BajaNomad - Software updates?

Software updates?

AKgringo - 2-3-2015 at 09:03 AM

Lately when I post a reply, I get a pop-up directing me to install a software up-date. I have ignored it, and my reply was posted, but I had to close the B.N. link to get past the pop up.
Is this something associated with the new program used by this forum, or is some other program trying to install something? I am a low tech guy, so I am leery of clicking on anything I did not go looking for.

edit...It did not happen when I posted this!

[Edited on 2-3-2015 by AKgringo]

David K - 2-3-2015 at 09:14 AM

I have never seen any such pop up here... and you know I post a lot... so maybe it is on your end?? Good luck, and may the Force be with you!

CortezBlue - 2-3-2015 at 09:24 AM

So it sounds like you may have a trojan or malware infection.

NEVER, install any application unless you know what it is and who it is from.

The concept to these types of infections allows a remote "bot" to access your computer to create a denial of service attack or worse yet, install a keyboard tracking program that will get information about your banking etc.

AKgringo - 2-3-2015 at 10:11 AM

I ran a sweep of my system using Malwarebites as a routine procedure, and although nothing was reported, the problem is gone!
I did not allow the pop-up access to my system, so I am not concerned, but about the only web surfing I have done lately is on this site, so it my have been from one of the links I followed.
I hope this post keeps someone else from downloading that link!

blackwolfmt - 2-3-2015 at 11:40 AM

Yesterday I visited the Boise to baja link, which by the way I enjoyed very much, but about half way through my hard drive started running way fast sounded like a freight train I closed the site out and ran a custom Mbytes scan didn't find anything anyway I have never had that happen :?:

woody with a view - 2-3-2015 at 11:43 AM

Your hard drive got excited looking at Bajaporn. It's normal!

blackwolfmt - 2-3-2015 at 12:14 PM

Yes WISE Burrow

BajaNomad - 2-3-2015 at 12:59 PM

There should be no software popups, or anything prompting you to install software - perhaps other than keeping the built-in Flash software for graphics up-to-date.

I recently had a weird "experience" of a popup on the site - and I had to reload the page, and then realized I'd left my mouse pointer over the banner ad at the top, which had then expanded as a popup because of the extended mouse-over.

I thought it was a little over-reaching. Pffft.

AKgringo - 2-3-2015 at 03:41 PM

Thanks for the feedback. Just a a point of information, the pop-up did not present itself until I hit the Post Reply link. It would then prompt me to download important updates, and when I tried to close that window it would present a 'Confirm Navigation' window, and when I tried to close that window, it would go back to the first pop-up.
I could not move past those windows until I closed out the Baja Nomad tab and re-opened it. All other functions of the forum were normal (U2U, search, log in/out) and I was able to post reply's, but I would be stuck between two pop-ups until I closed the page.

toneart - 2-4-2015 at 05:30 PM

This started happening to me on Tuesday, Feb. 3rd. I was reading topics in OT and kept getting this pop up. I did not press the OK button, so therefore I did not allow the "software update" to install.

I wish I could remember the name of the software website that offered this "software update" because when I Googled it, there were several articles that identified it as a definite Trojan Virus! It said it was not Browser specific. It said that upon allowing this "software update" it would install a keystroke monitor that could get my passwords, bank account information and anything else I did with my computer.

I exited BN and the browser (Mozilla Firefox). Then I ran a scan on Malwarebytes and also Microsoft Security Essentials Anti-Virus program. (It is the program that Microsoft uses with Vista in the place of Windows Defender). Neither scan revealed any virus although Malwarebytes always shows many bugs that they quarantine. I also deleted my posting history and cache. I have not gotten the popup since.

I am very skeptical now about entering OT. There are certain nefarious characters there who I believe would somehow have the technology and the desire to install a Virus. So much hate is spewed there. There is one person who is a regular poster who insists to NEVER open a link from another regular poster for just this reason. Although, this was not from a link, it was a popup while reading. It happened several times.

It is not clear to me how someone or some software program (BN?)
could carry or try to install such a virus, but there it was, only in BN Off topic. It has never occurred in any other website.

This is not meant to be an indictment on the new BN Software but it does cross my mind. I know Doug is trying to solve the problems, but must admit, it has really altered the ease of navigation, and not for the better. Could it be that there is a virus riding within?

Sorry, Doug. I feel it is my duty to report my experience with this popup since others in this thread have had this same experience. I intend this to be constructive criticism.

