[SOLVED] Samsung Internet opening to random spam sites

[Android Central Question]

Over the past few weeks I've had random blog style websites (getfitnessinfo, thisdaythatage, some page about the history of uber) opening themselves in the default Samsung Internet Browser. It mostly happens upon unlocking my phone (galaxy s6) but has also happened once while I was using it.

I have cleared all data on the browser app, uninstalled all mildly questionable apps (I hadn't downloaded any apps around the time this began), cleared the cache of my phone in safe mode, installed Firefox and set it as my default browser (Samsung Internet continues to open anyway with the sites), ran multiple antivirus apps (Norton, Avast, Kaspersky, Malwarebytes, Ccleaner) and none have turned up anything. I've even gone through my files and deleted any data/app/sdk files I don't recognize or that seem suspect.

While the websites being opened do not seem malicious in nature, this has become very annoying both with the spam itself and the fact knowing something is buggering my phone. I have searched and tried multiple solutions to similar problems to no avail.

 

[mustang7757]

Re: Samsung Internet opening to random spam sites

Over the passed few weeks I've had random blog style websites (getfitnessinfo, thisdaythatage, some page about the history of uber) opening themselves in the default Samsung Internet Browser. It mostly happens upon unlocking my phone (galaxy s6) but has also happened once while I was using it.

I have cleared all data on the browser app, uninstalled all mildly questionable apps (I hadn't downloaded any apps around the time this began), cleared the cache of my phone in safe mode, installed firefox and set it as my default browser (samsung internet continues to open anyway with the sites), ran multiple antivirus apps (norton, avast, kaspersky, malwarebytes, ccleaner) and none have turned up anything. I've even gone through my files and deleted any data/app/sdk files I don't recognize or that seem suspect.

While the websites being opened do not seem malicious in nature, this has become very annoying both with the spam itself and the fact knowing something is buggering my phone. I have searched and tried multpile solutions to similar problems to no avail.

Hi, welcome to AC forums, me or other members would be happy to assist you but if we need to ask additional questions you'll need to register as a member to respond . I'll provide a link to register so you can reply and communicate with us .https://forums.androidcentral.com/showthread.php?t=409154

 

[nacnuD17]

Re: Samsung Internet opening to random spam sites

Hi, welcome to AC forums, me or other members would be happy to assist you but if we need to ask additional questions you'll need to register as a member to respond . I'll provide a link to register so you can reply and communicate with us .https://forums.androidcentral.com/showthread.php?t=409154

All signed up now, thanks.

 

[mustang7757]

Re: Samsung Internet opening to random spam sites

All signed up now, thanks.

Thanks for registering!
Will be with you shortly

 

[mustang7757]

Re: Samsung Internet opening to random spam sites

Have you cleared notifications in Samsung browser? Any add ons or extension , also long press that app and tap info , clear data ,cache and force close it

 

[B. Diddy]

Re: Samsung Internet opening to random spam sites

Welcome to Android Central! If they're opening up even when you're using some other app, it sounds like adware -- see this guide: https://forums.androidcentral.com/a.../901497-full-screen-ads-how-find-culprit.html

 

[mustang7757]

Re: Samsung Internet opening to random spam sites

Welcome to Android Central! If they're opening up even when you're using some other app, it sounds like adware -- see this guide: https://forums.androidcentral.com/a.../901497-full-screen-ads-how-find-culprit.html

Samsung browser have adware protection but have to enable it , hopefully out suggestions help out .

 

[nacnuD17]

Re: Samsung Internet opening to random spam sites

Have you cleared notifications in Samsung browser? Any add ons or extension , also long press that app and tap info , clear data ,cache and force close it

Yup I've done that a few times, hasn't helped sadly.

Welcome to Android Central! If they're opening up even when you're using some other app, it sounds like adware -- see this guide: https://forums.androidcentral.com/a.../901497-full-screen-ads-how-find-culprit.html

I've checked out that thread and sadly no help there either though I would agree it seems like adware.

I actually just had it happen again. Unlocked my phone and samsung internet was open to some fruitcares website.

Screenshots here -> http://imgur.com/a/BbHoZnM

 

[B. Diddy]

Re: Samsung Internet opening to random spam sites

You said you cleared the cache in Safe Mode. Do you also mean that the ads appear while the phone is still in Safe Mode?

