chromebook/android ...
 

  You don't need to be an 'investor' to invest in Singletrack: 6 days left: 95% of target - Find out more

[Closed] chromebook/android possible virus/hack?

12 Posts
8 Users
0 Reactions
85 Views
Posts: 7423
Free Member
Topic starter
 

hi

im abroad at the minute and my lad has told me that both his chromebook and (android) phone seem borked.  they look as if theyve been taken over, redirected all the time, ads, false website etc etc.

a quick google suggests hes clicked on something totally unsuitable and has maybe had his account hacked.  solutions that ive seen are to click 'settings' 'advanced' and then reset browser settings or somethings like that on his chromebook.  that didnt work.  i suggested powerwashing but that hasnt worked.  i then suggested signing in as guest if its his account thats been hacked but still no good apparently.

so thats his chromebook.  he says the same thing is happening on his phone. "do you use chrome for your browser?" i ask?  no just the google app.  but......its possible that his google app opens up chrome for answers.

hes asking me if he can install AV or malware checkers but to my knowledge you dont need them with chromebooks/android?

so..........any further suggestions?  besides not going on porn perhaps, but thats further down the line now 😀

thanks


 
Posted : 24/09/2018 3:33 pm
Posts: 17
Free Member
 

Factory reset and clean then bring it all back from the cloud?


 
Posted : 24/09/2018 3:50 pm
Posts: 7423
Free Member
Topic starter
 

Factory reset and clean then bring it all back from the cloud?

isnt that just a powerwash tho?  or do you mean the phone?

thanks


 
Posted : 24/09/2018 3:52 pm
Posts: 11605
Free Member
 

hes asking me if he can install AV or malware checkers but to my knowledge you dont need them with chromebooks/android?

You would be wrong. Name a bigger OS in terms of user base. Same rules apply.


 
Posted : 24/09/2018 3:53 pm
Posts: 3427
Full Member
 

Some tips here for dealing with malicious Extensions and Browser Hijacks;

http://chromebook.guide/chromebook-virus-removal/


 
Posted : 24/09/2018 3:59 pm
Posts: 91000
Free Member
 

Is he on your home wifi or something? Seems a little odd that both devices with different OSes would be affected.


 
Posted : 24/09/2018 4:26 pm
Posts: 7423
Free Member
Topic starter
 

thanks chaps, ive sent him that link, ill see if he can understand it and sort it out himself.

Is he on your home wifi or something? Seems a little odd that both devices with different OSes would be affected.

he probably is, why does that affect anything mate?


 
Posted : 24/09/2018 4:37 pm
Posts: 4170
Free Member
 

The significance of home WiFi is that both devices would be on the same local network and there's usually less protection between nodes on the same network compared to connections to the internet. If that's the case any other local devices could also be infected. Also possible is that both devices will be on the same Google account and sync has infected the other; even with separate OS's, web apps will be vulnerable to the same attacks.


 
Posted : 24/09/2018 5:38 pm
Posts: 469
Free Member
 

Asus router? Could be hacked, mine was once and did exactly what you described.


 
Posted : 24/09/2018 7:08 pm
Posts: 91000
Free Member
 

he probably is, why does that affect anything mate?

Cos if they are, the router is the prime suspect.  No amount of resetting the phone or Chromebook will make a difference.  Your router probably has a reset to factory settings option.  The default passwords etc will be printed on the bottom to allow you back on - but they'll need changing straight away of course.

I cannot think of anything that could be done to a Google account that would cause the symptoms you describe.


 
Posted : 24/09/2018 9:33 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

Open an Incognito window. That disables all extensions. If it fixes it open the a normal window and turn off all extensions. Turn them all on until you find the bad one and delete it.

If it is still doing it, I would Suggest creating a brand new google account and see what happens.

If that fixes it then you know your account is compromised corrupted.

If it still does it use a windows device on the same network (don’t use chrome) . If it behaves the same then you know your router / network is compromised


 
Posted : 24/09/2018 9:44 pm
Posts: 7423
Free Member
Topic starter
 

thanks, ive passed this info on to him, ill let you know how he gets on.


 
Posted : 25/09/2018 8:56 am
Posts: 91000
Free Member
 

If it still does it use a windows device on the same network (don’t use chrome)

Or just install Firefox or one of the other mobile browsers that aren't Chrome.


 
Posted : 25/09/2018 9:45 am

6 DAYS LEFT
We are currently at 95% of our target!