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What is on my PC that crashes credit card payments.

murphydavid
murphydavid Posts: 834 Forumite
Part of the Furniture 500 Posts Name Dropper
edited 26 February 2020 at 12:26PM in Techie Stuff
Recently my desktop PC has started going blank every time I try to make payments using credit / debit cards. I know its that particular PC because I can immediately use the same card with the same company on my laptop with no problems. Also I can try again on the same PC with a different banks card with the same result. It has also happened with a number of different companies but only on that PC. It has windows 10 up to date using Microsoft's built in virus and malware protection. What happens is that I get to the point where the company indicates it is contacting my bank and instead of getting that page where my bank may ask for additional security the screen comes up with a blank internet page completely black. No error code. No rejection code. Nothing. Each company and Bank seem to have their own cookies so I can't see how, if one bank or company has added a reject cookie to my PC, it would have transferred that rejection to all the other companies. If it would only at least give me an error code or something I would have a clue. In every other respect the PC works perfectly. Anyone got any idea where the problem may be?   I have tried ringing a company and they say they have no record of my attempt to place an order I can then usually place the order on the phone.

Comments

  • debitcardmayhem
    debitcardmayhem Posts: 13,618 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    Which browser are you using, and does it have extensions like noscript ?
    4.8kWp 12x400W Longhi 9.6 kWh battery Giv-hy 5.0 Inverter, WSW facing Essex . Aint no sunshine ☀️ Octopus gas fixed dec 24 @ 5.74 tracker again+ Octopus Intelligent Flux leccy

    CEC Email energyclub@moneysavingexpert.com
  • murphydavid
    murphydavid Posts: 834 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 500 Posts Name Dropper
    edited 26 February 2020 at 12:48PM
    Browser is Chrome - Extensions - PrivacyBadger - EditThisCookie - SaveToKeep - GoogleDocsOffline. But I think I also tried Microsoft Edge once when it first happened with the same result. There are no extensions installed in Edge as I only have it as a standby. (Don't have noscript)
  • DoaM
    DoaM Posts: 11,863 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Fifth Anniversary Name Dropper Photogenic
    Do you have a modified hosts file on that PC?
  • murphydavid
    murphydavid Posts: 834 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 500 Posts Name Dropper
    I have not knowingly modified my hosts file and to be honest don't know much about them. I have had and removed a free VPN app and also a variety of free anti-virus apps (I found recommended by MSE) all uninstalled now. So is there an easy way to know if an app I have installed may have modified it?
    Alternatively; as I don't think I want it modified; is there a simple way I can re-set it back to standard or a template or download of what a non-modified one looks like?  
  • murphydavid
    murphydavid Posts: 834 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 500 Posts Name Dropper
    The internet suggests the file in question is located at C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts
    That file on my PC is as follows:
    Is this it? Is it Modified?
    # Copyright (c) 1993-2009 Microsoft Corp.
    #
    # This is a sample HOSTS file used by Microsoft TCP/IP for Windows.
    #
    # This file contains the mappings of IP addresses to host names. Each
    # entry should be kept on an individual line. The IP address should
    # be placed in the first column followed by the corresponding host name.
    # The IP address and the host name should be separated by at least one
    # space.
    #
    # Additionally, comments (such as these) may be inserted on individual
    # lines or following the machine name denoted by a '#' symbol.
    #
    # For example:
    #
    #      102.54.94.97     rhino.acme.com          # source server
    #       38.25.63.10     x.acme.com              # x client host

    # localhost name resolution is handled within DNS itself.
    # 127.0.0.1       localhost
    # ::1             localhost


