From David:

Dear Readers,

It has come to our attention that an email is being floated around the DoD Contractor Community today making apparently false accusations about somd.com being infected with a virus.

While we do not have the exact email address of the originator, the originator's title is listed as "C4IT Communications." The message is listed below:

"This is a warning not to visit the BayNet and SOMD (Southern Maryland Online) websites until further notice. It appears the sites may have been hacked and are distributing infected flash media files. ITS has had several computers compromised. If you visit either site, your browser may automatically play or download the infected flash files and possibly damage your computer.

"Please contact Dale Rose if you have questions: dale.p.rose(at)saic.com; 301-862-6275."

Not being aware of such an infection, being concerned for our good reputation, and having never been contacted by any of the people making these accusations, I (David) called the listed reference (Dale Rose) this afternoon to discuss the matter. Dale relayed that he had several machines infected with the "Swift" virus. However, after more detailed questioning, it became obvious that the accusations were mere assumptions and Dale could offer absolutely no proof that somd.com was offering any virus to any user. It seemed to me, based on what Dale said, that their entire assumption was based on the fact that they had a lot of machines visiting both somd.com and thebaynet.com, and therefore it must have been one of the two who infected their machines.

I gave Dale my email and phone number and asked him to have whomever contact me and provide proof that somd.com was infected so I could in good faith investigate. I also made it clear that we were quite concerned about what we believed were baseless accusations and the effect it would have on our hard earned and long standing reputation. As of this time (5:35pm), I have received no further communication. However, based on the number of emails and private messages we have received from our devoted readers, this careless accusation has already had a substantial negative impact on our reputation and business.

Rest assured that we will be contacting the highest level of management responsible for the accusation and will ask them to substantiate their claims or offer a public apology.

It was Darby, in the IT Lab, on his MacBook Pro!

It was Darby, in the IT Lab, on his MacBook Pro!

CyberClue....cool! :buddies:

Has Socki yet responded regarding the accusations about BayNet having the virus? Kwillia started a thread about it.

glad to hear there is nothing to it

Never once thought it was this site. In my post earlier today, I mentioned "somd sites". I can see where that may have been misconstrued as this site. I was not making that implication at all, and wouldn't have been on the site and posting if I felt it was a danger.

Just because their employees visit this site and Baynet does not in my opinion make these sites guilty. How about all the other sites they visit during the work day :shrug:
It is very wrong that they put out that letter without contacting either site with their suspicions first.

If we were infected, we'd know before some outside IT guy would. David is fanatical about this sort of thing and we have a zillion users who'd have been all over us the second anything happened.

I about had a heart attack thinking one of the Google ads might have been rogue, but David is all over that as well.

Thank you to everyone - and there were dozens - who made us aware this email went out so we could address it. :love:

I haven't seen the email.

The Baynet has no. virus. I sent an email to Vrai this afternoon when the email was forwarded to me. The email that was forwarded to me was an AT&T text account. This crap happened last year. A few threads got started in here and a few contractors blocked us based on a rumor. We've ran a few tests. No virus.

The Baynet has no. virus. I sent an email to Vrai this afternoon when the email was forwarded to me. The email that was forwarded to me was an AT&T text account. This crap happened last year. A few threads got started in here and a few contractors blocked us based on a rumor. We've ran a few tests. No virus.

run :smoochy:

run :smoochy:

Hush. I am tired and cranky. I've been replying to emails about this for 7 hours now. I have now put in just under 15 hours today. It just dawned on me to come in here to see if anyone was chatting about this. :frown:

Hush. I am tired and cranky. I've been replying to emails about this for 7 hours now. I have now put in just under 15 hours today. It just dawned on me to come in here to see if anyone was chatting about this. :frown:

Wow, what kind of virus do you have ?

Wow, what kind of virus do you have ?

simplex 2 :coffee:

Wow, what kind of virus do you have ?
The IDGAFF Virus.
simplex 2 :coffee:

Yeah, thanks to that wonderful night we spent making passionate grudge f...... love by the fire after doing jello shooters at :gossip:'s house.

