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Original poster

adverts are auto-downloading something on my computer

36 replies

MapleSyrupWaffles · 08/11/2023 08:51

Every few days (randomly) an advert will trigger an automatic file download onto my computer. The file appears in the downloads folder, although if I click on it, nothing actually happens (overtly, anyway). They are html files and take me to a blank page; they are named with a random mix of letters and numbers - there are more than five just in my very recent downloads. Nonetheless, it is very disconcerting to see them appear in my downloads folder, and the adverts should be vetted properly so that potentially damaging ones like this do not happen.

I am using Firefox on a desktop Mac which has inbuilt virus etc protection. I can't tell which ad is doing this as it has usually changed by the time I have seen it. I have never clicked on any of the ads to trigger this. too many of the ads on here are already very dodgy looking and I wouldn't ever trust them any way, but this is particularly bad as it could be malicious.

OP posts:
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MNHQ
JoMumsnet · 21/02/2025 11:34

Hi @housethatbuiltme

Please can you give us some details of the advert that seem to be causing problems? A screenshot of the ad would be very helpful, as well as knowing which device/browser and version of the site you're using.

Thanks in advance.

housethatbuiltme · 20/02/2025 15:02

I just googled this as it keeps happening to me, only on mumsnet so its still an issue.

Original poster
MapleSyrupWaffles · 14/05/2024 15:39

thank you, that is useful to know. It has only ever happened to me on mumsnet, but I guess that is the only ad-heavy site

OP posts:
Fagled · 14/05/2024 15:30

MapleSyrupWaffles · 14/05/2024 15:18

And a month later, with still no solution or reply, it continues to happen. Only when using Mumsnet and this potentially dangerous ad system.

@MapleSyrupWaffles This isn’t anything to do with Mumsnet. It’s a known, years old issue with the Firefox browser. It’s triggered intermittently when there’s iframes on the page being rendered, which is what mumsnet uses for ads.

Consider using a different browser if it bothers you, the files are empty and don’t contain anything malicious.

Example 1
Example 2
Example

Original poster
MapleSyrupWaffles · 14/05/2024 15:18

And a month later, with still no solution or reply, it continues to happen. Only when using Mumsnet and this potentially dangerous ad system.

OP posts:
Original poster
MapleSyrupWaffles · 13/04/2024 11:02

This continues to happen - in fact two downloads at once today (which has occasionally happened before, though usually it's just one). I suspect it's happening to others as well, but they may not notice if they have certain settings on, as if you don't catch it quickly, it disappears and you wouldn't know (my desktop is quite an old/slow computer, so I tend to see it!). I have all the settings correct as described above. The fact that it gives a dialog box now means I can stop them from saving, but they really shouldn't be trying to download things on people's computers in the first place. This a problem with the ad service fundamentally. today's ads were UAid for Ukraine at the top, another amazon beauty product at the side, and the mumsnet voices ad at the bottom. however, I don't know for sure that they are the ones that caused the problem, as they don't show up immediately - it could be that they were the new ones that come once the problematic ads have been cancelled in the drop down save box.

It was a random thread in Chat, that I accessed via the 'active threads' page.

adverts are auto-downloading something on my computer
OP posts:
Original poster
MapleSyrupWaffles · 03/04/2024 16:54

Ok thanks; I already have the 'always ask' setting on ,but I have also changed the configuration file now, so will see if that helps.

OP posts:
MNHQ
BeckyAMumsnet · 03/04/2024 16:10

Hi again @MapleSyrupWaffles we've looked into this with our ad monitoring people and have not found any evidence that the file type here is malicious. As we've been unable to recreate the issue, we suspect it's related to your browser rather than a specific ad. However, we are continuing to monitor this activity.

In the meantime, we recommend you try the following:
Stop AutoDownloads on the browser
Copy/Paste about:preferences to the Address Bar and Enter
Go Down to Downloads and change to "Always Ask".
You can custom select the file types you are happy to auto download

You can also change your browser configuration so that ads will never trigger a download:
Copy and paste about:config to the address bar and press Enter (Accept the Risk and Continue)
Search dom.security.https_only_mode_send_http_background_request
Change to False

https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/about-config-editor-firefox

Configuration Editor for Firefox | Firefox Help

The Configuration Editor (about:config page) lets you view, change, or reset advanced preference settings in Firefox. Learn more.

https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/about-config-editor-firefox

MNHQ
BeckyAMumsnet · 30/03/2024 17:06

Hello @MapleSyrupWaffles we're sorry it's still happening. We are looking into this now - thank you for the additional information.

