

[Daffodil the Destroyer]

Maybe I've just been lucky, but I've never gotten any sort of malware from Gaia. I use Adblock Plus, and I donate monthly, so I've never really had to deal with ads on the site.

If this really is as big of a problem as it seems, I hope that Gaia secures itself asap. The staff seems to be out of touch with each other on a lot of issues, and I think that needs to be fixed immediately in order for Gaia to operate smoothly and safely. If any staff happens to see this, please consider my two cents here!

[Flying Dicks]

Jehovah Shalom

Please, go to the "Report Ad" section, and just report them and be done with it. If you want Gaia's staff to listen, sometimes straight forward is the best way.

You cant report redirections since they are hidden scripts. Also these are ad SERVERS and the reporting system is not made to report entire servers.

[Flying Dicks]

legal

[Architect Eyes]

I've noticed weird pop-ups and other various things from Gaia as of late. I never ever click on ads at all, yet I'm still getting stuff like this. If Gaia is purchasing these in bundles, then they should reconsider where they're purchasing bundled advertisements.

I'm really hoping something's done about this soon. Like you said earlier, Flying Dicks, I shouldn't have to download third party software or add-ons in order to browse Gaia; I've gotten away with never having to use anything like for Gaia that for nearly 5 years, so why start now?

[Flying Dicks]

Indeed, its wrong to have to expect such things like viruses and popups, and I doubt they're buying them in bundles since each server is listed as an individual vendor on the privacy policy.

[Flying Dicks]

legal

[[.The.Flying.Potato.]]

I don't think I've ever been bothered with ads, myself, but I've heard enough people talking about them to know that it's an issue. Gaia really should look into the companies that advertise through them (I hate the word 'buy', since Gaia's not paying for anything... It's the other way around, really) and make wise decisions. They might not get as much money, but I think the amount would be small compared to having a safe website...

[Flying Dicks]

bump

[Flying Dicks]

bump

[Gossy]

I am quite disappointed that this seems to be a low priority issue for Gaia. I have had to install Adblock to cover for the idiocy of sites like Gaia. They should know better. Who knows how many unsuspecting kids have ******** up computers because of them? I'm an adult with years of experience with things of this nature. I know how to protect my computer, but some of the kids on Gaia are only 13 years old. They might be using their family's only computer, who knows if you're ******** up their parents' work computer or their siblings' homework. Do you just not give a ********?

[Moonlight Silver]

My computer in my parent's house was loaded with viruses and problems so badly that twice they had to take it to some professionals and have it wiped clean. I wonder now if that had anything to do with me being on Gaia practically all afternoon when I lived at home... emo

At least now I know how to protect my computer.

[Flying Dicks]

Gossy

I am quite disappointed that this seems to be a low priority issue for Gaia. I have had to install Adblock to cover for the idiocy of sites like Gaia. They should know better. Who knows how many unsuspecting kids have ******** up computers because of them? I'm an adult with years of experience with things of this nature. I know how to protect my computer, but some of the kids on Gaia are only 13 years old. They might be using their family's only computer, who knows if you're ******** up their parents' work computer or their siblings' homework. Do you just not give a ********]
Maybe they just havent seen it yet. They can be a bit slow addressing things like this, thats why I changed the title, to get more attention- Perhaps they honestly didnt research first but that would be just.. incompetent, honestly.

[Waltzkrieg]

Things such as this and the transformation of Towns into a playground for devious scriptors are really disconcerting to me. My computer is pretty well-protected, and I haven't had problems with viruses in several years, but the fact that this goes on at all makes me feel not so good about professing support for Gaia. I would certainly never recommend it to anyone who wasn't already a member, at this point.

On a website with such a large userbase and visibility, you would think security would be a bigger priority. Admins addressing the issue by saying they buy ads in bulk and then asking users to do homework for them on it would sit better with me if something had actually been done to remedy the situation. But so far, it hasn't-- or at least, that's the impression I get from the many users still reporting browser hijacks and tracking cookies from the usual suspects.

I think as with most issues on Gaia greater transparency would be beneficial. But more than that, something needs to be done about stuff like this. I often find myself laughing about of the mountains people make out of molehill-sized things on Gaia-- most of them related to free items-- but security is for me dead serious, and it should be for Gaia, too. I don't feel like it is right now.

[Apocalypstix]

Well that tells me why I've gotten so much crap to my Gaia only email. :c Another reason not to give Gaia anymore info about myself. I think I'll stop using my credit card on here as well. It's not safe anymore. :<

[melona-pan]

I love how the usuals who disagree with everying like this haven't touched this thread with a ten foot pole.