This forum thread needs a solution.
Kudos1 Stats

Chrome malicious tab pop-up

Posted: 02-Sep-2022 | 6:45AM · Edited: 02-Sep-2022 | 6:47AM · 16 Replies ·

Hello all. I'm have a new problem. The last few days when I'm using chrome and I click on any type of link, randomly it will try and open a second tab that goes to "highperformancegate.com" Norton blocks it and says it's malicious. So I just close it. But it happens constantly, like every 3 or 4 clicks. I've run all the Norton scans and it doesn't find anything. And I've searched Google and found nothing. Can anyone offer any help or suggestions? I haven't installed any new software or extensions lately that I know of. This is driving me insane.

Labels: AntiSpam, Application Blocking, Auto-Protect, Connection Blocking, Google Chrome, Intrusion Prevention, Popup, Real Time Threat Protection, Threat Detection, Windows 10

Replies

Kudos0

Re: Chrome malicious tab pop-up

Posted: 02-Sep-2022 | 7:00AM · Edited: 02-Sep-2022 | 7:17AM · Permalink 

highperformancegate.com

https://safeweb.norton.com/report/show?url=https://highperformancegate.com = Caution -> Suspicious | Web Ads/Analytics 

Suspicious
Sites considered to have suspicious content and/or intent that poses an elevated security or privacy risk. This categorization is determined by analysis of web reputation factors. Also includes sites that are part of the Web and email spam ecosystem. If a site is determined to be clearly malicious or benign, it will be placed in a different category.

Web Ads/Analytics
Sites that provide online advertisements, banners, or the means to identify and market to existing or potential customers based on their browsing or online purchasing habits including but not limited to Web analytics sites such as visitor tracking and ranking sites. Includes social plugins and analytics that allow site visitors to share, vote for, or signal their appreciation of a site or its content (e.g. Facebook "Like" or Google "+1" plugins).

Examples:  2o7.net, ad.altervista.org, doubleclick.net, yieldmanager.net, 
track.adform.net, adserver.adtech.de, view.atdmt.com, oas.benchmark.fr, 
track.blogcounter.de, ad.thinkmedia.cn, google-analytics.com

Did you recently install any program/s &or browser extension/s?
Did you recently allow Push Notifications?
Did you recently change website Permissions?
Do you run browser Sync? 

How to install and run a scan with Malwarebytes (Guide)
https://malwaretips.com/blogs/scan-malwarebytes-anti-malware-2-0/

Malwarebytes Malware Removal Help
https://forums.malwarebytes.com/forum/108-malware-removal-help/

Malvertising
Malvertising, or malicious advertising, is the use of online advertising to distribute malware with little to no user interaction required.
https://www.malwarebytes.com/malvertising/

Malwarebytes Browser Guard
Filters out annoying ads and scams while blocking trackers that spy on you.
https://www.malwarebytes.com/browserguard/

Browser push notifications: a feature asking to be abused
https://blog.malwarebytes.com/security-world/technology/2019/01/browser-push-notifications-feature-asking-abused/

Adware and PUPs families add push notifications as an attack vector
https://blog.malwarebytes.com/adware/2019/06/adware-and-pups-families-add-push-notifications-as-an-attack-vector/

How to install and run a scan with Malwarebytes (Guide)
https://malwaretips.com/blogs/scan-malwarebytes-anti-malware-2-0/

Remove Malicious Browser Ads from Windows, Mac, and Android
https://malwaretips.com/blogs/remove-adware-popup-ads/

Kudos0

Re: Chrome malicious tab pop-up

Posted: 02-Sep-2022 | 7:03AM · Edited: 02-Sep-2022 | 7:46AM · Permalink

uBlock Origin - Free, open-source ad content blocker.
https://ublockorigin.com/

Kudos1 Stats

Re: Chrome malicious tab pop-up

Posted: 02-Sep-2022 | 7:24AM · Edited: 02-Sep-2022 | 7:29AM · Permalink 

https://highperformancegate.com/

Malicious Site: Malicious Domain Request 22
https://www.broadcom.com/support/security-center/attacksignatures/detail?asid=31350

Kudos0

Re: Chrome malicious tab pop-up

Posted: 02-Sep-2022 | 7:50AM · Edited: 02-Sep-2022 | 7:52AM · Permalink

Remove unwanted ads, pop-ups & malware

If you're seeing some of these problems with Chrome, you might have unwanted software or malware installed on your computer:

  • Pop-up ads and new tabs that won't go away
  • Your Chrome homepage or search engine keeps changing without your permission
  • Unwanted Chrome extensions or toolbars keep coming back
  • Your browsing is hijacked, and redirects to unfamiliar pages or ads
  • Alerts about a virus or an infected device

In the future, avoid unwanted software by only downloading files or visiting sites that you know are secure.

https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/2765944

Kudos0

Re: Chrome malicious tab pop-up

Posted: 02-Sep-2022 | 8:03AM · Permalink

i have run all the scans in Norton and i have installed Malwarebytes and run that. it found a few small issues and i cleaned those. but when trying chrome again, the same thing happens. every few clicks, it tries to open a new tab to the same site. noting i do seems to help.

Kudos0

Re: Chrome malicious tab pop-up

Posted: 02-Sep-2022 | 8:09AM · Permalink

Do you run Chrome Sync?

