How Safe is DeviantArt

[Magic_Hat]

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.

[snowblizz]

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".

[Iruka]

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.

[Knaight]

It's fine. It's not hugely secure by any means, but it doesn't particularly need to be.

[The Random NPC]

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.

[cobaltstarfire]

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?

[Traab]

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.

[Magic_Hat]

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.


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.

[LordEntrails]

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.

[Knaight]

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.

[Magic_Hat]

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?

[The Random NPC]

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.

[Traab]

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!"

[LordEntrails]

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.

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.

[Magic_Hat]

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.

[snowblizz]

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.

[Hunter Noventa]

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.

[Excession]

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.

[snowblizz]

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.

[halfeye]

Yes ad networks that actually follow common sense rules and guidelines.

Which say they actually follow rules.

[Keltest]

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.