Reports have confirmed that Australia's largest online bargain shopping portal, DealsDirect. com. au, was recently blacklisted by Google and all major internet browsers. The development happened today after it was revealed that the site had been hosting some malware.

The popular website sells a wide range of products, including kitchen items, furniture, PCs, jewelry, electronics and alcohol, among other items.

People who were visiting the site through Firefox, Google Chrome or the newer Internet Explorer version were issued a warning that "visiting this site may harm your computer" because it "appears to host malware".

In addition, even the visitors who tried to access the website through Google search were not allowed to enter, thanks to a malware warning.

Even though the messages kept popping up until lunchtime today, DealsDirect spokeswoman Elisha Booth insisted that the malware had been successfully removed.

"The website or the server that it runs on probably has a security vulnerability, most likely from some out-of-date software", said a Google Australia spokeswoman.