Literotica has been Hijacked!!!

[WaterBurn]

Correct me if I'm wrong, (oh, please, Lit Gods, don't let me be wrong... if I am, it means my computer is infected, sumthin' fierce...) but I'm pretty sure Literotica has been hijacked by a malicious virus... or some sort of Phishing site. Every where I look, there are green highlighted words, begging me to go to this porn site, or that poker site. A Bing tool bar drops down when I open literotica, but doesn't do the same for any other website I frequent. I've also just gone through my computer's brain, searching for Conduit, Bing add ons, Whitesmoke, and many other viruses I recognize, to no avail. Anyone have any idea what's going on??

WaterBurnXx

 

[RejectReality]

You've got malware -- most likely a form of browser hijacker.

https://www.malwarebytes.org/

Download that and run it. ( free version is fine ) It can neuter most of the nasties.

 

[WaterBurn]

I think you're right! (I've just died a little inside.. but thank you. You're my hero today.)

 

[Zeb_Carter]

Two pieces of software you should get...actually three...

1. Spybot - Search & Destroy®
2. CCleaner
3. Chrome

 

[Darkniciad]

Two pieces of software you should get...actually three...

1. Spybot - Search & Destroy®
2. CCleaner
3. Chrome

I keep one browser ( Firefox in my case ) locked down with ad-blocking and no-script. I use it for anything remotely questionable, ( anything visited from a Google search, for example ) and then allow sites ( such as Lit ) that I know are safe.

It's locked so tight that I don't use it for regular browsing, except where I'm working with my multiple pen names. I keep LesLumens logged in through that browser on such sites. Dark is on IE and RR is logged in through Chrome.

Logging out and logging in with multiple pen names is a pain in the ass. That's especially true if you have strong passwords, which should be damn near impossible to remember. One pen name per browser saves me that trouble.

 

[Zeb_Carter]

I keep one browser ( Firefox in my case ) locked down with ad-blocking and no-script. I use it for anything remotely questionable, ( anything visited from a Google search, for example ) and then allow sites ( such as Lit ) that I know are safe.

It's locked so tight that I don't use it for regular browsing, except where I'm working with my multiple pen names. I keep LesLumens logged in through that browser on such sites. Dark is on IE and RR is logged in through Chrome.

Logging out and logging in with multiple pen names is a pain in the ass. That's especially true if you have strong passwords, which should be damn near impossible to remember. One pen name per browser saves me that trouble.

I like Chrome for the incognito tab pages. I also like Chrome for the adware blocking and my virus checker integrates with it. I can't count the times that Chrome as blocked seemingly innocuous pages that were riddled with adware, malware and/or trojans.

As for multiple identities...I only work on them one at a time so...

Chrome is the only browser I use. IE sucks and Firefox still hasn't learned how to block pop-under windows no matter what they claim. So far Chrome has been the only one that deals with those properly and expediently.

 

[Darkniciad]

Ad blocking generally isn't a problem for me. Pop-up/under annoys me, but otherwise, I'm one of the people helping to keep the internet free and by allowing the ads to display LOL

Blocking them on any site outside your daily browsing is a good idea, though. It's become a common malware delivery system that can hit you even on otherwise safe sites.

Never have any problem with IE. I shift back and forth between it and Chrome for regular browsing. Most of the sites where it doesn't work properly are actually coded to prevent it from doing so to "stick it to the evil MS".

 

[Hypoxia]

Malwarebytes. CCleaner. Spybot. Avira. Necessary tools.

My partner likes Chrome. I do not. This amorphous amoeba insinuates itself throughout my system -- VERY hard to shut down all its processes when they go wonky. IE is almost as bad / tenacious. I fret about Firefox being hacked -- so my browser of choice is Mozilla Seamonkey (similar functionality). Two clicks in the Windoze Task Manager and it's terminated. Two more clicks from the start menu and it's restored afresh.

Tha's all I'll say about browsers. Don't want to start any holy wars here.

