Tech: Rogue pop up

Subject: Tech: Rogue pop up
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 08 Nov 12 - 08:15 AM

I keep getting a rogue pop up on my screen. It invites me to enter a survey for the chance to win an iPAD. It doesn't say what the survey is about, and I have to refresh the page to get rid of it. Most annoying if I'm in the middle of a game
I have pop up blocker enabled on both FF and IE, but it is able to bypass them.
I've also done a full scan with Norton AV.
Anybody got any ideas?

Subject: RE: Tech: Rogue pop up
From: GUEST
Date: 08 Nov 12 - 08:26 AM

Common with game distributions.

Subject: RE: Tech: Rogue pop up
From: GUEST,Chubby McDogger
Date: 08 Nov 12 - 08:54 AM

I used to suffer rogue pop ups at school

- very embarrassing - but a natural part of growing through puberty..

Now I'm at an age when I'm thankful for the occasional pop when required......

Subject: RE: Tech: Rogue pop up
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 08 Nov 12 - 09:06 AM

http://localgiftspanel.com/uk/survey/indext3b1.php
This is the url of the sender of the pop up, but I can't seem to block it. There are lots of posts on the web asking about it now.

Subject: RE: Tech: Rogue pop up
From: My guru always said
Date: 08 Nov 12 - 09:14 AM

I had that too, only when I clicked into Mudcat, twice. I'm usually immune to these sorts of things. Very annoying!

Subject: RE: Tech: Rogue pop up
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 08 Nov 12 - 09:18 AM

Well if it's associated with Mudcat, then I'm outta here.

Subject: RE: Tech: Rogue pop up
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 08 Nov 12 - 10:47 AM

There's some suspicion that it's comuing in via Google ads. I have been reading about it on several sites, but still no cure suggested

Subject: RE: Tech: Rogue pop up
From: Megan L
Date: 08 Nov 12 - 10:51 AM

It is only happening with mudcat for me and since i reuse to click on anything i am not sure about i end up having to close down with task manager and starting again MOST ANNOYING

Subject: RE: Tech: Rogue pop up
From: GUEST
Date: 08 Nov 12 - 10:56 AM

This is the sort of internet security YOU need to actively take personal responsibility to counteract.

Mudcatters using browsers [eg. Chrome] with anti pop up controls ticked
and Adblocking plugins installed and regualarly updated
do not experience these worrying 'sinister' problems whilst visiting this site.

Subject: RE: Tech: Rogue pop up
From: Megan L
Date: 08 Nov 12 - 11:05 AM

ok guest my anti pop up is set at high I have cleaned my computer within an inch of its life cache temps and probably a few files i havent looked at for a bit and it still damb well happens usually the first or second refresh of a cat thread. So YOU need to either say something useful or shut up

Subject: RE: Tech: Rogue pop up
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 08 Nov 12 - 11:09 AM

Guest you are plain wrong. IF you read the OP you will find that this does not work.

Megan, try hitting the back button rather than closing down.

Subject: RE: Tech: Rogue pop up
From: GUEST,.gargoyle
Date: 08 Nov 12 - 11:20 AM

Turn off JAVA before entering - it is sort of like leaving your shoes at the door when you enter a Dutch home. Easy and clean.

Mr. Mac - glad to see the rogues did what I could not. Don 't let the door hot your back oriface on your way out.

Sincere,
Gargoyle

When ya comin ' back Mac?

Don't know when...

We 'll have a good time then

Gonna have a good time then.

Subject: RE: Tech: Rogue pop up
From: GUEST
Date: 08 Nov 12 - 11:29 AM

"So YOU need to either say something useful or shut up"

"Guest you are plain wrong"



Ok then you bunch of old misery pants, so why do I never experience these problems ?

[Win 7 - Chrome - AdBlock - Anti virus real time scanning - etc ]


Unless... maybe you visit far dodgier illicit sites than I would ever dare,
where viruses and malware are rampant.

Subject: RE: Tech: Rogue pop up
From: Megan L
Date: 08 Nov 12 - 11:43 AM

Gargoyle I didnt notice Java running but i will check thanks.

"Unless... maybe you visit far dodgier illicit sites than I would ever dare,
where viruses and malware are rampant."


Hmmmm let me see Mudcat hebridean cruises lakeland plastics yep some really dodgy stuff there

Subject: RE: Tech: Rogue pop up
From: GUEST,Brian Peters
Date: 08 Nov 12 - 11:43 AM

OK then, Mr, Guest, so how come I and others only ever experience this problem with Mudcat (and only over the last week or two)? I get fed up with self-appointed experts telling us it's all our own fault because of our rubbish security settings, when all the complainants are having problems with this specific site and no others - there's another thread going on the same topic, btw.

