Tech: Bogus Firefox Download Site?

Subject: BS: Bogus Firefox Download Site?
From: Janie
Date: 06 Jun 09 - 10:53 AM

When I googled firefox to download it on my work PC earlier this week, http://www.2009-now.info/firefox.html (I'm not creating a link in case it is a bad idea to even open the site - let the reader decide) at the top of the list. I wasn't reading carefully, after I clicked download AVG blocked the download indicating I was about to download something possibly pretty bad.

That is when I realized it was not the mozilla website. I cancelled the download and then went to mozilla to download.

Wondering if the above site is bogus, or just another option.

Subject: RE: BS: Bogus Firefox Download Site?
From: Rapparee
Date: 06 Jun 09 - 10:59 AM

Go with your instincts, little grasshopper, and trust AVG.

Subject: RE: BS: Bogus Firefox Download Site?
From: Jack Campin
Date: 06 Jun 09 - 03:15 PM

You DID just create a link.

Maybe a moderator ought to disable it?

Subject: RE: Tech: Bogus Firefox Download Site?
From: Joe Offer
Date: 06 Jun 09 - 03:34 PM

Maybe a moderator mistakenly changed Janie's URL into a link. The Primary Website for Firefox downloads is http://www.mozilla.com. I don't think I'd trust anything else, but there's a good chance that there are several other URLs that will work. http://www.firefox.com will redirect to the same site. I don't think I'd use any others.
I can't say I'm a security expert, but I do know you will get a better level of security if you go to https://www.mozilla.com (note the https, not just http). If it's actually a secure site, you should see a little padlock somewhere on your browser, either on the URL/address bar or on the lower right-hand corner of the screen. This https thing works only on Websites that have the ability to make a secure connection - Mudcat doesn't have or need that level of security. If you are making a credit card payment, make sure you're doing so on a secure site with that "https" in the address and the little padlock on the screen.
-Joe-

Subject: RE: Tech: Bogus Firefox Download Site?
From: Janie
Date: 06 Jun 09 - 07:32 PM

I did go to the Mozilla site, thanks to AVG. The above URL is the first link that pops up on google (in the premium spot that, I think, gets paid for) when one googles Firefox.    It might be a legit download site, but I got such a strong warning from AVG it made me wonder, and so guess I am just really passing along a word of caution.   What I read on the site didn't sound quite kosher either. No evidence of any problems from actually looking at the site on either the work PC or my Mac here at home, but the download might come with some "surprises."

That's also why I used a BS prefix instead of Tech, cuz not sure how useful my observations and concern may be to some one else.

And no, Jack, I did not post a link.

Subject: RE: Tech: Bogus Firefox Download Site?
From: BK Lick
Date: 06 Jun 09 - 08:31 PM

Janie, the link you followed was not at the top of the list returned by Google -- it was a "sponsored link."
The page it leads to is cleverly designed to look official but is indeed fraudulent. Several mistakes
on the page are tells, e.g. "Get Instance Access!" The subject is discussed here.

—BK

Subject: RE: Tech: Bogus Firefox Download Site?
From: Janie
Date: 06 Jun 09 - 09:00 PM

Well, I guess that's what I meant by "premium spot. But it was not over to the right. It was the first link at the very top of the main list, and highlighted, like the first 1 to 3 are. I'm not very savy, but my understanding is that those positions come up in that manner because a fee is paid to Google.

In any event, thanks for confirming it is bogus, and likely harmful.

And thanks to AVG freeware for working as it should.