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LazyDr

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#129188 6-Sep-2013 11:23
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As of this morning, i've had two instances of being redirected to porn sites while trying to load "innocent" webpages in Chrome on my HTC One. The first time i was loading a link from within the Android Central app to a CNET article on the Galaxy Gear. The link seemed legit, and the mobile CNET site was loading before all of a sudden it redirected to an advert for something called "Badoink" (or similar) that purported to be an Android porn app. Pushing the back button on the phone to attempt to get back to the CNET site just loaded a different porn site. Needless to say i closed the page and gave up trying to access that article, thinking it may have been a dodgy link.

However, i just google searched the Logitech Squeezebox, and tapped on a link to an article about it being discontinued etc, and again was presented with more porn.

Concerned i have some badness on my phone now, but not sure how to go about finding it. I tried downloading and running AVG, but it only came up with a possibly malicious text message..? Clicking within the AVG app to open the message to see what it is leaves me with an eternal loading screen. Would be surprised if i had a text that was causing the problem.

My phone is not rooted, and i have only official app store apps. I haven't downloaded anything that i would consider supsect, just things like pdf articles, background images, email attachments (from trusted sources only, i.e. bank manager!). I guess there's always the potential that one of those has been the source of the issue, but i don't know how to find the problem at this stage.

Can anyone offer advice?

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LazyDr

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  #890830 6-Sep-2013 11:51
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Have been google searching the issue (on another device!), and seems it may be a "google redirect virus". No real solutions found yet though, although uninstalling and reinstalling Chrome might be an option.. i haven't checked to see if the stock Sense browser is affected yet or not



n4

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  #890951 6-Sep-2013 14:50
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I had exactly the same experience, same site. When I checked back in my history it went through an advert for a Badoink Android tablet which I did not click on. I presumed it was something to do with Chrome preloading links. On the office Wi-Fi as well :-(




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bradstewart
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  #891009 6-Sep-2013 16:39
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Try uninstalling Chrome or clearing the data for it.

Since you're not rooted it won't be able to change your hosts file or anything like that so it'll just be messing with the app.



n4

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  #891106 6-Sep-2013 21:06
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It hasn't happened to me again since then, over a week ago, even going back to the same page on CNET. I suspect it was just a specifically crafted advert.




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LazyDr

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  #891188 7-Sep-2013 07:36
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Happened to me twice from separate links though, so not sure that it was just from an advert on one page..

Uninstalling chrome seems to be my best option

Goosey
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  #891203 7-Sep-2013 09:14
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what apps did you install about the time this started to happen?
I'd check those.

Also I use "Lookout Premium" and it tells me / reminds me about the privacy/permissions of any apps I get from the playstore and auto blocks anything too harmful. Of course, reading permissions etc before downloading is a bigger help (incase lookout fails... but it hasnt yet).

Often I note apps include bookmarks and shortcuts that overtake your browsers and the publisher of the app reasons with'well if you want it free and without much banner adverts, I have to do this'

 
 
 
 

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LazyDr

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  #891206 7-Sep-2013 09:38
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Haven't installed anything in the last week, in the last month only Dots, MX player, and Asphalt 8.

Do I need to use an app to uninstall Chrome? Can only find options to uninstall the updates, or disable it, nothing to actually uninstall it..

nakedmolerat
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  #891212 7-Sep-2013 09:54
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I guess Chrome is part of your ROM

LazyDr

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  #891225 7-Sep-2013 10:28
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Yeah it came preinstalled

1080p
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  #891231 7-Sep-2013 10:46
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These dodgy advertising bungles are why I use an ad blocker on anything I can reasonably use one on. It is bad enough with legitimate virus worries but to have to worry about advertisements too is just too much.

Goosey
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  #891251 7-Sep-2013 11:53
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Goto the Playstore app and navigate to "my apps", select the app you want to get rid off and you should see an uninstall option,but if its part of your ROM then maybey check out "settings", Apps and see if you can uninstall from there.

Have you tried resetting chrome? (also unlink it from using your google account details).


 
 
 
 

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LazyDr

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  #891265 7-Sep-2013 12:18
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Goosey: Goto the Playstore app and navigate to "my apps", select the app you want to get rid off and you should see an uninstall option,but if its part of your ROM then maybey check out "settings", Apps and see if you can uninstall from there.

Have you tried resetting chrome? (also unlink it from using your google account details).



The app store only gives me an option to "uninstall" updates, not the app itself, and within settings>apps I can only disable it. Will try resetting if I can

bradstewart
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  #891314 7-Sep-2013 15:17
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Since it is built in, you won't be able to uninstall it without root access since it resides in the read-only /system partition.

Disabling it through Settings > Apps is the next best thing. But honestly just clearing data/cache for the app should solve your problem.

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