Affiliate Marketing Forum

Ed Oliver · Joined: 08 Aug 2003 Posts: 7

Hi All,

My Adsense clickthrough rate dropped by 20% overnight,
compared to the clickthrough average of previous weeks,
however the number of impressions are about the same as
always.

Why? Not sure, but I think it has something to do
with the "latest MSBlast worm" crippling most computers
on the net, because I had a nasty first hand experience
with it yesterday. If you haven't had it yet, then thank
your firewall or anti-virus software.

In a nutshell, this is what happened to my partner and I,
we have 2 Desktop Computers and 1 laptop, 2 out of the
3 computers got infected, therefore progress on my
http://www.go-2-air-purifier-reviews.com came to a
frustrating halt! I had just downloaded and installed two
new software programs and almost accused both vendors
of having bugs.
Luckily, we had one computer left to search google for
any info on this worm but unfortunately it was too early for
any links etc, then this morning we continued searching
and then finally found all the info and patches to remedy
the situation.

All our computers are up and running smoothly
and a lesson well learnt, use firewalls and anti-virus
software and activate them all the time.

For the latest security patches from Microsoft,
go to:
http://www.microsoft.com/security/security_bulletins/ms03-026.asp

then click on the bottom link titled

"Get more technical details about this update"

A good article titled "Cleaning up after the MSBlast worm"
can be found here;

http://insight.zdnet.co.uk/software/0,39020463,39115651,00.htm

How could this have affected Adsense clickthroughs?
Well you see - the MSBlast worm crashes your computer
within 5 minutes of going online - therefore that
could have been the amount of time it took a visitor
to my website (caused an impression) but
did not have enough time to clickthrough before the
MSBlast worm terminated unexpectedly the Remote
Procedure Call (RPC) service this closed your
computer down within a few seconds.

Let's hope there is an improvement in the next few days
as most microsoft internet explorer users get their patches
and fixes sorted out.

Good Luck
Ed Oliver
http://go-2-air-purifier-reviews.com
-------------------------------------------

PS. Anyone got a similar experience to share?
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Bobby · Joined: 12 Jul 2003 Posts: 764

Ed,

Do you have the XP edition of Windows on your "infected" computers?

Bobby

Ed Oliver · Joined: 08 Aug 2003 Posts: 7

Hi Bobby,

You asked;

>Do you have the XP edition of Windows on
>your "infected" computers?

All our 3 computers have XP and I know reports
have it that, Windows XL and Widows2000 were
mostly affected, one computer was Ok, because
my partner had downloaded and installed a
Microsoft Security patch a day before, we
never got around to "patching" the other
2 computers before we got hit.

Other sources report of the virus carrying a
message for the Microsoft chairman: ?Billy Gates
why do you make this possible? Stop making
money and fix your software!!?

Obviously, targeting Microsoft and it's users.

Users of Linux, Unix, Netscape or Mac are Ok.

Symantec reports - more than 188,000 computers
were infected

The New York Times reports of different names
including "W32.Blaster," "MSBlast" and "W32/Lovsan,"

Who knows what's next?
I guess we all have to be constantly on our guard
with firewalls, anti-virus and all those patches.

Could this explain why the forums have been quiet
in the past 24 hours?

Regards
Ed Oliver
www.go-2-air-purifier-reviews.com
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Bobby · Joined: 12 Jul 2003 Posts: 764

Ed,

Based on what I've read, "most computers on the net" were not "crippled," so I doubt this explains any drop in AdSense impressions or revenue.

My understanding is only a small percentage of computers were affected.

Bobby

Ed Oliver · Joined: 08 Aug 2003 Posts: 7

Hi Bobby,

It is my fervent hope that most computer users
did not experience that nasty worm, but those that did
know how awful those 24hrs or so felt like.

The good news is, I have been checking my Adsense
clickthrough rates today and it's back to pre-MSBlast worm days
of over 30% so I am rocking with Adsense again.

Thanks for sharing your experience.

Regards

Ed Oliver
http://go-2-clocks.com
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Sam Odiaka · Joined: 10 Aug 2003 Posts: 17 Location: London-UK

Ed,

Neil Shearing had the same problem as you. Here is the special
issue he wrote:

Harith Al-Jibury · Joined: 11 Jul 2003 Posts: 37 Location: Denmark

Ed Oliver · Joined: 08 Aug 2003 Posts: 7

Hi Harith,

You wrote;

>The same thing is happening with my site, though my CTR dropped by >around 50%.
>However, I?m not buying the story of "MSBlast worm". Worms don?t eat >clickthorughs

Thanks for your contribution, I like your line "Worms don?t eat clickthorughs" Laughing

When strange things happen like what I described below in
my previous posting - you start asking all sorts of questions

How could this have affected Adsense clickthroughs?
Well you see - the MSBlast worm crashes your computer
within 5 minutes of going online - therefore that
could have been the amount of time it took a visitor
to my website (caused an impression) but
did not have enough time to clickthrough before the
MSBlast worm terminated unexpectedly the Remote
Procedure Call (RPC) service this closed your
computer down within a few seconds.