 

[MichaelinChina]

Interesting thread. Something the average Joe or Josephine wouldn't necessarily think about. Sure they are aware of viruses and malware but probably don't know/understand how their system works.

The talk of IE and other browsers, makes me think of my situation.

Right now I am on IE because Chrome won't allow me to download pics etc.
Maybe if I were to tweak it to enable that..but I'm not sure how to.

Perhaps Chrome is trying to prevent me downloading stuff from an unsafe site, not saying that Lit is unsafe. But who knows what can get through so-called safe sites. I'd be happy to be corrected there by the way; after all we users of Lit want to be assured that what Lit promises, it delivers.

But Google mail is inaccessible through google in China; I get mine via Mozilla Thunderbird.
SuperAntiSpyware I find to be very good. It finds things that Panda AV misses.

Having said all that I have never experienced the problems the OP has with Lit.

 

[voluptuary_manque]

I have ESET running on my desktop at all times. I have no trouble with malware or pop-ups these days but before I got ESET? Phew!

 

[MichaelinChina]

I have ESET running on my desktop at all times. I have no trouble with malware or pop-ups these days but before I got ESET? Phew!

Is there a Free version?

 

[Zeb_Carter]

Interesting thread. Something the average Joe or Josephine wouldn't necessarily think about. Sure they are aware of viruses and malware but probably don't know/understand how their system works.

The talk of IE and other browsers, makes me think of my situation.

Right now I am on IE because Chrome won't allow me to download pics etc.
Maybe if I were to tweak it to enable that..but I'm not sure how to.

Perhaps Chrome is trying to prevent me downloading stuff from an unsafe site, not saying that Lit is unsafe. But who knows what can get through so-called safe sites. I'd be happy to be corrected there by the way; after all we users of Lit want to be assured that what Lit promises, it delivers.

But Google mail is inaccessible through google in China; I get mine via Mozilla Thunderbird.
SuperAntiSpyware I find to be very good. It finds things that Panda AV misses.

Having said all that I have never experienced the problems the OP has with Lit.

You should be able to download "save image as" pictures as easy as pie in Chrome without having to fool with any settings.

Right click on the picture in question and select "save image as", it will "capture" download it.

Of course that assumes you don't get the red screen of death from Chrome warning you of harmful awful things about to be downloaded?

As for getting rid of a wonky Chrome...in task manager right click on the topmost Chrome page in the list and select "End Process Tree". All better. Every process associated with the Chrome will be ended. Unless you have multiple instances of Chrome running.

Chrome like Firefox, does start multiple instances for each tab page, even the hidden ones for each instance of the main window, but the tabs will be part of the main process tree. You may have multiple process trees of Chrome running you wish to close, just select the top most of each tree.

Want to avoid multiple instances of tab pages? Try a 64bit browser, like Pale Moon based on Mozilla/Firefox yet much better at handling popups.


As for ads...I don't block adds, just the adware that comes with them...tracking cookies. I don't allow tracking cookies.

As for Virus protection I use AVG Zen. It is also integrated with Chrome to alert me to bad things in downloads and such.

 

[LaRascasse]

Correct me if I'm wrong, (oh, please, Lit Gods, don't let me be wrong... if I am, it means my computer is infected, sumthin' fierce...) but I'm pretty sure Literotica has been hijacked by a malicious virus... or some sort of Phishing site. Every where I look, there are green highlighted words, begging me to go to this porn site, or that poker site. A Bing tool bar drops down when I open literotica, but doesn't do the same for any other website I frequent. I've also just gone through my computer's brain, searching for Conduit, Bing add ons, Whitesmoke, and many other viruses I recognize, to no avail. Anyone have any idea what's going on??

WaterBurnXx

Are you using Chrome? because you may have caught a nasty bit of spamware. If so, go to Settings > Manage Extensions and remove any unfamiliar looking extensions you see.

 

[MichaelinChina]

You should be able to download "save image as" pictures as easy as pie in Chrome without having to fool with any settings.