    0.0.0.0 a.ads1.msn.com
    0.0.0.0 a.ads2.msads.net
    0.0.0.0 a.ads2.msn.com
    0.0.0.0 a.rad.msn.com
    0.0.0.0 a-0001.a-msedge.net
    0.0.0.0 a-0002.a-msedge.net
    0.0.0.0 a-0003.a-msedge.net
    0.0.0.0 a-0004.a-msedge.net
    0.0.0.0 a-0005.a-msedge.net
    0.0.0.0 a-0006.a-msedge.net
    0.0.0.0 a-0007.a-msedge.net
    0.0.0.0 a-0008.a-msedge.net
    0.0.0.0 a-0009.a-msedge.net
    0.0.0.0 ac3.msn.com
    0.0.0.0 ad.doubleclick.net
    0.0.0.0 adnexus.net
    0.0.0.0 adnxs.com
    0.0.0.0 ads.msn.com
    0.0.0.0 ads1.msads.net
    0.0.0.0 ads1.msn.com
    0.0.0.0 aidps.atdmt.com
    0.0.0.0 aka-cdn-ns.adtech.de
    0.0.0.0 a-msedge.net
    0.0.0.0 apps.skype.com
    0.0.0.0 az361816.vo.msecnd.net
    0.0.0.0 az512334.vo.msecnd.net
    0.0.0.0 b.ads1.msn.com
    0.0.0.0 b.ads2.msads.net
    0.0.0.0 b.rad.msn.com
    0.0.0.0 bs.serving-sys.com
    0.0.0.0 c.atdmt.com
    0.0.0.0 c.msn.com
    0.0.0.0 ca.telemetry.microsoft.com
    0.0.0.0 cache.datamart.windows.com
    0.0.0.0 cdn.atdmt.com
    0.0.0.0 cds26.ams9.msecn.net
    0.0.0.0 choice.microsoft.com
    0.0.0.0 choice.microsoft.com.nsatc.net
    0.0.0.0 compatexchange.cloudapp.net
    0.0.0.0 corp.sts.microsoft.com
    0.0.0.0 corpext.msitadfs.glbdns2.microsoft.com
    0.0.0.0 cs1.wpc.v0cdn.net
    0.0.0.0 db3aqu.atdmt.com
    0.0.0.0 db3wns2011111.wns.windows.com
    0.0.0.0 df.telemetry.microsoft.com
    0.0.0.0 diagnostics.support.microsoft.com
    0.0.0.0 ec.atdmt.com
    0.0.0.0 fe2.update.microsoft.com.akadns.net
    0.0.0.0 fe3.delivery.dsp.mp.microsoft.com.nsatc.net
    0.0.0.0 feedback.microsoft-hohm.com
    0.0.0.0 feedback.search.microsoft.com
    0.0.0.0 feedback.windows.com
    0.0.0.0 flex.msn.com
    0.0.0.0 g.msn.com
    0.0.0.0 h1.msn.com
    0.0.0.0 i1.services.social.microsoft.com
    0.0.0.0 i1.services.social.microsoft.com.nsatc.net
    0.0.0.0 lb1.www.ms.akadns.net
    0.0.0.0 live.rads.msn.com
    0.0.0.0 m.adnxs.com
    0.0.0.0 m.hotmail.com
    0.0.0.0 msedge.net
    0.0.0.0 msftncsi.com
    0.0.0.0 msnbot-207-46-194-33.search.msn.com
    0.0.0.0 msnbot-65-55-108-23.search.msn.com
    0.0.0.0 msntest.serving-sys.com
    0.0.0.0 oca.telemetry.microsoft.com
    0.0.0.0 oca.telemetry.microsoft.com.nsatc.net
    0.0.0.0 pre.footprintpredict.com
    0.0.0.0 preview.msn.com
    0.0.0.0 pricelist.skype.com
    0.0.0.0 rad.live.com
    0.0.0.0 rad.msn.com
    0.0.0.0 redir.metaservices.microsoft.com
    0.0.0.0 reports.wes.df.telemetry.microsoft.com
    0.0.0.0 s.gateway.messenger.live.com
    0.0.0.0 s0.2mdn.net
    0.0.0.0 schemas.microsoft.akadns.net
    0.0.0.0 secure.adnxs.com
    0.0.0.0 secure.flashtalking.com
    0.0.0.0 services.wes.df.telemetry.microsoft.com
    0.0.0.0 settings.data.microsof.com
    0.0.0.0 settings-sandbox.data.microsoft.com
    0.0.0.0 settings-win.data.microsoft.com
    0.0.0.0 sls.update.microsoft.com.akadns.net
    0.0.0.0 sO.2mdn.net
    0.0.0.0 spynet2.microsoft.com
    0.0.0.0 spynetalt.microsoft.com
    0.0.0.0 sqm.df.telemetry.microsoft.com
    0.0.0.0 sqm.telemetry.microsoft.com
    0.0.0.0 sqm.telemetry.microsoft.com.nsatc.net
    0.0.0.0 ssw.live.com
    0.0.0.0 static.2mdn.net
    0.0.0.0 statsfe1.ws.microsoft.com
    0.0.0.0 statsfe2.update.microsoft.com.akadns.net
    0.0.0.0 statsfe2.ws.microsoft.com
    0.0.0.0 survey.watson.microsoft.com
    0.0.0.0 telecommand.telemetry.microsoft.com
    0.0.0.0 telecommand.telemetry.microsoft.com.nsatc.net
    0.0.0.0 telecommand.telemetry.microsoft.com.nsat�c.net
    0.0.0.0 telemetry.appex.bing.net
    0.0.0.0 telemetry.appex.bing.net:443
    0.0.0.0 telemetry.microsoft.com
    0.0.0.0 telemetry.urs.microsoft.com
    0.0.0.0 ui.skype.com
    0.0.0.0 v10.vortex-win.data.microsoft.com
    0.0.0.0 view.atdmt.com
    0.0.0.0 vortex.data.microsoft.com
    0.0.0.0 vortex-bn2.metron.live.com.nsatc.net
    0.0.0.0 vortex-cy2.metron.live.com.nsatc.net
    0.0.0.0 vortex-sandbox.data.microsoft.com
    0.0.0.0 vortex-win.data.microsoft.com
    0.0.0.0 watson.live.com
    0.0.0.0 watson.microsoft.com
    0.0.0.0 watson.ppe.telemetry.microsoft.com
    0.0.0.0 watson.telemetry.microsoft.com
    0.0.0.0 watson.telemetry.microsoft.com.nsatc.net
    0.0.0.0 wes.df.telemetry.microsoft.com
    0.0.0.0 win10.ipv6.microsoft.com
    0.0.0.0 www.msftncsi.com













