Hi folks...

Let me put this matter to rest. The ATOMIC MALL site does not have Trojans, Virii, SpyWare, Worms, or any other type of malevolent software within the site.

The problem described is an issue with McAfee. McAfee fails to distinguish the difference between legitimate web coding (particulary javascript), and generates false alarms.

Mike at ATOMIC MALL is aware of McAfee's shortcomings, and is working on altering the site's coding in an effort to curb the incorrect and ominous warnings that the McAfee anti-virus program is generating.

The reality is (I'll probably take some flack for this), that McAfee software is inferior and over priced.

Avast is a better alternative. It provides excellent protection, doesn't alarm you unnecessarily with false alarms, and it's also free. Of course, there are other suitable anti-virus and Internet security programs available that are also effective.

Just my two cents - I'd stay away from both Nortons and McAfee. They both have flaws, they both can provide a false sense of security, and they are both over priced. Why are they both the "big boys" on the block? Only because they've paid to have trial versions of their software installed by manufacturers on most PCs being sold.

One of my sidelines is repairing PCs and removing the "kooties" that infect many machines. On most PCs that I remove spyware and other malevolent software from, guess what anti-virus programs were installed and supposedly protecting the machines and users? - McAfee and Nortons.

After I disinfect a machine, I install Avast.

Hi, ScienceFare! Thanks for the info...MacGaffee came with the new computer on Vista, trial version...should I uninstall and try Avast??

Thanks for your 2 cents!

Thanks for the input, ScienceFare. I figured it was a compatibility thing with MacAfee.

CelestialTreasures wrote (View Post): › Hi, ScienceFare! Thanks for the info...MacGaffee came with the new computer on Vista, trial version...should I uninstall and try Avast?? Thanks for your 2 cents!

Hey, you're welcome!

I would. Here's the deal... with the Internet as it is, your PC can, and probably will become victim to some kind of malevolent software with 1 hour of unprotected connection to the Internet. I'm not joking, and that statement is not an exaggeration.

Typically, the trial anti-virus software that comes pre-installed on machines today is effective for only a few months. When the trial expires, your PC is unprotected. When it expires, the trial software nags you continuously to BUY, BUY, BUY the full version.

With human nature being the way it is, many folks ignore the fact that this trial has expired, and delay purchasing the software.

I recommend that you download Avast when you're ready, DISCONNECT the PC from the Internet, and uninstall the trial software, and then install Avast. Do not allow your machine to be connected to the Internet for ANY period of time without current and up to date protection.

@ attheboutique

You're welcome.

Well put Sciencefare!


Thanks for giving all of us the scoop on what should be done....No one can be too careful these days...


CNote

Money_Auctionz wrote (View Post): › Well put Sciencefare! Thanks for giving all of us the scoop on what should be done....No one can be too careful these days... CNote

You're welcome. And, thanks for putting that link to Avast in your post up above. Helps folks find it just a little bit easier.

Thanks to all for your help! Uninstalled McGafee and installed Avast...works great! No more Trojan messages!

I am glad I was able to help in some small way...

CNote

Mike,

I've spent quite some time on the site this afternoon and I am very impressed with what you have done so far.

I love the magnification of the thumbnail with the pertinent information shown when wanted. I loved how easy it was to complete the listing and how nice the lady was that I bought from.

I liked your verification notice and your follow up email.

It looks like you are on the right track.

Can I ask what your plans are to let buyers know we are there? If this is already covered I apologize for not reading all the messages, but do you provide a Google feed? Do you submit to any other search engines.

Thanks,
linda

Hi Linda, I also did some research on the site today. It seems they do Google feeds but more will be needed from us.

I'll try my novelty products on the site and list similar items on eBay in an auction format....I'll provide a link to my Atomic Mall store to my eBay customers to get the site some exposure....

Use eBay to your advantage as you build up alternatives...

