Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox users visiting popular torrent site Kickass Torrents (KAT) are seeing a malware warning today. Whether you’re going to http://kat.cr or https://kat.cr, you’ll get a message cautioning you to go no further.
This issue only affects those browsers because Google’s Safe Browsing is flagging the site. The service powers similar security features in Chrome and Firefox.
The warnings are a bit different depending on the browser you’re using, but the gist is the same. Chrome users are told that “Attackers on kat.cr might attempt to trick you into installing programs that harm your browsing experience (for example, by changing your homepage or showing extra ads on sites you visit).”
Firefox users are told that “This web page at kat.cr has been reported to contain unwanted software and has been blocked based on your security preferences.”
kickass_torrents
Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox users visiting popular torrent site Kickass Torrents (KAT) are seeing a malware warning today. Whether you’re going to http://kat.cr or https://kat.cr, you’ll get a message cautioning you to go no further.
This issue only affects those browsers because Google’s Safe Browsing is flagging the site. The service powers similar security features in Chrome and Firefox.
The warnings are a bit different depending on the browser you’re using, but the gist is the same. Chrome users are told that “Attackers on kat.cr might attempt to trick you into installing programs that harm your browsing experience (for example, by changing your homepage or showing extra ads on sites you visit).”
kickass_torrents_chrome_warning
Firefox users are told that “This web page at kat.cr has been reported to contain unwanted software and has been blocked based on your security preferences.”
kickass_torrents_firefox_warning
Chrome users can get around this message by clicking Details and then “visit this site” while Firefox users can click “Ignore this warning.” You should only do this at your own risk.
In short, either some of Kickass Torrents’ pages are hosting malware, or Google is incorrectly detecting such. This problem usually occurs when an ad network becomes compromised, and starts serving malicious ads, though because sites often use multiple advertising networks, some specific to certain regions, not all users are always affected.
Indeed, the KAT team has told TorrentFreak that “the bad advertiser has been removed.” I have contacted Google about such issues in the past, only to be told the company doesn’t comment on individual sites. This problem will be resolved by itself, but it may take a few hours (or even days, given that it’s a Friday) to happen.
Google blocks Kickass Torrents in Chrome and Firefox due to 'harmful programs' | VentureBeat | Security | by Emil Protalinski
This issue only affects those browsers because Google’s Safe Browsing is flagging the site. The service powers similar security features in Chrome and Firefox.
The warnings are a bit different depending on the browser you’re using, but the gist is the same. Chrome users are told that “Attackers on kat.cr might attempt to trick you into installing programs that harm your browsing experience (for example, by changing your homepage or showing extra ads on sites you visit).”
Firefox users are told that “This web page at kat.cr has been reported to contain unwanted software and has been blocked based on your security preferences.”
kickass_torrents
Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox users visiting popular torrent site Kickass Torrents (KAT) are seeing a malware warning today. Whether you’re going to http://kat.cr or https://kat.cr, you’ll get a message cautioning you to go no further.
This issue only affects those browsers because Google’s Safe Browsing is flagging the site. The service powers similar security features in Chrome and Firefox.
The warnings are a bit different depending on the browser you’re using, but the gist is the same. Chrome users are told that “Attackers on kat.cr might attempt to trick you into installing programs that harm your browsing experience (for example, by changing your homepage or showing extra ads on sites you visit).”
kickass_torrents_chrome_warning
Firefox users are told that “This web page at kat.cr has been reported to contain unwanted software and has been blocked based on your security preferences.”
kickass_torrents_firefox_warning
Chrome users can get around this message by clicking Details and then “visit this site” while Firefox users can click “Ignore this warning.” You should only do this at your own risk.
In short, either some of Kickass Torrents’ pages are hosting malware, or Google is incorrectly detecting such. This problem usually occurs when an ad network becomes compromised, and starts serving malicious ads, though because sites often use multiple advertising networks, some specific to certain regions, not all users are always affected.
Indeed, the KAT team has told TorrentFreak that “the bad advertiser has been removed.” I have contacted Google about such issues in the past, only to be told the company doesn’t comment on individual sites. This problem will be resolved by itself, but it may take a few hours (or even days, given that it’s a Friday) to happen.
Google blocks Kickass Torrents in Chrome and Firefox due to 'harmful programs' | VentureBeat | Security | by Emil Protalinski
