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MineralMan

(146,262 posts)
Wed Mar 29, 2017, 03:19 PM Mar 2017

Watch out for the "Urgent Chrome Update"

It's a scam. It pops up as a new tab in Chrome. Don't click anything on it. It is no doubt malware or a password phishing exploit.

If you want to check for updates to Chrome, you can do it within the browser's tools. Chrome won't open a tab to tell you about it on some random basis.

This is a potentially bad scam. I just saw it. Don't fall for it!

43 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Watch out for the "Urgent Chrome Update" (Original Post) MineralMan Mar 2017 OP
Thanks and REC riversedge Mar 2017 #1
+1 Passing it on to the kids TheBlackAdder Mar 2017 #20
K&R. dchill Mar 2017 #2
I got it too, and I don't even use chrome, so I knew it was a scam! putitinD Mar 2017 #3
Thank you for chillfactor Mar 2017 #4
Thanks for the info. Deuce Mar 2017 #5
Give Secunia's Personal Software Inspector a try. bathroommonkey76 Mar 2017 #6
I tried to dl it, but after giving an email and moonscape Mar 2017 #19
Ninite bathroommonkey76 Mar 2017 #22
Checking it out - thanks! n/t moonscape Mar 2017 #33
Yw bathroommonkey76 Mar 2017 #36
Nice Catch, And Thanks MM (nt) ProfessorGAC Mar 2017 #7
Thanks for the heads up. Arkansas Granny Mar 2017 #8
Thanks. Lindsay Mar 2017 #9
PLUS retrowire Mar 2017 #10
I just discovered: Menu icon - Help - About Google Chrome progree Mar 2017 #14
Close your browser if you get one of those sites. Don't use the back botton. LeftInTX Mar 2017 #11
Thanks! renate Mar 2017 #12
I had something like that happen ... The usual "X" close thingy didn't work, but Ctrl Shift Q did progree Mar 2017 #15
thanks! renate Mar 2017 #24
There's a Firefox version floating around too. Binkie The Clown Mar 2017 #13
Thank you. sarge43 Mar 2017 #16
It also shows up as a critical alert from microsoft and locks your browser or it did until I cstanleytech Mar 2017 #17
I've been using the CLIQZ browser for a couple of weeks and it's great. Snarkoleptic Mar 2017 #18
Lots of scam adverts out there. mwooldri Mar 2017 #21
Thank You for the message Stuart G Mar 2017 #23
Wado-------------Thank you turbinetree Mar 2017 #25
I don't think I have clicked on anything... GeoWilliam750 Mar 2017 #26
If you don't click you needn't worry. MineralMan Mar 2017 #28
I got that today. Of course I didn't click on it. nt Kahuna7 Mar 2017 #27
Note: Google Chrome updates itself automatically, MineralMan Mar 2017 #29
My Chrome doesn't install automatically. n/t bathroommonkey76 Mar 2017 #37
I won't ask you what site you were visiting.... eniwetok Mar 2017 #30
I don't remember, but it must have been in a link in a post. MineralMan Mar 2017 #32
Haven't seen that but sounds like a fishy one, so good to post & alert Kimchijeon Mar 2017 #31
Kick. dalton99a Mar 2017 #34
Thanks for the warning mcar Mar 2017 #35
I have an old computer. Running Vista still (lol) Google won't update Vista anymore. YOHABLO Mar 2017 #38
I was, too. The decision not to support Chrome for Vista MineralMan Mar 2017 #42
After the Great ISP Giveaway by the Repubs this week pecosbob Mar 2017 #39
Thanks. I see that pop up occasionally, particularly on sites that have bullwinkle428 Mar 2017 #40
thanks for the heads up. Sharing with office staff and family. Nitram Mar 2017 #41
thanks lunatica Mar 2017 #43
 

bathroommonkey76

(3,827 posts)
6. Give Secunia's Personal Software Inspector a try.
Wed Mar 29, 2017, 03:33 PM
Mar 2017

It's worth a download-- you don't have to worry about updating your flash players, browsers, and other programs on your computer. I've been using it for 7 years now and haven't experienced any problems.

http://learn.flexerasoftware.com/SVM-EVAL-Personal-Software-Inspector

moonscape

(4,673 posts)
19. I tried to dl it, but after giving an email and
Wed Mar 29, 2017, 05:17 PM
Mar 2017

initials for a name, it took me to a screen to dl but it didn't work. Found a link w/in their forum and did dl.

