[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.

 

[nacnuD17]

Re: Samsung Internet opening to random spam sites

I have this same issue. Did you figure it out??

What phone do you have? You may be able to downgrade the browser to fix the issue.

Same exact problem I'm having with my Samsung Galaxy S6. Incredibly annoying. Most seem to be bit.ly sites. T-Mobile is my provider. Ugh. Following... Closely!

Try downgrading the browser through the play store, I have an s6 and this has 'fixed' the issue for me (more of a work around really). Just keep an eye out for it updating itself again.

 

[MaxOctane]

Re: Samsung Internet opening to random spam sites

I downloaded the Samsung Internet Beta browser from the Google play store - I was hoping that it would replace the existing Samsung Internet app, but it did not. They are both there and I can open both of them independently.

HOWEVER, I did so this morning and today I've received no unwanted pop-ups. I haven't done anything else that could have made it stop. It's only been a day, I'll reply in another day or so to see if it's stopped altogether.

 

[jimmynzer]

Re: Samsung Internet opening to random spam sites

My S6 doing exactly what these people describe starting about 1-2 weeks sgo. samsung internet randomly starting often to a blank page bit.ly, sometimes there when i wake it and sometimes just starts in the middle of another activity. No apps recently installed.

 

[kt02x]

Re: Samsung Internet opening to random spam sites

My S6 is doing the same!! I was convinced I had a virus or something. I remember having to update the browser recently and i'm sure it was around then that the ads started. Just downgraded back to the basic version and have switched to using chrome, thank you for the suggestion! Fingers crossed it works because I am well and truly sick of the spam.

 

[Nico van der Merwe]

Re: Samsung Internet opening to random spam sites

New here. I have bee having the same issue for about a week now. Samsung Galaxy S6 G920F. Will try downgrading Samsung Internet.

 

[Beatrice F]

Re: Samsung Internet opening to random spam sites

Hi, I have an S6, same problem as everybody else. Tried some antivirus apps, cleared cache, with no use. I downgraded the browser to version 4.0.10-51 today. Hope this will do the trick

 

[worldofkevinc]

Re: Samsung Internet opening to random spam sites

Created an account just for this thread, I've been having all the same problems described. since July, I've had all these blogs open up around 11:30-6PM on my Samsung Internet Browser. This started happening after my system updated
I have a Samsung Galaxy S10

Tried antivirus, addons detector, downgrading browser, deleting apps, safe mode, etc

 

[ScrappyDog]

Re: Samsung Internet opening to random spam sites

Hi All

Just wanted to register another "same here"

Samsung s6 and its been happening for about 3 weeks I think. I tried everything and absolutely nothing found by malware, AV, device scanner, etc.

Its very annoying and twice a day. Once while had the phone being my satnav, which was a bit of shock. Im going to try the downgrading to factory original to see if that cures it temporarily until there is another update.

So glad I found this thread, I thought it was me going mad!

 

[kt02x]

Re: Samsung Internet opening to random spam sites

Well I tried to downgrade and it didn't work, so annoyed! I can't think what else to try; can't disable Samsung browser as the option is greyed out, does anyone know how to get around this?

Edit***

Just realised the galaxy app store or whatever it's called was set to auto update apps so browser had updated itself back again (oops!). Downgraded it again so hoping itll solve it. Also seen people on Twitter are having the same issue, particularly with the s6.

 

[Jimmy Dildo]

Re: Samsung Internet opening to random spam sites

This same thing started happening on my S6 Active a few weeks ago. I have no apps (other than what came on the phone), 'cuz I have no google account. Not much different than all the spam phone calls I never answer. But closing the browser a bunch of times every day is getting old. No easy fix, eh?

 

[MaxOctane]

Re: Samsung Internet opening to random spam sites

I mentioned that I'd downloaded the Samsung Internet Beta application and my unwanted pop-ups seemed to stop. I think typically what happens is that it opens when my phone is locked so when I go to unlock it, the Samsung Internet browser app is open.

