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Original poster

adverts are auto-downloading something on my computer

15 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.

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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.

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.

MNHQ

HebeMumsnet · 22/11/2023 09:09

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

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?

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 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?

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 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.

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)
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.

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.

MNHQ

JoMumsnet · 15/03/2024 12:53

Thanks, Maple.

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.

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

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.

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