Invasive adverts

[cexuwaleozbu]

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?

Yes, popups disallowed but still it happens - I think it is convincing the phone it is a notification rather than a pop-up, is anyone else's phone vibrating when the alert happens?

Spending some time Googling on it there a number of theories about what it is and how to fix it, ranging from your router having been hacked (seems extremely unlikely given the behaviour we're seeing) and some very dodgy-looking advice to remove the 'virus', which I'm loth to link to as it all looks spurious.

On the Google product forums is this thread in which Google attempt to wash their hands of it because that user has seen it happen in other browsers as well (which no-one on this thread has yet?). It appears to be an exploit in Google AdWords/AdChoices and so logging out of your Google account may help as it's serving up the ad based on browsing history - I'm guessing accessing MN. The first forum thread links to this one which also suggests AdSense is the problem.

It may help to turn off Ad Personalisation as well - the second thread gives these steps:
I went to Settings, then Accounts, then Google, then Personal Info and Privacy, then Ads Settings. Then I turned off "Ads Personalization."

An earlier post suggests set Chrome to issue 'Do not track' requests (will see if I can work out how you do that - I've only done it on desktop Chrome before).

Incidentally I would have expected MN's security providers to be offering some advice for affected users, especially given the amount of bogus-looking information that's out there about this. It's not hard to find places elsewhere online where the exact issue, including the precise wording of the pop-up, is mentioned.

Thanks Tribpot

Been pretty unimpressed with communicationfrom Tech although it's better than last time this happened - they advised us all our phones had virus's and that we should restore to factory settings...

Just had another one!
And I am already opted out of personalised ads.

FFS just had two in as many minutes. Even tried blocking notifications and all that does is get rid of the vibrate.

and infections seem common with Chrome users; not sure if they are exploiting a vulnerability in Chrome or that's just a coincidence, given the latter's popularity

I don't use Chrome and still get these popups using the phone's native browser.

The CM browser is better- it blocks the page loading and prevents it opening but also then prevents access to MN

because that user has seen it happen in other browsers as well (which no-one on this thread has yet?). It appears to be an exploit in Google AdWords/AdChoices and so logging out of your Google account

I've had it happen on 3 different browsers. I rarely use Chrome.

Do you have a Google account you're logged into on the phone, Lass? I would assume yes if you're on Android.

It happened to me just now. Android phone.

Do you have a Google account you're logged into on the phone, Lass? I would assume yes if you're on Android

I have Google on phone but am not logged into a Google account.

Using native browser (not Chrome) Google is home page but not signed in.

And now using Windows phone as the CM browser is now not stopping them either.

My phone vibrates when it happens. Had another today. On mn via chrome but no Google account.

Still on Amazon Fire phone, still using Silk browser, still in Thanet (unfortunately)

It appears to be an exploit in Google AdWords/AdChoices and so logging out of your Google account may help as it's serving up the ad based on browsing history

I deleted all Google and Crome data from my phone, opened MN (not logged in) and got the vibrating pop up as soon as I clicked on a thread.

This problem is definately originating from Mumsnet itself, not browsing history.

It is being caused by MN website, accessed through the android mobile site.

What worries me is that it accurately knows who the Internet service provider is.

BTW not signed into Crome either when getting the pop ups

Yes - I think the offending ad is being served up through MN but I guess it's more likely to be offered if you've got personalised ads.

Just FTR, I had this same redirect earlier when clicking on a link to someone's blog about jokes for kids (DS badgering me to tell him jokes in the bath, I can never remember any!)

First time I've had it anywhere other than MN.

Interesting... i've just checked out my ad blocker for pop-up ads.

Chrome browser > three dots in the corner > settings > site settings > pop ups

It said "blocked" underneath pop ups, but when I clicked the icon it said pop ups blocked. Then it has a list of exceptions.

Only one website listed under exceptions... mumsnet.

I don't remember ever giving mumsnet exceptions to pop up ads and have now disabled it.

Might be worth checking if others also have mumsnet listed under exceptions.

Hopefully this might have stopped the annoying ads. If I do get another, i'm going to immediately check as to whether mumsnet is re-listed under exceptions.

I have pop ups blocked, no exceptions. As others have said it appears to be a notification rather than a pop up which is how it's getting round it I think.

Even I was almost tempted by this ruse when closing the spam down

• just to say that screenshot was from a previous time not had any in a whlie.

I think I'm somewhat unusual... this happened to me earlier this evening.
I'm in Manchester, on an iPhone using the app!

Also on android phone with chrome, have had a few amd thought I'd clicked on something

Happened again whilst reading this thread. Pop ups blocked, in Edinburgh, using Chrome on Android.

Again this morning. Come on MNHQ