Heads-up – John’s blog was hacked, don’t go there!
It appears that John’s official website was the next victim of a common malware attack aimed at outdated installs of WordPress.
In simple language – don’t go there until further notice.. It went to piÄka materina. You might end up downloading a rogue program to your computer from its footer. Such programs ironically pose as anti-virus software prompting you to buy it, while installing shortcuts to online porn on your desktop, gaining access over your system tools.
If you have already been attacked by going to johnfrusciante.com, download a copy of Malwarebytes’ Anti-Malware and have it scan your computer while NOT connected to the Internet – unplug your cables, shut down your routers, whatever it takes. Once it’s done scanning, update its database and scan again, just in case.
I’m also using this opportunity to point out something many people are still wrong about – John is not on Twitter. If you spoke to anyone using his name, other than JohnJFrusciante who happens to be a writer/comedian from New York with the same name, you were scammed. There’s a fake John out there wishing people a happy Purim and endorsing random bands.
The record company was notified about both of these issues and sent helpful tips on how to fix it, until then listen to what Google says and don’t go to johnfrusciante.com or talk to the prankster on Twitter.
For reference: there’s a little thing us professional web designers know and amateurs blame others for it when they first encounter them, usually thinking they have a rival – a website has got to be maintained, databases need to be purged, spam cleaned up and content management system updated. In particular, if you’re a WordPress user, update it to 3.0.1. Same goes for your social media presence – someone might be “you” and you might not have an idea about it; so reserve your name everywhere if you’re anywhere near a public person and be extra-cautious even if you aren’t. These things can cause serious trauma to those affected.
And the above was just a friendly note, of course. ^_^
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