My phone is not jail broken. Today Safari and Facebook are redirecting me to a series of websites ending in something like trade free ad com which then wants me to install an app or agree to some other nonsense. On a PC I'd call this a virus, but I'm stumped given this is my iPhone (5s). Help!!
iPhone 5s, iOS 9.3.1
Did you try it the way that Demo recommended?
Try it again in this order:
Close Safari completely from the app switcher window by double clicking the Home button and swiping up the Safari preview pane until it disappears from the screen. You may have to look for the Safari pane by scrawling to the left. Then go to Settings > Safari > Clear History and Website Data. Then do a forced restart. Hold down the Home and Wake/Sleep buttons at the same time for about 15-20 seconds until the Apple logo appears.
If that does not help, try turning off Safari Suggestions. Settings > Safari > Safari Suggestions to Off (not green). Also consider deleting the Facebook App and reinstalling it.
If that does not help you may have to do a system restore following the instructions below.
First backup your device using iTunes. Then import your photos to your computer and copy all important data. Try restoring from backup first and testing it. If it does not help, you may have to restore as New and reconfigure from scratch as the backup could be corrupted. For this reason it is important to have your photos and data saved separately from the backup.
Not sure if you are using the Facebook app or are going through Safari, but try this.
Clear Safari, close the app, and force restart the phone. No data will be affected by this.
Go to Settings>Safari>Clear History and Website Data
Press the Home button two times quickly. You'll see small previews of your recently used apps. Swipe left to find the Safari app you want to close. Swipe up on the app's preview to close it.
To force restart your device, press and hold both the l/Wake and Home buttons for at least ten seconds, until you see the Apple logo.
I did, and just tried it again. Same result. Mind you, I'm trying to reach the Smithsonian magazine and NPR websites, nothing I'd expect to cause this much trouble. Oh, and kitten videos. I'm a sucker. It's very late here so I will have to attempt the second part of your recommendation tomorrow after I backup my photographs. Always meant to do that, now I have to. Thank you for your help.
Well, this has been an interesting day. I finally have my photos backed up and segregated and my contacts are finally correct in iCloud (seriously, how hard did that have to be?!).
I am fully backed up and prepared to restore my iPhone to factory settings, Unfortunately, iTunes has decided something (what?) is amiss and that the required software cannot be downloaded. I have confirmed that I am using the most recent versions of iTunes and IOS for the phone. I've turned off Find My Phone. My loins were girded. And then, nothing. I can't figure out how to convince iTunes that I really do want to restore. It is convinced the wrong software is being downloaded from the depths of Apple and has issued the "Do Not Pass!" order. Loins ungirded.
Now that I've spent upwards of 8 hours on this, I'm going to go huddle somewhere and collect myself before munchkin gets home from school. Oh, and now the "not-virus-because-Apple-doesn't-get-viruses-so-I'll-say-Veronica" has teleported (spread) to my PC. Joy. I didn't need the internet - really.
Whimper.
I have the same problem. Iphone 5s not jailbroken IOS 9.3.1 : Safari, Facebook,Google are redirecting me to a series of websites . I think it is a virus. I erase all content and settings...and the same problem. Maybe the virus it is saved in iCloud... It is a virus or a big problem with IOS 9.3.1 on iphone 5s 😟 😟 😟
Help!
Elcpu, I believe that's the right version. Have discovered something in this odyssey. I am out of the house on 3G and no Veronica! Could this be something not in my iPhone?! Husband, who is a computer programmer but currently traveling on another continent so not available for yesterday's excitement, thinks Veronica is in the router. How, I do not know, but so far so good on 3G.
I Didn't know routers could get Veronica. Huh. This is new. And a new odyssey for another group as its NOT an Apple issue. Once again it is proven: Apple doesn't get viruses. Even Veronicas.
Thank you elcpu for all your help. It was spot on.
Hope
Tap Settings > Safari then tap to Cleary History & Website Data.
Then try Safari or Facebook.
Nope. Wiped history and data, restarted, and it's still redirecting.
Anyone??
Bummer..... What version of iTunes are you using, 12.3.3?
You are welcome... 🙂
iPhone redirecting in Safari and FB??