Well, that email made it's way to my company this morning. Sent the security admin a copy of Dave's post.

I received e-mails yesterday from two different government contractors. Same thing basically, that SOMD.com and Baynet.com were going to be blocked.


It has been brought to our attention and confirmed by Corporate IT that BayNet and Southern Maryland Online websites has been compromised and are distributing infected flash media files. Corporate is aware of the situation and is taking the corrective action of blocking these sites. Please do not attempt to access these sites as you will be in danger of infecting your computer and having it removed by IT for further analysis.

Well, that email made it's way to my company this morning. Sent the security admin a copy of Dave's post.

Thank you. The IT guy jumping the gun like that has really caused a problem for us. That email has now gone viral throughout the DoD community. So anyone who wants to help spread the word that the accusation was false, please do.

No viruses... The BayNet and Southern Maryland Online Are Virus Free - Southern Maryland News, Charles County, Calvert County and St. Mary's County News (http://www.thebaynet.com/news/index.cfm/fa/viewstory/story_ID/27531)

No viruses... The BayNet and Southern Maryland Online Are Virus Free - Southern Maryland News, Charles County, Calvert County and St. Mary's County News (http://www.thebaynet.com/news/index.cfm/fa/viewstory/story_ID/27531)

sockgirl,
it's good that there's an article saying baynet and somd are virus free. however, people are not going to see the article on baynet when they are told that they can't go to baynet.

at least it's an attempt to get the word out, though.

sockgirl,
it's good that there's an article saying baynet and somd are virus free. however, people are not going to see the article on baynet when they are told that they can't go to baynet.

at least it's an attempt to get the word out, though.
:doh: I put the text in the other thread. I forgot about this one...

Recently there have been emails circulating throughout the region stating that TBN and somd.com are sending out viruses. This is not true. Both sites have run multiple checks and no virus of any type has been found.

Below is a copy of the email that has been sent out:

This is a warning not to visit the BayNet and SOMD (Southern Maryland Online) websites until further notice. It appears the sites may have been hacked and are distributing infected flash media files. ITS has had several computers compromised. If you visit either site, your browser may automatically play or download the infected flash files and possibly damage your computer. There is no reason to ignore this warning, however there is also no way for me to independently verify its validity.

This email initially came from an IT person at SAIC who detected a virus on a computer and notice that our site and somd.com were the most frequented sites. However, the virus came from neither. The email clearly stated that they could not verify its validity.

If anyone has any questions or concerns please contact us at support@thebaynet.com.

This is a warning not to visit the BayNet and SOMD (Southern Maryland Online) websites until further notice. It appears the sites may have been hacked and are distributing infected flash media files. ITS has had several computers compromised. If you visit either site, your browser may automatically play or download the infected flash files and possibly damage your computer. There is no reason to ignore this warning, however there is also no way for me to independently verify its validity.
This email initially came from an IT person at SAIC who detected a virus on a computer and notice that our site and somd.com were the most frequented sites. However, the virus came from neither. The email clearly stated that they could not verify its validity.

If anyone has any questions or concerns please contact us at support@thebaynet.com.

"I cannot verify its validity but it doesn't stop me from naming them as the culprits."

I visit SOMD.com every afternoon. I also visit Baynet from time to time. I have been doing this for well over two (2) years now..

Based on this,
If there was a virus, I and many others that visit your site would have received this virus by now..

Fact of the matter is that we have not and that in itself should be proof enough!

June

I visit SOMD.com every afternoon. I also visit Baynet from time to time. I have been doing this for well over two (2) years now..

Based on this,
If there was a virus, I and many others that visit your site would have received this virus by now..

Fact of the matter is that we have not and that in itself should be proof enough!

June

Maybe it's a stealth virus like HPV.

Looks like Mousebaby was trying to carry through on her threat. Remember, she knows people....

"I cannot verify its validity but it doesn't stop me from naming them as the culprits."

That's pretty much how things are done in this country, politically, judicially, socially.

It's Bush's fault.

It's those Tea-baggers.

A white guy named Zimmerman stalked and killed a young teenager.

Other than the EmptyTimCup virus (:popcorn:/:whistle:) that's been incessantly spamming up the Politics boards for quite some time now, I haven't noticed anything virus-like.

This thing has taken on a life of its own now. We're getting calls and emails from all across the DoD stratosphere, both contractors AND government, and outside the DoD environment as well. And the details keep changing, like that game Telephone.

:ohwell:

Just goes to show you how crap gets started.

This thing has taken on a life of its own now. We're getting calls and emails from all across the DoD stratosphere, both contractors AND government, and outside the DoD environment as well. And the details keep changing, like that game Telephone.

:ohwell:

Just goes to show you how crap gets started.

Do you want me to be in charge of your PR? :coffee:

This thing has taken on a life of its own now. We're getting calls and emails from all across the DoD stratosphere, both contractors AND government, and outside the DoD environment as well. And the details keep changing, like that game Telephone.

:ohwell:

Just goes to show you how crap gets started.

Betcha it was smnews.net trying to sabotage you guys :evil:































:lol:

Betcha it was smnews.net trying to sabotage you guys :evil:































:lol:

:killingme That's what I said in another thread.... Danzig is behind this... Too funny!

If we were infected, we'd know before some outside IT guy would. David is fanatical about this sort of thing and we have a zillion users who'd have been all over us the second anything happened.

I about had a heart attack thinking one of the Google ads might have been rogue, but David is all over that as well.

Thank you to everyone - and there were dozens - who made us aware this email went out so we could address it. :love:

We have really good detection software here at work, and if anything were amiss I'd get a pop-up telling me that a virus had been squashed/isolated, whateva ...... but that hasn't happened.

Him getting the ad here was to throw them off :lmao:

This is pretty serious, and if lawyers get involved, there could be a damage suit won based on this kind of misinformation.

Other than the EmptyTimCup virus (:popcorn:/:whistle:) that's been incessantly spamming up the Politics boards for quite some time now, I haven't noticed anything virus-like.Lets not forget that ETC has nothing on nonnothing, nhgirl, forrestal et al when it comes to incessant spamming.

This is pretty serious, and if lawyers get involved, there could be a damage suit won based on this kind of misinformation.

oh please...give me a break!! If that was the case we could sue the weatherman!

Other than the EmptyTimCup virus (:popcorn:/:whistle:) that's been incessantly spamming up the Politics boards for quite some time now, I haven't noticed anything virus-like.

Maybe it is the Secret Service.

This is pretty serious, and if lawyers get involved, there could be a damage suit won based on this kind of misinformation.

We're not interested in that. We just want the information to be corrected so people aren't freaking out and thinking they'll have a problem if they come on here.

And I feel confident that it wasn't Danzig trying to sabotage us. :lol:

We're not interested in that. We just want the information to be corrected so people aren't freaking out and thinking they'll have a problem if they come on here.

Any connection that your name "vraiblonde" contains the word "viral"....hmmmmmmmmmm

Did it work?

This is pretty serious, and if lawyers get involved, there could be a damage suit won based on this kind of misinformation.

Have you been hanging around Deekaypee too much?

This is pretty serious, and if lawyers get involved, there could be a damage suit won based on this kind of misinformation.
How do you figure? As I posted in another thread, I do believe any company has the right to block any website as they so chose. And as for the email, I do believe they only sent it out to their employees and in their email they said "they suspected but weren't sure" and "as a precaution...".

How do you figure? As I posted in another thread, I do believe any company has the right to block any website as they so chose. And as for the email, I do believe they only sent it out to their employees and in their email they said "they suspected but weren't sure" and "as a precaution...".

