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Am I Under Attack?

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New Judge | 17:08 Sat 24th Oct 2015 | Technology
43 Answers
Gromit has posted under this question:

http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/News/Question1452148.html

which may be mis-posted. It prompted me because since yesterday afternoon I have been intermittently blasted with a pop-up:

"The page at http://gadgey-promotions.com says:
Congratulations BT Public Internet Service Customer!
Your Desktop Desktop [sic] has been randomly selected to win a courtesy Apple product!"

It only seems to happen (as far as I can tell) when I’m using AB. I get this and other messages informing me I have won prizes. I got another telling me:

“Recommended.
You are currently using Firefox browser and it is recommended that you update your media player to the latest version available. Please update in order to continue.”

They are all in the same format (light grey popup boxes with no “X” to close, only an “OK” button.) They appear at fairly regular intervals, perhaps once every minute or two.”

I also keep getting diverted to a site called “Flirchi.com” (a dating website) which takes meout of AB entirely.

Norton blocked at attack by “fake.app attack” or something, but it’s still happening. What can I do about it?

Anybody else having similar probs?
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If Malwarebytes isn't helping, try resetting Firefox: If you've not got the Menu bar (File, Edit, View, etc) visible at the top of your screen, enable it by right clicking in that area and clicking on 'Menu Bar'. Go to Tools > Add-ons > Extensions and note down the names of any extensions (such as AdBlock Plus, etc) that you want to keep. Then go to Help >...
17:21 Sat 24th Oct 2015
Yes, I'm getting all those too on kindle fire. Malwarebytes hasn't found anything.
Yes, I'm having the same problems too !
If Malwarebytes isn't helping, try resetting Firefox:

If you've not got the Menu bar (File, Edit, View, etc) visible at the top of your screen, enable it by right clicking in that area and clicking on 'Menu Bar'.

Go to Tools > Add-ons > Extensions and note down the names of any extensions (such as AdBlock Plus, etc) that you want to keep.

Then go to Help > Troubleshooting Information and click on 'Refresh Firefox'.

Go back to Tools > Add-ons > Extensions and use the search box to find and reinstall the extensions you require.

Cross fingers.
If there is no 'X' to close a popup dialogue, then close your web browser completely. It should be gone when you restart the browser.

Make sure Malware bytes update step is completing properly. If it takes more than 1-2 mins to start downloading, close the program, go to the Malware Bytes folder and click on the file called Chameleon. The update step works without fail.

New Judge,
Was that the https://www.ghostery.com post?

It has been removed. Don't know if that was because it was the wrong thread, or the AB admin objected to my recommendation.
Question Author
Yes thanks for responding, Gromit. It was that post, under the question about the National Black Police Officers Association. I see it’s been removed.

I can get rid of the pop-ups, hypo (Esc seems to do the trick) but the problem is now becoming worse. I've run a Norton scan, rebooted etc. but to no avail. I’m going to give ‘Chico’s remedy a go.
I keep getting a message now 'do you want to leave the page' !! I'm giving up and shutting down for now.
We all know AB depends on adverts to get revenue for upkeep costs. However, the adverts need strict control to prevent unnecessary and undesirable links proliferating.

AB is quite weak in this respect and I wonder if this is the underlying reason we see a reduction in new members. Lets face it, if you are a new member and you get 'barraged' by pop-ups, adverts and dodgy links, you'd soon leave.
-- answer removed --
Trojan attack. I have had to post this quickly this site seems to be the problem unless you have had email from a bogus water utility site.
Question Author
Having read these ansers and the associated question in Editor’s Blog it is apparent that this is a widespread problem affecting a number of users. In fact it has now become so severe that I’m finding it very difficult to use AB at all. I’m not so sure I feel inclined to sod about curing the problem myself when it should really be addressed by the site’s administrators. If AB is jeopardising its site by allowing this to happen I’m not so sure I should have to cure it for them. I know that AB has to carry adverts and I’m quite happy with the usual stuff that appears alongside the questions. But this is so intrusive it is making using AB a pain.

I have confirmed that AB is the only site which is presenting me with this problem so I think I’ll wait to see if it is cured without my intervention. I’ll see how I feel after I return from my fillet steak dinner.
Question Author
BTW, thanks all for your contributions. I'll give 'Chico best answer as he was quick to respond helpfully.
Totally agree New Judge.

A lot of people seem to be having a poor experience on AB. New users will be put off by this sites behaviour, and long standing users will feel less inclined to keep in touch. Which is a shame as the site is generally a good community.

AB Admin should prioritise solving this quickly. Otherwise there won't be any advertising revenue because there will be no eyeballs on webpages.
I agree as well. It should not be up to us to follow complicated technical instructions or change browsers or fiddle about with stuff to make the site work just because there are helpful techie people about. I fully understand the need for adverts and they don't usually bother me but if they cause this kind of problem to so many then the site is falling on its own sword. other sites don't have it, AB needs to sort it.
Gah! Chico's answer wasn't there when I started drafting. If it wasn't for this cludgy mobile keyboard (one-finger typing) I might have nipped in there by a few seconds.

No-one else is ever going to get Tech BA badges with Buenchico around.

;-)

He answers so many of the same repeated problems I expect he's got them ready saved. You could do the same Hypo.
I get the same problem. I'm using an iPad. Would anything anyone has suggested work on this?
I had this message in the 'grey pop up'
A suspicious connection was trying to access your logins, banking details and internet activity.
Windows security centre and firewall services are disabled.
Your TCP connection was blocked by your firewall. Your accounts may be suspended until action is taken.
Your personal information may have bee leaked. Immediate response required.
Your hard disc may have a Trojan virus. Please do not try to fix manually it may crash your data. More rambling and then this phone number.
0800 410 1075.
Took me a while to get this post through. My firewall reports all ok.


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