Goolge Flags Auction Tool As An Attack Site: Auctiva Appears To Host Malware, WTF?

Written by John Comments
Last Updated February 22, 2009

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Tonight I was doing a little shopping on eBay. Yes, I actually shop on the site, unlike a lot of sellers. That part I do not understand, but anyway…

During my search for product purchase, I was looking at one of the ads. BUT when I clicked through to see the auction information I got the BIG RED WARNING for malicious site, while using Google Chrome.

A carful look at the warning pointed out that it was not for eBay but for Auctiva.com. The wording of the warning said that Auctiva appears to host malware (malicious software). WOW, that is not good.

Now I am thinking to myself, this just must be a mistake, or an anomaly. So I go to a couple more vendors, with pictures hosted by Auctiva.com on eBay, and ALL of them get the same error.

I take my investigation now over to Google, to see what is up. I do a search on Auctiva.com and OH MAN, look…

HOLY COW, Auctiva has been flagged by Google as a harmful site!!! OH sh*t, “Whitney Houston we have a problem”, and this is a pretty big one!

This is NOT good for anyone, but especially for sellers on the Auctiva platform! This is showing up on EVERYTHING that has the Auctiva link. If you have something hosted on Auctiva, like your image of products, your STORE URL or even the the free Auctiva scrolling galleries. Many sellers use these free Auctiva tool and now they too are having flags. I would CHECK YOUR LISTINGS right now using Google Chrome browser and see if you might be effected by this rating on Google.

While researching this issue, I also happed to see a post on The Whine Sellers blog and she too has confirmed my suspicion, this is not a test, this is an actual emergency! She was using FireFox browser and got the same warnings…

NOT too cool if you are using Auctiva for your actions right now, I am sure. This could SERIOUSLY impact traffic, customer confidence, and ultimately sales, for ALL folks using the Auctiva platform.

I went ahead and took my chances and went to the Auctiva home page (please note that I am intentionally NOT linking to any Auctiva stuff in this article as a general precaution, sorry guys).

When I got in to Auctiva, there was a flashing warning, which I clicked and it took me to this message.

This looks like a general maintenance notice and does not in anyway address the malicious software rating from Google. I am not sure anything is being done to correct this Google block?!? Also this message is from Friday and said the resolution would be completed by Saturday afternoon. But this is SUNDAY morning that I am writing this story, so I am doubtful that this alert has anything to do with the issues detailed in this post.

OK, so I got 2 questions…HOW DID THIS HAPPEN? And why is Autiva NOT doing any damage control?

No related posts.

Dan

Wutzi, the only way I know of to get Autiva off your listings is to cancel them in ebay and then re-list using ebay or via other software. Can't help you with other choices. Ebay may be ultimately behind this attack on Auctiva, which is now trying to compete with them; or, google may be to blame, as they have erroneously marked other sites as dangerous before and later admitted their mistake. Or Auctiva may have been hacked - since some have reported getting worm hits to their firewalls while on the site. I have not had a problem in my brief entry into the Auctiva pages today - but the warning message comes up at every move (I use Firefox), which makes getting anything much done extremely difficult. Sellers using Auctiva are screwed anyway you look at it. Too soon to tell who to blame - lawsuits will surely fly over this mess. Not that they would help us small-time sellers. Time to go back to the fleamarkets and collector shows?

Cliff Aliperti

Hi Wutzi,

I've been using Inkfrog without any real problems for about 3 years now (TurboLister prior to that). It's $9.95 per month, but I find that cost pretty much outweighed by the ability to schedule my auctions to launch "X" amount of minutes apart (which I like to do to stagger ending times).

Good luck!
Cliff

Wutzi

Ok, we all know now that Auctiva is surely NOT the best thing to use - but does anybody have any idea of how to delete the Auctiva account, although 42 items are currently listed??? Would they be thrown out of auction??? And which 3rd party software CAN you trust??? I´ve just started selling on Ebay and am really thinking of selling on another platform, but since I want to sell worldwide it´s a toughie. Most big online auctions are mainly US based (I´m an intergalactic American living in Germany btw...)

