[FF22]

This summer, while in either the Azores or Madeira, logged onto a hotel wifi, ALL of us in the group, both cell phones and tablets" got one of those pop ups - you have been infected, etc. Tap here to get rid of it. It was obviously associated with the hotel's system and not any apps we had installed. There was a mix of iphones, Androids and even bb10 devices. Everyone got the damn pop up! Everyone did the same - immediately powered off and rebooted or asked the rest of us what to do. Reboot did fix it for us.

[1122334455667788]

This summer, while in either the Azores or Madeira, logged onto a hotel wifi, ALL of us in the group, both cell phones and tablets" got one of those pop ups - you have been infected, etc. Tap here to get rid of it. It was obviously associated with the hotel's system and not any apps we had installed. There was a mix of iphones, Androids and even bb10 devices. Everyone got the damn pop up! Everyone did the same - immediately powered off and rebooted or asked the rest of us what to do. Reboot did fix it for us.

Wouldn't that just be popups / page manipulation (of non https sites) in the webbrowser?
I don't think a hostile network should be able to gain any more control of a device. Certainly not consistently with such a variety of OSs.

[FF22]

Wouldn't that just be popups / page manipulation (of non https sites) in the webbrowser?
I don't think a hostile network should be able to gain any more control of a device. Certainly not consistently with such a variety of OSs.

I have no idea where it originated. But it was NOT persistent which is the problem the OP has. It was probably associated with the log-in process web page. But it still raised a few hackles for sure.

[klanGultom]

so, priv is not truely secure. does anyone use lookout app?

[JPD404]

This is no virus. It's a hidden feature inside of an app. No anti-virus will remove this pop-up. I don't see it as a security issue. It's adware injected in an app.

Posted via CB10

[qwerty4ever]

That's not a solution, that's prevention...

Old adage: an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. (The entire response after the colon is courtesy of the BlackBerry KEYone automatic word suggestions.)

[JPD404]

The greatness of Android is all out of the PlayStore. The remedy would be far worse than the disease.

Written from my KEYone

[NightFire]

Ok, guys: problem resolved! There was a very well disguised app causing the problem. This app would not appear on the launcher app view, only from the settings, and the icon was deceiving, looked like a yellow folder and I thought it was my file manager. When you try to delete it, it gives you warnings like if you were trying to delete something from the system. Very clever. Luckily I know very well my devices and was pretty darn sure I never saw that before. I just got rid of it and no more annoying pop-ups on the Priv! Thanks for following.

Posted via CB10

Just curious what app this was that caused the problem.

[JPD404]

Just curious what app this was that caused the problem.

I deleted several apps that I was trick into installing when went to the wrong source to get an app. The issue seemed resolved but unfortunately it came back. I've deleted about 40 apps and the issue persists.

Posted via CB10

[Rico4you]

Hello at this stage your best bet is a factory reset with a clean install. Seems that virus has duplicated itself when you erase it copies itself.

Good luck

Posted via CB10

[NightFire]

I deleted several apps that I was trick into installing when went to the wrong source to get an app. The issue seemed resolved but unfortunately it came back. I've deleted about 40 apps and the issue persists.

Posted via CB10

That's terrible! Am I correct in thinking that you are experiencing this during browser use only? Assuming you have tried ad blocking plug-ins?

I would suggest, as has been suggested by others, if this persists even after deleting a plethora of apps that maybe a wipe is the way to go. Frankly, I'd be inclined to back up important things such as photos and reformat my SD card, as well (assuming you have one).

And I discovered the hard way that not even Google's Play Store is impervious to malware/adware. I was horrified a few years ago to discover my son was being pushed pornographic ads from what seemed to be an innocent runner game on his Nook HD.

[JPD404]

If I was using the PRIV as primary I would've done so already. Since I have the KEYone now I am hoping to defeat this bug myself.

Posted via CB10

[NightFire]

If I was using the PRIV as primary I would've done so already. Since I have the KEYone now I am hoping to defeat this bug myself.

Posted via CB10

Well, in that case, keep deleting. I wish you the best. I'd be curious to see if you resolve this issue, so please post if you are successful.

