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Original poster

Invasive adverts

438 replies

cexuwaleozbu · 11/09/2016 11:24

Browsing mumsnet using the chrome browser on an android phone.

Opened a thread "www.mumsnet.com/Talk/_chat/2729635-Im-being-watched-WATCHED" on an "open in new tab" but the new tab opened with a spam advert page of the kind that tries to make you not navigate away. I presume this is an unintended hijack of some kind.

I copied the content of the navigation field in case it is of use to you but it seems to be gibberish.

data:text/html;base64,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

This seems to happen quite regularly - what kind of info will help you to stop it?

OP posts:
Thread gallery
101
MNHQ
AngieMumsnet · 12/09/2016 19:56

Hi soupandsandwich
Has it happened recently? When's the last time you saw it?

Soupandasandwich · 12/09/2016 18:04

Posted previously on this thread and the other one . Using Google Chrome on HTC10. Greater London. Pop ups also refer to my ISP, another have mentioned.

StressheadMcGee · 12/09/2016 13:50

I've been getting a few last night and this morning, but haven't been browsing since 8am ish. I posted a photo /url of the other thread - url was data:text/html;base64,PCFET0NUWVBFIGh0bWw.

I'm in North London, on a Galaxy S6 on chrome. Only new app is a podcast streamer.

MothersGrim · 12/09/2016 13:03

Nothing yet.

MNHQ
AngieMumsnet · 12/09/2016 12:37

I have made a couple of changes to our system, can you let me know if the issue is still happening?

CrackingTheWhip · 12/09/2016 12:01
  1. Thanet, Kent
  2. Amazon Fire phone, using Silk browser
  3. recently (in the last week) installed two Sago Mini games through the Amazon app

I ran my free AVG scanner on my phone this morning and nothing was found other than the link for the dodgy ad in my clipboard, oddly enough!

Runningupthathill82 · 12/09/2016 11:43

OK:

  1. Yorkshire
  2. HTC M8, Google Chrome
  3. No new apps or toolbars installed recently.
MNHQ
AngieMumsnet · 12/09/2016 11:37

Hi There,

We are still working on replicating this issue, but no luck, unfortunately.

We are trying to build up some pattern here so would really appreciate the below info;

  1. Where are you located?
  2. What exact phone and browser you are using
  3. What apps/toolbars you have installed

Thanks

Original poster
cexuwaleozbu · 12/09/2016 11:12

No new apps or toolbars here

OP posts:
MothersGrim · 12/09/2016 10:50

No new apps or toolbars at all. Yes I was Chrome and Android.

Anyway MNHQ can pin a thread so people on all topics can be prewarned and keep all HQ updates in one place?

TeaPleaseLouise · 12/09/2016 10:04

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

MNHQ
AngieMumsnet · 12/09/2016 08:55

It seems to be an issue on chrome and android, anyone using an iPhone and encountered this problem?

oldsilver · 12/09/2016 08:38

No new download, app or otherwise. And it seems across a broad range of broadband providers.

Did have a dodgy email last week telling me there was suspicious activity on my paypal a/c which was suspicious in itself as I don't have paypal...and they spelled urgent incorrectly.

ItsAllGoingToBeFine · 12/09/2016 08:22

Not happening at all here:

Chrome 52.0.2 743.98
Android 7.0.0

Virgin Media

Not sure if this is helpful or just annoying Grin

ExcuseMyEyebrows · 12/09/2016 08:19

I've just had one of these ads pop up too, on the Hillary Clinton thread. First time this has happened. Samsung phone & chrome.

malin100 · 12/09/2016 08:14

Have had this happen a few times a day recently. Including this morning. Thought it was just my phone and was getting worried but realised it was just happening in mumsnet and found this - phew!
Haven't downloaded anything for aaages as I have no room on my phone, so it's not that.

TheRedCarWon · 12/09/2016 08:11

Just now

Invasive adverts
Invasive adverts
CrackingTheWhip · 12/09/2016 08:06

Nope, nothing downloaded on my phone other than a couple of safe pdf files and a couple of safe game apps for my son to play on.

ThatIsNachoCheese · 12/09/2016 08:05

Keeps happening to me too. Also android and using chrome. No new apps, also worried about the security issues.

StopMakingMeLogOn · 12/09/2016 08:03

Not downloaded anything either

Apanicaday · 12/09/2016 07:59

I've also not downloaded anything at all in the last few days - it's only happened on mumsnet too. I'm using an android phone and chrome.

KnockMeDown · 12/09/2016 07:57

I have had this happen a while ago, also, so I don't think it's related to any recent download.

Does anyone else notice a connection to your broadband provider, or to the ads which come up at the top of the page?

waitinglistquery · 12/09/2016 07:53

Not downloaded anything new, and this has only happened to me on Mumsnet (and only happened once so far).

MNHQ
AngieMumsnet · 12/09/2016 07:41

Guys
Still trying to replicate this with no luck.
Can I ask if you've downloaded any new apps/toolbars in the last few days?

MyLlamasGoneBananas · 12/09/2016 07:17

I posted on the other thread. Had it too. Android chrome. Twice. LaSt might and this morning.
My avg, anti malware bytes snd Go security are not picking anything up which is actually worrying.
Any advice please on how to ensure my phone is safe?
I'm sorry mums net but this is getting ridiculous now. It's every few weeks. I can't afford to risk my phone. Your website is fast becoming what I view as a dodgy website. These issues are just way too frequent. I love the site but it's becoming as dodgy as some port sites - no one ever knows what the hell is running behind and what dodgy stuff will happen next. You keep promising to sort this out but it's only ever temporary. What the he'll is going on?
Sadly after 9 years I beginning g to think it's time to call it day. It's just not safe to browse here anymore.

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