Google Chrome Malware?

[msilvers50]

For past few days any time I use Google Chrome on my Samsung S8 I see a box displaying "us.prioritized456be.top" and a recording speaking Latin-like gibberish for 10-15 seconds. A display then says "Cleaner Update for Samsung recommended" "Install suggested antivirus product for free to clean your Samsung immediately" with the buttons Instalar and Cancelar. 

Sure seems like a virus to me even though I only use apps from Google Playstore, don't use my Chrome browser often except for legitimate search or news sites.  Also, have Malwarebytes Premium on this phone since Jan 5 2018 and its standard scans are clean. This is the first apparent virus I have had on any cellphone ever! Paid for Malwarebytes Premium and frustrated it has not detected it.

No impact on any other app or function on my phone. Chrome displays requested other sites/pages but then always displays the above behavior.

Found one match on Google Forum at https://productforums.google.com/forum/#!msg/chrome/F3X99YoajpQ/SmEFdS-9BgAJ dated Mar 20 just 2 days ago.

So Malwarebytes Support what say you?

1. Is this a virus? Do you know about it? 

2. Have or working on a fix?

3. Should I follow the cleanup procedure in that Google Forum link or do you have a better one?

Thanks,

msilvers50     New Jersey USA

 

Edited March 23, 2018 by msilvers50
Added new tag

[mbam_mtbr]

Hi @msilvers50,

These types of ads are browser related. This is caused by the way most browsers handle redirections executed by javascript code.  Most browsers don't do a great job of preventing these redirects, which also cause ad pop-ups.  Advertising affiliates are aware of this, and exploit this weakness.  Even if an advertising affiliate is shut down for using this exploit, they just come back with a different affiliate id and are right back at it.

The best way to block these pop-ups are to try a different browsers, disable javascript, install a browser with ad blocking (like Opera), and/or install Ad-block Plus.

If you encounter these pop-ups again, back out of them using Android's back key. Also, clearing your history and cache will help stop the ads from reoccurring.

Thanks for reaching out,

Nathan

 

[msilvers50]

Thanks Nathan.

At first I installed and ran CCleaner for Android and while it cleared out some files it did not resolve the problem. Then following your advice I cleared Chrome for Android history and cache directly within Chrome (Triple Dot > Settings > Privacy) and it appears to have resolved the problem so far.

I suggest keeping this thread open for a while in case something else occurs.

msilvers50

[MAM]

Hello, you can also try https://sdmaid.darken.eu/

I guess that is better than CCleaner for Android.

MAM