Internet Explorer seems to have been hacked :(

[FlamingParrot]

Yesterday I closed IE because it tends to hog the memory after opening a few tabs and it crashes, becomes very slow, etc. I normally use Firefox but I've been having trouble quoting on here when using Firefox for a few weeks now.

When I re-opened IE, I noticed some words on here were highlighted and underlined as if they were links, and on mouse rollover, I saw ads and they are actually links, similar to those found on CAG. I was even going to report a post thinking someone had C&Pd from CAG and carried the links over, then I realised even the word DOWNLOAD at the top (as in "your PM box is nearly full, please delete or DOWNLOAD...") is highlighted and links to reimage, clean & repair Windows errors. :noidea:

When I try to post, I often get a new tab or window open and a message saying I need to update my Flash player, it then goes to this site: http://newupdate.how2safeupdate.net/...bI8aE8F3g%253D

I have to keep closing the damn windows. Any ideas?

I've tried disabling add-ons but don't seem to find the one responsible for this nuisance.

[FlamingParrot]

Re: Internet Explorer seems to have been hacked

This is how I see my post above in IE, with strange links added to it:

[meellis]

Re: Internet Explorer seems to have been hacked

I always run malwarebytes anti malware on my system to clean it up especially when it starts to slow.

[Sparkie1723]

Re: Internet Explorer seems to have been hacked

Try Panda Cloud cleaner ....I use that when I find my laptop is slowing down.
Sparkie

[Crazy council]

Re: Internet Explorer seems to have been hacked

look at whats running in your task manager. as [MENTION=27588]meellis[/MENTION] said, malwarebytes will usually find everything. run it at standard settings, then reboot when done and run again to make sure. It look like you have something thats creating an overlay to the browser, so be carfull around your passwords ect. If i used windows ( i avoid were possible ), i would run mailwarebytes regularly, and use firefox or chrome

[FlamingParrot]

Re: Internet Explorer seems to have been hacked

I had Malware Bytes installed on my previous laptop, so far this one hadn't given me a reason to download it. I shall give it a try. :yo:

I've just been using IE to post on here due to the quotes issue, all my other logging in is done on Firefox. :grin:

[FlamingParrot]

Re: Internet Explorer seems to have been hacked

MBAM seems to have blocked the nuisance, it was to do with TornTV and SmartBar. :ranger:

[jon1965]

Re: Internet Explorer seems to have been hacked

Slapped beak.
Using a filthy windows laptop and I e to boot.
whats up with chrome or even safari?

i use IE as a very last resort

[ComputerGuru]

Re: Internet Explorer seems to have been hacked

Yesterday I closed IE because it tends to hog the memory after opening a few tabs and it crashes, becomes very slow, etc. I normally use Firefox but I've been having trouble quoting on here when using Firefox for a few weeks now.

When I re-opened IE, I noticed some words on here were highlighted and underlined as if they were links, and on mouse rollover, I saw ads and they are actually links, similar to those found on CAG. I was even going to report a post thinking someone had C&Pd from CAG and carried the links over, then I realised even the word DOWNLOAD at the top (as in "your PM box is nearly full, please delete or DOWNLOAD...") is highlighted and links to reimage, clean & repair Windows errors. :noidea:

When I try to post, I often get a new tab or window open and a message saying I need to update my Flash player, it then goes to this site: http://newupdate.how2safeupdate.net/...bI8aE8F3g%253D

I have to keep closing the damn windows. Any ideas?

I've tried disabling add-ons but don't seem to find the one responsible for this nuisance.

As you have found out this is a classic ploy of adware of various sorts. Smartbar and the like are the culprits and the impact on speed and browser bandwidth is enormous! Unfortunately some of the major antivirus manufacturers do not protect against this as there is not necessarily a virus involved (technically a virus propagates itself - smart bar is installed by a person). We classify all such software as "Potentially Unwanted Programs" and block them in our AV. Malwarebytes as you were advised is one of the best after-the-event cleaners. This is free to private users but do consider making a donation to them if it has been helpful. The are good guys!

[ComputerGuru]

Re: Internet Explorer seems to have been hacked

Slapped beak.
Using a filthy windows laptop and I e to boot.
whats up with chrome or even safari?

i use IE as a very last resort

The world moves on. Go back a few years and Chrome was slow and creaky and IE was the corporate gold standard. In the last 6 months IE has been getting steadily worse and both Chrome and Firefox are now working well. Now we find IE brings a machine down if left running with too many tabs which is its deathnell in my book, let alone the disaster which is compatibility mode!

[Kati]

Re: Internet Explorer seems to have been hacked

I always use malwarebytes :nod: and Opera Next as my browser (I've never got on with FF or chrome for some reason)

[Nibbler]

Re: Internet Explorer seems to have been hacked

Short of getting rid of the malware or adware, the better option would have been using a fresh profile for Firefox. It's likely the original problems you had quoting etc were profile or security software related, not some intrinsic to Firefox. Firefox 36 and 37 post here fine with no problems.

[EXC]

Re: Internet Explorer seems to have been hacked

Malwarebytes as you were advised is one of the best after-the-event cleaners. This is free to private users but do consider making a donation to them if it has been helpful. The are good guys!

I totally agree.

I had a nasty root kit virus and the guys at Malwarebytes spent weeks helping me get rid of it, and I only had the free version. Their helpdesk was stunningly helpful.

[ComputerGuru]

Re: Internet Explorer seems to have been hacked

The world moves on. Go back a few years and Chrome was slow and creaky and IE was the corporate gold standard. In the last 6 months IE has been getting steadily worse and both Chrome and Firefox are now working well. Now we find IE brings a machine down if left running with too many tabs which is its deathnell in my book, let alone the disaster which is compatibility mode!

It appears that LB and ComputerGuru have more influence than previously thought. Microsoft have now announced the phasing out of Internet Explorer altogether! This thread was clearly the last straw...

[Amethyst]

Re: Internet Explorer seems to have been hacked

It appears that LB and ComputerGuru have more influence than previously thought. Microsoft have now announced the phasing out of Internet Explorer altogether! This thread was clearly the last straw...

:doggieyes: