Meta - Congratulations Amazon User

Submitted by Zarniwoop on

I use an IPhone sometimes to read mgoblog (especially at work).

I hate my iphone and prefer android, but for some reason, the God of Android hates me and thus I've given up and am using an iphone.

Regardless, this site gives me fits with the "congratulations amazon user" scam redirect. I've cleared my cache and it continues. The instant I scroll on this site, BAM, redirect.

No other site I visit is similarly affected.

I'm wondering if I'm alone and since my time is very limited during the week for research, I was hoping someone could give me the best remedy for my problem (specific ad-blocker, etc..).

I've just accepted that for whatever reason, this site is vulnerable to this. I just want to be able to use my phone consistently to browse the site.

If mods feel that this isn't a good threat idea, I'll just work it all out this weekend.

Edit: For those getting this on their PCs, I use NoScript for firefox and I've never had a popup of any kind. This is just for my iOS, which I hate but sometimes need to use.

BornInA2

March 14th, 2018 at 10:38 AM ^

You are not alone. It's been going on for months and there have been other threads about it.

It's the ads supplied by the chosen aggregator. I'm guessing they pay more per impression, so look like a better revenue stream, until the users starts all using ad blockers to avoid these issues.

NYC Fan3

March 14th, 2018 at 10:38 AM ^

Download a free pop up blocker - I haven't had any issues since.

I'm using Norton Ad Blocker as this site was pure pop ups for me prior to it.

LSAClassOf2000

March 14th, 2018 at 11:50 AM ^

I use Norton Ad Blocker as well and have not had a problem with MGoBlog for a long time now. Strangely enough, I now have issues with many news sites, some of which scream at you to please turn it off so they can tell me about the awesome sale at Kohl's while I attempt to read their articles. 

BlueMan80

March 14th, 2018 at 10:46 AM ^

I started getting that same redirect on my iPad the past few days.  Something changed in the last few days?  I haven't had this problem with my Galaxy S7...at least not yet.

By the way, a big thanks to the poster that recommended Ublock Origin and Privacy Badger for PC web browsers.  Installing them has ended all issues on my PC.

MeanJoe07

March 14th, 2018 at 10:50 AM ^

Congrats Zarniwoop! 

You've been selected as a winner for the free $1000 Amazon gift card, Apple Iphone X 256G or Samsung Galaxy S8!

Please click OK to claim your prize before we give it away to someone else!

[OK]

mGrowOld

March 14th, 2018 at 10:53 AM ^

I emmailed Seth about it already this morning.  The damn redirect virus the OP is referencing happened to me too about an hour ago on my heavily virus protected and porn-free work computer.

This is Michigan

March 14th, 2018 at 11:05 AM ^

I was having the same problem with my iPhone using Chrome to browse the internet. A factory reset of my phone didn't fix the issue.
I recently switched to an Android phone which I also use Chrome. My phone appears to be infected with this same virus. Except, in addition to mgoblog, this malware affects other sites and includes different pop ups. I've tried different malware software and deleting/reinstalling chrome. I plan on doing a factory reset.

Rasmus

March 14th, 2018 at 1:48 PM ^

It may not be harmless if you click on the pop-up, but it's basically just that -- an ad that has a malicious pop-up built in that takes over your browser tab. It doesn't matter if you are running iOS or Android. Changing browsers might help but don't count on it, because all that means is the bad guys didn't design/test it for that browser.

MGoBlog should change their ad network for the new site when it comes out of beta. I can understand that it does not make sense to spend money/time to change the current site, but if this persists on the new site then that will suck. It sounds like they are using competent people to code the new site, so let's hope they are giving Brian good advice about which ad network(s) to use.

There is more at stake than in the past. I don't ad-block MGoBlog because I want Brian et al. to get paid as much as possible. But these days my phone is tied to all my devices, including my television -- if I have to clear/reset my phone browser to stop this damn thing (until the next time), it sets off a chain reaction through all my devices. It's a much bigger pain in the ass than it used to be. If this problem persists on the new site, then I'll start blocking ads on MGoBlog.

ThatFatMan42

March 14th, 2018 at 11:18 AM ^

I finally got tired of it and switched to Firefox on Android and it seems much better than on Chrome. I agree that it's the ad provider. This is exactly why people use ad blockers, because no one is screening the ads on Manny providers and this is the crap that happens as a result.

I understand that it takes time and money to run a site but forcing malware and other ads like this on me is not the best way to go about it. Aside from malware issues, data caps and loading ads are also not in my best interest. Sites that use ad blockers blockers/detectors are pretty tone-deaf to these issues too most of the time.

StraightDave

March 14th, 2018 at 11:39 AM ^

On my work iPad. Annoying as hell and yes the iPad is porn free and Asian chick free and chubby chick bathing suit free.

pfholland

March 14th, 2018 at 12:01 PM ^

As a data point I have never experienced a redirect issue on this or any other site on my iPhone. I use Safari with an ad blocker, so (given everyone else seems to be using Chrome) either could be preventing the issue.