Anyone else with this issue at SO?

[cd637299]

Hi

Lately I have been hesitant to get onto SO Message Boards, although I love them.

I have no PC. Only iPhone 8. So….sometimes I will be here and do maybe some sort of swipe, and SO sends me to some oddball “.xyz”-suffix-like sites….either a possible virus, a possible porno site, or a site that might have me accidentally purchasing something I don’t want.

Doggone if I can, or will, give actual examples. I X-out the sites ASAP as they could be a danger.

Does anyone else have this problem here at SO?

cd

[TJ]

Someone had contacted me last week describing a similar issue. Maybe it's a problem specific to iPhones. I don't own one to test it out. I've not seen it happen on my PC.

"I think Sitcoms Online has been hacked. Sometimes when I visit this site, I get redirected to ads and spammy sites. I know it’s not my iPhone 15, because I’m not seeing this issue on any other sites. Please fix."

I know we haven't been hacked. The only ad code we are running is for Google AdSense. Maybe it's a third party ad that is redirecting to other sites. If you can copy any links, I can try to block them.

We run the vignette ads that appear between page loads. When you do some sort of swipe to dismiss it or X it out, maybe you are accidentally clicking on the ad.

"Vignette ads are full-screen ads that appear between page loads and can be skipped by users at any time. Vignettes are displayed when the user leaves a page or comes back to it, rather than when they arrive on one, so the user doesn't have to wait for them to load."

https://support.google.com/adsense/answer/9305577?hl=en

[cd637299]

I had the issue again today.

Was able to grab a snapshot of one of the URL’s. So as to not make it a hyperlink, I will disguise it:

wow travel dot eye oh

A bunch of URL’s seem to show up in quick succession, so I could only see that one above.

cd

[TJ]

I will try to block the url.

Have you run any malware removal programs such as Malwarebytes? Maybe you have picked up some malware on your iPhone. It could be one reason why you are being redirected if you aren't actually clicking on the ad.

You could always install an ad blocker if the issue persists. I would want you to feel safe while browing the boards.

[cd637299]

Thank you. I do have an ad blocker, but I guess stuff slips thru. (Adblock Plus)

cd

[TJ]

If you paid for Adblock Plus, maybe you can get a refund. That shouldn't be happening.

Let me know about any other nefarious urls. I have 494 blocks remaining.

[cd637299]

It is free. Do U recommend another app? I do get a lotta sites telling me to undo the adblocker; nothing doing!

cd

[TJ]

I guess you get what you pay for sometimes. I don't use any myself.

The issue with ad blockers is that the code is still downloaded and viewed. The ads just don't display.

If a news site asked me to unblock them and I had no other options, I would probably whitelist them. I can live with a few ads for free content. Ads are better than paywalls.

Smaller sites like SO depend on advertising revenue to pay for their operating expenses. I would never block anyone using an ad blocker.

[cd637299]

OK here is another one. I think I tapped something on the right side that sent me to it.

vbulletion validation dot com

^ that one really could have been troublesome. BTW it is spelled correctly.

EDIT: I need to start making video when I come here (iPhones have that good feature), so that I can snapshot while it’s going on my roll.

cd

[TJ]

You didn't spell it correctly. The forum software is called vBulletin.

vbulletinvalidation.com isn't an actual ad. It verifies that I'm using this paid licensed forum software and not a pirated copy. There's no way for me to remove it. It's built into the code. It would be nice if it didn't callback so often because it's possible it slows it down waiting for it to respond. I'm not sure if it checks it on every single page load or just the first time.

It might be helpful to see a video or screenshots of it. I would like to see this possible porno site you are claiming to see. That's one url I would like to block. I had to block some offensive giant butt ads a few years ago.

It sounds like you want a 100% ad-free experience on here. I'm sorry that I'm unable to provide that to you. I had to ask for donations just to keep the site afloat because the advertising was at historic lows last year. Thankfully some generous folks were able to help me out to keep it online.

It would appear that you either possibly have some malware on your iPhone or Adblock Plus is allowing a few ads to slip by. I'm in no way blocking your ability to use Adblock Plus or any other ad blocking software.

I've tested it on my PC. I see no ads. It even blocks the mini Paramount+ banner that I'm using to promote their Black Friday offer as an affiliate. It doesn't block the text link, however.

I can't recommend any other ad blocking apps because I don't use any. I don't want to take away publishers ability to pay their bills. I know they work hard to provide good free content.

[TJ]

I received the attachment you e-mailed me. It appears you are correct about the vbulletionvalidation.com link. I'm surprised they use that spelling. I guess I never noticed it. It's nothing to worry about. It loads in the background. It shouldn't take more than a second or two for it to respond.

I can see it blocks the mini Paramount+ banner above the text link. At least that works properly as intended.

I wish you well with your search for a more effective ad blocker. Hopefully I got paid for any ads you were showed.

It looks like you are using our default PC theme. You might want to use one of our responsive/mobile themes for a better browsing experience. This Site Feedback forum is using it. Some of the responsive themes might have less or even no ads on them. The ad code might not be on some of them.

[Dude111]

Originally Posted by TJ

You didn't spell it correctly. The forum software is called vBulletin.

vbulletinvalidation.com isn't an actual ad. It verifies that I'm using this paid licensed forum software and not a pirated copy. There's no way for me to remove it.

Are ya sure buddy??

Have ya gone thru and tried to take it out and see what happens??

[TJ]

They do offer a branding free option for an extra $169. It still might check for the license status.

Can I remove the 'Powered by vBulletin' copyright text?

A 'branding free' license is available at a cost of USD$169.00 per license, in addition to the cost of the license itself. Once you have purchased this option, you will have the right to remove all references to vBulletin from the vBulletin design templates. Note this is for one license only and is in addition to the cost of the license. Otherwise, all copyright messages (both in the software code and templates) must be retained and visible. Also, please note that you must retain all copyright notices within the actual product programming code (these notices do not affect any visible vBulletin pages). Note also this does not allow you to rebrand the software with another name. It only allows you to remove the vBulletin copyright information.

The vBulletin branding-free license concerns the removal of visual branding. The branding-free package available from the members' area does not remove comments or variable names within the program code that mention vBulletin.

You may change the logo without purchasing this option.

[opus]

I *think* what’s being described here is happening to me too. iPhone and iPad, not PC. It tends to drop me off at Etsy.

[TJ]

Maybe you can take a video or screenshot of when it happens. I guess there's no way to predict when it will happen. I haven't seen anything like what has been described on my PC.

It sounds like an ad that is auto redirecting and taking over a page if you aren't clicking on anything. It would be very easy to click an ad by mistake if you try to dismiss it with a swipe.

They must be pretty advanced if they are bypassing ad blockers. I'm not really complaining about it if I'm being paid for them.