Everyone tryin' to find a lawsuit!!! :patriot:

Liability is a fact of life these days ...... watch what you say, and who you say it about, as consequences could be greater than you ever imagined.

Liability is a fact of life these days ...... watch what you say, and who you say it about, as consequences could be greater than you ever imagined.

paranoid much?

paranoid much?

No, but I know a few people that said what they thought were not-so-bad things, that were sued. It pays to be cautious unless you like to give away money (court awards).

How do you figure? As I posted in another thread, I do believe any company has the right to block any website as they so chose. And as for the email, I do believe they only sent it out to their employees and in their email they said "they suspected but weren't sure" and "as a precaution...".
1) They may or may not have sent it internally. I do not have the original email, so I can not determine who it was originally sent to. It must have been distributed outside the company by a company employee at which time it went into the public domain. That makes the company responsible. [THE ONE(S) WHO SENT THE EMAIL OUTSIDE OF THE COMPANY ARE TRULY THE ONES WHO SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE -- AND I HOPE THEY ARE READING THIS.)
2) Their assumption was apparently made with little care by people who apparently were not technically qualified.
3) When you contact the listed POC and ask for proof and no proof is offered; when you tell them you are concerned about the damage they are doing to your reputation and ask them to send out a retraction since they have no proof and they do not; and when it takes you 3 days to get a response from their management...
4) When you do something in a reckless or negligent manner and it financially damages another individual or organization, the injured party most certainly has a right to seek compensation.

So, yes you are correct, they do have the right to block any one they want. But, they sure as hell don't have the right to do what they did to us. And frankly, if the issue was so serious, all they had to do was block the sites in their firewall -- at which point no email would have even been necessary.

I spoke with one IT manager this morning who blocked us from their entire company based on an Nth generation version of the email he received Wed. night. He told me that based on the forwarding chain of the email he received, the message had clearly gone VIRAL!

In any regard, we finally spoke with management today and they plan to make a statement regarding the episode. An no, we are not asking for financial compensation--only for the record to be corrected.

Just curious, what do people think:

1. It would cost just to start a lawsuit such as this?
2. Total cost of a lawsuit such as this?
3. Total time involved in a lawsuit such as this?
4. What would you win?

I'm not a lawyer, however was involved in a lawsuit with a successful outcome. Although I cannot reveal specifics of our case, I can answer the questions above with first hand knowledge. I think many would be surprised and wouldn't toss out the word lawsuit as often if they had a clue.

That's why it always amazes me when people bring these frivolous lawsuits. They are expensive and time-consuming, not to mention losers in court.

Anyway, it would have been easy for the IT guy who started this to simply block flash on the network and make exceptions for internal applications. A little forethought instead of knee-jerk reaction would have prevented this mess. I have a whole diatribe about IT people and their alternate thought process, but I'll spare you. In a sentence, I think they should all require a real human monitor to talk them off the ledge when they start "fixing" problems. :lol:

That's why it always amazes me when people bring these frivolous lawsuits. They are expensive and time-consuming, not to mention losers in court.



Most people don't understand that you can usually only get compensated for your actual losses, which can be hard to prove. In this case you have the tangible losses like the time that it took to investigate and solve this as well as the intangible loss to your reputation. How do you put a price on that?

You could probably seek to recover your losses, but after paying the lawyers you wouldn't get anything but a reason to drink.

We have really good detection software here at work, and if anything were amiss I'd get a pop-up telling me that a virus had been squashed/isolated, whateva ...... but that hasn't happened.

Not necessarily

Not necessarily

I said "good" not perfect LOL

If People would NOT Use Internet Exploder .................



:buddies:

Anyway, it would have been easy for the IT guy who started this to simply block flash on the network and make exceptions for internal applications. [ah huh ] A little forethought instead of knee-jerk reaction would have prevented this mess.

[I'd have just blocked SOMD.com untill it was sorted out]

:tap:

I have a whole diatribe about IT people and their alternate thought process, but I'll spare you.



