Support

Akeeba Backup for WordPress

#33409 When attempting to download Akeeba Backup Pro for Wordpress, Google Chrome says the file may be dangerous and blocks the download

Posted in ‘Akeeba Backup for WordPress’
This is a public ticket

Everybody will be able to see its contents. Do not include usernames, passwords or any other sensitive information.

Environment Information

WordPress version
n/a
PHP version
n/a
Akeeba Backup version
n/a

Latest post by on Sunday, 16 August 2020 17:17 CDT

twsysadmin

Whenever I attempt to download Akeeba Backup Pro for Wordpress Google Chrome keeps saying it's a dangerous file and prevents the download. Is there any explanation for this?

The following information is from Google's website at https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/6261569?visit_id=637305969752450109-3301629932&p=ib_download_blocked&hl=en&rd=1 .

Chrome automatically blocks harmful downloads that try to cause problems on your computer, like:

  • Giving you viruses
  • Leaking your private data
  • Changing your browser and computer settings
  • Adding unwanted extensions or toolbars to your browser
Why the download was blocked

Your file download may have been blocked for one of two reasons:

  • We think it might be a malicious, unwanted, or uncommon file.
    • Malicious: You tried downloading malware.
    • Unwanted: You tried downloading a deceptive piece of software. This program, disguised as a helpful download, may actually make unexpected changes to your computer.
    • Uncommon: You tried downloading an unfamiliar and potentially dangerous piece of software.
  • We've found that the website you tried to download the file from has been known to distribute malware.

 

To help protect users, Google maintains a list of websites that are known to host malicious downloads and a list of trusted software publishers. If you're a software publisher and your binaries are flagged by Chrome, learn how to resolve malware or unwanted software issues related to your downloads.

nicholas
Akeeba Staff
Manager

I don't know why Chrome is doing that. It apparently dislikes some of our software without rhyme or reason. For example, the Core version of Akeeba Backup is fine, the Pro shows this misleading warning. I would think it's because one comes from our CDN and the other from our server but it's not the case. Akeeba Ticket System Core and Pro downloads without a problem. I even get the warning for FOF whichs is part of Akeeba Backup Core for Joomla that don't show this warning. Likewise SocialLogin which is a trivial plugin throws a warning BUT Akeeba Engage which is far more complex (and does include FOF which Google Chrome didn't like downloading) works fine.

All of these packages were created from the same computer at the same point in time. So it's not like I had a hacked computer or something -- not to mention that I am incredibly paranoid with the build computer to begin with.

All packages were uploaded the same way and their links are generated from the same software.

All downloads have a clearly marked Download button, too.

I followed Chrome's link to the troubleshooting page for developers. It tells me to look at the security report which is reporting no items.

So Chrome believes that there is an issue with some random files but at the same time Google tells me there is no issue.

From where I am standing it looks completely random and possibly a bug in Chrome?

Nicholas K. Dionysopoulos

Lead Developer and Director

🇬🇷Greek: native 🇬🇧English: excellent 🇫🇷French: basic • 🕐 My time zone is Europe / Athens
Please keep in mind my timezone and cultural differences when reading my replies. Thank you!

System Task
system
This ticket has been automatically closed. All tickets which have been inactive for a long time are automatically closed. If you believe that this ticket was closed in error, please contact us.

Support Information

Working hours: We are open Monday to Friday, 9am to 7pm Cyprus timezone (EET / EEST). Support is provided by the same developers writing the software, all of which live in Europe. You can still file tickets outside of our working hours, but we cannot respond to them until we're back at the office.

Support policy: We would like to kindly inform you that when using our support you have already agreed to the Support Policy which is part of our Terms of Service. Thank you for your understanding and for helping us help you!