Punt it; it's malware!
Google reckons you'd be a fool to want to visit the Web site of the St. Kilda Saints' AFL team.
As Roger Thompson, Chief Research Officer at AVG Technologies, noted in a blog post, the footy site has been flagged with a malware warning. The result? Anyone who tries to Google their way to Saints fandom will be met with a message telling them their team's site is playing host to Internet nasties.
Would-be visitors must type the URL directly into their browser's address bar, as Google blocks direct access to the site in its search results.
The flagging is part of Google's measures to identify dangerous sites and prevent searches from landing among their sticky pages. But it seems that this time the good old Goog has ballsed it up.
As far as we can tell, there's nothing dodgy on the Saints' site -- apart from a few players sporting offensive hairstyles. So why has the site been flagged? Unfortunately, representatives from the Saints were unavailable, but Thompson from AVG's theory is that the site was hacked some time in the distant past, giving it a shady reputation with Google. Possible, but we also delight in rampant speculation and conspiracy theories, so any suggestions involving rival footy teams, bitter ex-players or site host BigPond are welcome in the comments below.
charlieb
26/02/2008 12:59 PM
Not just the Saints, have a search for 'Sydney Swans'
Report offensive content
MrGadget
26/02/2008 02:07 PM
Rival Footy Fan signing in!
Report offensive content
Ella Morton
26/02/2008 04:05 PM
You're correct, charlieb. I just posted a more comprehensive follow-up story here: http://www.cnet.com.au/software/security/0,239029558,339286313,00.htm
Report offensive content
Muzo
26/02/2008 05:14 PM
Looks like giving Google the flick and yahoo's the go ps I use Google as my home page no more carn the saints
Report offensive content
canberra_photographer
28/02/2008 06:20 PM
Google provides warnings but there is a button on the warning age that allows you to continue to the site at your own risk. Google often flags websites reported to it as possibly "damaging computers" but still provide a way to visit if the user really wants to.
Report offensive content
Crows Fan
30/03/2008 07:10 PM
Probably just trying to prevent you from wandering upon a **** site devised by one of the worst performing clubs in the AFL's history...full credit to Google
Report offensive content