The Economist - PageFair hack - did I get it?

system · 2015-11-07T00:48:20.000Z

Hi all,

The Economist website was hacked via PageFair (http://www.economist.com/help/pagefair).

The hack meant you got malware called Acrobat Reader DC >:(

The Economist recommended running a full scan with Avast which I did.

The Avast scan said I had no malware but when I looked at my programs list I did have the Acrobat Reader (187 MB / Product Version 15.009.20077 / installed 07.11.15). Which I think is the malware. I’ve since uninstalled the Acrobat.

So, my question is…did I or have I got the malware??

Thanks,

AshRegister

Tangy · 2015-11-07T03:45:16.000Z

Not to worry this is not a malware. Never seen a 187 MB malware.
https://forums.adobe.com/thread/1998302
http://www.adobe.com/devnet-docs/acrobatetk/tools/ReleaseNotes/index.html
https://www.reddit.com/r/PDQDeploy/related/3r9e8f/adobe_reader_dc_patch_1500920077/.compact

As you can see this seems to be a legit programme ! You may download malwarebytes free from here https://www.malwarebytes.org/mwb-download/ and ran a scan. See what it says.
Are you a registered member of the Economist ?

system · 2015-11-07T07:27:25.000Z

Thanks for the reply. Much appreciated.

It looks like what I downloaded from adobe was legit. I couldn’t be sure what date I downloaded it. I guess it was 29 Oct - the malware was 31 Oct / 01 Nov. So all good I guess.

Also, Adobe’s disappeared so I guess that proves I deleted a legit program.

I also ran the Malwarebytes you suggested. All clear.

There’s a chance also if I did download the pagefair malware that my Norton 360 Premier hadn’t expired and took care of it. (I got a pop up from them when I logged on this morning saying it’d expired. I didn’t say when. Then an hour later I find out about the economist / pagefair hack).

And yes - I’m a subscriber of The Economist.

Thanks again.

Cheers,

AshR

Tangy · 2015-11-07T14:50:35.000Z

Welcome ! Since you are a subscriber of the said magazine just go into the trouble and change your password. Better safe than sorry.

Cheers

Pondus · 2015-11-07T15:11:09.000Z

The Economist recommended running a full scan with[b] Avast[/b] which I did.

There's a chance also if I did download the pagefair malware that my [b]Norton 360 Premier [/b]hadn't expired and took care of it

Do you have Norton and avast installed?

system · 2015-11-08T09:46:19.000Z

Hi Pondus…yes - I’ve got both installed but Norton’s expired and I haven’t renewed. And I’m not sure if that means it still active and possibly detected / destroyed the Economist / Pagefair virus. Cheers,

system · 2015-11-08T09:47:28.000Z

Tangy post:4:

Welcome ! Since you are a subscriber of the said magazine just go into the trouble and change your password. Better safe than sorry.

Cheers

Will do. Thanks.

Staticguy · 2015-11-08T09:54:59.000Z

ashregister2 post:6:

Hi Pondus…yes - I’ve got both installed but Norton’s expired and I haven’t renewed. And I’m not sure if that means it still active and possibly detected / destroyed the Economist / Pagefair virus. Cheers,

2 antivirus program installed in one computer is a big NO NO. Even though Norton is expired and is installed and Avast is not expired and is installed it will cause serious problems. Either keep norton or avast.

Pondus · 2015-11-08T10:27:51.000Z

ashregister2 post:6:

Hi Pondus…yes - I’ve got both installed but Norton’s expired and I haven’t renewed. And I’m not sure if that means it still active and possibly detected / destroyed the Economist / Pagefair virus. Cheers,

Why Using Multiple Antivirus Programs is a Bad Idea https://blog.kaspersky.com/multiple-antivirus-programs-bad-idea/2670/

Uninstalling a third-party antivirus software https://www.avast.com/en-us/faq.php?article=AVKB11#artTitle

system · 2015-11-11T10:50:25.000Z

Hi pondus / staticguy,

Thanks for the advise. I deleted Nortons. I’ve now just got Avast.

I’ve also got Malwarebytes - is that considered an anti-virus program? (I’m thinking that could be a stupid question)

Cheers,

Ash

CraigB · 2015-11-11T11:59:54.000Z

Malwarebytes isn’t an Anti-Virus so it’s fine to have with Avast.

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