shafter

So I'll be reading a page-then it refreshes and takes me to some cruddy sites telling me I just won the lottery or need to "download flash"lol, whatever that means!

What gives!?

indyfabz

Ask the mods to move this to the Forum Suggestions & User Assistance forum near the very bottom of the main page.

shafter

I'm not sure how to do that.

FullGas

having the same issues...it's hyper-annoying.

reducing the amount of time spent here as a result.

Homebrew01

You click the "Report" icon ( ! ) , then type in a note.

VegasTriker

You may have clicked on a link on this site that loaded malware on your computer. The same thing happened to me a couple of times where a message came up telling me my computer had been hacked and if I didn't pay ransom it would remain locked. It only happened when I loaded Bikeforums. Fortunately I had CC Cleaner on the computer so I was able to bypass the screen using the task manager and clear the temporary files that kept bringing the malware screen up. Microsoft offers a free malware clearing program. You need to use it or find another malware removal program. The Microsoft malware removal program found two instances of malware and deleted them. No problem since then.

shafter

Two malware apps have failed to find anything. Would clearing the browser help?

SpeshulEd 

While I did notice the site running a bit slowly at times, the problems you're describing sound like malware - especially the one instructing you to install flash (definitely do NOT do that)

What malware apps did you try? I've always had good luck with Malwarebytes.

SkyDog75

While it could be malware, I'll bet you're running into malicious ads written to hijack and redirect your browser. I've seen those fairly regularly when browsing this site (and a few others), particularly in Safari on Apple iOS devices. I'll get redirected to ad pages that say something like "Congratulations! You've won a new iPhone!" with no way to hit the back button and get back to the page.

jefnvk

+1 to all the Malware advice. Make sure whatever you are using has the absolute latest definitions.

shafter

I used the latest Malwarebytes and it found no problems. I also used two others ( finding no malware ) and un/reinstalled the browser app. I will have to see if I run into any more problems.

SpeshulEd 

Wait, are you on mobile or a laptop?

It's hard saying what could be causing it on the mobile.

coffeesnob

delete all your history and cache and go to control panel and uninstall any programs there that may be the culprit.Then do a virus scan.

johnnyace 

What operating system and web browser are you using? That behavior definitely sounds like malware, but it may not be.

If you are using Google Chrome, try downloading and using Firefox, or vice versa. Using either browser, try installing this extension, and see if the problem goes away:

https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/fir...ublock-origin/
https://chrome.google.com/webstore/d...dnhcphjbkeiagm

JohnDThompson 

1) install an ad-blocker extension for your browser, or

2) (preferred) spend a few bucks on a paid membership to bikeforums.net

shafter

This is on a Samsung Galaxy On5, using Puffin Web Browser.

Puffin does not have an erase cache option, so I un/reinstalled it, assuming that would have the same effect.

3 different malware apps declared my phone safe, so I'll just wait and see.

shafter

Firefox with Add-on has been installed, I'll try using that for a while.

A paid subscription to BF.... Not a bad idea. I'd kind of forgotten about that. How much is it again?

JohnDThompson 

$3 for 30 days, $12 for one year, $20 for two years:

https://www.bikeforums.net/payments.php

no1mad 

Moved from General Cycling.

Rollfast

You can't flag an ad like you do a post, send a PM to an admin or post it here. BF gets whatever Google sends us but blocks stuff that interferes with the site, is inappropriate or gives your computer junk.


If you get ads you are going to get an occasional car ad, don't take that personally.


As for the install Flash message, ignore it. You don't have to install anything to use BF and if you buy a premium membership the ads are G-O-N-E buh-bye.


If a lot more people did it maybe the ads would be unnecessary (except for bike related stuff, or the forums purchased by companies that are approved anyway)...I'm sure that's how they work, there is one right now.


Flash is still being used, even with better ways to do it (it should be dead by now, honestly) and you will see those messages in many places, not just here. It's not an exploit that way, it IS if you have a page open that looks like the Adobe installation page but the URL doesn't match Adobe's...hotfoot it outta that one.

Rollfast

And shafter, or anyone, when you get stuff like that, please try to copy the web address or at least get a screenshot to paste into Print or whatever and post it here. It really helps.

canklecat

I just checked the specs for Puffin. The browser itself may be part of the problem. It emphasizes JavaScript and Flash for convenience and speed, at the possible risk of being more vulnerable to exploits. I usually block all that stuff by default in the browser I use for most stuff (Firefox on Android mobile) until a site has proven itself trustworthy. It's inconvenient and often slower but more secure and I see fewer scare tactic popups.

Puffin claims to be much faster for iOS and to add features omitted by Apple (notably Flash), but this may come at the expense of security. Not sure I'd risk it on my iPhone, although the promised speed enhancement seems tempting.

The problem is there are far too many websites using junk ad delivery services that are wide open to exploits. Not necessarily actively delivering malware, but they do generate a lot of scare tactic popups claiming your device is infected, or implying your device will be infected or locked up if you don't tap on a box to download something that will be the actual malware payload. Often these are placed where it's difficult to avoid accidentally tapping on them.

And that's the risk with mobile devices. One errant tap and we've invited potential exploits. I'd rather avoid anything that makes it too easy to open that door with a single tap without additional confirmation.

Rollfast

All my base (phones) are chained to the wall...no mobiles.


Life is too short to carry anything around but a small radio.

Rollfast

shafter, what were your results? Can you let others know in the hopes all of us can find solutions to the problem? This or similar problems have been somewhat common of late and your input can benefit everyone.