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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:
Original poster
MapleSyrupWaffles · 07/12/2023 09:43

My broswer is up to date - it updates very regularly. I don't click on anything or do anything - it just happens when the ads load.

I can't find any specific setting in firefox that has 'download without asking', but nothing else downloads automatically without me clicking on it specifically; firefox is set to block pop-up windows and to warn me if websites try to install add-ons or anything else like that. It is set to entirely block deceptive and dangerous downloads, to warn me if anything is insecure or out of date, and to not auto-play videos or audio.

It is only on this site that I have ever had this problem.

OP posts:
MNHQ
LilyMumsnet · 07/12/2023 09:38

Hi OP

We think your Firefox may be set to 'always download without asking'.

Disabling automatic downloading is likely to stop this happening - could you please give it a go?

MNHQ
LilyMumsnet · 07/12/2023 09:25

Hi OP

Can we ask if your browser is up to date?

Can you also let us know if you're clicking anything when the download starts - is it triggered by an action? Or do you land on a page without clicking anything and it happens?

Original poster
MapleSyrupWaffles · 06/12/2023 08:59

I've had no replies from you about this, and it continues to happen. Here is another screenshot from today.

Can you guarantee that your ads are not downloading anything malicious when they do this?

adverts are auto-downloading something on my computer
OP posts:
Original poster
MapleSyrupWaffles · 29/11/2023 17:58

This still happens, and it's quite concerning that you are letting a potential security breach continue without warning people that they may have downloaded poentially dodgy stuff without realising it. How can you allow your ad system to download things automatically on to people's computers when there could be malware in it?

I have finally got a screenshot of an example.

adverts are auto-downloading something on my computer
OP posts:
MNHQ
HebeMumsnet · 22/11/2023 09:09

Hi again @MapleSyrupWaffles . Thanks for letting us know. We'll look into this now.

Original poster
MapleSyrupWaffles · 22/11/2023 08:27

It has happened again;

the download this time is VGk_z3ED.html

The ads were nothing unusual - a sweaty betty and a lululemon one, which I've had before. I tried to get a screen shot but it disappeared before I could. It doesn't seem related to the ads I see. The download box just comes up showing that something has auto-downloaded. It only ever happens on MN. I was on the active topics page, and it happens as soon as I click back to that page from whatever thread I was reading.

OP posts:
Original poster
MapleSyrupWaffles · 08/11/2023 12:48

Ok thank you, I'll let you know if it happens again

OP posts:
MNHQ
HebeMumsnet · 08/11/2023 12:04

Hi again @MapleSyrupWaffles. We've made a change our end that should block all dowloading file ads now, so that should stop it but please do get in touch if you see this again.

Original poster
MapleSyrupWaffles · 08/11/2023 09:19

I will see if I can get a screen shot while it's happening, but it's hard to catch.

I happens on any pages on mumsnet.

Here is an example of the file that gets downloaded: s_LFyUNr.html

It opens an overtly blank webpage, but I am scared to think of what it might have done in the background.

People should be warned if your ad service is going to do this, as it could be potentially very malicious and a security risk.

OP posts:
MNHQ
HebeMumsnet · 08/11/2023 09:12

Hi there @MapleSyrupWaffles . Thanks for letting us know about this. We'll look into it now.

Would you be able to send us screenshots of what's happening and the url of the Mumsnet page you are on when it happens? If you could also send us a picture of the html files in your downloads that would be helpful.

We'll have a chat to our ads people in the meantime and find out if there's anything else that might help us work out what's going on here.