Also, in the forum saw a query from someone saying they had used an email just for the program, and got 3rd party email there, so Secunia apparently was selling/renting/giving their email. Dang! Too late, I had already given.

Seems v2 will not be supported after 3/31, and there are complaints about the inferior usability, dumbing-down and control of v3. I used this pgm a few years ago and your post made me revisit. Might try again

.

Lindsay

(3,276 posts)
9. Thanks.
Wed Mar 29, 2017, 03:35 PM
Mar 2017

I had a similar one for Firefox a while ago. It popped up several times and was just annoying. Then one day it tried to download something to my computer (without my clicking on anything). That was when I activated Ad-block Plus for the few sites I respect who'd asked us to shut down ad blockers. Downloading malware was a bridge too far.

retrowire

(10,345 posts)
10. PLUS
Wed Mar 29, 2017, 04:02 PM
Mar 2017

Chrome always updates automatically without you ever noticing.

You shouldn't normally even be aware.

progree

(10,894 posts)
14. I just discovered: Menu icon - Help - About Google Chrome
Wed Mar 29, 2017, 04:42 PM
Mar 2017

I just did it a few minutes ago, and it said "Updating Chrome" and showed a rotating circle and a certain percent complete, followed by the version number and "Google Chrome is up to date."

Later I did it again, and it momentarily flashed "Checking for updates" and then said "Google Chrome is up to date."

renate

(13,776 posts)
12. Thanks!
Wed Mar 29, 2017, 04:13 PM
Mar 2017

I turn off my computer when I get one of those (just because I'm scared to click on anything in those situations)... I didn't know closing the browser would be sufficient. And while I don't click on the little upper-right-hand "x" when I get a pop-up because I just assumed that would be the same as clicking "update" for a malware-type pop-up, I didn't know the back button would be a problem too (and luckily for me, I never tried it).

Thanks so much for the warning!

progree

(10,894 posts)
15. I had something like that happen ... The usual "X" close thingy didn't work, but Ctrl Shift Q did
Wed Mar 29, 2017, 04:46 PM
Mar 2017

It was something that made a loud continous racket with some dire warning. I couldn't close the window with the "X" at the far upper right like I usually close windows with. But I found that Ctrl Shift Q worked (it shuts down Chrome).

Binkie The Clown

(7,911 posts)
13. There's a Firefox version floating around too.
Wed Mar 29, 2017, 04:27 PM
Mar 2017

It tries to download a java executable file. Always click "cancel".

cstanleytech

(26,248 posts)
17. It also shows up as a critical alert from microsoft and locks your browser or it did until I
Wed Mar 29, 2017, 05:09 PM
Mar 2017

installed an extension a few years ago that only runs javascript on a site if I allow it otherwise I laugh at such sites these days that try it as the extension gives their owners a virtual middle finger.

Snarkoleptic

(5,997 posts)
18. I've been using the CLIQZ browser for a couple of weeks and it's great.
Wed Mar 29, 2017, 05:12 PM
Mar 2017

It's faster and less buggy that Firefox (with it's constant updates).
It uses open-source code, is part owned by the Mozilla Foundation, and has lots of privacy protection.
The only thing I miss from Firefox so far is FB Purity, which I'd used to clean up Facebook.
https://cliqz.com/en/whycliqz/privacy

By using CLIQZ you are choosing to protect your privacy. We do not need to know anything about you as a person in order to help you navigate the web. Your age, gender, interests, and preferences are none of our business. That is why – unlike some other search engines – we never gather such information. We don’t store any data about you or any data that could be used to identify you on our servers. Personal data remains where it belongs: on your device, in your ownership, and under your control.

Based in Germany, our company complies with one of the strictest data security and privacy regulations in the world. However, we go way beyond to what we’re legally obliged to do. As a team dedicated to redesigning the Internet, it is one of our top priorities to improve the way our users’ data is handled.

Today, the Internet is dominated by companies that implicitly say: “To be able to provide you with tailored services and personalized ads, we need to know as much as possible about you. You need to trust us to not misuse your data.”

