So, as it says in the thread title tbh.
Green double underlined mouse-over links started appearing in the last week or so. The advert is always 'groupon' stuff though, which I'd never heard of previously. The actual keyword funtion that is mean to target the advert doesn't seem to work though, as it's always the same ad.
I first noticed it on another forum I've used for years that does not use that kind of advertising, and this has been verified by others there who see no links. I've also seen it crop up on google too, which seems very suspicious. Also reputable publications like the Guardian and NewScientist.
Now, someone on the other forum suggested that since these sites shouldnt be the kind of places that use that advertising, I may have something on this laptop that is injecting the code direct to my browser, malware or a virus. Failing that, it might be some applet that has sneakily installed itself to my toolbar. But I've looked, and there's nothing to suggest that.
I've also had no luck using malwarebytes, avast, hijackthis, and am currently trying avira.
I've also tried the established ways of disabling these ads as described in various places, no luck. Again, that would suggest it's malicious.
Thing is, if it is malicious, simply getting rid of the ads isn't much use. I want rid of the software.
Anyone heard of anything like this? Or have any ideas what to do?
edit:
Actually, turns out they aren't all groupon, but the ones that arent tend to be uniformly dodgy sounding sites.
Having bit the bullet and clicked on one, they all seem to link to a 'textsrv' site. Google is being a bit more useful with that info.
Green double underlined mouse-over links started appearing in the last week or so. The advert is always 'groupon' stuff though, which I'd never heard of previously. The actual keyword funtion that is mean to target the advert doesn't seem to work though, as it's always the same ad.
I first noticed it on another forum I've used for years that does not use that kind of advertising, and this has been verified by others there who see no links. I've also seen it crop up on google too, which seems very suspicious. Also reputable publications like the Guardian and NewScientist.
Now, someone on the other forum suggested that since these sites shouldnt be the kind of places that use that advertising, I may have something on this laptop that is injecting the code direct to my browser, malware or a virus. Failing that, it might be some applet that has sneakily installed itself to my toolbar. But I've looked, and there's nothing to suggest that.
I've also had no luck using malwarebytes, avast, hijackthis, and am currently trying avira.
I've also tried the established ways of disabling these ads as described in various places, no luck. Again, that would suggest it's malicious.
Thing is, if it is malicious, simply getting rid of the ads isn't much use. I want rid of the software.
Anyone heard of anything like this? Or have any ideas what to do?
edit:
Actually, turns out they aren't all groupon, but the ones that arent tend to be uniformly dodgy sounding sites.
Having bit the bullet and clicked on one, they all seem to link to a 'textsrv' site. Google is being a bit more useful with that info.
Last edited:
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