:whistle:

:whistle:

Right. And I think before you communicate, you should have to run it by me first. :razz:

Hi all, I wanted to offer an apology for my post on Thursday night. While accurate, there was no need to be so terse. At that time, the saga was in day 3, growing worst by the hour and the comments made touched a nerve.

Here is what I would really like to have said:

First and most important, I do not believe that there was any malice of forethought in this. The person(s) who sent the email were doing there job and as far as I know, the message was meant to be company internal. As far as their conclusion made in the email, people make mistakes. The real problem started when person or persons unknown sent that email out to the world.

As soon as it came to our attention, I knew what the consequences would be if we did not nip it in the bud. I called the listed POC within the hour and that conservation is well documented elsewhere. The real issue with this saga is that the damage could have been easily mitigated early on had the source done something to correct the problem.

IMO, all someone in that organization had to do was send out another email to all hands in the company that might have read as follows:

"An email was sent out earlier advising everyone not to visit somd.com because we suspected they were infected with a virus. After further investigation, that analysis appears to be incorrect and we withdraw the embargo.

"It has also come to my attention that some of our employees forwarded this email outside the company. We have been advised that this email has now gone viral and the company reports that they are being harmed. In the interest of fair play, please forward this email to the people whom you forwarded the earlier email so we can help correct this mistake"

Unfortunately, that never happened to my knowledge.

We did receive a return call on Thursday from a highly placed company official who politely apologized and stated they they were going to issue a public statement. As far as I know, the latter has not yet occurred.

We wish no one any ill will in this matter and only hope whomever does the right thing.

I do want to thank the many readers who contacted us to let us know what was going on and who put in touch with their management. I am also profoundly grateful to the IT folks I spoke with who were understanding of our saga and help reverse the damage back the chain from which they learned of it. If there is a silver lining to this story, these good people whom I just mentioned are truly it ! :)

Well fyi thursday on the government side I got an email telling us not to go to somd.com because you will get a virus and then possibly lose your computer for weeks.

..... the message was meant to be company internal. As far as their conclusion made in the email, people make mistakes. The real problem started when person or persons unknown sent that email out to the world.

[because we all know, Internal Company Virus Alerts stay within the Company Network Sending them]



:buddies:

Sorry to hear about all the Woe ..........

I said "good" not perfect LOL

Zero-day attack - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zero-day_attack)

This is pretty serious, and if lawyers get involved, there could be a damage suit won based on this kind of misinformation.

I'd say, at best, this is doubtful.

DoD contractors act on their own behalf and can do as they please with their own company - including internet access.

What can SOMD.com really sue over?...blocking internet access to non-work related websites that showed potential for being infected?
Having said that, the IT guy's assumption turned out to be incorrect. This came out earlier this week...(sorry I didn't post it earlier but I was working :lol:):

"Our ITS team has verified that the SOMD (Southern Maryland Online) and BayNet websites pose no current threat to SAIC's network. Accordingly, SAIC employees may visit those sites in accordance with SAIC policy."

...so, carry on peoples...

"Our ITS team has verified that the SOMD (Southern Maryland Online) and BayNet websites pose no current threat to SAIC's network. Accordingly, SAIC employees may visit those sites in accordance with SAIC policy."

Thank you for posting that. I spoke with a gentleman at SAIC and he got it all straightened out.

We never had any intention of suing anyone, so I don't even know how that line of conversation got started. :lol: Stuff happens and it's not in our interest to get pissy and ugly about it.

Stuff happens and it's not in our interest to get pissy and ugly about it.

hmmm... then why did David apologize... :confused:

hmmm... then why did David apologize... :confused:

Did you not read his post?

Thank you for posting that. I spoke with a gentleman at SAIC and he got it all straightened out.

We never had any intention of suing anyone, so I don't even know how that line of conversation got started. :lol: Stuff happens and it's not in our interest to get pissy and ugly about it.

I wish they would send out a retraction and a mass email. :jameo:

SAIC are noobs.