Unwanted window takes over android screen

[Deleted User]

I'm regretting opening a window on my Samsung Galaxy android Tablet S2. The window was from ? rewards.amazon.com-rewards-for-users.secuitte.com. There was no option to close the window - only to click OK.

I now regret clicking 'OK' and entering my ISP username (not password) to win an iPad. The same window now comes up regularly on my tablet.

Will I have to factory restore my tablet and could I have I done any other damage? I am worried and will be grateful for any advice, please.
Crimson

AndyPix

You can factory reset the device and it will go away.
But then you lose all your pictures etc..


If you go into application settings and clear your browsers cache and data that will most likely shift it.
If not, then it will be a rogue app that you have installed.
Usual culprit for these are "battery boosters" - "speed boosters" - "wifi boosters" and ironically "antivirus"


Go through any apps you dont recognise/want and delete them 1 by 1 until it goes away

[Deleted User]

AndyPix wrote: »

You can factory reset the device and it will go away.
But then you lose all your pictures etc..


If you go into application settings and clear your browsers cache and data that will most likely shift it.
If not, then it will be a rogue app that you have installed.
Usual culprit for these are "battery boosters" - "speed boosters" - "wifi boosters" and ironically "antivirus"

Go through any apps you dont recognise/want and delete them 1 by 1 until it goes away

Thank you very much AndyPix. I have done as you suggest and cleared the data. Thankfully it seems to have sorted the problem and I really appreciate the help you gave. I have not installed any new apps recently.

Crimson

[Deleted User]

Deleted_User wrote: »

Thank you very much AndyPix. I have done as you suggest and cleared the data. Thankfully it seems to have sorted the problem and I really appreciate the help you gave. I have not installed any new apps recently.

Crimson

I'm afraid I'm back with the same problem and if AndyPix, or any of you helpful people, can advise I'll be very grateful.

I have followed, to the best of my ability, all the advice helpfully giveby AndyPix as above.

I was logged in to my eBay account (not Amazon) looking at my purchases on my Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 when this same unwanted window (which I thought had gone for good) came up again

"rewards.amazon.com-rewards-for-users.securitte.com says: Congratulations! You were selected to win an Apple iPhone 7 Plus 128GB! This opportunity is exclusive and only for loyal Android device users in Amazon. Please confirm that you are the owner of this device by clicking OK."

I have now completely reset (factory restored) my Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 twice. The first time I factory restored I let my Google?Chrome account transfer information but this unwanted 'window' eventually came up again.

I for a second time completely reset my tablet but did not give permission for the Google ?Chrome account to transfer information. I had only one 'paid for' app (which I have had for over a year now) and I 'transferred' it from Play Store. I have not downloaded any app from anywhere else. I noticed that Google Play had me logged in, although I do not remember logging in or saving any password, with my gmail address. This is where I clicked to install my 'old' single paid for app from the store.


Now today that 'window' has come back. I can only get rid of it by coming out of everything because the window takes over and the background is muted. I was not even able to log out of eBay because I could not get back to it.


I'm feeling really discouraged and wonder if you know what I am doing wrong or how I can get rid of this 'window' permanently, please. I don't recognize any unusual apps. If possible I would delete them all and start from 'none' if this is allowed and if it would be a solution. I have changed my bank passwords etc.

My laptop seems to be fine and is unaffected - it is just my Samsung Tablet.

Although I am a lot better than I used to be (and I have appreciated and have benefited from a lot of help from this forum) I don't seem to have 'the knack' for technology.


I'll be so grateful for any help, thank you.


Crimson

fenlander_uk

There seem to be a number of reports of this adware scam online, but no clear resolutions for Android that I can find, beyond the advice already given. The same scam operates in Windows, but there are more tools available for removal on that platform.

I know it's not solving the problem, but have you tried a different browser? If the infection really is somewhere in the Chrome cache it may be at least a partial solution. I personally always use Habit Browser (for its ad-blocking) but there are plenty of other options.

GunJack

Mini-Gun#2 has something similar on his tablet, it's like it's malware that connects to an adserver.....so far no av/anti-malware has been able to clear it, nor several hard resets ....makes the tablet practically unuseable.

[Deleted User]

fenlander_uk wrote: »

There seem to be a number of reports of this adware scam online, but no clear resolutions for Android that I can find, beyond the advice already given. The same scam operates in Windows, but there are more tools available for removal on that platform.

I know it's not solving the problem, but have you tried a different browser? If the infection really is somewhere in the Chrome cache it may be at least a partial solution. I personally always use Habit Browser (for its ad-blocking) but there are plenty of other options.

Thank you very much for replying fenlander uk. It helps me a bit knowing that it's not just that I'm not managing to follow instructions properly etc. I'll keep checking this post in case a soution is found for Android. I'll also try changing the browser.

Should it be OK if I completely uninstall Chrome from my tablet? Also what are the real dangers of using my tablet knowing that this problem is there, please?

Crimson

[Deleted User]

GunJack wrote: »

Mini-Gun#2 has something similar on his tablet, it's like it's malware that connects to an adserver.....so far no av/anti-malware has been able to clear it, nor several hard resets ....makes the tablet practically unuseable.

Thank you very much for replying GunJack. I'm sorry to Mini-Gun# (and others) are also experiencing this type of problem. I see you say the tablet is practically unuseable. Is it best if I abandon my Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 altogether until a solution is known, please? I'm not sure what sort of damage I may be causing if I continue to use it.

I have Chrome on my smartphone and, so far, there seems to be no problem there - and none on my Laptop where I use Firefox or Internet Explorer to browse - using 'Google' to search etc.

Following fenlander uk's post, above, I would be glad to try another browser and completely delete Chrome, hoping that might help.

Before I try to uninstall Chrome on my tablet I'll check (Google search on my laptop) to see what implications there may be - if it is possible at all to run my tablet without Chrome. I'm not sure if it would mean cancelling my Google Account (not having access to Google Play and Apps there etc.) or my Samsung Account.

I'll keep checking here in case a solution is found. I would be so sorry if my tablet cannot be salvaged.

Thank you again.

Crimson

Gravedigger

Might it be residing in The Cloud, thus even a factory reset will reinstall the problem app? Might also have a look in "Extensions" to make sure it isn't there.

Norman_Castle

AndyPix wrote: »

You can factory reset the device and it will go away.
But then you lose all your pictures etc..

I've got a Gemini tablet which has been reset at least 6 times but it still has photographs on it despite warnings these will be deleted if reset.

GunJack

Deleted_User wrote: »

Thank you very much for replying GunJack. I'm sorry to Mini-Gun# (and others) are also experiencing this type of problem. I see you say the tablet is practically unuseable. Is it best if I abandon my Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 altogether until a solution is known, please? I'm not sure what sort of damage I may be causing if I continue to use it.

I have Chrome on my smartphone and, so far, there seems to be no problem there - and none on my Laptop where I use Firefox or Internet Explorer to browse - using 'Google' to search etc.

Following fenlander uk's post, above, I would be glad to try another browser and completely delete Chrome, hoping that might help.

Before I try to uninstall Chrome on my tablet I'll check (Google search on my laptop) to see what implications there may be - if it is possible at all to run my tablet without Chrome. I'm not sure if it would mean cancelling my Google Account (not having access to Google Play and Apps there etc.) or my Samsung Account.

I'll keep checking here in case a solution is found. I would be so sorry if my tablet cannot be salvaged.

Thank you again.

Crimson

It sounds like re-flashing a stock android image is what's needed (for yours and ours) but ours is a generic tab that I can't find an image for...you should have more luck with a Samsung...might be worth you asking at a local computer or phone repair shop.