This website makes me download an empty HTML file

[Jenny von Westphalen]

Happened once before but never caught the filename before deleting. This time it was "f2s7FNx4". Any explanation?

[CurtEastPoint]

1. what do you mean 'download?' A website doesn't make you download anything unless you initiate it

What site?

[Jenny von Westphalen]

2. This website

I didn't initiate it, it just happened, I think when I clicked to navigate to another page

[Goonch]

3. HTML smuggling surges: Highly evasive loader technique increasingly used in banking malware, targete

HTML smuggling surges: Highly evasive loader technique increasingly used in banking malware, targeted attacks

https://www.microsoft.com/security/blog/2021/11/11/html-smuggling-surges-highly-evasive-loader-technique-increasingly-used-in-banking-malware-targeted-attacks/

[quaint]

4. TY!

I'm paranoid careful, but geez that's nasty.

[Jenny von Westphalen]

6. no title

This describes an attack where you have to open the HTML file which has code in it, and also it's a phishing attack via email

In this case, the HTML file is empty so I wouldn't be able to open it, and I got it from clicking a link on an otherwise normal website

[Jenny von Westphalen]

5. Happened again

The link that I apparently downloaded it from is some sort of javascript, since it's listed as "about:blank"

The name is "ok-Hg5j4.html"

[Goonch]

8. What Is about:blank and How Do You Remove It

The about:blank page in a browser isn’t an actual page. Unlike other built-in pages like about:settings or about:about, it’s nothing more than a blank screen in your browser.

https://www.online-tech-tips.com/computer-tips/what-is-aboutblank-and-how-do-you-remove-it/

[Jenny von Westphalen]

9. You misunderstand

If a file downloaded through a browser lists its source as "about:blank", that usually means it's JavaScript code of some sort. Either the site admins put that script in place somehow, or a cross-site scripting attack is going on, or maybe it's nothing at all but it doesn't hurt to point it out least