Joan Says Our Changing Icons Tutorial Links Were Hacked!
So you know...your latest "Changing Icons" showed links to 2 URLs.   The one had been hacked. The other moved and has new name and pages.

Answer
Nothing on our site (Thundercloud.net or any other servers that we personally own) has ever been hacked. The tutorial links are all correct and are working properly. None of the links have been altered or hacked and all are working perfectly and have always been working (unless our site was down which is rare). The link to the tutorial is http://thundercloud.net/infoave/tutorials/changingicons/index.htm . The links in the tutorial, both working and correct are http://thundercloud.net/infoave/tutorials/makeicons/ and http://www.microangelo.us/ .

The reason we're answering your question is because it appears that your browser has been hijacked or you are infected with a spyware/adware program that has altered your HOSTS file. We strongly recommend that you scan your computer for spyware. If you don't have any anti-spyware programs installed (or you're relying on either Windows Defender (beta) or Ad-Aware to protect your computer) we urge you to install two good anti-spyware programs and scan your computer. Obviously when you click legitimate links and you're getting the impression something "was hacked" then something is wrong inside your computer. This is a very strong symptom that your computer is infected. Redirecting legitimate URLs to another URL is a common practice of some of the worst spyware programs and worms.

If you don't have a good anti-virus program installed or you have one installed and it has not been updated recently, we urge you to download one of the free (for home/personal use) ones we recommend in this newsletter and to go to http://housecall.trendmicro.com/ .

Many of the worst spyware programs and worms rely on the users normal reaction when clicking a link that leads to somewhere other than where it should. The user assumes that something is wrong with the Web site, when actually the switch is being done by the spyware or worm installed on their own computer that has corrupted and/or modified the Windows HOSTS file. The HOSTS file was a good idea as it speeds up Web browsing but it's a very easy way for viruses, spyware, adware, malware, an worms to trick you into thinking that the page you're trying to visit has been altered or "hacked". Actually the malware has "hacked" your HOSTS file and redirecting legitimate links that you click to other sites; usually sites that make money for spyware developer.

For further reading about the Windows HOSTS file see http://thundercloud.net/infoave/answers/managing-hosts-file.htm .

If any of the links in this article appear to be "hacked" to you, open your browser and copy & paste the links directly in your address bar. The links above are all working and all lead to the correct pages.