[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.

 

[Mon27411]

Re: Samsung Internet opening to random spam sites

Hey guys, I have the same issue and mine's a Samsung tab s sm-t700 . I've uninstalled the updates via play store, let's see what happens. It's clear that it's not dependent on the device model, it's clearly the app

 

[SandorSonic]

Re: Samsung Internet opening to random spam sites

Apparently it is possible to uninstall the app entirely on the newer samsung phones. Not just disable, but uninstall.

 

[kt02x]

Re: Samsung Internet opening to random spam sites

On the Samsung community forums people are experiencing the same issue and suggesting the 'Peel Remote' app may be the issue, just disabled it and will report back. Also mention of the app titled 'Update apps' which could be causing it, however i don't have the option to disable it.

 

[Paul HF]

Re: Samsung Internet opening to random spam sites

Hi everyone.

I'm a Galaxy S6 user and I've been plagued with the same problem.

I think I might have stumbled across the answer. I was reading how to identify malware and a little throwaway remark in the middle of it said that some apps that aren't classed as malware can still cause pop-ups to display, and one of the apps mentioned was Peel Remote.

I have Peel Remote pre-installed but I have never even opened it. When I checked on it, it had used battery, memory and mobile data TODAY!

I have disabled the app and haven't had a pop-up occur all day.

Hope this is actually the solution (I'll be sure to update if not).

If others want to check the article for themselves it's:
https://malwaretips.com/blogs/remove-android-virus/

Here's hoping!!!

 

[MaxOctane]

Re: Samsung Internet opening to random spam sites

I have Peel Remote pre-installed but I have never even opened it. When I checked on it, it had used battery, memory and mobile data TODAY!

Well I'll be! I've got the Peel Remote which I've never opened but it had battery usage as well. Although, on my S10, I was able to uninstall the app, not just disable it. Hopefully this fixes it. Thank you!

 

[nacnuD17]

Re: Samsung Internet opening to random spam sites

I was curious. I tried disabling peel remote (can't uninstall it on my S6) and updating samsung browser in the morning and so far all today no pop ups.

Seems like it could be the cause. A little disappointing for me as I actually used the app every now and then for my TV lol. Oh well I'll just have to find a new IR remote app.

 

[Grave Dorenkal]

Re: Samsung Internet opening to random spam sites

Made an account to add on here. I have a Galaxy S4 that I've disabled app updates on 2 months ago now as it kept updating my apps to versions that with newer AndroidOS versions I can't get. I recently reinstalled Peel Remote to test a malfunctioning TV, and I started getting the Samsung Browser ads mentioned a week ago. I know Peel Remote was the last app I had installed since I stopped auto-updates. Its own Galaxy Store reviews are evidence enough for me to believe it could be the culprit.

Luckily, there are plenty IRremote apps out there and one of them is bound to not be malware.

 

[ccmedia365]

Re: Samsung Internet opening to random spam sites

Once I removed Peel app from my S10...the site redirects completely stopped. Thanks to all who mentioned Peel being the issue! Ahhhh. Feels good

 

[B. Diddy]

Re: Samsung Internet opening to random spam sites

I'm glad a solution to this has been found. That Peel Remote app has been nothing but trouble, it seems.:-\

 

[armcro]

Re: Samsung Internet opening to random spam sites

same here, Galaxy S6, since 4 weeks or more. factory reset 2 weeks ago, then good for one week and now again the same. since the factory reset I installed just a couple of old apps.

 

[Paul HF]

Re: Samsung Internet opening to random spam sites

Just as an update, since disabling Peel Remote the problem has been solved. I've allowed Samsung Internet to update to the latest version and still no problems. All is good

 

[B. Diddy]

Re: Samsung Internet opening to random spam sites

Everyone here should be bombarding Samsung and Peel with feedback about this annoying issue!:-\

 

[Capsbeard]

Re: Samsung Internet opening to random spam sites

Good call Paul!

 

[Capsbeard]

Re: Samsung Internet opening to random spam sites

Just started following this thread this morning. Thanks to everyone involved.