Original poster
MapleSyrupWaffles · 30/03/2024 13:31

still happening.

I was on Threads I'm Watching at the time I believe. the adverts were the Freederm one again, one for leather jewellery boxes (monica something) and one about ukranian care donations.

It's really concerning that you are allowing potential malware to be downloaded on users' computers

OP posts:
MNHQ
JoMumsnet · 15/03/2024 12:53

Thanks, Maple.

Original poster
MapleSyrupWaffles · 14/03/2024 20:24

I think it was one in education, but I can't be 100% sure. I can check that easily enough next time.

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MNHQ
JoMumsnet · 14/03/2024 19:06

Thanks for providing the file name, MapleSyrupWaffles - we're still investigating this issue. Can you remember which thread you were on when it happened this time? Thanks in advance - any extra information is helpful.

Original poster
MapleSyrupWaffles · 13/03/2024 22:32

I couldn't get a screen shot in time tonight, as the ad changed as I scrolled up. I didn't want to click on the ad to get the landing page of it, and hovering over didn't seem to show a URL, but again, the ad changed as I scrolled so it was hard to tell.

The file that it tried to download is called M-y1ORkj

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MNHQ
HebeMumsnet · 13/03/2024 10:18

Morning @MapleSyrupWaffles. Thanks for letting us know. We're still looking into this with our third-party company that monitors ads for us and hopeful we'll get it sorted soon but all this information is really helpful in getting to the bottom of it. If you or anyone else spots this, just to clarify, this is the information that is most helpful.

  1. A screenshot of the ad that triggered the download.
  2. The landing page URL associated with the ad.
  3. Any other information you can give about the file that was downloaded.

It doesn't look like anything you need to worry about but we do understand that it's very annoying and we're working to get it fixed as soon as possible.

Original poster
MapleSyrupWaffles · 13/03/2024 08:26

Happened again, despite all that. There were two different ads showing - a mobility showroom in sudbury, and the freederm cream from amazon again.

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Original poster
MapleSyrupWaffles · 11/03/2024 21:57

I'm on Firefox and everything is cleared and updated regularly, but I have done it again now.

OP posts:
MNHQ
LilyMumsnet · 11/03/2024 18:52

Hi OP,

We think we know where this issue is coming from. We are working on it but in the meantime, the below actions should put a stop to it:

  • A browser cache update
  • Empty caches
  • Delete cached images
  • Change Safari preferences and try not to leave Safari open
  • Check the applications folder for anything unusual
  • Clear history on web browsers (such as Google Chrome, Firefox, or Safari)
Original poster
MapleSyrupWaffles · 10/03/2024 09:01

First click on a post this morning, and three downloads were attempted!

The ad that came up on the side was for Freederm skin cream; the one lower down was also for Freederm cream but via Amazon link (I am not sure if the one above was also via amazon or not as it was slightly different).

adverts are auto-downloading something on my computer
OP posts:
Original poster
MapleSyrupWaffles · 09/03/2024 15:06

Still happening, and there seems to be very little interest in stopping this!

I wonder if users realise that your adverts are automatically trying to download material onto their computers? It might be harmful, it might not, but it's dodgy as anything to just be doing this automatically .

OP posts:
Original poster
MapleSyrupWaffles · 18/02/2024 10:12

it is happening again (or still). I have checked my settings and I do not have auto-downloads of anything one - it is now prompting me where/if to save the file, so I am able to say 'no' and cancel it. But i still do not think that your adverts should be trying to access people's computers this way and install things on them.

The most recent file was called 'wYOhUYMN'

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MNHQ
LilyMumsnet · 07/12/2023 13:51

Thank you - please let us know.

We agree! That's why we want to be clear that we are investigating the downloads, regardless of any potential workaround. It's just that at the moment, it's isolated to an individual user and the more isolated an issue is, the harder it is to replicate.

Original poster
MapleSyrupWaffles · 07/12/2023 13:37

I will try the instructions and see what is set/what happens.

i still don't think the ad service should be even trying to download files, though!

OP posts:
MNHQ
LilyMumsnet · 07/12/2023 12:27

Sorry OP, these instructions might be more up to date so best to try them instead:

MNHQ
LilyMumsnet · 07/12/2023 12:25

Hi OP

We understand and we are investigating where they are coming from, but at the moment we don't have more information to give you.

This happens on quite a few websites - especially since Firefox released an update where they switched automatic downloads on for all.

If you go to:

Settings > General > Downloads
and click
'Always ask where to save files'

Can you see if it helps?