Bad Wikia Ad (Solved)

[demojan777]

So, I was looking around the Wiki today and I get this usual meant-to-scare you advertising message (meant to look like a regular windows error message) saying that there are viruses on my computer and this site has to scan it immediately, I tried to close it but it began a virus scan program immediately, I closed that and I get another error message saying there are still viruses on my computer asking me to go back to the website, but I managed to just shut down IE through task manager and now I am using my usual quick-scan virus scan just to be sure it's a scary advertisment.

My question is this: has this happened to anyone else when looking around the Wiki? Is there any way to get rid of that advertisement? That's such a strong-arm tactic I wouldn't even want the money from those people; that's almost the same thing as those collection agencies that call you up and say you're guilty of fraud and that they're calling the sherrif to come pick you up and take you to jail (which they can't do in the least).

My virus scan came just back clean; any other thoughts on this?

[shadowblack]

I haven't seen any such ad, but I am logged in, which removes most ads, if I'm not mistaken.

Did the ad open as a pop-up window, or was it an ad on the wiki page itself?

[demojan777]

It appeared first as a pop-up window, and when I tried to close it a program began scanning my computer (browser-based) and when I closed that another pop-up window came up saying I still had viruses. I've just done a complete scan and there's nothing on my machine. I don't have much to add to the wiki but maybe creating a membership there will help stop things like that? Eh?

[zmflavius]

It appeared first as a pop-up window, and when I tried to close it a program began scanning my computer (browser-based) and when I closed that another pop-up window came up saying I still had viruses. I've just done a complete scan and there's nothing on my machine. I don't have much to add to the wiki but maybe creating a membership there will help stop things like that? Eh?

If it's a pop-up, then it should.

[scout1idf]

It appeared first as a pop-up window, and when I tried to close it a program began scanning my computer (browser-based) and when I closed that another pop-up window came up saying I still had viruses. I've just done a complete scan and there's nothing on my machine. I don't have much to add to the wiki but maybe creating a membership there will help stop things like that? Eh?

If it's a pop-up, then it should.

Being logged on moves most of the ad's out of the way. It makes it easier to read the Wiki that way.....

[shadowblack]

Since it was a pop-up I have to ask: how did you close it? If you clicked on the "X" in the corner of the window, are you sure you clicked the REAL one?

I have seen at least one ad that had a fake "X" that was larger (and thus easier to notice and click) than the real one. If you clicked the real "X" the ad closes, however if you click the fake one you ended up clicking on the ad instead, and so another site would open. Quite annoying. Maybe something like that happened here?

[demojan777]

Since it was a pop-up I have to ask: how did you close it? If you clicked on the "X" in the corner of the window, are you sure you clicked the REAL one?

I have seen at least one ad that had a fake "X" that was larger (and thus easier to notice and click) than the real one. If you clicked the real "X" the ad closes, however if you click the fake one you ended up clicking on the ad instead, and so another site would open. Quite annoying. Maybe something like that happened here?

I think that's what the issue was, but there was no "real x", it wasn't a normal pop-up add but a VB-type one that looked like an actual Windows error message and only had one x, and when I clicked it opened a new window.

Since I've been playing Sryth for a while I guess I could start paying back a little and register for a log-in to the Wiki; besides not having crazy scary ads pop out at me I could also share the tips and tricks I've found out or picked up along the way, when I have the time.

Thanks folks!

:)

[Oldschool]

That sounds like some of these malware type attacks. I had one awhile back and if I remember correctly Badstench ran afoul of something similar.

Basically you can get it from legitimate sites through links or ads. When it "hits" it'll open a pop up that will look like a security alert that says something along the lines of "Blah blah blah has detected that your system/computer has a security vulnerabilty/virus/etc.... "

My advice to anyone is if you get an alert type message from something that shouldn't be on your system watch out.

It'll usually have the option to cancel as well as continue (or something along those lines) which will install it and lead you to the option to purchase their program or pay for removal.

Also ponying up the money according to a buddy of mine may or may not get rid of it.

Hitting cancel and sometimes even x'ing outta the menu will sometimes still activate the bugger. I found out the hard way - it then will keep popping up a reminder for you to buy their "cure".

My wife hit one after a few months ago which was after I did but luckily she told me about it, but after she "x-ed" out of it. We got lucky as it didn't hit the system after x'ing out of it. I went to a system restore just to be sure.

Best way is to close your browser with the Task Manager as Demojan did. After I ran across the one I got I ended up going to a restore point after manually finding and deleting the thing.

I just talked to a buddy of mine yesterday. A real computer wiz who was telling me about the 2010 virus which appartently is the same type of attack. Didn't get into much details with him but a quick pause and google turned up the following.

http://www.spywarevoid.com/antivirus-2010-removal-guide-remove-antivirus2010.html

http://rogueantispyware.blogspot.com/2009/08/smart-virus-eliminator.html

Regarding the wiki ad's. Like Scout says registering and logging onto your account will turn off most of the ads.

I run Firefox with Adblock Plus and Adblock Element Hiding Helper. Overall I get very very few ads with them and on the majority of sites I get none.

[Young Ned]

You might want to drop a word of complaint to the Wikia administrators, too. They shouldn't be accepting any ads that aggressive in the first place (although it's possible a legitimate advertiser got hacked). I don't remember how to contact them, but you should be able to find something on the wiki that tells you how. If not, Scarbrow should know.

[Scarbrow]

You might want to drop a word of complaint to the Wikia administrators, too. They shouldn't be accepting any ads that aggressive in the first place (although it's possible a legitimate advertiser got hacked). I don't remember how to contact them, but you should be able to find something on the wiki that tells you how. If not, Scarbrow should know.

Totally agree, those kind of aggressive advertisement shouldn't be on ANY honest site, and least of all on Wikia. Through the Special pages (http://sryth.wikia.com/wiki/Special:SpecialPages) pages, which you can access just below the left Sidebar, you can find the Contact Wikia (http://sryth.wikia.com/wiki/Special:Contact) link. You can also email them directly to community@wikia.com, but I'd recommend the web form since it reminds you of the information you need to send to them.

demojan777, please contact them with the most accurate depiction of the ad you can (screenshot would be best) so they can get rid of that advertiser. Wikia service is usually quite fast for a free service, they answer on 1-4 days, with 1-2 days average.

EDIT: I contacted Wikia to let them know of this thread, and they answered within two hours with: Thanks for reporting this ad. I will pass the information on to our advertising manager who will review it and work to remove any problem ads from the system as quickly as possible.

I still recommend demojan777 to contact them, if you haven't done it yet, to help them pinpoint the problem.