Anyone know if Wowhead is still a gross malware trap?

Read a bit about how Wowhead had some nasty ads that installed malware/viruses even with adblock.
Curious if anyone else has experienced this or if it’s still an issue?

7 Likes

Not as bad as it was but i’d still use blockers—ad blockers and script blockers.

26 Likes

I refuse to go there, last time I did, everything on my system screamed get out. That was a year ago.

6 Likes

Ive never got anything from their site. Im really carefull about what I click on,dunno If that makes a difference, but I rarely go there anymore. So many ads and lots of loading problems/lag for me. That and I dont usually find what Im looking for anyway. I just google for most questions I have and get better results.

2 Likes

It could be because of the blocker, it could be because Wowhead took steps to better screen their ad providers. Whatever the case, with uBlock Origin and uBlock Origin Extra, I haven’t had any malware alerts since installing them.

23 Likes

Activision encourages its WoW subscribers to go to a site congested with malware.
Because it’s too lazy to provide the service themselves.

Even “greens” encourage players seek out and utilize external apps before using a site Activision passively suggests players use.

Madness.

42 Likes

There’s a lot of videos on YouTube that help as well, which is great for finding a quest because you see the map and see exactly what to do if you’re stuck.

I tell my friends to never go there, and always direct them to safer means, or I help them with th answer myself.

1 Like

<-- Visits Wowhead, and Mmochamp everyday,
Wowhead multiple times a day.

Playing WoW since August 2005. Have always used the main info sites Thottbot, Tankspot, elitist jerks and the chronological list goes on. Have never had anything suspicious happen.
Run addblocker plus, and ghostery in firefox. And Bitdefender av+ on my machine.

18 Likes

Yeah, as well as me only using LInux since the Burning Crusade expansion. So Wowhead behaves pretty well now.

Noscript
Ghostery
Adblocker Plus
In Firefox

I also close it again after using it, so it doesn’t slow things down.

But yeah, Wowhead got better at not letting that stuff through also.

Weird, I never had a problem w/ Wowhead. Thotbot and alakAzam used to infect my pc like a dirty needle in a shooting gallery.

I have since upgraded my security software. Wonder if that is why.

4 Likes

Wowhead had nothing but radio silence last malware issue they had. When panzer was getting mad because it affects her check.

16 Likes

with uBlock Origin and uBlock Origin Extra, I haven’t had any malware alerts since installing them.

Yet, one should not NEED those to view that site.

Kinda says it all, doesnt it?

9 Likes

What irritates me is there’s not another website as good as Wowhead.

13 Likes

I just have Adblock Plus, but never once have had any malware issues with that site at all. Been using it for many years perfectly fine.

2 Likes

never had an issue with them

The only thing that sets Wowhead apart, imo, is the user comments. Which ironically is not their doing, but ours. It’s irritating knowing that they’re pulling such shady business practices and making money off of our contributions.

14 Likes

I just opened Wowhead up on Firefox and Ghostery reported I was immediately hit by 11 items (which it blocked), composed of:

6 advertising trackers (presumably multiples on 2 of them)
2 site analytics trackers
1 social media tracker

It did not put up any urgent flags.

When I used Microsoft Edge (which has Ad Block installed) it indicated 10 ads blocked.

However I have noticed over the past few weeks that if I accidentally leave it open while playing, things slow down so presumably it is repeatedly attempting hits.

4 Likes

TBH one should use them everywhere. if you 100% trust a site…whitelist that, but if u cant trust em never go without 1.

3 Likes

You should only go to that site when absolutely necessary, with all ad blocking enabled, all anti-virus up to date, and for as briefly as possible.

11 Likes

I can’t leave a browser open to it because the bcakground scripts go haywire and do all sorts of things that shouldn’t even be possible. It’s by far the scummiest site on the Internet that I actually use. I’m annoyed that its databases are so vital.

1 Like