At CLIQZ, we do just the opposite. We don’t need to know anything about you and we don’t collect any data about you on our servers. Your personal data stays on your device. Instead of demanding your trust, we offer you privacy by design.
Privacy by Design

Privacy by Design means that the complete architecture of CLIQZ is built on privacy and data security from the ground up. Our servers never store any personal or personally identifiable data. IP addresses and other critical data is deleted automatically as soon as it reaches our servers. Statistical data about searches are strictly separated from website traffic statistics. As we don’t store session-IDs, it is impossible to combine consecutive searches and website visits. This way, we rule out conclusions on individual users.

Our data infrastructure is protected by state-of-the art, multi-layer technologies. This is not only true of our servers, but also of the communication between the CLIQZ software on your device and our servers. Privacy by Design makes sure that nobody is able to use data gathered by CLIQZ to find out who you are.
Location Services

If you choose to share your location with CLIQZ so that search results can be enriched with local information, CLIQZ will only use the minimum data required to provide this service.

We utilize the Mozilla Location Service (MLS) API, an open service that lets devices determine their location based on the IP address and nearby network infrastructure like WiFi access points and cell towers. As an open source project, the MLS code can be accessed and reviewed for privacy conformance. Neither CLIQZ nor Mozilla will ever save or use any information to identify or track you.

This geolocation service is optional and can be enabled or disabled at any time. As a default, CLIQZ will always ask for your permission first before accessing your location data.

Based on the IP address, CLIQZ can identify the country each query is coming from. This very rough information is used to provide more relevant search results and to notify users if they are in countries where CLIQZ results are not so “gut” yet.
Human Web

What all search engines have in common is that they work with data. A lot of data. Put simply: the more data, the better (more relevant) the search results. Conventional search engines primarily work with data related to the content, structuring, and linking of websites.

The CLIQZ search engine works differently: it is based on the ‘wisdom of the crowd’ and works with statistical data on actual search queries and website visits. Here at Cliqz in Munich we have developed the technology capable of collecting this information and then building a web index. We call it the Human Web, because the data is based on the behavior of users as a group, which should be a good indicator of relevancy. In other words: the search algorithm of CLIQZ weighs data about people’s behavior on the web more than the technical analysis of websites.

Your privacy is protected. No personal information or data about you or your device is identifiable. In our Human Web you remain fully anonymous. Read more about the Human Web.

mwooldri

(10,301 posts)
21. Lots of scam adverts out there.
Wed Mar 29, 2017, 05:27 PM
Mar 2017

Very rarely here... On my mobile device I go to a page, advising me my xxxxx phone has a virus. The annoying thing is I have to kill the browser for it to go away... can't just go back.

I know my system is clean. Though I get a laugh when I'm asked to download some stuff to fix a problem on Microsoft Windows... when I'm running Ubuntu....

GeoWilliam750

(2,521 posts)
26. I don't think I have clicked on anything...
Wed Mar 29, 2017, 06:17 PM
Mar 2017

But how do I determine if I unthinkingly did, and now have it on my system?

MineralMan

(146,262 posts)
32. I don't remember, but it must have been in a link in a post.
Wed Mar 29, 2017, 07:51 PM
Mar 2017

I was working today and spent almost no time on the web.

Kimchijeon

(1,606 posts)
31. Haven't seen that but sounds like a fishy one, so good to post & alert
Wed Mar 29, 2017, 07:48 PM
Mar 2017

Always something new to look out for before the filters catch it and block it I suppose. Thanks!

MineralMan

(146,262 posts)
42. I was, too. The decision not to support Chrome for Vista
Thu Mar 30, 2017, 09:17 AM
Mar 2017

was a major reason I finally bought a new Windows 10 PC. I resisted for a long time, but I'm glad I updated my hardware. I've made the transition with no hiccups, and the new PC is much faster and has no problems at all.

pecosbob

(7,533 posts)
39. After the Great ISP Giveaway by the Repubs this week
Thu Mar 30, 2017, 03:24 AM
Mar 2017

I finally switched to Tor...no more Java or Flash.

bullwinkle428

(20,628 posts)
40. Thanks. I see that pop up occasionally, particularly on sites that have
Thu Mar 30, 2017, 09:05 AM
Mar 2017

lots of Flash elements going on. Always made my "Spidey-sense" tingle, so I always shut them down.

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