Well...it's not just AVG who's being cautious...although I didn't access/read your link Raven. I had a "blocked" notice here at the table from Malwarebytes today. I should note that I have the Pro [paid] version of Malwarebytes. And...it's not the first time I've had such an experience here lately. sigh Anne

A long script may be an infection or a nasty tracking code. It could also be some 'wild code' that got away from Garden Web. What to do: Exit Garden Web. Bring up your control window of your virus scanner and check for updates. If updates are available, download and install. Exit the internet and have your anti-virus software scan your system. And then, reboot. The above instructions is not a cure-all, but a precaution. A poorly writtne or bad script can grab your computer resources to the point where not much can be accomplished. Another option some of my aquainences uses is o scan with CCleaner. The free on-lne version has been helpful in clearing out unwanted junk that clogs a sysgem. This is one of the problems with social forums. These can become infected unknowingly by a user. Often, the infection in an attachment or link to another site.

If you are talking about email spam I don't get any. I used an address that was unique with letters and numbers which made to no sense at all to anyone or any software they use..... but me. Some people use their name or parts of it with numbers and there is software out there than get your email from that and forwards. Anyone I give my email addy to is told "don't send me forwards". I also tell every one who puts me on an email list to use BBC so the address is not exposed. The few I did get I blocked on my servers email site. The companies that sent me info that I didn't want I unsubscribed and I was told that just lets them know you have a working email. All the companies like that have stopped sending the emails. Always have at least 2 email addresses and use one for family and friends and one for the net. I once got an email with over 50 email addresses exposed. I did the "reply to all" and told them to look at all of their exposed email addresses. I also explained about BBC. One person emailed me about it and asked what BBC is. another guy emailed me and said "where did you get me email address". I told he it was exposed in the list of addresses at the top of his message. He apologized and thanked me for letting him know. That had to have been bouncing around the net months or years.

I think they keep "making a mistake" to see how loud we will scream. It is all over "home decorating' ,"home decorating conversations", "kitchen table", and "cooking". FWIIW, I will not use the Houzz conversations. They don't work. I don't mind the houzz pictures or shopping or ads. If they want me to see their ads, they need to incorporate Houzz conversations into Garden Web, not the other way around. The Garden Web platforms have a MUCH better IT performance. Mine is back to normal after two days. For now. If there is anything you REALLY don't want to lose, print a hard copy.