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'Search portal' page instead of expected bookmarked webcomic? [SOLVED]

TetraNitroCubaneTetraNitroCubane Not Angry...Just VERY Disappointed...Registered User regular
edited November 2009 in Help / Advice Forum
This evening when I was trying to browse some of my regularly viewed webcomics (I won't list which one, just in case this is a malicious event), one of them landed me on a weird 'search portal' page instead of the comic I'm used to seeing. I didn't type in the address at all. In fact, I used a bookmark, the same as I do every time I want to visit the page, so I'm sure it wasn't a typo. This time it just spat me out at a completely different page, even though my bookmark still points to the same page.

I've heard of these weird 'search portal' pages are typically spyware/virus related. I ran a full NOD32 scan, and a Full MalwareBytes Antimalware scan, and both came back clean. If I type nonsense into my address bar, it gives me a standard error - not a redirection to a 'search portal' page. I'm a little confused as to what might've happened.

Is there any reason this one page is redirecting my browser? Could it perhaps be a server side issue and my computer is fine? Is there any risk involved with the fact that I landed on that page to begin with? I've never encountered this before.

TetraNitroCubane on

Posts

  • admanbadmanb unionize your workplace Seattle, WARegistered User regular
    edited November 2009
    I can check the URL for you. Running OSX, so I'm not worried about malware. PM me if you don't want it public.

    admanb on
    twitter, github
  • ThegreatcowThegreatcow Lord of All Bacons Washington State - It's Wet up here innit? Registered User regular
    edited November 2009
    I've seen this happen when someone's hosting contract has expired. Basically the host redirects you to a "parked" domain page and it could be the hosting service is redirecting you to one of their search pages to increase add revenue. Does it say anywhere on the page that the domain has been "parked" or does it advertise hosting services anywhere?

    Thegreatcow on
    http://forums.penny-arcade.com/discussion/94579/charcuterie-101-holiday-necromancy-edition/p1

    Wud yoo laek to lern aboot meatz? Look here!
  • InfidelInfidel Heretic Registered User regular
    edited November 2009
    Yeah, domain probably expired, nothing to do with your end.

    Infidel on
    OrokosPA.png
  • matt has a problemmatt has a problem Points to 'off' Points to 'on'Registered User regular
    edited November 2009
    What comic is it? I know of several that I use to read regularly who've stopped paying for hosting, and the domain got snapped up by a page like that.

    matt has a problem on
    nibXTE7.png
  • TetraNitroCubaneTetraNitroCubane Not Angry... Just VERY Disappointed...Registered User regular
    edited November 2009
    Just PMed you, admanb. As for if it was a 'parked' domain, I'm not entirely sure. I admit that the instant I recognized it as a 'search portal' page, I just hit back, closed the browser, and immediately fired up the A/V and MBAM scans.

    I'll hope it's a harmless domain expiration for now. I'd be surprised, though, since it's the artist's personal webpage and it's fairly popular in terms of comics. Not penny-arcade level, but still know about several other sites I frequent.

    EDIT: Admanb just confirmed it as an expired domain. Between that and the clean scans, I'll say it's probably safe. Just for those who were curious, since it seems harmless, the webcomic is 'Hark! A Vagrant!', which apparently now has temporary hosting over at the Dinosaur Comics site. Many thanks everyone, and to Admanb for the relocated comic information, too.

    TetraNitroCubane on
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