Today I've had no unwanted pop-ups, however I just happened to be on my phone when a window came up asking me if I wanted to open the Samsung Internet browser or the Samsung Internet Beta browser. I suspect that by adding the second browser this window is dismissed when my phone is locked so nothing happens. So technically I still have the issue, it's just hidden when my phone is locked and it happens.

Obviously I'll take this improvement but I'd like to get to the bottom of this and get it fixed for good, if anybody figures this out let us here on the forum know!

 

[SandorSonic]

Re: Samsung Internet opening to random spam sites

I have seen alot of people with the samsung galaxy s6 with this problem.

Just bought a galaxy s10e a week ago, and i have had the problem you all described since the very beginning.

The site/sites did even pop up during the setup of the phone.

The sites seem to have the exact same layout, and either tend to be about lifestyle and food or a combination of the both.

I am so glad that i found this thread. Will downgrade the browser now.

Does Samsung actually know about this security exploit? Have they made an announcement that they know about the problem or that they are doing something to stop the exploit?

Thanks again to the kind people in this thread!

 

[nacnuD17]

Re: Samsung Internet opening to random spam sites

I have seen alot of people with the samsung galaxy s6 with this problem.

Just bought a galaxy s10e a week ago, and i have had the problem you all described since the very beginning.

The site/sites did even pop up during the setup of the phone.

The sites seem to have the exact same layout, and either tend to be about lifestyle and food or a combination of the both.

I am so glad that i found this thread. Will downgrade the browser now.

Does Samsung actually know about this security exploit? Have they made an announcement that they know about the problem or that they are doing something to stop the exploit?

Thanks again to the kind people in this thread!

Since you have an s10e I don't think downgrading will work for you as it didn't work for another s10 user. It seems newer samsung phones can't downgrade the browser far enough and will still be affected. If you still experience the issue (also make sure auto updates are turned off in the play store and galaxy store), try downloading the beta version of the browser. It seems it may interupt the pop up and prompt you to choose which version of browser to open it in at which point you can simply dismiss it. If your phone is not in use when the pop up tries to open (which is what causes it to be open when you unlock your phone) it will be dismissed automatically. This has all been reported by MaxOctane.

As far as if samsung knows I know one reddit user reported it to them on twitter but that's as far as I know.

 

[Evan Pacini]

Re: Samsung Internet opening to random spam sites

I've got the same problem here with a galaxy S5. I've worked around the problem by downgrading the browser, how Samsung releases a bug fix soon...

 

[SandorSonic]

Re: Samsung Internet opening to random spam sites

Idk what OS version i'm using, im still getting used to my phone but i seem to be able to delete the entire app "Samsung Internet". Since I wasnt using the app anyway, i just deleted it.

 

[nacnuD17]

Re: Samsung Internet opening to random spam sites

Idk what OS version i'm using, im still getting used to my phone but i seem to be able to delete the entire app "Samsung Internet". Since I wasnt using the app anyway, i just deleted it.

Chances are the app is still there just at whatever version it came from the factory as. Samsung doesnt allow you to uninstall factory apps by default, however once you select disable it it becomes hidden from the list in the app list.

 

[Beatrice F]

Re: Samsung Internet opening to random spam sites

Well, it's been 2 days since I downgraded the browser on my S6 and the problem seemed to stop untill now

 

[MaxOctane]

Re: Samsung Internet opening to random spam sites

Well, it's been 2 days since I downgraded the browser on my S6 and the problem seemed to stop untill now

From what I've read and experienced, older phones can downgrade to an older version of the browser and the problem will go away. Those of us with newer phones, like the Galaxy S10 won't downgrade to a low enough version.

I installed the Samsung Internet Beta browser on my phone and the problem is masked, because when the pop-up happens, it asks you which browser you want to use. This dialog seems to be dismissed when the phone is locked. Most of the time this problem happens, my phone is locked, so the problem appears to be gone.

I haven't heard anything else as far as solutions go.

 

[kt02x]

Re: Samsung Internet opening to random spam sites

Downgrading the browser didn't work for me (S6), still getting the pop ups. Seem to have had more than ever today, at least 4 or 5! Hope Samsung fix this soon

 

[berntd]

Re: Samsung Internet opening to random spam sites

Samsung Galaxy S4 user here. Same issue exactly.