This is a quote from Mike on the Atomic Mall forum: http://atomicmall.proboards50.com/index.cgi?board=promos&action=display&thread=247

"I'm also looking into submitting to Vast.com, as they seem to be an up and coming shopping portal with some potential. So for the near term, you can expect to have your Atomic Mall items visible at:

Google.com (about 60-70% in a main site search - working on that)
Google Shopping
Oodle
Walmart Classifieds
Usenet Newsgroups (aka Google Groups)
Explorz.com (must be activated by Seller)
Kaboodle.com (must be submitted by Seller)

and soon...

Vast.com"

We use a neat little piece of javascript to give our images a "zoom" effect. What's happening is we're using an encrypted or "compressed" version of this script on all our pages. It's a fairly elaborate piece of code, and the advantage to using the compressed version is that's it's smaller and pages load a little faster. The disadvantage is that certain virus programs (McAfee, are you listening?) spot this compressed code, can't tell what it does, and assume it's something malicious.

It's usually classified as belonging to the "js.Wonka" class, and is described here:

"JS.Wonka is a generic detection of web pages or e-mail messages that contain a certain functionality for encrypting scripts that may have malicious intent. This does not necessarily mean that a virus has been found."

At any rate, we are in the process of upgrading to the latest version of this script, which will correct the McAfee false alarms.

And CT, thanks for the exposure! Any thread with "Atomic Mall" in the title brings a smile to my face. I even liked your little caption teaser about being "virus-prone". LOL That was a nice touch.

If I didn't know better, I might think it was an attempted sabotage hit by a competitor, but of course that's ludicrous.

Welcome to PSU!

Thank you gift. I guess I better head on over to the forums on Atomic Mall.

I am just desperate. I HAVE TO GET OFF EBAY!

The new fees and the push for free shipping or becoming invisible just doesn't work for me. I computed them today and if I list a 45 rpm record for $5 and offer free shipping it will cost me $5.50 by time I buy the box, pay the shipping, pay the FVF when sold and listing fees to list it 3 times. (average for sales...if they are seen at all).

I don't see how anyone is going to make money over there selling items under $10.

lindajean wrote (View Post): › I've spent quite some time on the site this afternoon and I am very impressed with what you have done so far.

That's great Linda. I'm really glad it's working for you so far. We're still pretty new though, so don't be surprised if you find a broken gadget here or there.

Quote: › I love the magnification of the thumbnail with the pertinent information shown when wanted. I loved how easy it was to complete the listing and how nice the lady was that I bought from.

So far we've been really blessed with some awesome Sellers. I couldn't have asked for a better group of people to get started with. Honestly.

Quote: › I liked your verification notice and your follow up email. It looks like you are on the right track. Can I ask what your plans are to let buyers know we are there? If this is already covered I apologize for not reading all the messages, but do you provide a Google feed? Do you submit to any other search engines.

Sure. During September and October we will be putting more of an emphasis on paid advertising and promotion to start increasing public awareness for our brand. During this period, all fees collected from sales will be funneled back into advertising, in addition to some private funding we've secured. Naturally Google is the big player in this field, and we'll be participating there, as well as Netklix, Textlink, Yahoo and a few others.

We also have just begun to tap into my personal customer database from previous online ecommerce ventures, which is around 100,000 strong. Those clients are currently being alerted to the status of my old ecommerce sites, and brought up to speed with key details about Atomic Mall, and its benefits and features.

Regarding your question about search engines, we automatically submit all listings on AM to these sites every 24 hours:

Google.com (main site)
Google Shopping
Oodle
Walmart Classifieds (powered by Oodle)
Usenet Newsgroups (aka Google Groups)

We also are enjoying great exposure for our members on these sites:

Explorz.com (must be activated by Seller)
Kaboodle.com (must be submitted by Seller)

I'm also looking into submitting to Vast.com, as they seem to be an up and coming shopping portal with some potential. So for the near term, you can expect to have your Atomic Mall items visible at all of the above, and soon... Vast.com

Thanks,
Mike

Gift Depot wrote (View Post): › This is a quote from Mike on the Atomic Mall forum: http://atomicmall.proboards50.com/index.cgi?board=promos&action=display&thread=247

Doh!!

See? That's what I get for letting my browser get stale while I mow the lawn, then return and answer questions from several hours ago. ROFL.

See how good my members are? I don't even really need to be here do I?