Anybody have any tips for me??? Thanks

Geepers Mary

I just received a poignant response from a friend to whom I sent the same entry to: He said this. "I see your point, and will add that Ebay alone has become a company who uses 'fear' as a vehicle to conduct business, and to keep it's market share. I've kept close watch to the fact that Ebay has continually instilled fear into buyers' minds that their purchase is never secure, and that "protection" is now needed--"fear your Sellers--use PayPal". Stemming from the feedback forum policy changes, buyer's are convinced they need PayPal for the security of "buyer protection" (not to mention that they cannot pay with check or Money Order any longer, as per Ebay policy), a new discourse amongst buyers is plaguing the marketplace: Never, under any circumstances, trust your Ebay Seller. A fear which is evident in the negative feedback policy which allows the Buyer to lash out at the Seller at the drop of a hat without any repercussion. Fear is Ebay's weapon of choice used to keep buyer's paying with paypal, and one which translates into cold hard cash. It is a fear is advertised on just about every page you see on the site as "Buyer Protection" and easily translates into the notion that some measure of fraud, by the Seller, should be anticipated. So, Google's "malicious" warning may be true, or may not, who knows. What is known, is that it is placing "fear" into the minds of Auctiva's customers, a fear that seems to work so well in controlling the crowd. Is Ebay a C++ company on a decline? Absolutely, but not only with regard to the way it conducts its business, but also in it's failings to achieve a measure of humanity with regard to the way it treats it's Seller (customer) base." Thanks Jake for your thoughts...Geepers, Mary

Geepers Mary

Since few people run these giant entities, I can't help but wonder if Auctiva is getting slammed by Ebay, and even other sites due to the fact that Auctiva wants to branch off and do their own thing. The problem with this whole matter is that we'll never know the truth of the matter. Remember folks, all it takes is but one week of Google warnings to create enough damage (to any web-based company) that will put them out of commission. Based on the way Ebay treats it's customers, Paying customers that is (it's Sellers), I can't help but think that destroying their competition in this manner is a normal order of events. In America, events such as this are day-to-day realities. Just look at the billion dollar crooks getting away with financial murder. Don't be so naive...there's more to this story than the inflammatory comments being posted to all these sites regarding Auctiva's subjective credibility, or the "damage control" they must now do to keep themselves looking like a viable company. Don't forget, Auctiva is an affiliate of Ebay-- It seems Ebay, with the help of some friends, may be cutting them loose.

Rebel

I am not surprised at all!It took Google and others long enough to figure out what these thieves were up to!You must understand that when your offered free images for your store....you will pay....or should I say someone else will pay for them.In this case it has been the eBay affiliates that have paid for the sellers free images.Auctiva has consistently overwritten affiliate cookies via their images and links.....they are nothing but crooks....and if you are a seller using them....I would advise you to find a better more honest way to display your images.

The thing is...do you think affiliates are going to continue to drive traffic to your sites, and allow Auctiva to steal their commissions?...HELL NO!Some affiliates have already started blocking those products from sellers engaged with Auctiva.If Auctiva can't take the money from affiliates, then whom will eventually pay......the sellers!Expect to start paying for your once free service!

colderice

I am sorry to hear that you were caught up in the mess Mitzi! That absolutely stinks. Keep me posted please on the situation so we can let everyone know when it is fixed. But as for now, even your blog is getting the Google smackdown when I go to vintagegoodness.com. Man this has affect so many people and so many possible collateral sites, WOW

Mitzi

I've been reading about this on the eBay boards, I guess this morning Auctiva said they have the problem fixed but need to let Google know still, and if you are using Firefox that you need to go and disable a security setting if you want to use the site. Just search the boards for Auctiva and you will see lots of chatter about it.

I think I am going to give it a bit more time before I try to go in and use it. I hope they get everything sorted soon!

Kym

hmmm this is scary since I use auctiva to list my ebay auctions. thanks for the info

Renagade

This IS bad news...and it can also explain to some WHY thier auctions have done so poorly!

Wondering...is there and easy way to dump all pics, saved listings etc on Auctiva? I think alot of people will want to know.
Thanks John...for this ALERT!!

Cliff Aliperti

...Doesn't make me too anxious to check out the Auctiva eCommerce platform either.

Trent_T

This is a huge issue for many eBay sellers that requires immediate attention. I personally quit using their services long ago. I do know many friends who continue to use Auctiva and I will be sure to pass this article onto them.

Great post, John!

http://twitter.com/Trent_T