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Advertising and Computer Security Issues on TV Tropes

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We occasionally get reports of ads that trigger antivirus warnings or infect computers that are browsing the wiki. This FAQ is an attempt to consolidate all the information about such things into one thread. Please read the below before reporting any incidents.

This thread may also be used to report ads that violate our policies in other ways, such as being too "adult" or NSFW, automatically playing audio/video, etc.

REPORTING: try to get a screenshot of the console as well as this will help identify where it's coming from.

REDIRECTS: Its very tricky to get the first URL of a redirect trigger because they are designed to hide where it came from. So you need a redirect plug-in active while the redirect happens so you can find the first URL, not the last. Where you were directed to doesn't help track down the source.


    open/close all folders 
    The basics 
  • TV Tropes, as a site, does not contain malware. We are a text-and-image wiki; viruses and malware cannot be uploaded to or embedded in the articles. As always, however, beware of any external link that you don't recognize, since we cannot automatically screen edits or posts for malicious links.
  • 99.99% of the time, any suspected malware will be related to the wiki advertising.
  • TV Tropes does not directly control the ads that are displayed. We use third-party ad providers and we determine things like the size and placement.
    • We instruct our providers not to serve ads that redirect your browser, take control of the screen from you, forcibly scroll your screen, play audio without being clicked on, install malware, "pop up" or "pop over" your screen, or in any other way interfere with your browsing experience.
    • We have custom software designed to detect ads that do these things and automatically block them.
    • Malicious entities are constantly trying to sneak ads through the providers' networks in violation of these instructions. As providers have little incentive to proactively detect and block them, it's up to websites to report these sorts of problems.
    • We rely on our users to report ads that get through these measures.
  • Just because you see a particular ad doesn't mean everyone else sees it. Ads are customized by the ad providers to your location (by IP address), the content of the page you're viewing, and your browsing profile, which is tracking data accumulated by third parties over the course of all your internet browsing.
  • Just because you get a malware warning or infection that seems related to an ad on TV Tropes does not necessarily mean that it is caused by one of our ads. Pre-existing malware on your computer can intercept ads and replace them with malicious ones.

    What can be reported to our provider 
  • Ads containing malware, obviously.
  • Misbehaving ads, such as ones that load a pop-up or pop-under, redirect your browser to another page, hijack your screen or automatically scroll it.
  • "Adult" or NSFW ads. Scantily clad women alone may or may not qualify, depending on context, but we want this site to be work-safe.
  • Ads that automatically play audio — that is, the audio starts without you clicking on the ad first. Video ads are acceptable.
  • Note: Political content is not grounds for rejecting an ad. However, an ad that contains or implies hate speech, disinformation, or outright falsehoods may be objectionable enough to be blocked.

    How to protect yourself 
  • First and foremost, maintain current, updated antivirus software, and keep your operating system and browser up to date with all patches offered by the software vendors. This includes Adobe Flash, Java, and other rich media plug-ins. Turn on your software's automatic updates if they are not already on and act immediately when prompted to install them.
  • Never click on pop-ups purporting to have detected a virus, offering to "tune up" your PC, or otherwise inducing you to click on a link that you were not expecting. Any genuine message of this nature would come from your antivirus software and not from a web page.
  • Be careful clicking on external links. These are identified with a small icon next to them. Example: Google. TV Tropes does not endorse or control the content of external links and you open them at your own risk.
  • Never respond to any email or web page that asks for personal or financial information, including passwords, unless you have verified its identity. No reputable company will ever ask you for your password(s), other than to log in.
  • You may choose to opt out of having tracking information collected by ad providers. This does not stop malware but helps you maintain your online privacy. See here for additional information.
  • TV Tropes requests that you do not use ad blocking software while visiting us, as this site depends on advertising revenue to operate. If you do run an ad blocker, please add tvtropes.org to its exception list, or consider donating to the site to have certain ads removed.

