I’m seeing Trojan:JS/Flafisi.D detections and Tech Support Scams on the Edge browser Start page

Anonymous
2018-02-28T16:36:56+00:00

Update: A member of Microsoft's MSN Engineering Team (RodrigoLode(MSFT) has responded to acknowledge the malvertising issues associated with MSN portal. They have also requested ***" If anyone is still experiencing this, please reply here."***For more specifics on information requested please refer to the reply from Rodrigo at the following link:

https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/protect/forum/protect_defender-protect_scanning-windows_10/im-seeing-trojanjsflafisid-detections-and-tech/8fbe8eaf-1af0-4e76-9ab0-57828f631a5f?page=7&messageId=3661a31c-2019-4808-a88b-283919038cc1

In addition to reporting the fake pop-ups themselves I would advise that you take note if there is a significant loss of performance on computer after encountering, in particular, the fake Adobe Flash Player update. If things seem sluggish you may have been subject to one of the more prevalent malicious activities known as crypto-mining/coin mining.

Invisible resource thieves: The increasing threat of cryptocurrency miners

https://cloudblogs.microsoft.com/microsoftsecure/2018/03/13/invisible-resource-thieves-the-increasing-threat-of-cryptocurrency-miners/

Especially important to report these occurrences or any other odd behaviors after using MSN website.

Moderator Edit: Provided update.

Just reading the “Comey trolls Trump” article on the Edge Start page and this pops up:

 This one was easy to handle because it was just the old-fashioned dialog loop based scam:

– but what’s coming next Microsoft?

GreginMich

[Original Title: Surprised again]

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Security and privacy

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

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  1. Anonymous
    2018-04-30T21:05:51+00:00

    I chose to follow this suggestion:

    JohnGarrettNA has replied in the discussion<br>I’m seeing Trojan:JS/Flafisi.D detections and Tech Support Scams on the Edge browser Start page that you are following in<br>Microsoft Community.
    Until Microsoft EDGE is able to correct this situation, go to the Microsoft store and get uBlock origin which is free. A few sites will complain about you blocking their ads. When you see their complaint, you have a choice with uBlock<br> to unblock their site. <br><br><br><br><br><br>John G

    IT IS NOT WITHOUT ISSUES OF IT'S OWN !!!!!

    It appears to block most everything.

    I can't seem to find any type of guide/assistance page that explains how to use the site.

    It did make changes to my Malwarebytes and Windows Defender Programs.

    It also made changes (through syncing) to the "FREE" version available for Androids.  They do sell a complete version for phones.

    I'm getting used to it.  I don't know if using the product is the right thing to do.  Not getting anymore FlashPlayer or Microsoft Driver Update pop-ups.

    I am in no way personally endorsing this product.-This is my experience.

    All I know is that the enjoyment I used to get/have using my PC as a general consumer; is rapidly going down the toilet.  The last Windows version that I felt I had any control of was 7.  Not only do I not need 75% of the "stuff" on my PC; I have no clue what it is for!!!!!!  Every time I go onto my PC my main thought is "what's going to happen today"; OR what MAJOR upgrade, that I don't need or want, is going to be shoved down my throat.

    Respectfully yours,

    RickC

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  2. Anonymous
    2018-05-01T10:40:51+00:00

    Hello all, 

    I had this same experience 3 times this week.  Always when I have clicked on an article from my MSN homepage.  Two times it just came up that a severe threat was found and to restart.  Yesterday, I heard someone talking and a message popped up in the middle of the screen and I couldn't go to another page, as my screen had frozen.

    I just wanted to give you the information in hopes it would help stop this from happening.

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  3. Anonymous
    2018-05-01T16:58:32+00:00

    Hello all, 

    I had this same experience 3 times this week.  Always when I have clicked on an article from my MSN homepage.  Two times it just came up that a severe threat was found and to restart.  Yesterday, I heard someone talking and a message popped up in the middle of the screen and I couldn't go to another page, as my screen had frozen.

    I just wanted to give you the information in hopes it would help stop this from happening.

    Thanks for the info. (KimberlyS1).

    I'm doing what Malwarebytes (TODAY) - and (I believe) even Microsoft suggested and downloading that app uBlock origin.

    I have thought about even going back to IE 11, but who knows how long that will be around.

    I'd like to go back to Windows 7, when I actually understood what the hell was going on.  My PC now seems to be on it's own, telling me what to do and when it wants me to do it.

