Edit: Folks, I keep telling you it’s VERY unlikely to be malware.

I’ll update you and apologize to each if my credit card gets wiped or something but I’m quite sure I’m safe, don’t worry.

Also sorry for blaming Microsoft for what is apparently my fault.


I accidentally clicked Microsoft Edge on my work computer with Windows 10 and couldn’t close it — it just keeps reopening. It takes File Shredder to stop it from opening again, at least until the computer restarts.

Notice the ads, most are extremely sketchy (my frequent reload in previous takes caused the ad server + my work VPN to rate limit me):

  • China warns: %user.currency% is dead! (Yeah, sure. Obvious propaganda. Generic pictures or faked images of a worthless banknote giveaway.)
  • 63-year-old figured out! (Does not say what but a pic of obviously young-looking feet.)
  • Make boatloads of money with AI! (aka auto-trade very uncompetitive options, no guarantees on withdrawals of any wins)
  • Save money using solar! (The company is legitimate but the deal on panels is probably not great)
  • Buy yourself a great new FPCEILPTBSP! (You can’t tell what it is and neither can we! (Apparently TV wall mount))
  • Losing hair?
  • Millionaire has genius method you can try (but give us money first, making his pic transparent so we can put him in front of %user.country.flag% was difficult)
  • Game! Yay! (Microtransactions galore!)
  • Get EVERYTHING in your car fixed (by a stock photo mechanic!)
  • ChaoticNeutralCzech@lemmy.oneOP
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    1 year ago

    That’s what 1990s malware does. Modern malware either shows its own ads in your face (adware) or is stealthy while it mines crypto, exfiltrates your passwords / credit card info or encrypts all personal files.

    You’re like WestEnd in this thread. Don’t take ot personally, I don’t blame you for the confusion, there is a lot of misleading media about malware behavior.

    your web browser

    That would be Firefox, and it works fine.

    • u/unhappy_grapefruit_2@lemmy.world
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      1 year ago

      I’m going by the information ive got on hand from what I know you’ve installed a suspicious file on github which uninstalls edge which means it almost certainly has administrator permissions. Ontop of this anyone can summit code to github projects and while most of those maclious actors get caught a few can slip on in and reek chaos I know for an instant that edge doesn’t behave this way as I use it almost daily on my personal computer I know most chromium Web browsers especially the big main ones don’t behave this way also. I also know that if this github project is executing code in this way and manner that means it is textbook malware

      Even if I am wrong and this isn’t malware. Isn’t it better to be safe than sorry op to take the proper precautions that are necessary to avoid all the unnecessary stress and hardship

      • ChaoticNeutralCzech@lemmy.oneOP
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        1 year ago

        Thank you for your kind words.

        Hardship is part of life. I have more than I would like right now but that’s just how I am. Dunno, maybe should place myself preventively on suicide watch.

        At least it’s a temporary, below minimum wage job so I don’t mind too much if the computer goes up in flames and I get fired. It will get wiped for the next wagie anyway.

        MSER does not uninstall Edge BTW

        • u/unhappy_grapefruit_2@lemmy.world
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          1 year ago

          Dang bro sounds like you got alot of on plate at the moment gl and gl in your career and future careers. I seriously do hope you all the best

          • ChaoticNeutralCzech@lemmy.oneOP
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            1 year ago

            Thanks. Maybe I should go buy another emotional support Blåhaj, the big one this time.

            Very wholesome thread for someone who could well be an IRL Joker and @ShitOnABrick@lemmy.world.

            Oh, and I love the community you moderate. Better fuel Huel!