    What to do if you suspect a malicious ad 
  • We (or the ad provider) place a "Report advertisement" link next to most advertising frames. Clicking on this will generate an automatic report and is the best way to do so. If you cannot click on this link or do not see it, continue for more advice.
  • Try to identify the source URL of the suspect ad (see below). You can also use the target URL (if you are redirected), but note that this may be intentionally obfuscated by the ad provider to hide the source.
  • Identify the ad provider. Some ads have a small area that links to the ad provider's page (like Google or AOL). In other cases, you can tell from the referral URL or you can look it up in a search.
  • Go to the ad provider's contact/abuse page and fill out their form. Below are some links to common providers' abuse pages:
  • Scan your computer for viruses. If your antivirus software will not operate (many malicious programs attempt to disable your antivirus software), you can download a scanning tool on a known clean system and run it on your infected machine from a read-only CD-R or flash drive.
  • If you suspect that you've been tricked into divulging personal information to a phishing attempt or other fraud, change your passwords to affected sites immediately and contact your bank, credit card companies, and the credit bureaus to request a fraud alert.
  • Please note that TV Tropes cannot assist you with the specifics of maintaining your computer. That's your responsibility. You may request general help in the appropriate forums, but please don't post new threads in the forums dedicated to wiki operation (Wiki Talk, Frequently Asked Questions, etc.).
  • Sometimes, the wiki administration can get better results from the ad providers in dealing with malicious ads. If you can identify a malicious ad by referral URL, you can post the link in this thread, but please omit the "http" component so it doesn't create a hyperlink that someone might click on inadvertently.

    Identifying the source of an ad 
  • For image ads, right-clicking (or a long tap on mobile devices) should give you the option to view and copy the URL that clicking on it will send you to.
  • For Flash, Java, or HTML 5.0 ads, it may be difficult to identify the source or the URL by right-clicking. In these cases, you need to view the page source to identify the ad so we can report it.
  • In Internet Explorer, you can right-click in a blank or text area of any web page, and choose View Source from the context menu. Firefox also has this option. In Chrome, you can use the Inspect Element menu option, which interactively highlights the portion of the page whose code you are hovering over. You can use this to identify the ad frame and its source URL.
  • For embedded ads, there will be a "frame" element with a "src" parameter. Drill down until you get to the lowest level. All we need to identify the ad is the "src" URL from that frame.

    Ad-free subscription 
As of May 21, 2019, users have the option of purchasing a subscription to use TV Tropes without third-party ads (ads that we create and serve ourselves may still appear). Please see this thread for more information or to discuss the service.

Edited by kory on Nov 15th 2023 at 10:36:27 AM

Midna Blorbonmyoji (he/she/they) from way down south in the land of the traitors (Old as dirt) Relationship Status: Shipping fictional characters
Blorbonmyoji (he/she/they)
#476: Mar 5th 2014 at 7:50:39 AM

Just got a pop-up for some suspicious-looking "iLivid" video player thing.

pearlina brainrot affects millions of people worldwide. if you or a loved one are suffering from pearlina brainrot, call 1-800-GAY-NERDS
NarniaRanger Narnia Ranger from The Moors Since: Feb, 2011 Relationship Status: In love with love
Narnia Ranger
#477: Mar 6th 2014 at 8:41:26 PM

I've been getting pop-ups recently, too. One seemed to be for an HD player, but some research said it was a virus. Managed to nip it though. Got a second one just tonight; it looked like a game—- "Command and Conquer"—- but I didn't want to risk it so I'm running a virus scan on my laptop just to be safe...

"RPM! Get in Gear!"
32_Footsteps Think of the mooks! from Just north of Arkham Since: Jan, 2001 Relationship Status: THIS CONCEPT OF 'WUV' CONFUSES AND INFURIATES US!
Think of the mooks!
#478: Mar 7th 2014 at 8:39:46 AM

I just got a popup as well - this is the URL it tried to send me to, though I stopped it from loading before it could send me there. Not sure if it matters, but I was trying to go to Hey Arnold! when it popped up.

edited 7th Mar '14 8:59:11 AM by 32_Footsteps

Reminder: Offscreen Villainy does not count towards Complete Monster.
NarniaRanger Narnia Ranger from The Moors Since: Feb, 2011 Relationship Status: In love with love
Narnia Ranger
#479: Mar 7th 2014 at 5:24:27 PM

Yeah, that's the one I got. It seems harmless, but I ran a virus scan again just to be sure.

"RPM! Get in Gear!"
KarjamP The imaginative Christian Asperger from South Africa Since: Apr, 2011 Relationship Status: [TOP SECRET]
The imaginative Christian Asperger
#480: Mar 12th 2014 at 8:47:56 AM

Found a bogey ad.