The good news is - my Adsense stats are back to normal
and rocking now.

Best Wishes
Ed Oliver
www.go-2-air-purifier-reviews.com
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2create · Joined: 29 Jul 2003 Posts: 45 Location: Dallas

I had a very dismal day yesterday but things have picked up today.
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Harith Al-Jibury · Joined: 11 Jul 2003 Posts: 37 Location: Denmark

My AdSense stats are back to normal too.

BTW, here is an interesting article about the worm in question:

FBI Looks For Source Of Internet Infection
http://www.bizreport.com/article.php?art_id=4754

All the best,

Harith
http://www.danex-exm.dk

Ed Oliver · Joined: 08 Aug 2003 Posts: 7

Hi All,

Microsoft announced on Friday that an e-mail hoax is circulating.
The subject line of the e-mail is "updated," and the message
appears to contain a critical update to patch systems against
the MSBlast worm. In reality, clicking on the attached file
will infect the recipient's computer with a Trojan horse program.
Antivirus company Sophos dubbed the new program Graybird.
Microsoft warned consumers that the company never uses e-mail
to distribute patches.

For your perusal, find below one of the best articles I have read
regarding MSBlast and how to best handle it;

You may have read recently that a computer virus known as MSBlast or Lovsan is

affecting computers with Microsoft Windows Operating systems. This virus utilises

vulnerability in the Microsoft software. Its effect is to cause computers to restart

regularly. MSBlast is a type of virus known as a ?worm? which does not appear to

cause permanent damage but is a threat to be taken seriously.

Which computer operating systems are affected?

Users of the following operating systems could be affected: Windows XP, Windows 2000,

Windows 2003, Windows NT 4.0.

Customers using Windows 95, Windows 98 or Windows ME are not affected.

What is the name of the virus?

Microsoft refers to this virus as the ?W32.Blaster.Worm?, but it is also known as

W32/Lovsan.worm, WORM_MSBLAST.A, Win32.Posa.Worm.

How do you I avoid getting the virus?

Firstly, you should ensure that you install a Firewall application and anti virus

software on your computer. A Firewall prevents unauthorised access to your computer

and will prevent attack from viruses. Anti-virus software will protect you from

viruses as long as you keep it up to date with the latest updates. Microsoft XP

comes equipped with a Firewall ? or you can download and install a free Firewall from

www.zonealarm.com.

Users of the operating systems listed above, in the section ?Which computer operating

systems are affected?? should enhance their software with the latest update called a

?patch?. The patch that will address this issue is called MS03-026. Updating your

computer with this patch will remove the vulnerability and prevent this type of virus

affecting you.

Customers that have previously applied the security patch MS03-026 before today are

protected and no further action is required.

How do you know if your computer has the virus?

The most common symptom of the virus is that your computer will restart every few

minutes, without your input. You may also find that a file called msblast.exe has

been created in your computer?s WINDOWS SYSTEM32 directory.

How do you know if you have the virus?

To detect this virus, search for msblast.exe in the WINDOWS SYSTEM32 directory or

download the latest anti-virus software signature from your anti-virus vendor and

scan your machine.

A number of software vendors are working together to overcome this virus. Additional

information on this virus is available from any of the following links:

Network Associates:
http://us.mcafee.com/virusInfo/default.asp?id=description&virus_k=100547

Trend Micro:
http://www.trendmicro.com/vinfo/virusencyclo/default5.asp?VName=WORM_MSBLAST.A

Symantec:
http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/venc/data/w32.blaster.worm.html

Computer Associates:
http://www3.ca.com/virusinfo/virus.aspx?ID=36265

Microsoft's Virus Information Alliance:

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/virus/via.asp

If you get the Virus how do you remove it?

1. In order to remove this virus please follow these instructions:

Do a search for msblast.exe by using the find files or programmes command (usually

found in system32 folder)
Delete it.
Click Start and select Run
Type msconfig & click OK
Select the start-up tab
Disable msblast
Reboot machine and enable your Firewall or anti-virus software. Refer to your

software instructions provided to ensure that it is set up correctly.

Alternatively

Security specialists Symantec have released a tool which will remove the current

infection from your computer. To download this tool, go to www.symantec.com and go to

the security response section. Then click the W32.Blaster.Worm link in the latest

virus threats section. This page offers more information regarding the worm, and a

downloadable tool to remove it.

2. Once you have removed the virus, immediately select one of the links below to

install the security patch needed to ensure no repeat infection occurs.

http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/venc/data/w32.blaster.worm.html

http://microsoft.com/technet/treeview/default.asp?url=/technet/security/bulletin/MS03

-026.asp

If you are away from your machine or are unable to get on-line, then the above links

will provide patches which are small enough to download from another PC on to a

floppy disc, to install on your PC at a later date.

To Your Happy & Safe surfing,

Ed oliver

Get your airborne virus busted at;
www.go-2-air-purifier-reviews.com
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