Avast antivirus software flags HubPages having a bad reputfation

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   Imogen Frenchposted 10 years ago

   I was doing a search on Google today to see if any of my hubs came up. One of mine came up about half way down the first page, which was fine, but my anti-virus software "Avast" had put a yellow flag next to it, saying "This site has a bad reputation". All the other things on the search results had a green flag, saying "This site is safe".  I was, needless to say, a little offended by that, both for myself and on behalf of HubPages.
   I know this isn't exactly an ad related problem, but I'm sure it affects our page views if people perceive HubPages as being "unsafe". Any ideas what we can do about it? Can we get Avast to change their minds about HP somehow?

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      Matthew Meyerposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      There is no issue with HubPages.com, but an issue is with the software you are using.
      
      I believe that the "safety" info they are showing you is purely a result of crowd-sourced reports, which can be inaccurate.
      
      Unfortunately, we have no control over how or why Avast classifies sites.
      I would advise removing Avast anti-virus and finding a better anti-virus solution.

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         Jayne Lancerposted 10 years agoin reply to this

         Has HubPages never considered whether taking legal action against Avast might be worthwhile? It's surely defamatory.

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         Imogen Frenchposted 10 years agoin reply to this

         Thanks for clarifying that Matthew. I think I will get rid of Avast, and find some new anti-virus software.

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            Matthew Meyerposted 10 years agoin reply to this

            Microsoft Security Essentials could be a good choice for you (make sure to remove all other anti-virus software and reboot first).
            It is free and supports Windows 7 and is what I use on all my Windows machines.
            
            http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/wind … s-download

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   weezyschannelposted 10 years ago

   What do I type into the find it I'm curious! I'm going to have to check mine as well. I wish I can give you an answer on why. Have you checked Google Webmaster tools by chance? If you do it should tell you if there was mall where or anything found I would trade there too

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      Imogen Frenchposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      You will only get this if you have Avast anti virus software installed on your computer. but it sounds like brakel2 (below) doesn't have this problem when using Chrome as a browser - I am using Firefox.

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         brakel2posted 10 years agoin reply to this

         That is right. Using Chrome gives me zero problems with anything. It is like a gift, because with other browsers, I always had issues.

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   weezyschannelposted 10 years ago

   Sorry malware.  I know how to spell but my phone does not

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   sunilkunnoth2012posted 10 years ago

   Yes, it is a sad story.  I even had raised in Forum once.  It is shocking to see that HubPages has a bad reputation.  You are right people may think something bad about HP and they may even consider dealing with HP is unsafe, We need to do something urgently.  I hope the authority take notice of this grave situation and get in touch with Avasti to get this bad label removed.

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   paradigmsearchposted 10 years ago

   I have seen other threads about this. This problem has been going on "forever". I'm half convinced it's a co-founder's old enemy from high school or college that now owns or works for Avast.

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   brakel2posted 10 years ago

   I have Avast and never had this problem. Maybe it's due to browser. I have Chrome which has some of it's own protection.

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      Imogen Frenchposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      that's interesting, I might try it on Chrome and see what happens

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   brakel2posted 10 years ago

   I used to have false positives from Firefox, internet explorer and McAfee re the site, even blocking it.

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      paradigmsearchposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Now that is interesting. I wonder just what nefariousness HP is up to.

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   word55posted 10 years ago

   I agree with you about this suni

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   Imogen Frenchposted 10 years ago

   What makes it worse is that someone has copied some of my content and used it to point to a bunch of spammy websites advertising fake RayBan sunglasses - and their sites get the green sign saying the sites are safe! It is taking the mickey!

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    msdieliseposted 10 years ago

    I use Google Chrome for my browser and Eset Nod 32 for my anti-virus. I don't have problems with them. Maybe you should try switching.

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    Thelma Albertsposted 10 years ago

    It´s good to know about that. I´ll check my hubs too though I use Mozilla firefox.

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