Right click on the picture in question and select "save image as", it will "capture" download it.

Of course that assumes you don't get the red screen of death from Chrome warning you of harmful awful things about to be downloaded?

As for getting rid of a wonky Chrome...in task manager right click on the topmost Chrome page in the list and select "End Process Tree". All better. Every process associated with the Chrome will be ended. Unless you have multiple instances of Chrome running.

Chrome like Firefox, does start multiple instances for each tab page, even the hidden ones for each instance of the main window, but the tabs will be part of the main process tree. You may have multiple process trees of Chrome running you wish to close, just select the top most of each tree.

Want to avoid multiple instances of tab pages? Try a 64bit browser, like Pale Moon based on Mozilla/Firefox yet much better at handling popups.


As for ads...I don't block adds, just the adware that comes with them...tracking cookies. I don't allow tracking cookies.

As for Virus protection I use AVG Zen. It is also integrated with Chrome to alert me to bad things in downloads and such.

Thanks a lot for taking the trouble to explain that. I'll give it a try.

 

[Hypoxia]

As for getting rid of a wonky Chrome...in task manager right click on the topmost Chrome page in the list and select "End Process Tree". All better. Every process associated with the Chrome will be ended. Unless you have multiple instances of Chrome running.

Not quite, not with either Chrome or IE. In my experience, one instance of either starts multiple processes. (Mozilla SeaMonkey runs only a single process.) In Task Manager or Resource Monitor, "End Process Tree" on the first process of either does NOT automagically kill the other processes. I end up tediously stepping thru (and on) several processes before they all terminate. Tedious. I hate tedious.

As I said, my partner likes Chrome -- but ONLY browses the Web. I exercise my systems more strenuously, with some sys and net management, torrents, A/V processing, and more. I tend to collect debris. Non-tedious debridement is essential. Or maybe I'm impatient.

 

[WaterBurn]

You know, as panicky as I was last night, I'm actually fairly proficient with computers. Which is why I kinda lost my shit when Literotica appeared to have been hijacked. And for the record, I did download everything you guys suggested (and thank you so so so much for rallying behind me! I feel like an idiot right now... but you guys are awesome) but not a single one of them solved the problem. I ended up combing through every program installed on my computer by hand, and found 11 that I didn't allow hiding inside my computer. That fixed the problem, and my computer is now running as fast as it was when it was brand new. I don't recommend this approach... it's time consuming, and if you don't know what you're looking for, you might delete something you need. Though that isn't the end of the world either.

I do use Chrome, and will never change it. I love Chrome (but also don't want to start a holy war over browsers! That was too funny!!).

Anyway, thank you again. You guys just made my whole day. Also, I'm glad Lit hasn't been hijacked. My bad. hahahah (Hides head in shame.)

Xx

 

[Blind_Justice]

Also, nice little pro-tip:

When doing malware cleanups, make sure you run Windows in SAFE MODE. To be extra-extra sure, unplug or torn off any network connections. Some of the nastier pieces of malware like instantly re-download themselves once the cleaner is through if you've got a working network connection going.

 

[Zeb_Carter]

Not quite, not with either Chrome or IE. In my experience, one instance of either starts multiple processes. (Mozilla SeaMonkey runs only a single process.) In Task Manager or Resource Monitor, "End Process Tree" on the first process of either does NOT automagically kill the other processes. I end up tediously stepping thru (and on) several processes before they all terminate. Tedious. I hate tedious.

As I said, my partner likes Chrome -- but ONLY browses the Web. I exercise my systems more strenuously, with some sys and net management, torrents, A/V processing, and more. I tend to collect debris. Non-tedious debridement is essential. Or maybe I'm impatient.

Hmmm...I have no problem with "End Process Tree" working in both my computers, one runs Windows 7 the other Vista. Any and all processes associated with the Main process end, just like they are supposed to.

I manage three websites, process torrents, process A/V items for inclusion in games I write for and download a lot of software to test for what I do.

