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Are Progressive/Liberal Blogs Being Marginalized by Internet Security Software Vendors?

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Follow Me on Twitter     Message William Cormier

A funny thing happened to me as I attempted to access my site to post an article; like any savvy Internet user, my virus and malware protection, as well as a software firewall compliments my home system. I don’t need down-time because of viruses and spyware, and there have been several instances where my home computer was hacked, as well as this site. Imagine my surprise when I attempted to access Justanothercoverup – and my security suite responded that Justanothercoverup was a dangerous site and wouldn’t allow me to access the site.

At first, I was only mildly perturbed, but after entering that it was a safe site, approved of by the site administrator, the program still would now allow me to access Justanothercoverup. The only way I could get to my own site was to disable the firewall feature completely – which is one of the reasons I chose this particular suite to protect my system.

If this was a new product I had just installed, I’d chalk it up to a setup error; however, it’s not, and has been operating in the background for approximately three months. This “change” occurred with their last update, and I question how a site which is hosted by a premier web hosting company which is prominently displayed on my site could be a “dangerous site.” If other customers are receiving this same message, will they take the additional steps necessary to enter a so-called “dangerous site?” How many other Liberal/Progressive sites have been determined to me “malicious” by our software vendors – and where are they receiving their information from?

This is the message I received from Trend-Micro:

Dear William,

This is Madelyn from Trend Micro Consumer Support.

I have reviewed your case and I understand that your site has been tagged as malicious by the Trend Micro program after downloading the latest update on your computer.

First of all, I would like to apologize for all the inconveniences that this had caused you. Rest assured that we will correct this problem by reclassifying the website. But in order for us to do that, you will have to submit a feedback and a summary description of your site. Please click on the link below on how to submit the form:

(Link deleted.)
(Note: If you cannot click the link, you can copy and paste it on a new window)

Note: We would appreciate a response from you within five (5) days from the date you receive this email. After the given time frame, your case will be temporarily closed and you will receive a feedback form from us to help us serve you better. Should you still have concerns with your case, please simply reply to this email.

Madelyn V. Aboy
Consumer Support Team
Trendlabs HQ, Trend Micro Incorporated

This was the original memorandum I sent to Trend-Micro, and hopefully, the situation will be resolved in a matter of a few days. The issue as I see it is that I discovered, quite by accident, that Trend-Micro was blocking my site. How many other companies are doing the same thing to other Liberal/Progressive sites? I’m unaware of how to find out if this practice is wide-spread, and I invite other Op-Ed News investigative writers to do a little digging and see if this is an isolated incident - or if it’s another way the GOP and the Department of Homeland Insecurity are working to marginalize and block what I believe is an assault on free speech - something that should concern us all.

To Whom It May Concern:

I am a residential customer, however, I am also a political commentator and own and operate http://justanothercoverup.com/ . While I’m certainly not at the top of the heap, I do have an international readership. Further, on this year’ Political Blog of the year, OpEdNews.com, I am a featured writer and this is their assessment of me meant for general publication:

“William Cormier writes for www.opednews.com, an internet only media site that has grown to become one of the highest traffic news sites in America, reaching more traffic, according to alexa.com, than all but thirty largest daily newspapers in the US. William Cormier is one of the 500+ liberal pundits who, each month, are published in what has become one of the top five Liberal/progressive media sites in the US.

Contact The Author: wjcormier@bellsouth.net

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My Bio is as varied as my life. In 2012, my twin sons murdered a Journalist in Pensacola, Fl., for 100K worth of "Magic The Gathering" playing cards and buried the body in my backyard. I was once a regular writer here, but PTSD from my son's (more...)
 

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