eBay 3rd Party Provider Auctiva Shuts Down Site Due To “MONSTER” Mystery VIRUS?

So now after 5 DAYS…Auctiva “TURNS OFF THE CHINESE “MONSTER” VIRUS”. MAN, did I almost call this scenario on the Emergency Call with Dwight Miller from Sunday? HELLO!!!

I think some may have thought my constant reporting of this starting on Saturday was not a “big deal”?!? Seemed like I was screaming in the wind, LMAO.  However it looks like the guys at Auctiva were NOT sleeping at all. They knew it was big, but kinda didn’t tell us till TODAY?!?

They are telling users to search the PC’s for the MYSTERY Virus. HEY AUCTIVA what is the “name” of the mystery virus our PC might have?!? Hook me up dude, that would be nice to know bro. Thanks…Here is the notice that was emailed  and posted tonight.

SUBJECT: Information regarding Auctiva’s Site Warning
February 23, 2009
7:30 PM PST

On Thursday, February 19 we discovered the presence of malware on the Auctiva servers. This caused Google to flag Auctiva as a dangerous site. Our Systems Engineers identified the malware through our monitoring system and they immediately began working to isolate the infected servers and take them offline. During this process the site was running on fewer servers and you may have experienced some delays.

The infected servers were wiped clean and by Saturday morning, most servers were put back online. As of Sunday night, Google rescanned Auctiva.com and determined we were safe to navigate. However, upon continued monitoring today, additional malware was detected and we decided to temporarily take Auctiva.com offline to eliminate the possibility of further infection. We take the security of our site very seriously. We have identified the source of the problem and we are working 24/7 to resolve the issue. We will bring Auctiva.com back online once we are confident we can provide the level of safety and security for our customers that we have for the past 10 years.

What can you do now?

If you visited www.auctiva.com between Thursday evening and Saturday afternoon at about 2 PM PST, as a precautionary measure we recommend taking the following actions to ensure that your computers are not infected:

1. Clear your browser cache, delete ALL temporary internet files, and restart your browser. For instructions specific about your browser: http://community.auctiva.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/1081020411/m/11910151?r=31410571#31410571
2. If using a Windows machine, make sure you are updated with all the current Microsoft updates and patches.
3. Make sure you are running reputable antivirus software.
4. Use the Firefox browser if possible, as it has been shown to be less susceptible to this sort of malware than Internet Explorer.

During this time your Auctiva Checkout, scheduled listings, and images, templates and scrolling gallery in listings on eBay will remain available.

As we work through this issue we will post regular updates on our Community Forums

http://community.auctiva.com/eve/forums/a/frm/f/1081020411.

Sincerely,
Kevin Kinell
VP, Engineering

OK guys, so what facts have been reveled now?

1. Auctiva had a REAL virus that “could” have spread to users PC’s
2. It started (to their knowledge) Thursday evening
3. Its ability to infect PC’s ended (to their knowledge) on Saturday about 2 or so, they really were not 100% clear.
4. Google FOUND the virus on the servers on a routine scan (kudos to Google, they run a tight ship I guess)
5. Auctiva NOW is saying that it had to “take Auctiva.com offline to eliminate the possibility of further infection.”
6. They FINALLY decide to make a statement about this issue to the user community via email 5 days later.

So I am puzzled and left with just a couple of questions?

1. Does eBay KNOW that people “can” be infected?
2. Could users on eBay get it in ANY WAY? Just an FYI question for clarity?
3. Can a BUYER of items making payments on Auctiva checkout get the “disease” by contact?
4. Why did you wait till now to tell me to SCAN MY PC? It could have been on it since THURSDAY?
5. What the HELL does this virus do? It like asking my to search my body for a lump man? What the hell is it? I am a little nervous now.
6. Can I give it to others? How does it spread…

I got 1 more question and this is hypothetical…Lets say I was using Auctiva and my buyer got a virus…Would the DSR rating count? LMAO…Gots to add levity now, this is NOT FUNNY on its own anymore

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2. JTFM (Just The Facts Man) – The Auctiva Free to Fee Change
3. It Was All A Bad Dream: Auctiva Was Just Jerking Sellers Chains?