Just recently I download a lot of programs, JS and CSS snipets for creating picture sliders. If you would like to see which one won, click on my erotic stories link in my sig and go to the link "New Site". Once everything has loaded do a refresh as the slider is still a little wonky.

 

[RejectReality]

Exactly where did you find the programs you didn't know about?

If it was under Install/Remove programs, you need to be more careful about installing things. Never -- ever -- use the default install setting, and be very suspicious of any install that doesn't give you a "custom" option.

Free software loves to "bundle" other "useful" programs such as toolbars and internet "helpers" in the default install. Many of them are little better than malware, but aren't detected as such because they're installed via normal channels.

You know, as panicky as I was last night, I'm actually fairly proficient with computers. Which is why I kinda lost my shit when Literotica appeared to have been hijacked. And for the record, I did download everything you guys suggested (and thank you so so so much for rallying behind me! I feel like an idiot right now... but you guys are awesome) but not a single one of them solved the problem. I ended up combing through every program installed on my computer by hand, and found 11 that I didn't allow hiding inside my computer. That fixed the problem, and my computer is now running as fast as it was when it was brand new. I don't recommend this approach... it's time consuming, and if you don't know what you're looking for, you might delete something you need. Though that isn't the end of the world either.

I do use Chrome, and will never change it. I love Chrome (but also don't want to start a holy war over browsers! That was too funny!!).

Anyway, thank you again. You guys just made my whole day. Also, I'm glad Lit hasn't been hijacked. My bad. hahahah (Hides head in shame.)

Xx

 

[voluptuary_manque]

Is there a Free version?

No. It's another case of you get what you pay for. When you demand the best don't expect a present.

 

[Zeb_Carter]

Exactly where did you find the programs you didn't know about?

If it was under Install/Remove programs, you need to be more careful about installing things. Never -- ever -- use the default install setting, and be very suspicious of any install that doesn't give you a "custom" option.

Free software loves to "bundle" other "useful" programs such as toolbars and internet "helpers" in the default install. Many of them are little better than malware, but aren't detected as such because they're installed via normal channels.

CNET Downloads is good for doing this with their install program. My virus checker program always flags their installation program as having multiple threats...malware, trojans, etc.

They do give you the option of downloading the item without their install program though.

If you have to use an install program and the software isn't from a reputable vendor, ie. Oracle, Adobe, AMD, EA, etc., you probably don't really need it.

If you do use it, be very careful and read every screen to make sure they are not trying to slip something past you, ie. toolbars for your browser that take over your browser, search helpers, setting you home page to some virus ridden page, etc.

Be careful out there people.

 

[MichaelinChina]

quote from the above:


toolbars for your browser that take over your browser, search helpers, setting you home page to some virus ridden page, etc.

'Toolbar Cleaner' is useful. Gets rid of unused/ suspect BHO's, often installed unknowingly.

 

[Zeb_Carter]

quote from the above:


toolbars for your browser that take over your browser, search helpers, setting you home page to some virus ridden page, etc.

'Toolbar Cleaner' is useful. Gets rid of unused/ suspect BHO's, often installed unknowingly.

Yes I know, but I can do it quicker than the software.

 

[desertslave]

One more helpful tool I use (on Firefox) is Web of Trust (WOT). It's not 100% accurate, but seeing that little donut turn up yellow or red at least gives me a chance to back away if it turns up, before making my click final. It's a simple add-on and just runs quietly until you do something potentially stupid.

https://www.mywot.com/

There are currently versions for Firefox, Chrome, IE, Opera and Safari.

 

[LaRascasse]

One more helpful tool I use (on Firefox) is Web of Trust (WOT). It's not 100% accurate, but seeing that little donut turn up yellow or red at least gives me a chance to back away if it turns up, before making my click final. It's a simple add-on and just runs quietly until you do something potentially stupid.

https://www.mywot.com/

There are currently versions for Firefox, Chrome, IE, Opera and Safari.

Avast! has a similar feature for links. Of course, it works on community ratings (not always accurate)