avast blocking image host sites

system · 2015-08-25T14:02:21.000Z

For the last day avast free antivirus has been blocking browser access to many but not all image files (e.g. jpgs) stored on image sharing hosts such as imagebam and imgbox. As yet no sign of the same problem with imagevenue or pimp&host sites.

On imagebam avast first allows the browser (e.g. firefox) to display the image, but then blocks/obscures it from the browser window–a seemingly rather belated “security”, surely, as if there is an infection it suggests the image/file has already completed its download/transfer to one’s computer?

On imgbox avast mostly allows the image to display in the browser window. Sometimes it seems to have a delayed block/obscure–delayed, that is, by perhaps ~10 seconds.

In both the above cases the avast pop-up dialogue reports an html script infection. That is to say, some images on imgbox are successfully displayed but still reported by avast as infected, while others are displayed then obscured, and reported by avast as infected. All images from imagebam that avast reports to be infected are then obscured.

It is possible there has recently been a mass infection of these sites but the fact that it is not just one site that’s affected made me wonder if avast has recently altered its code/“sensitivity” in this area and thereby perhaps produced a lot of false positive reports? They are certainly annoying for the user to encounter.

I can add the relevant domains to avast exclusions and thereby access/display the images, but that seems a brittle “work-around” given it leaves one perhaps more vulnerable to any malware that may be on those sites. I’ve used avast for some years now with no previous such problems or need to add any exclusions.

system · 2015-08-26T01:08:53.000Z

same problem, avast fix it plz.

system · 2015-08-26T03:29:25.000Z

I think it’s related to the overall issue of Avast either blocking the internet, or blocking websites, or blocking some contents from being loaded on websites:

https://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=174945.0

system · 2015-08-26T04:23:47.000Z

Further thought: maybe imagebam and imgbox have altered some javascript on their site, and it is that which triggers avast to block the images? That might explain the seemingly “delayed” reaction of the blocking–i.e. after the image has fully loaded to the browser window. It does not, however, explain why only some images on those sites are affected/blocked.

mchain · 2015-08-26T16:59:13.000Z

See: https://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=175637.0

Post a screenshot of avast! pop-up block in next reply and URL(s).

system · 2015-08-27T09:07:20.000Z

I’m having the same Problem:

Avast claims: Script - Infection. in the error message.

Example of a picture - URL: http://www.imagebam.com/image/96ee8f304075687

Pondus · 2015-08-27T13:09:49.000Z

offerfrank post:6:

I’m having the same Problem:

Avast claims: Script - Infection. in the error message.

Example of a picture - URL: http://www.imagebam.com/image/96ee8f304075687

site seems to have a redirect … and porn pic

HonzaZ · 2015-08-27T13:14:00.000Z

Hi,
Avast complains about loading resources from t3q7af0z.com, which looks very suspicious. We unblocked t3q7af0z.com for now and will investigate what is there and why such a weird domain name :-). Y’all should be good to go in ~10-20 minutes.

system · 2015-08-27T13:36:09.000Z

HonazZ:
Thanks for the temporary solution. I’m interested in your result.

Pondus:
The regarding picture is family save.

system · 2015-08-28T13:11:20.000Z

@HonzaZ: Thank you. My exclusions removed and I’ve yet to strike any further problems so seems like a fix to me.

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