Potential WordAds Dangerous Redirect
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Hi,
I’ve received a message from a (very trustworthy) reader of my blog, stating that he was redirected when viewing my site, and showing that he was redirected to this site: https://clubpenguinmountains.files.wordpress.com/2018/09/ozkwrxyz.jpg
I’ve followed up for more details (specifically the advert which appeared on my site before the redirect), but I’m worried that once again this is a result of WordAds, rather than an issue on the reader’s side. I personally experienced this a few months ago on my blog, and it was eventually fixed upon contacting you, but I’m wondering if this issue has occurred again.
It’d be very frustrating if so, as it’s really frightening to see this happen with WordPress.com blogs, so please let me know of a solutions.
Thanks. :)
The blog I need help with is: (visible only to logged in users)
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Hi there,
What do you mean “redirected when viewing the site”? When clicking on a specific post or page, or just when opening the site?
On what type of device and using what browser did this happen?
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Hi,
What do you mean “redirected when viewing the site”? When clicking on a specific post or page, or just when opening the site?
When viewing the homepage, after a few seconds, the viewer gets redirected to dodgy websites which are almost certainly viruses. They didn’t need to click any adverts or links to do so.
On what type of device and using what browser did this happen?
Safari on an iPhone 7.
Thanks. :)
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I do just want to add to the question on the device, though not recently, I personally experienced this on my Samsung Galaxy Tab S2. It was resolved when after a bit, but I’m worried this redirect issue has returned again, but affecting others and not just me.
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@torres126, if this happens again, can you help us by gathering the specifics about the ad? Such as what it was advertising, or a screen shot even. We need a lot of details to start and track down dodgy ads if that’s the case. It’s also possible that this isn’t ours.
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I’ll do my best, though I worry that might be difficult since I’m not the person actually seeing it this time. Thank you though. :)
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It looks like there has been some other recent reports of this happening, and we are currently trying to track this down.
If possible we also need:
1) The IP address of the device where this happened (if you can get that from the visitor we can follow up via email to get it – please don’t post IPs publicly)
2) The full URL of the page the ad redirects to.And if you happen to spot other forum threads about this, please flag them for us, including a link back to this thread.
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@kokkieh Hi,
I don’t exactly feel completely comfortable asking for an IP address of one of my viewers, especially because I tend to advice against giving an IP address for several reasons. Though I’m aware that they’re (sadly) recorded via comments or forms, not too sure how I’d feel about asking for one directly or how comfortable a user would be upon being asked for this information. Will that be a problem?
I have asked for the full URL to be shared though, and I’ll also share this link for any other threads mentioning this issue.
Thanks. :)
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As geolocation is a big factor in which ads appear on a site it’s a rather crucial piece of info for us, but I completely understand your hesitation.
They can always send it directly to us, here:
Ask them to please reference this forum thread if they do.
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I’ve recommended them to do so and sent this thread, although I’m not 100% certain they will.
In the meantime, I’m guessing that there’s not much else can be done until either a screenshot of the advert or an IP/full URL is available. Is that correct?
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In the meantime, I’m guessing that there’s not much else can be done until either a screenshot of the advert or an IP/full URL is available. Is that correct?
That is true unless we could actually reproduce it and see it for ourselves, there isn’t anything we can do at the moment.
Hopefully they will report it and with the additional information we will be able to see what is happening.
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Same problem reported months ago, solved momentarily and then returned. I’m sorry, but I find WordAds totally unreliable and at risk for all readers, which is why I decided to close my account. Very disappointed.
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My previous report (March 2018) witk link and screenshot… https://en.forums.wordpress.com/topic/spam-redirect-from-wordads-unit/
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alexplive – Thanks for chiming in here. I appreciate you sharing that link as well. I’ve added it to our reports for further tracking.
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Here is a link to the same issue that I started on a new thread, before I realised it was an already documented issue.
https://en.forums.wordpress.com/topic/intrusive-full-page-advert-on-android/#post-3192017
Here I have outlined the links to which readers are redirected. I have taken a screenshot too but am unable to upload an image here.
Fingers crossed this helps shut them all down.
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@gingerwebster Mentioned this in the other thread but just to make sure it’s got to you: if you’ve taken a screenshot, you could upload it to a site like http://prntscr.com and post the link to the image here, and I’m sure that’d be appreciated. :)
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This issue is also being mentioned in this thread: https://en.forums.wordpress.com/topic/hacked-redirect-on-mobile-devices
In which the user shared this screenshot of the issue occurring: https://www.dropbox.com/s/hjbne3gnauklzu9/Screenshot_2018-10-07-11-40-16.png?dl=0
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Same problem happening for me. On my iPhone and another visitors.
Site: thewoolieweekly.wordpress.com
Screenshots: https://imgur.com/a/CdbteHA
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Same problem happening for me too. My blog is lizzierunning.wordpress.com The ad that pops up was for Asda vouchers, but seems to vary.
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Additional report of this here: https://en.forums.wordpress.com/topic/my-wordpress-site-is-redirecting-to-a-dodgy-spam-site-on-mobiles-possibly-just-iphone/
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