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mobfree.click re-direct- do I have malware?

I have a fully updated Iphone 6 using iOS 9.1. When I go to a particular website (tmz.com - I'm assuming that it's reputable), it automatically redirects to MobFree.Click, which prompts me to download a dozen things and says that "application is currently downloading..." on the bottom. I do not click on anything and clear it, as well as clear my settings/cookies/etc. Is this associated with the website only or is it possible that this is malware on my Iphone? Should I be concerned that something actually downloaded? I can't seem to find any information about this website anywhere, except for one forum about 2 weeks ago where people were complaining about it.


Thank you!


iPhone 6, iOS 9.1

iPhone 6, iOS 9.1, null

Posted on Dec 8, 2015 9:21 AM

Reply
35 replies

Dec 22, 2015 2:29 PM in response to RKDUBBS

Had the same issue when using the icab mobile browser. Not logged in to Google and no other app open.

After some experiments I found out it is connected to the browser-ID. If I change it in the browser settings to anything except Safari or Webkit iOS the redirect is gone.

So seems to be a website programming issue when the browser is identified as Safari.

Dec 22, 2015 5:04 PM in response to RKDUBBS

I have this exact same problem for a few weeks and certain websites seem to redirect to mobfree.click. I only have this issue on my iPhone (iPhone 6 - iOS 9.2).


Websites I tend to notice the issue in:

http://consequenceofsound.net/

http://consequenceofsound.net/


I have closed safari, cleared history and website data, gone into advanced and cleared all website data, restarted my phone but nothing seems to have resolved my issue. I had a strange profile on my phone, most likely from a recent trip to japan where I used a data sim card, however on removal of the profile the issue appears to persist.


The issue occurs using 4g and wifi and doesn't appear to be related to the network I'm connecting on.


At this stage, my best guess is that an add on these websites contains some code that looks for safari mobile browser and redirects me. The other alternative is there is an app that is somehow hooking into something in safari and causing the redirect, but I'm guessing that is probably less likely.


I'd be keen to hear if anyone manages to solve the issue. I'm just a curious to find out how it is actually being done as well as resolving it...

Dec 22, 2015 5:57 PM in response to kytosol

OK this is interesting. The issue occurs in Safari and Chrome on iOS for me.


As multiple affected browsers on the device seems to indicate that either

- The issue is at the phone/network level such as DNS issues, malicious iOS profiles or malicious apps.

- The websites themselves are compromised. (However this seems unlikely as major websites appear to be having this issue and you would expect more posts on various forums).


Next step for me will be a factory reset of my phone to see if the issue corrects itself.

Dec 22, 2015 6:44 PM in response to buddzoo

This same thing is happening to me but as of right now I have only noticed it on Walmart.com (when I'm browsing through safari). It's very annoying and no matter what I've done it will not go away. I've deleted browser history and cookies. I've done a "soft" reset. I have the iPhone 6 and just got it 3 days ago. I'm extremely upset about this! User uploaded file

Dec 22, 2015 7:22 PM in response to kytosol

A full reset of all settings and content DIDN'T resolve the issue. I chose to setup as a new phone with default apps and settings only. I didn't connect to wifi and only used cellular data and the redirect occurred straight away. After this, I went to the sites in question and did recieve the redirect on several occasions.


From this, now that I've ruled apps/settings out and network related issues such as DNS/profiles out, I think the only remaining culprit is the websites themselves. The 2 websites in question that give me issues are http://consequenceofsound.net/ and http://questionablecontent.net/ and both seem to have banner ads. I am thinking that perhaps both sites have a particular malicious banner ad that loads with some java script that includes a redirect to mobfree.click when iOS is detected. This is supported by the fact that the redirect doens't happen every time and that pretty much all other causes have been ruled out.


I do wonder that perhaps I've visited a website that has caused a particular malicious ad to follow me around several sites, which would also support why some users receive this issue more often then others.


I'm now in the process of restoring my iPhone to it's previous state as there isn't much else I can think to test.

mobfree.click re-direct- do I have malware?

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