A flash-based ad where, every time you put your cursor over it, you'll hear a ding and a sound "You have mail".

URL of flash: http://cdn.adnxs.com/p/d0/2c/04/c8/d02c04c87eeb1ce4861b53d92e9a3170.swf

URL of ad: http://2Fams1.ib.adnxs.com/click/7jQE1423sz…CK7WhtOwzdvRcBACGNeIr5ymqo-pVCIMNDEuMTMzLjE0LjE1KAEwzv-BmQU

EDIT: Erm, I think I've forgotten that just putting in the URL like that would turn it into a link.

edited 12th Mar '14 9:00:16 AM by KarjamP

Thorn14 Gunpla is amazing! Since: Aug, 2010
Gunpla is amazing!
#481: Mar 13th 2014 at 4:25:31 PM

TV Tropes is very annoying to browse on my Android phone because I constantly get a "YOUR ANDROID IS INFECTED WITH A VIRUS" message that I have to close.

Almost every time I open a new page.

I just don't even go to this site on my phone now.

FastEddie Since: Apr, 2004
#482: Mar 13th 2014 at 4:45:54 PM

Is your Android infected with a virus? Because we don't hear this complaint from other Android users.

Goal: Clear, Concise and Witty
Knowlessman hey i dunno, why don't you tell me from Stupidtown, USA (FL) Since: Jun, 2013 Relationship Status: Holding out for a hero
hey i dunno, why don't you tell me
#483: Mar 13th 2014 at 4:49:23 PM

I've run into similar ads to that, actually, but not very recently. It was really bad a few weeks ago.

Maybe there's a cookie or summat on your phone from another site, or an ad, or... I dunno. :/

edited 13th Mar '14 4:50:22 PM by Knowlessman

i care but i'm restless, i'm here but i'm really gone, i'm wrong and i'm sorry, baby
Yomegami Since: Jan, 2011
#484: Mar 14th 2014 at 1:45:35 PM

On the subject of Android ads: I've been getting "Speed up your phone" popups from an ad for "DU Speed Booster." I don't have an URL, unfortunately.

Icon by Civvi the Civilian!
Knowlessman hey i dunno, why don't you tell me from Stupidtown, USA (FL) Since: Jun, 2013 Relationship Status: Holding out for a hero
hey i dunno, why don't you tell me
#485: Mar 14th 2014 at 1:48:54 PM

[up] I was getting that a lot a week or so ago, but haven't been getting it lately. I thought it disappeared. :/

i care but i'm restless, i'm here but i'm really gone, i'm wrong and i'm sorry, baby
ShadowHog from Earth Since: May, 2009 Relationship Status: Healthy, deeply-felt respect for this here Shotgun
#486: Mar 14th 2014 at 3:20:48 PM

Periodically getting ads that cause another tab to pop up automatically, without my consent. Content of the pop-up, at URL http://go.n3xtlvl.net/web/US/stats.php, is a single button that says "http://in.n3xtlvl.net/out/go.php". It's possible it's meant to do more, but because No Script hasn't whitelisted that site, it's being prevented from doing so. Either way, I'm a bit wary.

Moon
tryrar Since: Sep, 2010
#487: Mar 15th 2014 at 1:46:26 AM

Are ads that redirect the site to a different page(even temporarily) kosher? If not, I just got one here on Tonka Tough: http://sponsor.adverstitial.com/view/advertisement?loc=59790&adv=2778332&camp=646819&w=160&h=600&rnd=6054154338943631202

edited 15th Mar '14 1:46:34 AM by tryrar

Plumbum The Plum and Only from Chichester, United Kingdom Since: Jan, 2001 Relationship Status: And here's to you, Mrs. Robinson
The Plum and Only
#488: Mar 15th 2014 at 8:55:21 AM

Getting an Android ad that redirects me to another page entirely. Disguised as a genuine Android alert. I have to go back to the last page and click through/re-enter URL to get out of it.