    Anyway, my replies are all on commentary. The latest - I chose to follow this suggestion:  

    which is dated 04/30/18 covers a lot of the back and forth between me and MBytes and Micro Comm.  I'm waiting for one more reply from Malwarebytes which I'll probably add as my last posting here.

    I remember when having a PC used to be fun & exciting.  Now it's more of a headache than anything else.  We won't even get into Smartphones!!!!

    RickC

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  4. Anonymous
    2018-05-01T17:22:47+00:00

    Greg,

    We were both looking on the wrong direction here, focusing on the current malvertising symptom while the deeper issue was occurring inside Microsoft itself.

    After Thursday's announcement and it's obvious side effects, I did a quick search today regarding layoffs and found the second article below.

    Windows boss Terry Myerson leaving Microsoft amid huge reorganization - Business Insider

    Microsoft Layoffs in 2018 Impact Windows and Device Group

    "Although the most severely impacted part of the business is the Windows and Devices Group, several other divisions faced job cuts as well. Employees were shed from product groups like “Bing”—the company’s oft-maligned search engine answer to “Google.”"

    Since the MSN moniker is really just a legacy label that's likely now nothing more than a logo, I'd guess that most of the remaining portions of this advertising were driven by the Bing group mentioned in the previous excerpt.  If that group was already being reduced earlier this year before the announcement last Thursday, then I'd bet there's no plan to retain these legacy components for the long term, since as I mentioned these were nothing more than a reformatted set of 3rd-party news blogs anyway.

    So I think that assuming Microsoft truly cares what happens to these pages is the mistake here, while it's the larger issues of where Windows itself is really headed and what form it takes in the future of Microsoft itself that's truly of concern at the moment.

    "Terry Myerson, the executive vice president of Windows who has long been a leader at Microsoft, will leave the company "in the coming months" as part of a big reshuffling of executive leadership announced on Thursday. "

    So if I'd taken the time to research deeper at the beginning, I'd have realized this entire discussion was pointless from the start, except as a warning that Windows users should assume that ad blocking is now the only effective method to protect yourself from malvertising on the legacy Windows platform.

    Rob

    here

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  5. Anonymous
    2018-05-01T19:54:51+00:00

    Greg,

    We were both looking on the wrong direction here, focusing on the current malvertising symptom while the deeper issue was occurring inside Microsoft itself.

    After Thursday's announcement and it's obvious side effects, I did a quick search today regarding layoffs and found the second article below.

    Windows boss Terry Myerson leaving Microsoft amid huge reorganization - Business Insider

    Microsoft Layoffs in 2018 Impact Windows and Device Group

    "Although the most severely impacted part of the business is the Windows and Devices Group, several other divisions faced job cuts as well. Employees were shed from product groups like “Bing”—the company’s oft-maligned search engine answer to “Google.”"

    Since the MSN moniker is really just a legacy label that's likely now nothing more than a logo, I'd guess that most of the remaining portions of this advertising were driven by the Bing group mentioned in the previous excerpt.  If that group was already being reduced earlier this year before the announcement last Thursday, then I'd bet there's no plan to retain these legacy components for the long term, since as I mentioned these were nothing more than a reformatted set of 3rd-party news blogs anyway.

    So I think that assuming Microsoft truly cares what happens to these pages is the mistake here, while it's the larger issues of where Windows itself is really headed and what form it takes in the future of Microsoft itself that's truly of concern at the moment.

    "Terry Myerson, the executive vice president of Windows who has long been a leader at Microsoft, will leave the company "in the coming months" as part of a big reshuffling of executive leadership announced on Thursday. "

    So if I'd taken the time to research deeper at the beginning, I'd have realized this entire discussion was pointless from the start, except as a warning that Windows users should assume that ad blocking is now the only effective method to protect yourself from malvertising on the legacy Windows platform.

    Rob

    here

    With the way things are going in general-I am so UNSURPRISED by this revelation.  Some companies drain every penny out of their creation, invention, or whatever.  They then let everything go to hell and move all their cash to some island.  NOW-I'm not suggesting that MS has done anything like this or anything illegal. 

    Just remember seeing a post on management and maybe even ownership changes at Malwarebytes!!!!!!  

    Is switching to Google any type of usable option as a replacement???  Anyone ???

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