 

[tmp1982]

Re: Samsung Internet opening to random spam sites

I have an S9+ and this started happening recently. I hadn't noticed it for the time I've had the phone but in the last maybe week or 2, Samsung internet randomly started opening, as someone said, mainly bit ly ads but not all. I went into the Play Store, went to my list of installed apps, sorted by last used & except for the obvious Samsung internet, there isn't one that is causing it. I don't know what to do, as someone else that I'm close to hard resetting the POS however I hate doing that. If I had current mobile service & my phone was newer, I would see about getting Samsung to look into it and potentially fix or replace it but that's not the case. So has anybody found a solution yet? This is so freaking frustrating, it makes me want to throw my phone across the room however that wouldn't solve it. My luck, I'd retrieve it & find Samsung Internet open with an ad about cracked screen repair.

 

[me just saying]

Re: Samsung Internet opening to random spam sites

I did not know about peel remote either. personally I don't use samsungs internet browser. I use firefox since I know adblocking and other addons work with it. IMO, samsung has too many apps and other services on their phones without any explanation of what they do. Usually I either uninstall them or disable them and hope for the best.

 

[Samsung_Lacks]

Re: Samsung Internet opening to random spam sites

I am the one that found the solution with Samsung's help. It was frustrating though as a rep named Max kept closing my issue. But after a week and three issues the solution is found. But when I suggested they create an issue with their programmer I was told:

"From what you wrote, we understand that you would like to offer feedback/receive more information in regard to the website where you encountered this particular issue.

Samsung Internet has a dedicated customer support, helping you with many details in order to have a pleasurable experience using its features and settings.

In regard to your situation, as it is strictly related to the specific website you have accessed, please be aware that you need to contact their customer support team."
Raffaello

Not sure how it could be clearer that this is a factory app issue with the "Peel Smart Remote ". They don't seem to get it.

So I decided to come back here in case you didn't find the solution. Glad to hear someone already found my answer that I wrote on Samsung's community page. As a "Quality Service Manager" I know what quality is and from Samsung this is the farthest thing from it.

They may never fix this issue.

Too bad the community has to spend so much time resolving an issue that millions of people are exeriencing across multiple platforms.
PS:I'm on a Samsung Galaxy S5 Marshmallow but that doesn't make a difference.

 

[timmot]

Re: Samsung Internet opening to random spam sites

My Note 9 started doing the same thing about a week ago. Auto updates on but no new app installs for over a month. Same sites open as what is posted here and pop up some time in the morning, 4pm-ish, and 8pm.

I will also try removing or disabling Peel Remote. If that doesn't work I will try the browser downgrade and post an update in a day or two.

Thank you for androidcentral for being around.

 

[SammyBuckets]

Re: Samsung Internet opening to random spam sites

Hey. Another user who made an account just for this thread. I am using a Samsung Galaxy S10+ 1TB. This popup / blog popup **** has been happening for about 1-2 weeks now. At first I thought i opened that browser and somehow did this in my pocket, but when it aggressively popping up on me I knew something was very wrong. I'm sure I don't have a virus of any kind on my phone, but somehow it just keeps forcing the Samsung internet browser to pop up on me.

As someone earlier in this thread suggested, I downloaded the beta version of the Samsung internet browser. This helps, but doesn't solve the issue. I am still seeing those popups ATTEMPT to pop up, but with both versions of the Samsung browser; regular and beta, Android then asks me which browser i would like to open the popup in. At that point i just press the back button and that tiny notification disappears. I recommend downloading the beta version of the Samsung browser, it makes it a lot easier to deal with until Samsung releases a fix for this.

- Samir

 

[Mooncatt]

Re: Samsung Internet opening to random spam sites

Hey. Another user who made an account just for this thread. I am using a Samsung Galaxy S10+ 1TB. This popup / blog popup **** has been happening for about 1-2 weeks now. At first I thought i opened that browser and somehow did this in my pocket, but when it aggressively popping up on me I knew something was very wrong. I'm sure I don't have a virus of any kind on my phone, but somehow it just keeps forcing the Samsung internet browser to pop up on me.

As someone earlier in this thread suggested, I downloaded the beta version of the Samsung internet browser. This helps, but doesn't solve the issue. I am still seeing those popups ATTEMPT to pop up, but with both versions of the Samsung browser; regular and beta, Android then asks me which browser i would like to open the popup in. At that point i just press the back button and that tiny notification disappears. I recommend downloading the beta version of the Samsung browser, it makes it a lot easier to deal with until Samsung releases a fix for this.

- Samir

Did you look to see if you have the Peel remote app and disable it as others have done? If you don't have that app, then it's another app causing this problem and there's nothing Samsung can do to fix it as it's not being caused by them. You'll need to uninstall apps one by one to find the culprit.