Subject: RE: Tech: Rogue pop up
From: Mr Red
Date: 08 Nov 12 - 11:46 AM

I don't get them. Certainly not since I started using Firefox portable. I am careful what I look at and clean history rarely, just deleted most cookies though. Never play games!

What I did see a few years ago was rare but very explicit pop-up images on august sites like the BBC, accessed from a library computer that runs a remote clean instance of WinXP & IE every time you log in. Haven't seen them lately.

I think there is a measure of luck, and they only have to hit a few million to make it pay.

Subject: RE: Tech: Rogue pop up
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 08 Nov 12 - 11:50 AM

I have an old computer, use Windows XP, don't use google chrome, but I don't get the pop-up either.

Some things with computers and the Internet are just so darn complicated, you will never figure out the answer. So stop fighting, my children. But...

1. I see Java wants me to update. Could the update have to do with eliminating this pop-up? Could be.

2. When a troubling pop-up appears, you're supposed to hit alt+F4. Or is that old news?

Subject: RE: Tech: Rogue pop up
From: GUEST
Date: 08 Nov 12 - 11:59 AM

"I get fed up with self-appointed experts"

Megan L - I'm barely computer literate, let alone some kind of smug 'expert'.

I'm just an average bloke who keeps his PC as well maintained as possible
within my limited understanding of the practical perils of internet security...


I'm just puzzled by the problems reported here,
and apparently being blamed on mudcat ?

Without being complacent, all I can do is be glad I don't get 'em !!!

Subject: RE: Tech: Rogue pop up
From: Megan L
Date: 08 Nov 12 - 12:08 PM

Well it would help if you actually learned to read it was not me who mentioned experts.

Gargoyle It took me a wee bit of poking around but i did find java had somehow been enabled so i disabled it thanks for the idea lets hope it works

Subject: RE: Tech: Rogue pop up
From: GUEST
Date: 08 Nov 12 - 12:17 PM

apologies Megan L,

I did misread the quote I attributed, and responded to as you.

I'll blame that on my stubborn refusal to wear bifocal lenses
even though I know I need them.

Subject: RE: Tech: Rogue pop up
From: bobad
Date: 08 Nov 12 - 12:28 PM

I don't get the pop-up - I employ the utilities listed by guest and don't turn Java off.

Subject: RE: Tech: Rogue pop up
From: GUEST
Date: 08 Nov 12 - 12:34 PM

I'll just add that my recent experience of running IE on a 64 bit Win 7 laptop
is that the latest microsft IE browser is nothing but a platform
for force feeding 'media rich' RAM consuming Advertising movies.

Glad I moved to Chrome a few years ago.

Subject: RE: Tech: Rogue pop up
From: bobad
Date: 08 Nov 12 - 12:42 PM

I use Firefox.

Subject: RE: Tech: Rogue pop up
From: GUEST
Date: 08 Nov 12 - 01:56 PM

From Gargoyle (note IP currently blocked by clone)

Java is a Very nifty tool in the right places...so you will want it to input data into things like police forms onlone. I turn off Java for places like MC or the Financial Times of London.

Mr Mac lets help ypu out... the loss of you at Mudcat would diminish me. Try blocking the root IP # 8.29.139.130   ... the beast morphs into local adverts using your location.

Re: localgiftspanel

information from French cacaweb.c om (love that name)

http://adserver.quizdingo.c om

/FR/bL88fpd/?affid=53

http://www.localgiftspanel.c om



/fr/4/index1d.php

Name: localgiftspanel.c om
IP: 8.29.139.130
Aliases: www.localgiftspanel.c om
Domain: localgiftspanel.c om
Domain Name: LOCALGIFTSPANEL.C OM
Registrar: ENOM, INC.
Whois Server: whois.enom.c om
Referral URL: http://www.enom.c om
Name Server: NS1.ADTRACKRS.C OM
Name Server: NS2.ADTRACKRS.C OM
Level 3 Communications, Inc. LVLT-ORG-8-8 (NET-8-0-0-0-1) 8.0.0.0 – 8.255.255.255
Beyond Hosting, LLC BH-CVG2-RANGE02 (NET-8-29-136-0-1) 8.29.136.0 – 8.29.143.255

from
STATSCROP - dot com check them out

The server IP address of Localgiftspanel.c om is 8.29.139.130, we have found 11 websites hosted on this server. ADDRESS 400 Pike St. Cincinnati OH Zip 45202

beyondhosting.net   AKA = bhsrv.net

adtrackrs.co m
localdealspanel.co m
bowflex-review.co m
careerjournaltoday.co m
homeenergyguides.co m
mobirewards.or g
noticiasconsumidor.co m
uknews8.co m
kosmixmarketing.co m
localgiftspanel.co m

Reverse IP Lookup

8.29.139.130

Sincerely,
Gargoyle
No man is an island.... but some of us are long peninsulas.