  • JJ_Egan
    JJ_Egan Posts: 20,281 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Thats a non standard hosts file .
    Everything below
    # localhost name resolution is handled within DNS itself.
    # 127.0.0.1       localhost
    # ::1             localhost

    Are blocked from connections .

  • murphydavid
    murphydavid Posts: 834 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 500 Posts Name Dropper
    JJ_Egan said:
    Thats a non standard hosts file .
    Everything below
    # localhost name resolution is handled within DNS itself.
    # 127.0.0.1       localhost
    # ::1             localhost

    Are blocked from connections .

    As I'm not familiar with some technical nomenclature; by  "Are blocked from connections" do you mean that any internet browser I use will not be allowed to connect to those sites?
    Having done a little research I think they may be being added by the Privacy Badger extension to Chrome the purpose which is to stop unnecessary (to me) gathering of my data and will prevent sites from doing this by excluding them.
    So do you think that Privacy Badger may have added an exclusion that will prevent sites I visit from getting security verification of my credit card and if so which one?    
  • murphydavid
    murphydavid Posts: 834 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 500 Posts Name Dropper
    edited 26 February 2020 at 4:40PM
    OK I found the MS windows 10 help page explaining how to reset the HOSTS file and I am almost sure the problem is being generated by PrivacyBadger. Next time I want to purchase something I will disable PrivacyBadger and reset my hosts file and see if I can use my credit card details. That will prove it one way or the other. After that I will play with PrivacyBadger settings to see if I can keep it as I don't like the thought of being tracked.
    Many thanks for the help I could not have got this far without you.
  • AndyPix
    AndyPix Posts: 4,847 Forumite
    Fifth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    All the "Free AV" stuff you have installed and removed also likely came with packaged pups.

    Run a scan with the free malwarebytes and then the also free adwcleaner - let them delete everything that they find
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