Computer Woes Solved? Multi-browser, Multi-system Malware Stopped! [I Hope]

Me, until a couple of hours ago.

Noted here in the last couple of posts, I've been beset by computer woes since some time mid-weekend. Somehow, all of our devices were plagued by malware, weird ads and attempts to get us to install various software. Neither of us knows how it happened, but I seem to have sort of solved the problem. I think. It's too early for cartwheels.

But I'm going to explain in as detailed a way as I can, so that if you have a similar problem, you can try the same thing.

We were getting popups, over-sized browser windows with either a) legit looking ads, b) fake looking ads, c) alerts to either install or upgrade video players, plugins and whatnot, and d) actual attempts to install files, all you have to do is click "ok." Fortunately, both of us here are smart enough not to install anything, though the source of this problem remains a mystery. And that's not all. Clunky, ugly, blinking, 90s-style "scare" ads started showing up in areas of web pages that ordinarily hold Google AdSense-type ads. But the weirdest part is, this was all of the sudden happening on a Windows 8 PC, a Windows 7 PC, a MacBook Pro running Mavericks, and a Galaxy S4 phone running Android Kit Kat.  And on these devices, it was happening in Internet Explorer, Firefox, Chrome and Safari, variously. Weird, right?

Didn't matter what device or operating system.

I called Cox, our internet provider, because even though I'd run every malware and virus program I could think of, the devices themselves were insisting that they were clean. It must, I thought, be either the router or the modem. The first lady was nice as could be, but had no idea what my problem might be. The second tier of help was too smart for me, two or three notches ahead of my experience level (which isn't ordinarily too shabby). But she got me the solution that is holding at the moment:

Factory reset the wireless router. Rename the router. Change the password, and keep it complicated. Then, I restarted all of the devices, one-by-one got them onto the network with the new settings. Also, I opened the internet pages I knew to be experiencing phony ads. I then reloaded the pages holding the shift key in. Poof, the bad ads

Didn't matter what browser either, though it
affected different browsers on different
devices.

disappeared. For reals. So far, the popup ads seem to be gone as well. On all systems.

So, though I won't even pretend to understand where this came from or what was really going on, it's clear that this goofy malware was coming through the router and running clean, because no anti-virus or anti-malware software could even see it running. Doesn't this sound kind of new to you? I've certainly never heard of it.

EDITED TO ADD: The Cox tech lady also advised me to assign individual MAC addresses to individual devices, somthing that is both a little outside my experience level, AND, seems to me like it would be awkward when we have guests, or want to add devices. So, I'll reserve that trick for if this bizarre occurrence ever happens again.

Westboro Baptist Church Under Attack by "Anonymous"

This is what they do to their kids.

The Westboro Baptist Church is a motley collection of mostly related-to-each-other wackjob cult members. They exist to torment Americans of all stripes, but they are most often drawn to national tragedies. Whether it's a military funeral, a terrorist attack or a mass shooting, WBC will be there (or threaten to be), using their patented "God Hates Fags" protest signs and banners. There need not be any "gay" connection to the event, the WBC will strain to allege one. Why they focus like a laser upon a "sin" that is pretty low on the biblical prohibitions list, and which is argued even to some bible scholars is anyone's guess.

The Rev. Fred Phelps and his family are trained in law, and totally dig it if you lash out at them. They're ready to sue, sue, sue ya, baby! That may actually be their business model. And they've gotten some help from the courts of late, who have said that the WBC has first amendment protections. So, when the law doesn't work, what do you do? Well, Anonymous may have a plan. But before you watch the video, be warned that it's kind of freaky.

[Excerpt]

Hackers target Westboro Baptist Church after Newtown threat


A group attached to the online hacktivist group Anonymous claims to have hacked the Westboro Baptist Church Web site in response to plans by the controversial church to picket the funerals of those massacred Friday at a school in Newtown, Conn. . .

Read more at: CNet

Here's Your Sign: Warning! Zombies Ahead!!!

Now this is a helpful warning sign! I mean, I've been a fan of zombie movies for decades, but I didn't know that heading for a colder climate could save you from them. You live, and you learn. . .or you die and you eat brains.

Liberal Blog Sites Trashed in Hacker Attack

Photo from source, Raw Story

What am I, chopped liver? Nobody hacked me. . . Just kidding, I'd be furious and depressed if all of my blog posts just vanished. But these guys must have backups, right?

Then again, a few months ago, my company's web domain server literally exploded (along with many, many others), and we had to re-upload everything. No backup there. But as far as I know, the explosion was an accident. This hacker business is pretty evil. I hope they get busted, and get the cyber-book thrown at them.

[Excerpt]

Hackers take down ring of key progressive blogs

Several major blogs were in jeopardy after a Tuesday hack of their software provider had its owner ready to throw in the towel.According to SoapBlox owner Paul Preston, the attack on one of its servers--which prompted its Internet service provider to shut it down--was connected to a shadowy group called Astalavista. . .

Read more at: Raw Story

Imminent Threat: Zombie Computers?

Photo of Lucifer Michael Chertoff from source, Wired

Oh my God! Zombie computers?!? Are they the old-style George Romero slow-moving Night of the Living Dead zombies, or the modern lightning-fast 28 Days Later zombies? Either way, they want to eat our brains! OK, the main reason I wanted to post is is for the fantastic photo of Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff. Now do you believe me when I say that the Bush Administration is infested with--if not zombies--demons? Yikes!

[Excerpt]

Zombie Computers Decried As Imminent National Threat

Gangs of thousands of zombie home computers grinding out spam, committing fraud and overpowering websites are the most vexing net threat today, according to law enforcement and security professionals. . .

Read more at: Wired