Virus/Trojans/PLEASE READ

[Domino]

First of all, let me tell you what a joy it was to play on the Farm. To the developers...how creative you all are! And giving us farmers a lot of stress-reducing pleasure. To the users...please read the Computer Hygiene link Jay has posted for all of you. And take the time to read all the links...it is worth the time invested. And he posted it and constantly gives you advise - FOR FREE! He has opened my eyes for sure about how "lax" I could get when it comes to the internet and now I have changed everything...to include downloading a better anti-virus system, Spybot, Ad-Aware, Malebytes, Secunia...or whatever will float your boat. Not to mention updating.

While the Farm is gaining so much popularity, it is also opening up the user to a lot of malicious attacks. I have gotten the "Bloodhound" and then "Vicundo" which really messed things up. Then one of my Farm friends has gotten something that resides in the Device Manager (TDSserv.sys) - apparently some sort of Root-kit...that totally crashed her computer. The reason for this post is two-fold: 1) to make it aware to the developers...not of the infections (since I am sure you are already aware of it)....but that as of today, they have lost 5 users of the Farm since it is too dangerous to play (and this will only start to snowball) and 2) to say what a creative endeavor this is...but perhaps more attention needs to be given to the security aspect of this app instead of making the farmers happy with new trees/fences/animals/etc. Lastly..and for me, most important, I would like to thank Jay for all his knowledge and input. I will no longer be on the application after I send this off. Nor will my friends. But best of luck.

[JayG]

Domino,

First thanks for the compliment, and the reccomendation of my efforts to others. I fear however that you're throwing the baby out with the bathwater. The unfortunate culprit here is the advertising stream associated with the game. There are a number of free steps one can take to eliminate this problem. A close read in my section on browsers should help any user avoid this sort of thing. I hope you'll reconsider, but I know it's a decision each user must make mased on his or her experience.

Jay

[Domino]

Jay..thanks for the response. The "oldsters" are afraid and heading out. We are not all that technical anyway but pretty smart - or so I think! Guess we don't care about the babies either. I will tell you...it was like cutting off an arm to delete the app. It will not just be us either - there will be a lot of people getting fed up and not knowing what to do until it's too late. Too bad - such a great app with unfortunately great problems. (We also bought the ad-free version of the farm so as not to encounter problems..). Well, you are doing a really great job. Hope the developers realize this...

[charli]

why oh why doesn't everybody just go ad free, I went ad free right away when I saw it was an option (because I'm just not that graceful w/ click or hover)...

Its cheaper than renting a dvd.

The bonus was when all this virus talk started to spook me, right away i could see I wouldn't be having any problems.

So now I'm doubly glad

:biggrin::biggrin:

[Domino]

Jay...Bloodhound was before the ad-free version, Vundo was after it was purchased.

[Wakey]

Jay..thanks for the response. The "oldsters" are afraid and heading out. We are not all that technical anyway but pretty smart - or so I think! Guess we don't care about the babies either. I will tell you...it was like cutting off an arm to delete the app. It will not just be us either - there will be a lot of people getting fed up and not knowing what to do until it's too late. Too bad - such a great app with unfortunately great problems. (We also bought the ad-free version of the farm so as not to encounter problems..). Well, you are doing a really great job. Hope the developers realize this...

If you are getting the issue and are adFree then its not our problem. You are picking them up either off Facebooks ads or another site. I would say install one of the third party blockers that Jay mentioned in his document but if you do I would urge you to find another way to financially support your favourite sites because sites need the money to keep running, especially in the current climate where financing is drying up

[Tammy]

I was getting notifications of viruses and trojans, but my Norton Internet Security blocked everything. Since the advertising culprit was found and dealt with, there have been no more notifications. Plus, I went ad free, just for good measure. I love this app and could not imagine leaving it. Keep up the good work, guys. You are awesome!

[JayG]

Jay...Bloodhound was before the ad-free version, Vundo was after it was purchased.

I agree with Simon, I'd be worried there's something in System Restore that is reinfecting your system. Malwarebytes has proven to be rather good at eliminating that sort of thing. Also check out http://www.microsoft.com/security/malwareremove/default.mspx Microsoft's tool was updated this month to deal with several of these issues.

Jay

[rockymtncowgirl]

How do you go ad free?

[Jana Sorge]

Firfox has an addBlock plus that is free to download. until I saw the thread I didn't even realize I'd gotten rid of the ads on myfarm. If you have Firefox go to their site update firefox and add AdBlocker plus(ABP). Hope this helps.

[Wakey]

How do you go ad free?

On the game screen click the Cash shop button shown below

http://myfarmcommunity.com/cashshop.jpg

The click the highlighed get credits link
http://myfarmcommunity.com/get.jpg

Now for some reason I get two different interfaces, go figure why

You will see either this
http://myfarmcommunity.com/buy1.jpg

or this
http://myfarmcommunity.com/buy2.jpg

Click the method you want to buy with. On the first interface this will bring up a buy screen such as the one below. Choose the amount and then follow the instructions

http://myfarmcommunity.com/buy1a.jpg

If you got the second interface when you click your payment method it will bring up a popover (if you have disabled automatic redirects in firefox you will need to click allow). Choose your amount, click ok and follow the instructions

http://myfarmcommunity.com/buy2a.jpg

Hope that helps, thank god for the new forums as using images to explain is so much eaiser

[Wakey]

Firfox has an addBlock plus that is free to download. until I saw the thread I didn't even realize I'd gotten rid of the ads on myfarm. If you have Firefox go to their site update firefox and add AdBlocker plus(ABP). Hope this helps.

I would suggest if you use adBlock plus you find another way to help finance your favourite websites. For us buying some credits does the trick, many other sites will be able to provide you with donation methods. Many websites require the ads to cover costs so if you can spare a dollar every year or so to the ones you regularly use you ensure their continued existance

[Jana Sorge]

I would suggest if you use adBlock plus you find another way to help finance your favourite websites. For us buying some credits does the trick, many other sites will be able to provide you with donation methods. Many websites require the ads to cover costs so if you can spare a dollar every year or so to the ones you regularly use you ensure their continued existance

I understand, This was just something I noticed when I updated firefox, figured I'dpass the info on.

[Irc Op]

I use a simple recipe to stay clean. You can see it in my signature, all free.
There is also one little addon that I use, it is somewhat beta, called "boost" for firefox. This addon is specifically for facebook and blocks alot of the "sidebar" ads that adblock cannot. If you are an experienced user, you can even block specific elements of a page, but this could cause the page not to operate correctly. Usually the adblock stuff works well enough. I do not have any advice for internet explorer users as I do not use that browser. Happy farming :)

[farmergirl]

Firfox has an addBlock plus that is free to download. until I saw the thread I didn't even realize I'd gotten rid of the ads on myfarm. If you have Firefox go to their site update firefox and add AdBlocker plus(ABP). Hope this helps. i have the same. going ad free totally gets rid of those ads that appear at the bottom of the farm. you would know if you went ad free, as you have to pay for it.