Is it just me? Buzz words.

CathWales

I've noticed over the last few days that some text in posts and also next to some profiles in threads that some words are highlighted and underlined in green and hovering over it displays a preview/ad relating to that word. For example, I replied to a post and the word 'phone was simply typed into the tect, no underlining or coding done by me, but once posted the word comes up green and previews an ad about phones. I am noticing as I check things that these links are disappearing but they are definitely there! Anyone else notice this?

fermi

Nope.

Sounds as if you could have some malware/adware on your PC.

Former_MSE_Ian

CathWales wrote: »

the word 'phone was simply typed into the tect, no underlining or coding done by me, but once posted the word comes up green and previews an ad about phones.

Our website doesn't do this.

It's almost certainly down to something installed on your machine. Either something you installed, or a virus / trojan / adware / malware. I can't offer any advice I'm afraid beyond protecting yourself while on the internet.

Ian

CathWales

MSE_Ian wrote: »

Our website doesn't do this.

It's almost certainly down to something installed on your machine. Either something you installed, or a virus / trojan / adware / malware. I can't offer any advice I'm afraid beyond protecting yourself while on the internet.

Ian

Thanks Ian

I just noticed that the word 'website' in your reply was also highlighted and there was a promo ad for groupon in it, it goes back to normal once i've hovered over the link. Going to do scans now.

CathWales

OK I ran a malwarebytes scan that found no infections and while running the scan Nortons popped up telling me it was doing a full system scan (tho not sure when that finished as it wasn't listed in the History) I ran a quick scan and it found and fixed 48 tracking cookies but coming on here to reply to this thread the 'website' word I quoted in MSE Ian's post is still highlighted, so I don't know where I stand lol!

CathWales

2 Malwarebyte full and quick scans and 2 full virus scans later, which cleared tracking cookies but found no viruses and I can stil see different words highlighted throughout the forum. The link shows a groupon ad each time.....what else can I do?

fermi

Well, there is definitely nothing on here that is doing it as far as I can see.

Have you asked for help on the techie board?

CathWales

fermi wrote: »

Well, there is definitely nothing on here that is doing it as far as I can see.

Have you asked for help on the techie board?

Yes, have just posted this thread on there.

It doesn't appear to be happening on every thread tho, but 'buzzwords' like 'coupon' and 'date' are linking to groupon (tho 'date' sometimes brings up a thumbnail for dating sites). Am using Firefox, but will open IE and see if it does it there too.

CathWales

Typing this reply in IE8. I searched MSE and one of the links did have one of the words in the title in green but I avoided that link. Not found anything yet on any of the same or random threads. I had stopped using IE cos there had been a security risk reported ages ago so will maybe see how ir goes. Want to remove some of the toolbars tho as it looks messy!