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Help Unwanted website when browsing. HELP!

M

Mattm182

Lurker
Back story: In browsing the internet last night, googling random things as I frequently do, I was viewing a website (care2.org) reading about the 'healing' properties of fruits. I had been browsing for a while previous to this. Anyway, while reading this article, an UNDESIRABLE website hosting inappropriate material in some seemingly middle-eastern language popped up. I shrugged it off, thinking maybe it was some sort of malfunction of a sort. I continued reading then it happened again. I became on edge from my second encounter with this. So I went back to the list of suggested pages in my google query, and selected a different website about some other fruit healing properties or something (I selected it at random) and waited a moment and the website popped up again.
I researched this and after not really finding anything helpful I settled on a factory reset. I performed the factory reset on my phone and haven't encountered this website again. I had AVG free antivirus installed on my phone and pre-factory reset it told me there were no viruses or malware detected, although I was obviously encountering a problem.

QUESTIONS: Was this a sort of virus? what should i do? Should I be worried about the safety of my phone? was the factory reset an appropriate measure to remedy this? Would I be better off to get a new phone? How can I prevent this in the future?
Please help. Thank you.

:(:(:(:(
 
Were you logged onto a "google" account when browsing? If so (just a suggestion). log back onto your google account, go to your account settings and see if it stored your history somewhere and clear then turn history off.... again just a suggestion.

Also, clear all cache settings on your phone and browser and see it clears up.
 
I was logged onto a google account. I never had the web history google service enabled however ( assuming that's what you meant.)
 
yes thats what i meant... i thought I didnt have it enabled too. Then after receiven a Google Privacy Update Email recently (im sure you did too about some upcoming security and privacy tweaking)... i browsed around most of the links within site once I was directed there from the email link. and I found weeks and weeks of old history browsing i had done .... i cant remember exactly where it was located in the settings but i finally cleared it all out.

Try clearing everyting 'browser' related .. what about when you are not using google.. does the site still pop up.. say, when you are attempting to load a local news site?
 
I didnt inspect it that thoroughly last night well... really it was around 2 AM. But, after being initially shocked by it I resorted to the first and seemingly most sure fire solution of performing a factory reset on my phone, clearing EVERYTHING off of it.
I'm just curious if this was a virus and if should be worried of any future negative repercussions (say if i were phished by it or something) or if it was a virus of a less harmful nature or what this occurrence truly was. As well as how to prevent something like this.
 
To be honest its rather hard to get a virus on.the device... But if you dont mind starting over, go ahead and do a factory reset. Also, if you do, you might consider creating a new google account to associate with your phone and dont access the old acct here on out.

Here are a couple of Android Forum Link Discussions that may ne helpful as far as malware questions.


http://androidforums.com/android-lounge/76783-do-you-need-anti-virus-spyware-app.html

http://androidforums.com/android-ap...plained-security-tips-avoiding-malware-8.html
 
After reading all of these articles, I still question how this happened in the first place.
The only apps I had installed were wikihow, aldiko, solo lite, guitaretabs, opera mini, handcent, go sms, go launcher ex, drag racing, astrologer, and action potato. All of which I had on my phone months before this event.
If there were any malicious threat, would it definitely be eradicated by a factory reset?
 
Mattm182 said:
After reading all of these articles, I still question how this happened in the first place.
The only apps I had installed were wikihow, aldiko, solo lite, guitaretabs, opera mini, handcent, go sms, go launcher ex, drag racing, astrologer, and action potato. All of which I had on my phone months before this event.
If there were any malicious threat, would it definitely be eradicated by a factory reset?
Click to expand...


Definitely sound like something you've browsed... So you are saying you already have done a factory reset and still having the unwanted web site pop up when you try to browse?

Ive had a web phishing app installed once from Norton (i know a lot say not to use certain antivirus apps). But i wanted an app that would alert me if a site itself is malicious... it pinged a site called redkid.com or something like that and "blocks" the site from loading should any other site i view tries to navigate to it.

have you tried certain apps from the market that does this?
 
I dunno if this has anything to do with anything, but care2 was attacked about a month ago...I would hope they'd fixed their crap by now tho.

I second Kinetoo.

And really I just wanted to post in this thread to ask WTH Rico is doing in here. You lost, goofball? :p
 
melim said:
I dunno if this has anything to do with anything, but care2 was attacked about a month ago...I would hope they'd fixed their crap by now tho.

I second Kinetoo.

And really I just wanted to post in this thread to ask WTH Rico is doing in here. You lost, goofball? :p
Click to expand...


hmm. with two kinetoo motions! I think I will have to give it a look/see.


and I really responded in this thread so to let MELIM know.."i donno, woke up this morning and some nourishment went to my 'left side brains'
laffinchimp.gif


and a reasonable thought formed.... it sure scared me! whew!
 
For the benefit of everyone in the OV family who doesn't know, Rico is AF's resident gross-out comedian/monkey boy/breaker of forum games, performing every hour on the hour somewhere in the Lounge. He's also wicked smart and knows his stuff. So just Adblock his avatar like I do and take his advice when he graces us with his presence. :p:D:cool:

Carry on with your bad selves...
 
Whyyuu, thank yew, Melim...you were a great mentor and taught me well...whatchoo buyimg me for my AF-Graduation?
picsay-1326920005.jpg


Buy me kinetoo and a Porche!
 
Rico ANDROID said:
Definitely sound like something you've browsed... So you are saying you already have done a factory reset and still having the unwanted web site pop up when you try to browse?

Ive had a web phishing app installed once from Norton (i know a lot say not to use certain antivirus apps). But i wanted an app that would alert me if a site itself is malicious... it pinged a site called redkid.com or something like that and "blocks" the site from loading should any other site i view tries to navigate to it.

have you tried certain apps from the market that does this?
Click to expand...

So far ever since the factory reset i haven't had this problem.
I would assume this means my phone/ personal info that goes along with it is safe, yes?
 
Mattm182 said:
So far ever since the factory reset i haven't had this problem.
I would assume this means my phone/ personal info that goes along with it is safe, yes?
Click to expand...

Sounds like you are good to go! Factory reset must hve cleared away whatever the file was that was on your phone.

images


I would recommend installing a file explorer if you havent done so already.
 
Mattm182 said:
After reading all of these articles, I still question how this happened in the first place.
The only apps I had installed were wikihow, aldiko, solo lite, guitaretabs, opera mini, handcent, go sms, go launcher ex, drag racing, astrologer, and action potato. All of which I had on my phone months before this event.
If there were any malicious threat, would it definitely be eradicated by a factory reset?
Click to expand...


My guess would be taht there may be another app or so that wasnt yet identified in the recent articles that is doing the same thiing.

The GOOD thing about your posting this Matt, is that there will be others who will experience what you have. This discussion will help them pinpoint the culprit and possibly be the quickets resolution for others.

I know I will be on the lookout if I notiice my browsing being 'highjacked' or if i notice shortcuts Ive not personally saved.
 
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