Bing Is Live! – Microsoft’s new way to wreck your life

Is it because fewer and fewer Internet users are using IE to surf the Internet that Microsoft had to come up with a new way to deliver dangerous content to them? Could it be that Microsoft is even more cunning and evil than we all suspected? How about a conspiracy (type) theory?
Perhaps Microsoft isn’t just relying on sponsored ads on Bing for revenue as we’d all think. Perhaps it goes deeper and they count on the fact that after channeling data destroying content, naive and inexperienced computer users will just go out and buy a new PC that (of course) contains a Microsoft operating system and trial MS software to get people to buy more MS software and use more MS services.
Ok, I know that’s not all true but you’d have to agree that it would make a good movie.

My first and last search on Bing.
Search query: firefox
Results (first seen):
“Sponsored sites”
firefox – www.GetFirefox.com
Download Firefox 3 for free! Your favorite browser, better.

Firefox Free Download- Firefox.2009-Version.info
Fast, More Secure & Customizable Browser. Latest Version Download Now!

When I clicked on that second prominently displayed sponsored ad for Firefox my antivirus software (Avast) blocked access to the site. That has only occurred maybe 3 times in the (nearly) 4 years that I’ve been using it and of course I’m very glad that it did. Imagine other Internet users without proper security precautions in place? I don’t care to bother with seeing what IE does with that link and with my network shield turned off. I’m more concerned about Firefox user’s safety so my best advice? Use Google!

Update: (and a serious one) Um, duh, it’s an ad for Firefox so of course I care about what IE users see (Ken = dumb ass).
Same search query for Firefox on Bing via IE8, the only sponsored ad and the very first result seen is for “Firefox Free Download- Firefox.2009-Version.info”. Yep! The site that is reported to be a malicious one. And for the heck of it, Same search query yet again for Firefox on Bing via Fx 3.0.10, the only sponsored ad and the very first result seen is for “Firefox Free Download- Firefox.2009-Version.info”. Mozilla should be very concerned. This could give Firefox a very bad reputation amongst average IE users looking to try out Firefox.

I’d also like to note that the WOT Firefox add-on warned me about the site (even though Avast blocked it) and chances are would have blocked access to it if Avast hadn’t.

Avast “Last Attacks” Log:
01.06.2009 19:20:58 Network Shield: blocked access to malicious site www.2009-version.info/firefox3-0-8-promo/index.php?source=CCN-CD277-MSN5426US1-firefoxpromo&msnId=ANGUS [ C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe ( 2220 ) ]

Bing – Search for firefox using IE8

Avast “Last Attacks” Log:
01.06.2009 19:30:36 Network Shield: blocked access to malicious site www.2009-version.info/firefox3-0-8-promo/index.php?source=CCN-CD277-MSN5426US2-firefoxpromo&msnId=ANGUS [ C:\Program Files\Shiretoko\firefox.exe ( 1080 ) ]

Bing – Search for firefox using Firefox 3.5pre

Highly Recommended:


Avast
Avast has saved me many, many times from losing everything (I’m sure). I’ve tried AVG and was seriously unimpressed. Where AVG would report on something dangerous as being a potential problem through a manual scan, Avast would report the same as a dangerous infection and then block it and give me the option of what to do with the threat in real time (On-Access Protection). So get it. Free program (pro available), free software updates, free and real time virus definitions database updates.
Avast Home Edition (free)
Avast download.com page (5 star editor rating)
Avast Awards
Ya, ya, you probably only need it if your running Windows but it is cross platform.

WOT (Web of Trust) Firefox Add-on.
WOT Home Page

Thanks for reading.
Ken

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