Possible iPhone Virus? Facebook / Safari

Question

Level 4

1,183 points

Possible iPhone Virus? Facebook / Safari

One thing I have noticed recently is the amount of pop-ups or redirects I get while on the internet. I cannot determine if it is just links from Facebook but it seems to be more often than not. For example, I click a news link on Facebook and scroll down on the article, then get re-directed to a spam-type website or get a "Lucky 100th Visitor" popup. Not sure if its a virus or if it's Facebook related or Safari related.

Anyone have similar experience? Can I check to see if I have a bug on my device? Any tips / suggestions?

Thanks!

iPhone 5s, iOS 8

Posted on Jan 12, 2015 8:28 AM

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Answer 1

Jan 12, 2015 8:55 AM in response to Slafa

It's a website url redirect. Those are common on Facebook as well as sites that people link to on Facebook. It's not Safari causing the redirect. Safari is only allowing the redirect requests to occur.

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Answer 2

thomas_r.

Level 7

32,031 points

Jan 12, 2015 9:40 AM in response to Slafa

This is not due to any kind of malware or bug in your iPhone.

It could be simply due to the pages you're visiting. However, it's not normal if this is happening all the time, regardless of the pages you go on. Even on Facebook, this sort of thing shouldn't be happening all the time. If this is the case, your network may have been hacked. See:

How to manage a hacked wireless router

(Fair disclosure: I may receive compensation from links to my sites, TheSafeMac.com and AdwareMedic.com, in the form of buttons allowing for donations. Donations are not required to use my site or software.)

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Answer 3

Slafa Author

Level 4

1,183 points

Jan 12, 2015 9:42 AM in response to TJBUSMC1973

But I am not clicking anything. I am just scrolling down the article or site when I get bounced out. Can I stop it? Is there a setting in Safari?

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Answer 4

Hgayle

Level 1

0 points

Jan 12, 2015 5:14 PM in response to Slafa

I Have the same problem on my Iphone5s with only one website. Others on the same website have the same problem, but we're not all being re-directed to the same place. I am sent to the App Store to the app Lyft. It doesn't happen on my iPad, my laptop, or my husband's desktop. Would it still be a problem with the router?

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Answer 5

cgred

Level 1

40 points

Jan 12, 2015 5:19 PM in response to Slafa

many websites use a one click redirect for ads to make money so when you start to scroll on a touch screen it is recognizing as a touch and redirecting to the advertisement website which is how the news link that you clicked on makes its money. the news link you are clicking on directs to a different site through Facebook and that sight redirects to a advertisement

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Answer 6

Hgayle

Level 1

0 points

Jan 12, 2015 5:24 PM in response to cgred

This happens when I am reading a post on a knitting forum and NOT touching the screen or anywhere near an ad. ??

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Answer 7

Jan 12, 2015 5:27 PM in response to Slafa

the same tuff happens to me

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