what happens if I click "Report a Deceptive Site" under the help menu?
I'd like to report a website that, when I visited it, suddenly caused my PC speakers to come on, saying something about "This Is a Microsoft Security Alert: Hackers are downloading your personal information, including credit card number, etc...."
However, it appears that the only way to report this apparently deceptive site, is to re-visit it and click "Report Deceptive Site" under Firefox's help menu. Do a assume that this simply sends that site's URL to some giant Mozilla database for future testing?
However, I have no intention of re-visiting that site, for obvious reasons, so I'm reporting it to you here.
The URL of the website that produced the (probably bogus, prank) security alert was: https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DBV9LlC3Wz5A&usg=AFQjCNGum2h3TJ3Avq2JDlvNnCV8xGnuxA
The "Security Alert" link that as a result ended up in my browser history was: http://43284927392403216531.win/?a=100...dd4a85e4b4e7c664c85fcd3abe0cc8d&nrid=4
I am attaching a screenshot of the web page in question, which I found by using Google Advanced Search.
Vahaolana nofidina
I have run that url and 5 out of 65 security programs report it as yes bad.
You should for sure do a scan with security software.
Hamaky an'ity valiny ity @ sehatra 👍 1All Replies (3)
I would suggest that you need to clear Firefox cache to make sure nothing from that visit was left behind. Also please run MS Disk Cleanup so that it empties your Temp folder.
I would think that we are not the place to report that to as not a security program. Speaking of which are you running any security software as you should do a scan if so and also they might have a place to report that to. You can submit url's to this site and have them scanned https://www.virustotal.com/ I have not reported in awhile but if the link checks out as bad i think you can report there also
Vahaolana Nofidina
I have run that url and 5 out of 65 security programs report it as yes bad.
You should for sure do a scan with security software.
I reported the site to Malwarebytes. Here is their response: This issue is best described as browser scareware rather than actual malware. It does not involve malware in any manner. This is a scam as the warnings/claims are untrue, and the referenced telephone number leads to a tech support scammer. You can read about tech support scams in the following article: https://blog.malwarebytes.com/tech-support-scams/. The fact this warning has a) appeared in your browser and b) referenced a telephone number are both big indications this is a scam, rather than being indicative of malware on your computer. Such scareware is isolated to your browser. In most cases, forcing shut downs of your browser or clearing your browser’s history/cache is enough to resolve the issue. Sometimes however, a browser reset may also be necessary. This type of issue is best prevented with use of a content (ad/script) blocker in your browser – it does not involve actual malware on your computer which can be detected by Malwarebytes Anti-Malware. There are many methods to force close your browser or the scam website/popup – reopen your browser afterwards and check if the issue is still present. Please note that your browser must be the active/open window before attempting the methods below. 1. Press Alt + F4 on your keyboard at the same time to force close your browser. 2. Press Alt + Home on your keyboard at the same time to return to your browser homepage. 3. Press Ctrl + W on your keyboard at the same time to close your browser’s current tab. 4. Press Ctrl + T on your keyboard at the same time to open a new tab. Click the ‘X’ on the unwanted tab. 5. Press Ctrl, Shift + Esc on your keyboard at the same time to open the Task Manager. 6. → Select your browser’s process and click End Task.