Subject: RE: Tech: Rogue pop up
From: GUEST,.gargoyle
Date: 08 Nov 12 - 02:05 PM

First Identify the Problem

THEN ATTACK IT

Sincerely,
Gargoyle

Referring to the popup and the clone with a bone...not you Mr. Mac

Subject: RE: Tech: Rogue pop up
From: Bill D
Date: 08 Nov 12 - 02:27 PM

I NEVER get popups..and seldom even ads between the levels... unless I disable my web filter, Proxomitron.

Google & Amazon are the **primary** offenders in sending ads based on what you are viewing. They have gotten increasingly clever in bypassing guards, but you can reduce it to 'barely noticeable'.


Look at the code for a Mudcat page by hitting 'ctrl-U'... in it you will see all sorts of Google and Amazon inserted stuff. I KNOW that ads have helped support the forum, but they also slow it down and cause concerns... I also know that Max is trying to work out something that might relieve the problem.

I have, 3 times, gone into that 'source' page (ctrl-u) and highlighted & deleted Google links, then refreshed the Mudcat page,and LO! The ads disappear...until you reload.


BTW... I use Opera 95% of the time... browsers make little difference unless you really study the Firefox addons. (Chrome? HA! They are a Google product!)


I have used Proxomitron for 8-9 years, with filter rules written by experts, and so far, it handles most everything. It DOES take some time to set up and get used to the settings..... your choice.

Subject: RE: Tech: Rogue pop up
From: MikeL2
Date: 08 Nov 12 - 02:36 PM

hi

I don't get the pop ups but recently I have noticed that when I run Spybot I get several instances of "Double Click".

The instances appear to coincide with the number of times I log into Mudcat.

Can this be so ??

Cheers

MikeL2

Subject: RE: Tech: Rogue pop up
From: GUEST
Date: 08 Nov 12 - 02:37 PM

Yes I do know Chrome is a google product

- the clue may be in "Google Chrome" !!!??? -

and I agree it's something to be suspicious of.

But, in practical day to day use over what must be 3 or 4 years
the google finger in the pie has not presented any negative issues
that I'm aware of..

I am a very cynical 'anti corporate' person by nature
but for the time being I'll continue to use/tolerate Chrome
rather than IE,
or Firefox...

[Didn't get on with firefox or opera, but can't remember what the problems were ?]

Subject: RE: Tech: Rogue pop up
From: GUEST,Peter
Date: 08 Nov 12 - 02:43 PM

Professional discussion here

Subject: RE: Tech: Rogue pop up
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 08 Nov 12 - 03:04 PM

Thanks Garg. I have deleted Java, and will se what that brings. If I need to block that url, how do I do so?

Subject: Internet Explorer vis-a-via Google Chrome
From: Fergie
Date: 08 Nov 12 - 04:52 PM

Hi all

I never got these pop-up when I was using Internet Explorer. However a few days ago I downloaded Google Chrome and since then when I go onto Mudcat (amongst other sites), I find that random words within threads are coloured blue and underlined as if they are links. If the cursor is brought close to these underlined words then a pop-up ad instantly appears.

Now the odd thing is this; if I open that same page using Internet Explorer and view the identical pages side by side together on my monitor only Google Chrome has the offending "links" to cause the pop-ups. This leads me to suspect that the source software is embedded in Google Chrome.

Any thoughts/advice?

Fergus

Subject: RE: Tech: Rogue pop up
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 08 Nov 12 - 05:11 PM

It certainly appears to be linked to Google.
BTW, my pages load quicker without Java enabled.

Subject: RE: Tech: Rogue pop up
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 08 Nov 12 - 06:07 PM

NOTE ON JAVA:

For some years Microsoft had a license to distribute Java with Windows so it was always included. In some cases the included Windows default versions were slightly "tweaked" for Windows. You still had to keep it up to date, and new versions weren't always fully compatible with websites that insisted on an older one, so it was common to have several versions on your computer.

A change in ownership at Sun Microsystems resulted in a lawsuit to block Microsoft from having their "own versions" of Java, and the settlement resulted in Microsoft REMOVAL of Java from all new distributions. Because Microsoft can no longer include Java updates in their patch packets (unless they get the patch from Sun), it has been recommended that ALL JAVA VERSIONS you might have should be DELETED, and if you do need it you will need to download the current version directly from Sun.

Sun has issued statements indicating that the latest version is - and will always be (promises are cheap today?) - compatible with everything, so older versions are no longer needed and should be removed from your computer.

Having the current version on the computer and keeping it updated is possibly safer than not having Java, since some sites still persist in trying to install it (often an obsolete version) if they think you need it. Turning it on or off as needed is fairly simple in most browsers.

Recent versions of IE have a "private" mode that possibly would block the annoyances described in this thread, since it pretty much turns off everything and theoretically doesn't even save a browsing history (hint for the guilty?) but some sites just don't work in that mode so it's not what most people would want for general use.

John

Subject: RE: Tech: Rogue pop up
From: Fergie
Date: 08 Nov 12 - 09:06 PM

Hi all,

I deleted Java and all symptoms described above have vanished.

Fergus

Subject: RE: Tech: Rogue pop up
From: Joe Offer
Date: 09 Nov 12 - 12:47 AM

I searched for the URL of the popup on the Norton Website. There have been others who received popups from the same URL. Can't say the advice from Norton was very helpful, but it's worth a try - they suggested downloading and running http://www.malwarebytes.org/products/malwarebytes_free.

Can't hurt.

-Joe-

Subject: RE: Tech: Rogue pop up
From: My guru always said
Date: 09 Nov 12 - 04:31 AM

Just figured out how to disable Java & done it. Came fresh into the Cat & no problem this time. Do I really need to delete Java?

Subject: RE: Tech: Rogue pop up
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 09 Nov 12 - 05:26 AM

I tried the reccommended Norton route to no effect. However, deleting Java has worked. I will see what happens when a pragramme asks me to reload it.

Subject: RE: Tech: Rogue pop up
From: GUEST,Peter Laban
Date: 09 Nov 12 - 05:52 AM

Deleting Java seems a bit of a sledgehammer to kill a fly.

Simply running a number of add-ons that block scripts, adds and tracking devices (in Firefox I run: Adblock plus, Noscript, Better Privacy and Ghostery) I NEVER see any adds or pop-ups anywhere.
Javascripts are blocked unless I allow them to run. My Google setting are set not to record any history and I also regularly clean out the unwanted cookies that slip through the Malware detection.

It's not rocket surgery.

Subject: RE: Tech: Rogue pop up
From: GUEST,.gargoyle
Date: 09 Nov 12 - 06:31 AM

I use Java...don't get me wrong...however there are a handfull of sites where it is useful to "turn it off " like a light - switch.

I would NOT "delete " (permanently remove) Java because you will find yourself unable to access or input data in some situations.

Sincerely,
Gargoyle

For me the primary offenders are newspapers on - line. Curiously....one of the world's great papers The Wall Street Journal has no problems and provides a rich experience. (I would explain the simple non java "hack "   of the FT but I don't want them to patch it.)

Subject: RE: Tech: Rogue pop up
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 09 Nov 12 - 07:14 AM

Sun and Microsoft both now recommend making sure that you have the latest version of Java, and Sun gives assurance that the current and latest version will run any Java instructions ever written. Because they will no longer patch earlier versions, and numerous vulnerabilities have been found in most of the old ones, both companies recommend just deleting all the old ones.

I haven't seen any feedback from users indicating that getting rid of the old versions has caused any problems.

In IE, at the little "gear" widget on the same bar where your current URL shows at the top (or at Tools if you've turned on the "Menu bar) there's a selection for "Manage add-ons" where it's easy to turn any of them on or off temporarily. If you haven't looked there, you may not realize how many add-ons you have, and might want to just remove some of them, or turn some others on/off. Other browsers should have someplace similar to manage them, but I don't use any of the others enough to advise.

John

Subject: RE: Tech: Rogue pop up
From: MoorleyMan
Date: 09 Nov 12 - 07:33 AM

Yeah, I've been getting those rogue popups this past week or two, after years of no probs.
And yes, it only happens with the Mudcat url... no other sites...
Thinking back, I recall I was prompted to install a Java update around the time these started, and did so "successfully" - but that's a bit too much of a coincidence, ain't it?

So - bottom line - is the solution now going to be to disable Java ? If so, then how do I do that?

(And btw, aren't there quite a number of sites that still need Java enabled in order even to be viewed?)

Subject: RE: Tech: Rogue pop up
From: GUEST
Date: 09 Nov 12 - 08:32 AM

I've had no problems,
but out of curiosity have now uninstalled java
using Revo Uninstaller.

Waiting now to see if and when I'll be nagged to reinstall it.

Subject: RE: Tech: Rogue pop up
From: Rog Peek
Date: 11 Nov 12 - 06:26 AM

Same, only happens with mudcat. First it was a competition to win an iphone, now it's "Dave" tellng me I can earn a lot of money on the internet.........."Pain in the arse!"

Rog