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Original poster

Invasive adverts

21 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?

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MNHQ

DawnMumsnet · 11/09/2016 15:22

Thanks for letting us know about these pop-up ads, everyone.The url links and screenshots are very helpful.

We've alerted our Ads team and will report back as soon as we can.

In the meantime, sorry for all the faff.

MNHQ

AngieMumsnet · 11/09/2016 18:11

Hi There

Just letting you know that I am on this, I am using a scanner to check all tags etc on site to see what might be causing this.
I am still to replicate this issue but please bear with me.

Anj

MNHQ

AngieMumsnet · 11/09/2016 18:28

Thanks Guys, still working on it

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?

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?

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

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?

MNHQ

AngieMumsnet · 12/09/2016 19:56

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

MNHQ

AngieMumsnet · 17/09/2016 10:44

Hi Guys

This is driving me insane too, sorry! Plus I never see it...
I've got a bunch of people trying to replicate this on their phones and escalated to our partners.
So sorry, will keep updating this thread with any news.

MNHQ

AngieMumsnet · 17/09/2016 18:43

Are you guys using the app or mobile website?

MNHQ

AngieMumsnet · 18/09/2016 20:27

Hi, all your feedback is super helpful.
We are still unable to replicate what you describe.
Please be assured this is being investigated and treated with priority but without being able to replicate it is challenging to pin down the cause.

MNHQ

AngieMumsnet · 18/09/2016 21:40

At the moment we think it could be location targeted and London is being excluded as the culprit knows MNHQ is based in London and therefore it will be harder for us to find.
I'm on a call with some security specialists and will update this thread to let you know what other information might be useful.
Has anyone in London seen this issue?

MNHQ

AngieMumsnet · 19/09/2016 12:01

Hi All,

Please do not feel we are not taking this seriously, it is top priority right now.
As I have said in previous posts the fact that us or our partners cannot see the issue is making it that much harder to fix.
We are looking into Android specific set up right now and some changes were made around 5 mins ago, changes can take up to 30 mins to kick in so can I please request you post on this thread if you continue to see these popups after 12.30pm today.
Please be assured that running these ads is completely against our policies and are highly frustrating for us too.
Thanks so much for your patience and feedback so far.

MNHQ

AngieMumsnet · 19/09/2016 19:00

Thanks for updating me mothersgrim

MNHQ

LornaMumsnet · 21/09/2016 10:29

Hello all Brew

So we seem to have sorted the latest issue... (huge thanks for all of your help). However, as this keeps happening we'd be really keen to see it.

It could potentially help us to stop this nuisance situation from happening again. We have tried (many times) to replicate the issue in the office, and we assure you that we are using all of our investigating skills, but still no joy.

Is there anyone who has had a pop-up who is London based and happy for us to come and have a look at their phone/laptop/tablet to see if we can figure out exactly what has happened and why? We'd really appreciate it, ideally a few individuals.

You could come to MNHQ or we could come to you. Please do either PM me or post below if you'd be happy to do this and we'll be in touch. Thanks in advance HUGE thanks in advance

MNHQ

LornaMumsnet · 21/09/2016 12:54

Thanks so much for your reply MrsBertMacklin.

We will be sending you a PM shortly.

MNHQ

AngieMumsnet · 24/09/2016 10:21

I blocked the URL some of you have posted, are they still coming up?

MNHQ

AngieMumsnet · 25/09/2016 09:55

Hi

I am in touch with a few other reputable publishers who are also experiencing this issue.
Please know it is not intentional behavior and we are all working together to find the rogue buyer.

MNHQ

AngieMumsnet · 26/09/2016 10:05

Hi
Sorry for the lack of communication, however, we are working with multiple partners at the moment to stop this and most of them have only just come online.
You are all aware but to re-iterate please do not click on these spammy popups and just try and close them down.
We are working on finding the route cause.
Keep your feedback coming please, as it is really helpful.

MNHQ

AngieMumsnet · 26/09/2016 10:36

We have made some changes, can you let us know if these still show up in the next 20 mins?
Please let us know even if you do not see them.

Thanks

MNHQ

AngieMumsnet · 27/09/2016 12:29

Thank you for letting us know.

Watch this thread for updates

Tap "Watch" to get all the latest updates

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