Malwarebytes Malware Removal Help
https://forums.malwarebytes.com/forum/108-malware-removal-help/

Kudos0

Re: Chrome malicious tab pop-up

Posted: 02-Sep-2022 | 8:16AM · Permalink

yes i have it set to sync my desktop PC and my Samsung phone

Kudos0

Re: Chrome malicious tab pop-up

Posted: 02-Sep-2022 | 8:19AM · Edited: 02-Sep-2022 | 8:21AM · Permalink

Chrome Secure Preferences detection always returns - Chrome Sync
https://forums.malwarebytes.com/topic/258886-chrome-secure-preferences-detection-always-returns/

Resetting Google Chrome to clear unexpected issues - Chrome Sync
https://forums.malwarebytes.com/topic/258938-resetting-google-chrome-to-clear-unexpected-issues/

Malwarebytes Malware Removal Help
https://forums.malwarebytes.com/forum/108-malware-removal-help/

Kudos0

Re: Chrome malicious tab pop-up

Posted: 02-Sep-2022 | 8:38AM · Permalink

Start Chrome in safe mode. If it works OK then you have a dud extension or your home page has been hiked.

There are links to highperformancegate.com scattered all over the internet and you are probably being redirected from one of these.

Kudos0

Re: Chrome malicious tab pop-up

Posted: 02-Sep-2022 | 9:09AM · Permalink

I just discovered it doesn't happen in incognito mode. so now im really confused. i guess it an extension, but i only have like 3 installed

Kudos1 Stats

Re: Chrome malicious tab pop-up

Posted: 02-Sep-2022 | 10:18AM · Permalink

The only way to test the extensions is to turn them all off on a temporary basis and then restart normally.

Kudos1 Stats

Re: Chrome malicious tab pop-up

Posted: 06-Sep-2022 | 12:32PM · Edited: 06-Sep-2022 | 12:35PM · Permalink

Angry_Mammoth:

Hello all. I'm have a new problem. The last few days when I'm using chrome and I click on any type of link, randomly it will try and open a second tab that goes to "highperformancegate.com" Norton blocks it and says it's malicious. 

 R U seeing "Malicious Site Blocked!"?

Malicious Site Blocked! = Norton Safe Web Intrusion Protection System (IPS) block

IPS plays a critical role in filling holes created by bugs in operating systems, browsers and applications.  IPS detects and helps stop exploitations of security vulnerabilities. 
IPS has been a part of Norton Device Security solutions for some time, but now that it is also a part of the Norton Safe Web browser extension, the content of suspicious web pages, advertisements and popups are now cross-examined in an additional way, giving you even more protection when you browse the Web.

https://us.norton.com/feature/safe-web

Kudos0

Re: Chrome malicious tab pop-up

Posted: 09-Sep-2022 | 9:44PM · Edited: 10-Sep-2022 | 9:40AM · Permalink

I also ran into this 'highperformancegate' redirect. Every few clicks it would open an additional window with the 'highperformancegate' address... Norton sees this and blocks it. The window still opens but the site is blocked so you don't see anything on the opened window. Attached is a screenshot from Norton history.  What I have done so far:

- Update my browser security settings from Standard to Enhanced.

- I created a traffic rule in Norton, Security, Firewall, Traffic Rules section that specifically blocks all traffic to www . highp erformance gate . com site. 

I'll report back to see if this works. 

[Edit: Removed hyperlink to a potentially malicious page to conform with the Participation Guidelines and Terms of Service]

File Attachment: 
PDF icon norton screenshot.pdf
Kudos1 Stats

Re: Chrome malicious tab pop-up

Posted: 10-Sep-2022 | 6:41AM · Edited: 10-Sep-2022 | 9:41AM · Permalink

freiwill01:

I also ran into this 'highperformancegate' redirect. Every few clicks it would open an additional window with the 'highperformancegate' address... Norton sees this and blocks it. The window still opens but the site is blocked so you don't see anything on the opened window. Attached is a screenshot from Norton history.  What I have done so far:

- Update my browser security settings from Standard to Enhanced.

- I created a traffic rule in Norton, Security, Firewall, Traffic Rules section that specifically blocks all traffic to "www . highper forma ncegate . com" site. 

I'll report back to see if this works. 

That will probably just do what Norton is already doing in blocking the connection to that site. What you need to do is find the reason for this redirect and remove it from your computer. 

So you should start with full system scans with Norton and Malwarebytes. If nothing found, disable all browser extensions and see if that stops the redirects. If it does, re-enable them one at a time and test until you find the one that causes the issue. 

If you do not find a bad extension, it may just be malicious ads on a site you are visiting. Installing an ad blocker extension in your browser can help stop these redirects. 

Kudos0

Re: Chrome malicious tab pop-up

Posted: 11-Sep-2022 | 10:32AM · Permalink

Looked at my extensions I only have four: google docs, norton safe web, norton safe search and safe image as you want. After some troubleshooting, looks like the safe image extension is the culprit.... have had this app for awhile and it allows me to save online pics to jpeg files. Uninstalled it and so far so good. Surprised not seeing more people reporting this issue.... guess i'm one of the few.

Will report back if anything changes. 

Kudos0

Re: Chrome malicious tab pop-up

Posted: 11-Sep-2022 | 11:03AM · Edited: 11-Sep-2022 | 11:08AM · Permalink

freiwill01:

Looked at my extensions I only have four: google docs, norton safe web, norton safe search and safe image as you want.

Curious, is "safe image as you want" the name of the extension?  

Save image as Type?
Save Image by Right Click: PNG, JPG, or WebP?

This thread is closed from further comment. Please visit the forum to start a new thread.