User with link to post redirected to "adult" site

UP_Challenger3985 Mar 26, 2015

  1. UP_Challenger3985

    UP_Challenger3985 TrainBoard Member

    333
    8
    21
    I shared a link to a post with a friend (http://www.trainboard.com/grapevine...boose-Hobbies-Switch-Stand-Installation/page2) and the first time he clicked on the link, he was redirected to an "adult" web site. The 2nd time he clicked on it, it directed him to the post.

    As web developers, we think this might be some sort of un-safe input on a form field.

    Just thought I would make you aware. Let me know if you have any questions.

    Thanks,
    Matt
     
  2. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

    67,560
    22,734
    653
    Strange. I don't recall ever having this happen here. I'll Let our site owner know about this report.
     
  3. Doug A.

    Doug A. TrainBoard Supporter

    3,509
    161
    59
    I had this happen to me from a Google search with Trainboard results. Thought it must have been an errant search engine result and that I wasn't paying attention. But now I'm not so sure.
     
  4. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

    67,560
    22,734
    653
    I believe it will turn out to be search engine related.
     
  5. bremner

    bremner Staff Member

    6,266
    6,246
    106
    Check the.htaccess......
     
  6. Doug A.

    Doug A. TrainBoard Supporter

    3,509
    161
    59
    Except that the o.p. wasn't using a search engine?
     
  7. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

    67,560
    22,734
    653
    Referencing your post #3.
     
  8. Doug A.

    Doug A. TrainBoard Supporter

    3,509
    161
    59
    The one where I said "now I'm not so sure [that's the case]"?

    I would probably be looking at the post that says Check .htaccess ...
     
  9. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

    67,560
    22,734
    653
    Yes. As both yours (#3) and mine (#4) were made before the .htaccess message (#5) of this morning.

    That is a function only Charlie can check at this point. I do not have access to that part of the control panel. Unfortunately his life is just overwhelming right now, and his ability to devote time cut to moments. :(
     
  10. Doug A.

    Doug A. TrainBoard Supporter

    3,509
    161
    59
    Fair enough. I just think "hope it's Google's fault" isn't a good strategy, notwithstanding the new information that it might be the only option you have at this time.

    You can probably test to replicate the problem, if you are so inclined. Do random train-topic searches using google and the site:trainboard.com argument. Click on links until you're satisfied that the problem isn't prevalent. But if the o.p.'s situation was truly copying/pasting a link from Trainboard, that takes the search engine out of the equation.
     
  11. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

    67,560
    22,734
    653
    It is not a strategy. It's based upon the now 15 years of our existing. This site is not flawless, but neither is the entirety of the Internet, and that includes Google. And that also includes how many millions of computers, etc. There are holes uncountable out there. And that could even include the single user's machine who experienced the issue.

    We have tried that link, and nothing shows. We, (not just myself), have tried random searching and clicking through other links which come up. Nothing shows. If that one specific link was actually bad, somehow redirecting, for it to do so just once and not again would be a bit odd.
     
  12. Eagle2

    Eagle2 Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

    5,727
    479
    82
    For what it's worth, the original misdirect specifically came from a link sent during a Google chat. That plus the later search engine error raises the possibility of an "oops" through there. We may never know for sure, but there is the added bit that Google is far more likely to fall prey to folks with malicious intent than (I hope) we are. Of course, all of this is supposition.
     
  13. ignacj

    ignacj TrainBoard Member

    23
    0
    8
    This happens to me on regular basis. Click on trainboard.com link in google results page, and it goes to a porn site. If I hit back button and click the same link again, it goes to Trainboard.com. I do not have this problem with any other sites when accessed through google search.
     
  14. GP30

    GP30 TrainBoard Member

    3,527
    2,337
    81
    I think spyware can cause errant link misdirection, as well. If a computer user browses a website (regardless of content), the browser collects data. In some cases, spyware can control what you see to a certain extent (pop-ups, auto-fill, even Facebook sidebar advertising...). I have logged onto shared access computers (public networks, libraries, etc.) that was spyware-laden that would bring up all sorts of pop-up advertisements completely unrelated to the task at hand.

    Odds are pretty good it isn't a Trainboard or Google problem.

    I should clarify: the link most likely isn't a problem, the end user's browser typically causes the problem.
     
  15. Jeepy84

    Jeepy84 TrainBoard Member

    1,051
    129
    25
    I get linked to friendfinder from Google results on the computer and my phone as well, but not from yahoo searches (when I run Firefox instead of chrome). Makes me think its a Google vulnerability being exploited.

    Sent from the magical mystery box
     
  16. Eagle2

    Eagle2 Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

    5,727
    479
    82
    This is being investigated, and we do believe we have some good idea of what and where the issue might be. Be patient and stay tuned, please.
     
  17. ignacj

    ignacj TrainBoard Member

    23
    0
    8
    Eagle2,

    I can reliably recreate problem on any of my OSX and Win7 computers by enabling private browsing (Safari) or open private windows (Firefox), then Google "trainboard", click on N SCALE LINK within google results. Safari will in 100% cases open Adultfinder or some online backup spam site. Firefox will open spam in about 50% cases. If you go back in history and click again on N SCALE link, it will go to the forum as it should. Open new Private window or delete cookies to recreate the problem. Google search N SCALE link definitely looks corrupt when highlighted.

    Best,
     
  18. bremner

    bremner Staff Member

    6,266
    6,246
    106
    Time to look at the header.php in the theme/template. I might be able to help.
     
  19. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

    67,560
    22,734
    653
    The problem has been identified, and a fix will be happening soon. Possibly by this coming weekend.
     
  20. ignacj

    ignacj TrainBoard Member

    23
    0
    8
    My reply above April 14th did not include any links, yet my response appears to have two links pointing to rak-u-ten. When you hover over the link, it will display message "Link added by VigLink". Is this normal?

    BTW this message should contain no links.
     

Share This Page