AKgringo - 2-4-2015 at 06:00 PM

I did not visit the off topic forum, so that ain't it. I did follow the Boise to Baja link, and that was about the time I started having the pop-ups. I cannot say for sure if they started just before, or just after viewing that thread.
What is interesting is that neither Malwarebytes, or the premium AVG reported a problem, but it seemed to get fixed!

gnukid - 2-4-2015 at 08:17 PM

There is a report of a adware from play.google.com on android platform? Are you using a tablet and did you recently download a app on play.google.com? Perhaps reset your system and reload is a best bet or delete apps.

here is the story http://techcrunch.com/2015/02/03/new-adware-found-in-google-...

greengoes - 2-5-2015 at 08:31 AM

Yesterday a browser window popped up on my screen while here that was a good imitation of a Microsoft alert telling me to run something to insure everything is backed up properly.

I use Firefox and an add-on called No-Script that prevents any java based redirect from being run. My mistake was allowing this forum a one time permission to run them so I could watch an embedded youtube video.

As long as you do not click on the "go ahead and run" you are OK. My best guess is the streaming javascript banners on this site are the culprits enabling the pop-ups.

No offense intended (well, not too much offense) anyone who follows joe's advice needs a reality check, ahorita.

I offer a one hundred dollar bounty to anyone who can demonstrate any link I have ever posted goes to a malicious website.

PS - Adware and Malwarebytes are ineffective in detecting malicious code after it has been run and buried itself in the operating system.

BajaNomad - 2-6-2015 at 02:03 PM

Quote: Originally posted by greengoes

My best guess is the streaming javascript banners on this site are the culprits enabling the pop-ups.

That is indeed the most likely scenario. I'll see if there's a similar pattern others are having that also run adsense from Google.

:?:

Sweetwater - 2-6-2015 at 04:00 PM

Quote: Originally posted by greengoes

Yesterday a browser window popped up on my screen while here that was a good imitation of a Microsoft alert telling me to run something to insure everything is backed up properly.

I use Firefox and an add-on called No-Script that prevents any java based redirect from being run. My mistake was allowing this forum a one time permission to run them so I could watch an embedded youtube video.

As long as you do not click on the "go ahead and run" you are OK. My best guess is the streaming javascript banners on this site are the culprits enabling the pop-ups.

No offense intended (well, not too much offense) anyone who follows joe's advice needs a reality check, ahorita.

I offer a one hundred dollar bounty to anyone who can demonstrate any link I have ever posted goes to a malicious website.

PS - Adware and Malwarebytes are ineffective in detecting malicious code after it has been run and buried itself in the operating system.

Well done....one other thing to do.....open your installed programs and sort by date. You can delete any offensive programs from that list....it doesn't work with that embedded code but does show you any advertising crapolla....

BajaNomad - 2-7-2015 at 11:52 AM

There's an option to turn off the "expandable" ads with AdSense, and I've now disabled them. I'm curious to see if that alone resolves the issues noted above.

It still looks to be a Google AdSense issue. They're definitely having some malvertising issues since December.

http://blog.sucuri.net/2015/01/adsense-abused-with-malvertis...

http://itsecurityguru.org/hackers-manipulate-adwords-redirec...

http://adwords.blogspot.com/2015/02/fighting-bad-advertising...

woody with a view - 2-7-2015 at 01:24 PM

good call Sweetwater!

AKgringo - 2-7-2015 at 01:48 PM

I picked up a different worm on this site while following the story about the balloon crossing of the Pacific. I followed a U tube link to a Peter Rowan performance of 'The Free Mexican Air Force'.
I don't think it did anything to my lap top, but I can't get that damned song out of my head now!
Any suggestions (other than partaking)?

toneart - 2-7-2015 at 06:34 PM

Quote: Originally posted by AKgringo

I picked up a different worm on this site while following the story about the balloon crossing of the Pacific. I followed a U tube link to a Peter Rowan performance of 'The Free Mexican Air Force'.
I don't think it did anything to my lap top, but I can't get that damned song out of my head now!
Any suggestions (other than partaking)?

Try banging your head on your keyboard. That will accomplish two things: frontal lobe damage=memory loss, and destruction of your keyboard will ensure no further song infection. :tumble:

I am happy to say that I have had NO more viral update popups since that Tuesday, Feb. 3rd. I tell the steps I took in my prior post in case anyone else has an update pop up problem.

Am I a genius? Well...after lengthy deliberation my painful conclusion is no...just used common sense. Ahem! Modesty is a virtue, so they told me as a kid. :smug: