Spam coming up on the forum.

[92220]

Hi Folks.

Has anyone else got the same problem as me? Whenever I come onto the forum, after a few seconds a warning message jumps out telling me that a number of viruses have been found on my computer and to download something to get rid of them. It's obviously a scam because I have very sophisticated internet and virus protection, that I pay for, and with regular scans and permanent background internet protection, I am confident I have no such problem.

These appear to be adverts, but are quite probably scams. Anyway I always ignore such messages, other than regularly running scans with my own installed software. I have no idea how these pop up but they do, and only on Proboards. Is it part of the Proboards advertising? Has anyone any idea on how I can get rid of these pop-ups. Pop-ups are already switched off on my computer. The only way I stop the messages is to close down the site and re connect, then the messages don't come back until the next time I visit.

Bob.

[Rex Hanman]

Not having that problem. Good luck resolving it.

[RGR 60130]

I had a couple of those last week Bob. They came up on my desktop PC. At the time I thought it was another site that was triggering them rather than pro-boards though I can't be sure. My iPad has been ok.

Reg

[barlowworks]

I usually look on my iPad which has no problems. Checked on the PC tonight, also with no problems. I know the pop ups you mention though, bloody annoying.

Mike

[peteh]

Sorry Bob - not had that problem here either.

[stevep]

I've not had that problem either. Hope me saying that doesn't jinx something!

[92220]

Thanks Guys. I must look deeper into this. There must be something triggering them because it doesn't happen every time I sign in. Also, clicking on the X button shuts it off and it immediately pops back up. If I come off the internet and go back in, the ads don't reappear until the next time I switch the computer back on, though not every time. Like this morning.....it hasn't happened but I bet it does tomorrow. It's really weird.

Bob.

[Deleted]

yes...IMHO something has infected the site...my anti-virus closes the window sometimes as something tries to access my PC..

[racinjason]

I have not seen anything come up on my pc other than the banner ads across the top if it happens again could you get some details of the pop up and I'll report it to the host,
thanks Jason

[Roger]

I suspect it's an advert that's been infected, and different people are shown different adverts. As long as you don't take the bait then I doubt if there's any risk. Just close the window. If there's no way to close the window, go into the Task Manager (Ctrl-Alt-Del) and end the browser process. If that doesn't work, hold in the reset button and shut the computer down.

Most of the scams rely of convincing you that you have a virus when you don't. There are many tricks to do this. 'Tech Support centres' listed in the popups get you install 'anti-virus' apps that show bogus faults and tempt you to give remote access to your computer to 'fix' it.

Take a look at this video and this video showing one way scammers work. This guy uses a 'virtual machine' so he can safely let a scammer connect to his PC without risking his computer.

[Deleted]

I'd agree with Roger, it's in the adverts..happened again to me last night..one minute I'm reading the forum, next the window is replaced by an advert, in last nights case an 'Amazon' advert asking me to claim my surprise bonus. needless to say, I did no such thing and closed the window and opened a new tab. When this happens you can't go back to the forum page, it's no longer there even though the back tab is highlighted. Closing the window and opening a fresh one puts things back to normal..there are other symptoms too where my commercial anti-virus interjects and stops whatever is happening with a red threat alert given.

Pete

btw..I only get this on this forum

[Roger]

I've just used the 'Report Ad' button at the bottom of the Proboards page and added the link to this thread

[92220]

Hi Pete. That's exactly what I get. I must admit I hadn't thought of the advert site being infected. That makes sense as some have the problem and some don't, and the targeting does seem to be effected by the advert content. Anyhow, I'm so suspicious of anything that pops up on the screen, I look at it as a threat, so just get rid.

Bob.

[92220]

Hi Roger.

Thanks for doing that. I knew about the Report Ad button but had totally forgotten to use it! It will be interesting to see if it has any effect on the problem.

Bob.

[barlowworks]

That first video of the scammer in action is really frightening. Definitely never allow anyone remote access to your computer. That includes the ones that phone up and say you have computer problems and need to start up your computer. Definitely don't do it.

Mike

[steamer5]

Hi Mike,
If you get those guys ask them for there name technician number & country, IF they give this to you ask them to hold while you contact Microsoft for confirmation.......oddly they hang up, espeacilly if it takes you up to an hour to get back to them!


Cheers Kerrin

[Roger]

One of Jim Browning's videos shows an opportunistic scammer trying to run a file that he's temptingly put in a desktop folder named 'Bank Details'. When that doesn't open, the scammer copies it to his own PC and runs it, not realising that it gives access to his network. Jim then gathers a ton of information and screen shots of the scammers to hand over to Police. Sadly, the Police don't seem that interested in catching them in India, maybe they're getting back handers? Who knows.

[simplyloco]

Aug 24, 2018 21:12:46 GMT Roger said:

SNIP
Sadly, the Police don't seem that interested in catching them in India, maybe they're getting back handers? Who knows.

I have worked in that part of the world. Sadly, you are quite correct! 
John