Hijack or advertising?

by xplosys July 18th 2019, 1:21 am

Technical Details

Forum version : #phpBB2
Position : Founder
Concerned browser(s) : Google Chrome
Screenshot of problem : http://fpscarchive.x10host.com/issue.jpg
Who the problem concerns : All members
When the problem appeared : In the last couple days
Forum link : http://fpscarchive.forummotion.com

Description of problem

Every so often when a user or myself click on the forum page a new tab opens in the browser, gets the focus
and is directed to https://install.notify-service.com/?pid=55636&subid=1242764&clickid=15634046921632899924142206090725952

To me this is a hijack, or is this now what is considered normal advertising?

by Ikerepc July 18th 2019, 1:37 am

I'm really sorry about that but happens at all forumotion forums which have advertises from time to time so it seems like advertising... It's going on my nerves too. That's why I stopped using forumotion, I'm only helping here now, I don't have forum on it or anything for a few years now...

by **SLGray** July 18th 2019, 2:31 am

Does your forum have a high level of activity?

by **brandon_g** July 18th 2019, 2:34 am

Hello,

This seems like the result of a pop under ad. This is caused when there is no activity on the forum. Once you start getting some posts and site activity, this will automatically disappear.

These ads are also completely normal and not the result of any kind of hack.

-Brandon

by xplosys July 18th 2019, 2:50 am

Thanks for the speedy replies.

brandon_g wrote:These ads are also completely normal and not the result of any kind of hack.

I can't agree that switching the tab on your browser and taking you to another site without your consent is not a hack. It seems to be the very definition of hack, but it seems to be normal and acceptable here so I'll just have to get over it.

Thanks again.

by **brandon_g** July 18th 2019, 3:55 am

Well it's supposed to open in another window. If you have your browser set to block pop ups, then it should ask before even loading it.

In any case, these ads have been on the service since at least 2014. If you make some posts on the forum the ads will disappear. Wink

May we consider this solved?

by xplosys July 18th 2019, 4:05 am

Yes, we may, and I really do appreciate your timely and considerate attention; a rare thing to find with a free service.

by **SLGray** July 18th 2019, 4:30 am

Thanks.

Problem solved & topic archived.

Please read our forum rules: ESF General Rules

by **The Godfather** July 18th 2019, 12:18 pm

Hello,

To give you more details, this advertising format is called "pop-under".

It is displayed only under specific conditions:

- On a forum with no activity (0 point). If you post a single message from time to time and the forum has more than 1 activity point, the format is no longer displayed.
- Very limited in time: once every 6 hours per user.
- We make the necessary arrangements with the service provider to block the bad advertising contents with this format (with the help of the members).

This format is not very pleasant, but displaying this type of advertising on forums without activity makes it possible in particular not to impact the active forums with more ads for example.