The ad. Following the link goes through to an Android app put on Play Store on the 8th of this month, which looks real fishy to me.

edited 15th Mar '14 8:57:00 AM by Plumbum

Curse the ill fortune that led you to me.
Knowlessman hey i dunno, why don't you tell me from Stupidtown, USA (FL) Since: Jun, 2013 Relationship Status: Holding out for a hero
hey i dunno, why don't you tell me
#489: Mar 15th 2014 at 10:25:39 AM

Actually, yeah, I get sent to the Play Store all the time, but I keep assuming I clicked a banner ad by accident. :/

i care but i'm restless, i'm here but i'm really gone, i'm wrong and i'm sorry, baby
Willbyr Hi (Y2K) Relationship Status: With my statistically significant other
Hi
#490: Mar 16th 2014 at 5:57:56 AM

Just curious - has anyone clicked the TV Tropes links in the Taboola ads to see if they actually bring up the page(s)?

SeptimusHeap from Switzerland (Edited uphill both ways) Relationship Status: Mu
#491: Mar 16th 2014 at 5:59:05 AM

Yes, and they do.

"For a successful technology, reality must take precedence over public relations, for Nature cannot be fooled." - Richard Feynman
Midna Blorbonmyoji (he/she/they) from way down south in the land of the traitors (Old as dirt) Relationship Status: Shipping fictional characters
Blorbonmyoji (he/she/they)
#492: Mar 16th 2014 at 2:23:05 PM

Even with Taboola, we're still getting those damned video ads! I just got some Toyota ad courtesy of split.thesyndicationserver.co.uk.

pearlina brainrot affects millions of people worldwide. if you or a loved one are suffering from pearlina brainrot, call 1-800-GAY-NERDS
FastEddie Since: Apr, 2004
#493: Mar 16th 2014 at 4:43:42 PM

We're still testing to see if the Taboola ad revenue will make up the loss from turning off the vid-ads. Not enough data yet.

Goal: Clear, Concise and Witty
IrishZombie Since: Dec, 2009
#494: Mar 17th 2014 at 12:23:14 PM

Is anyone else starting to get those autoplay video ads on the forums now? I'm pretty sure they only showed up on the wiki itself before, but as I'm posting this there's a video on the "Add Post" page screaming at me to buy something called "Move Free Ultra Omega" (unfortunately, I do not have a URL or some other identifying info. My computer juju isn't quite up to snuff).

Deadbeatloser22 from Disappeared by Space Magic (Great Old One) Relationship Status: Tsundere'ing
#495: Mar 17th 2014 at 12:48:00 PM

Getting a video-ad in the bottom square causing massive lag.

URL in page elements is "http://ray-player.anyclip.com/prod/litePlayer/LitePlayer_LiveRail_FDRV.swf?t=9bf9489f34526ba7430506874adde4ca"

"Yup. That tasted purple."
Fighteer Lost in Space from The Time Vortex (Time Abyss) Relationship Status: TV Tropes ruined my love life
FastEddie Since: Apr, 2004
#497: Mar 17th 2014 at 2:24:51 PM

Trying to figure out to deny the mouse-over activated videos. We'll get there. Just not there, yet.

Goal: Clear, Concise and Witty
Knowlessman hey i dunno, why don't you tell me from Stupidtown, USA (FL) Since: Jun, 2013 Relationship Status: Holding out for a hero
hey i dunno, why don't you tell me
#498: Mar 17th 2014 at 2:35:55 PM

They're glitchy, and will give me little crumbs of noise while I'm in another tab entirely. They don't work as intended, and the way that they do work is in violation of the contract they made with you. That should be enough.

i care but i'm restless, i'm here but i'm really gone, i'm wrong and i'm sorry, baby
tryrar Since: Sep, 2010
#499: Mar 17th 2014 at 11:06:29 PM

I'm also getting an autoplaying flash player ad that's causing me massive slowdown that's starting to piss me off. I'm not sure how to get the address form it tho

Midna Blorbonmyoji (he/she/they) from way down south in the land of the traitors (Old as dirt) Relationship Status: Shipping fictional characters
Blorbonmyoji (he/she/they)
#500: Mar 18th 2014 at 4:20:24 AM

Three pop-ups, one on Soundtrack Dissonance and two on Mood Dissonance. URL was http://cm.g.doubleclick.net/push?client=ca-pub-6897902191714833 all three times.

edited 18th Mar '14 4:37:36 AM by Midna

pearlina brainrot affects millions of people worldwide. if you or a loved one are suffering from pearlina brainrot, call 1-800-GAY-NERDS

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