 

[nacnuD17]

Re: Samsung Internet opening to random spam sites

You said you cleared the cache in Safe Mode. Do you also mean that the ads appear while the phone is still in Safe Mode?

Sorry safe mode may have been the wrong name for it, I meant when you turn off your phone and then hold the power, home, and volume up button until the phone boots and you clear the cache within the menu shown there.

 

[mustang7757]

Re: Samsung Internet opening to random spam sites

That's recovery

Sorry safe mode may have been the wrong name for it, I meant when you turn off your phone and then hold the power, home, and volume up button until the phone boots and you clear the cache within the menu shown there.

 

[nacnuD17]

Re: Samsung Internet opening to random spam sites

A little more info...

If you look at the imgur link I posted above, all of the various sites follow that exact format as though they were made by the same person.

I made a post on reddit about the issue as well and there is a user with an s6 active having the same issue as me and even a factory reset only helped for a week before the issue came back.

Is it possible this could be due to some sort of exploit within the browser itself?

 

[mustang7757]

Re: Samsung Internet opening to random spam sites

A little more info...

If you look at the imgur link I posted above, all of the various sites follow that exact format as though they were made by the same person.

I made a post on reddit about the issue as well and there is a user with an s6 active having the same issue as me and even a factory reset only helped for a week before the issue came back.

Is it possible this could be due to some sort of exploit within the browser itself?

This is the first I've heard about this
I think maybe try some steps by not allowing to modify system or make sure download unknown apps isn't toggled I'll post screenshot

 

[B. Diddy]

Re: Samsung Internet opening to random spam sites

See if it still happens in Safe Mode -- these steps should work on most any Samsung phone: https://support.t-mobile.com/docs/DOC-37190. This temporarily disables 3rd party apps, so if there's an app or adware you inadvertently installed that's responsible, the popups should stop. The challenge then would be to figure out which app is responsible, which may mean uninstalling apps one by one until the problem goes away.

 

[nacnuD17]

Re: Samsung Internet opening to random spam sites

This is the first I've heard about this
I think maybe try some steps by not allowing to modify system or make sure download unknown apps isn't toggled I'll post screenshotView attachment 306417

I've disable all permissions and notifications and disabled installing from unknown sources. Still getting the pages loading.

See if it still happens in Safe Mode -- these steps should work on most any Samsung phone: https://support.t-mobile.com/docs/DOC-37190. This temporarily disables 3rd party apps, so if there's an app or adware you inadvertently installed that's responsible, the popups should stop. The challenge then would be to figure out which app is responsible, which may mean uninstalling apps one by one until the problem goes away.

I will try safe mode, though it may take a while as most days it only happens 1 time.

 

[Basem Saleh]

Re: Samsung Internet opening to random spam sites

I'm having the same issue with the same phone (S6 edge) even the same pages you mentioned

 

[mustang7757]

Re: Samsung Internet opening to random spam sites

I've disable all permissions and notifications and disabled installing from unknown sources. Still getting the pages loading.




I will try safe mode, though it may take a while as most days it only happens 1 time.

If it was enabled download from other source something could got downloaded, check your file manager and see anything unusual.

 

[nacnuD17]

Re: Samsung Internet opening to random spam sites

I'm having the same issue with the same phone (S6 edge) even the same pages you mentioned

I've made a post on reddit and another user with a samsung s6 active has the exact issue as well and even after a factory reset the issue came back in a week.

Something I noticed while trying to figure out what is going on is that even if wifi is off the websites will still try to open (the url is a bit,ly link when it first tries to load).

If it was enabled download from other source something could got downloaded, check your file manager and see anything unusual.

It was disabled, I've still gone through with file manager and found nothing.

 

[mustang7757]

Re: Samsung Internet opening to random spam sites

I've made a post on reddit and another user with a samsung s6 active has the exact issue as well and even after a factory reset the issue came back in a week.

Something I noticed while trying to figure out what is going on is that even if wifi is off the websites will still try to open (the url is a bit,ly link when it first tries to load).



It was disabled, I've still gone through with file manager and found nothing.

This might lead to a fresh factory reset .

 

[Golurk]

Re: Samsung Internet opening to random spam sites

Try using the Device Maintenance software (in built) to scan all your apps for potential adware/malware. If this problem started recently, then think of any apps that you downloaded around the same time. Hopefully that could narrow down the list of potential culprits.

You might also want to check recent downloads in your Files app and see if you find anything suspicious.