Why did porn ads start popping up on my Windows phone?

[Unregistered]

How would this have happened and how do I get rid of it? I typed something in google search and instead of taking me to the website (like webmd or something) an illicit website pops up. I rebooted and it's still happening.

 

[RumoredNow]

We need way more info than that to help.

What Phone... What OS version... What Browser...

​Details are helpful toward getting an answer.

 

[Jenny Bennett]

Windows Phone 8.0
NOKIA Lumia 822
OS version 8.0.10517.150
Verizon is the carrier if that matters

IE is the browser

 

[gpobernardo]

Try going to your phone application settings and activate safe search: Settings -> swipe sideways -> Search -> SafeSearch: try either moderate or strict

 

[Jenny Bennett]

It was set to moderate. Switched to strict and it is still happening.

 

[AwesomeLewis24]

Yeah, I heard this happened to a previous forum user a while back. I was almost sure that it was malware. I'm not guessing that there's any fix, but you could try to remove some temporary files from IE. If this doesn't work, I'm not sure will. Unfortunately, antivirus software aren't made for WP as it's "the safest mobile OS". But yeah, if it doesn't work keep searching along the internet and if that's to no avail, unfortunately it'll have to be a hard reset.

 

[gpobernardo]

Did you search using Google.com in IE? or did you use the "Search Button" of the phone?

The SafeSearch settings affect only this "Search Button". Try searching using this "Search Button" and see if the porn results still come up (in Strict and Moderate, of course.) This should do the trick.

 

[xandros9]

Yeah, I heard this happened to a previous forum user a while back. I was almost sure that it was malware. I'm not guessing that there's any fix, but you could try to remove some temporary files from IE. If this doesn't work, I'm not sure will. Unfortunately, antivirus software aren't made for WP as it's "the safest mobile OS". But yeah, if it doesn't work keep searching along the internet and if that's to no avail, unfortunately it'll have to be a hard reset.

it is not the "safest mobile OS" (that would probably be PalmOS) but still, yea yea.

Anyways, check the internet connection and internet settings. I sense some awry setting like Wi-Fi proxy going somewhere.
also does it happen on other devices connected to the same internet?

 

[anon(9057135)]

Clear your history and delete all cookies. Cookies must have done it... I've heard of this in the Mozilla support website. You got a cookie from a porn website.

 

[Jenny Bennett]

It does not happen on other devices connected to the same internet. I deleted all history and cookies and rebooted. Still happening. I was searching both by going to google.com on IE and also using the Google app for Windows phone; it was happening using either. I'll try deleting the app though and see what happens.

 

[RumoredNow]

If all else fails... You'll have to reset your phone. Doesn't sound app related... I would think restoring your backup would be OK.

On a PC this type of behavior is usually a rootkit hiding in the registry. May have been an "attack" from a site and when it saw IE as the browser it moved in... Maybe someone is mutating their bug to go from Desktop IE to mobile?

Not a good omen if it proliferates. Hopefully a lucky shot in the dark. Resetting your phone should give you a clean Registry once more.

Here's more about how it works on Desktop, just so you see the background of the problem. Can't get the same solution on mobile, unfortunately.
How to easily remove Any Browser Redirect virus (Removal Guide)

 

[snowwake8]

How would this have happened and how do I get rid of it? I typed something in google search and instead of taking me to the website (like webmd or something) an illicit website pops up. I rebooted and it's still happening.

Stop using Google. Use Bing.

I'd recommend getting developers preview and 8.1. then backup and then restore. This way, with 8.1 all your tiles will be saved in the backup. Essentially it will clear your registry and bring your phone back to how it is now visually.

 

[herbertsnow]

You lucky b a s t a r d

 

[Jazmac]

How would this have happened and how do I get rid of it? I typed something in google search and instead of taking me to the website (like webmd or something) an illicit website pops up. I rebooted and it's still happening.

You answered your own question...google search.

 

[chatenilesh]

Did anyone get solution to this issue.Don't tell me to reset my phone.
Thanks.

 

[ashram]

go to settings- access point and verify your settings there (there is a proxy option there) and make sure all is correct for your provider

 

[Visa Declined]

Stop using Google. Use Bing.

This isn't a search engine problem. Hopefully you know that.

 

[RumoredNow]

Did anyone get solution to this issue.Don't tell me to reset my phone.
Thanks.

You do understand that a reinstall is always a good option? Was the problem not absent when the OS was shiny and new?

We don't know what device you have, OS, version, what browser or App may have caused this... What sites you may have visited before this started... Nothing really, you've given us zero to base solutions on.

All we know right now is that you have an issue and are resistant to the #1 cure for hard core problems that are proven difficult to root out and squash.