[JPD404]

I will. I would appreciate it if someone could guide me through how to visualize the logs to hopefully find out which is the root of this problem.

[NightFire]

I would uninstall the most recent apps, working my way backwards. That's how I resolved the issue with my son's Nook HD. As far as logs...hopefully someone more tech savvy than myself will come along and lend a hand.

Posted via CB10

[JPD404]

That's what I tried, but unfortunately after deleting 40+ apps backwards the pop-up didn't go away. It even mutated and started showing different things from the 'spin' contest where I had been randomly chosen.

[NightFire]

Is it only in your browser, though? Because I've seen those before. Usually when trying to read an article that sends me to a click bait website.

Posted via CB10

[bb10adopter111]

It's not realistic for me to avoid untrusted sites. One of the core reasons why I do BlackBerry devices only. Luckily rooting a device is no longer a necessity.

Posted via CB10

That's like saying, I paid for a great home security system, but I regularly host parties for thieves and drug users, some of whom may have seen me enter my alarm code. Now my house has been broken into, and I want to secure it again.

The security can't protect a user if the user doesn't follow basic security protocols.

If you must visit unsafe sites, get a separate device, don't put any personal information on it, and nuke it after every session.

Posted with my trusty Z10

[JPD404]

Well, thanks for you analogy and your opinion. Just so you know there are thousands of great Android apps not on the Play Store. Google won't upset any of the big boys until there's no way around it.

[Ment]

"It's not realistic for me to avoid untrusted sites" = I don't want to pay for my apps so I go to malware infected sources for my apps.

If you need some apps that are suppose to be free and may not be not allowed in the Playstore then go to F-Droid and APKMirror both with stellar reputations. Otherwise your reasons are bunk.

[1122334455667788]

"It's not realistic for me to avoid untrusted sites" = I don't want to pay for my apps so I go to malware infected sources for my apps.

I think maybe we're getting a little off topic here?
Anyway, it is worth noting that there are plenty of legitimate reasons to get apps from other sources. Google gets to decide which apps make it into their store, and which don't. Sticking to only the Play store effectively means not using any apps that Google doesn't want you to use.
For example, Google kicked a bunch of ad blocking apps out a few years ago. Sure it's debatable whether such apps are ethical, but as they are one of the largest advertising companies in the world, it seems unlikely that it was actually an unbiased decision. I, for one, don't want them making the final decision for me.

[bb10adopter111]

Well, thanks for you analogy and your opinion. Just so you know there are thousands of great Android apps not on the Play Store. Google won't upset any of the big boys until there's no way around it.

I am certainly not trying to tell you how to live or use your phone. But the built in security cannot protect you if you choose to download files from risky locations. Having a BlackBerry shouldn't give you a false sense of security.

Posted with my trusty Z10

[JPD404]

I am very aware of that, and for security purposes I also keep a BB10 device with me 24/7, on which malicious codes cannot run. I do not blame BB or question its superior security on Android, which is very true by the way. The BB10 device allows me to access information from "trusted" sites that want to inject my Android system with their dirty stuff.

[bb10adopter111]

I am very aware of that, and for security purposes I also keep a BB10 device with me 24/7, on which malicious codes cannot run. I do not blame BB or question its superior security on Android, which is very true by the way. The BB10 device allows me to access information from "trusted" sites that want to inject my Android system with their dirty stuff.

Got it. I wasn't trying to take your thread off topic. Carry on! :-)

Posted with my trusty Z10

[Ment]

I think maybe we're getting a little off topic here?
Anyway, it is worth noting that there are plenty of legitimate reasons to get apps from other sources. Google gets to decide which apps make it into their store, and which don't. Sticking to only the Play store effectively means not using any apps that Google doesn't want you to use.
For example, Google kicked a bunch of ad blocking apps out a few years ago. Sure it's debatable whether such apps are ethical, but as they are one of the largest advertising companies in the world, it seems unlikely that it was actually an unbiased decision. I, for one, don't want them making the final decision for me.

I've noted that in the the part of the post you did not quote and think its highly unlikely this is the case for OP.

For OP. Immediately delete any apps that are in the Playstore that are paid like games but available in your untrusted source. That's most likely your vector. I'd just do a complete re-install but whatever.