The other day I was on an iffy website. I noticed the “Intrusion prevented” go off a few times but still stayed on the site for a few minutes thinking Norton is protecting me. I wish I hadn’t done that.
When I checked the logs later apparently there was a buildup of like 30-50 intrusions prevented within the five minutes or so I was on the site. It displayed the same IP address and attacker website for each intrusion except one which listed a different URL than the "Display Format" (Not pictured). Since then I’ve had nothing suspicious like that in the logs. But is it possible with this flood of attacks something may have gotten through or whatever that isn’t being detected? A few days later there were a couple more intrusions prevented from a near identical IP, minus one digit, and a bit of a different domain (2nd pic below). This could be because I accidentally landed on a similar or the same site.
Besides this there is nothing suspicious in the logs, or recurring. Just from when I was on the bad sites.
But.. Last night when doing a Google search I received the “Suspicious traffic” captcha. I had just installed the Norton safe web extension so I’m really hoping there was a glitch there rather than something related to this. Norton, Malware Bytes and SuperAntiSpyware scans come up clean. I've never run a VPN. I’m really stressing about this so any insights much appreciated.
Thanks for the info but I hadn’t been making a lot of searches in a short amount of time. That was my second or third of the day. I’ve also never used advanced search operators. The article says malware is another cause which I seem not to have. This occurred shortly after I installed the Norton safe web. Weather it’s a glitch or not, perhaps Norton caused an “advanced search operation” as is referenced?
It was definitely Google and not a popup, as I went to Google.com directly on multiple sessions and it would not let me make searches without captcha. Also, I just checked my Edge Popup blocker has been on. The only extension I had running was Norton. And I do Have MS Rewards but that only seems to be active when I’m on Bing.
Okay. I was reaching for any explanation. I was wondering whether some Edge setting was causal.
IDK whether your reported observation/s was a glitch, whether Norton caused an "advanced search operation".
Sorry, I've not seen as you report.
Can you reproduce as you report? Maybe, ask Norton Support.
I've not seen "Unusual traffic...." installing Norton Safe Web extension.
I've not seen "Unusual traffic...."
Thank you for checking your machine with Malwarebytes Forum.
I urge ad blocker/content blocker.
I urge turn off unneeded Edge features/settings.
Thanks for the info but I hadn’t been making a lot of searches in a short amount of time. That was my second or third of the day. I’ve also never used advanced search operators. The article says malware is another cause which I seem not to have. This occurred shortly after I installed the Norton safe web. Weather it’s a glitch or not, perhaps Norton caused an “advanced search operation” as is referenced?
It was definitely Google and not a popup, as I went to Google.com directly on multiple sessions and it would not let me make searches without captcha. Also, I just checked my Edge Popup blocker has been on. The only extension I had running was Norton. And I do Have MS Rewards but that only seems to be active when I’m on Bing.
[...]
A Google unusual traffic error message isn’t something to worry about, but if you’re seeing it regularly, you may need to rethink your search habits. Too many searches (or searches with advanced search operators) in a short period will cause it, but so can a malware infection, so be sure to check your network regularly for infections.
If you’re worried about the data Google is collecting on you, you might want to download your personal data to check. If you’re unhappy, you can always switch to a privacy-focused search engine like DuckDuckGo to keep your searches hidden or use certain browser tools to limit the amount of data you share online.
Understanding Google's "Unusual Traffic" Error
What's going on? These errors surface when Google detects that searches are being sent from your network automatically. It suspects these searches are automated and might be the work of a malicious bot, computer program, automated service, or search scraper.
Don't be alarmed. Getting this error doesn't mean Google is spying on you and monitoring your searches or network activity. It doesn't necessarily mean you have a virus, especially if you're running antivirus software.
[...]
Cassie2012:
This is the message I got per Google's official explanation "Unusual traffic from your computer network" - Google Search Help. And it was from the official Google.com not a clone. Could this have been caused by the Norton Safe Web extension I had just installed?
Maybe, traffic was from an Ad ... since, you do not run ad blocker.
What browser extensions are you running?
Are you running Edge "Microsoft Rewards"?
Are you running Edge "Personalize your web experience"?
Are you running Edge "Services"?
I've not seen "Unusual traffic...." installing Norton Safe Web extension.
Went through the Malwarebytes forums. They said everything looks clean in the logs. I am still very concerned - This is the message I got per Google's official explanation "Unusual traffic from your computer network" - Google Search Help. And it was from the official Google.com not a clone. Could this have been caused by the Norton Safe Web extension I had just installed?
I do not run browser sync. As for ad blockers, I’m not sure. Whatever the default is in Edge and Norton 360. So the spamming of “intrusion prevention” does seem worrisome to you and you recommend I go to the MalwareBytes forums?
I do not run browser sync. As for ad blockers, I’m not sure. Whatever the default is in Edge and Norton 360. So the spamming of “intrusion prevention” does seem worrisome to you and you recommend I go to the MalwareBytes forums?
Curious, what ad blocker?
Curious, do you run browser Sync?
Cassie2012:
I’m really stressing about this so any insights much appreciated.
Does it seem to you my computer is infected?
You may request security checkup over on Malwarebytes Forum.
Malwarebytes experts will help you gather logs and run special tools ... to ease your mind.
I appreciate the response but am a bit confused. The Google “Suspicious Traffic” captcha was definitely from Google.com and not a fake clone site. Other than that one captcha instance, which resolved after I restarted the PC and cleared browsing data, nothing suspicious in the behavior of the PC has occurred. No pop ups etc. I am on Microsoft Edge. Does it seem to you my computer is infected?
Effectivedisplayformat.com is a rogue website that bombards users with ads and sends them to dangerous websites. Users who unintentionally visit such sites are routed to certain possibly hazardous initiatives.
You might have had your browser settings altered from this reroute by using a video converter or another free software. Effectivedisplayformat.com is a website that is considered dangerous because it triggers several redirection that might lead you to a URL that is designed to distribute malware.
When you get at Effectivedisplayformat.com, be cautious and do everything possible to avoid clicking anywhere on the recently accessed pages, as you may have activated a hidden download for a virus that can infect your machine.
If your Microsoft Edge browser is constantly being redirected to unwanted sites or advertisements are popping up while you browse the Internet, then it is possible that you have malware installed on your computer.
If your browser homepage, default search queries, or new tab page are being redirected to unwanted or suspicious sites, then you have a browser hijacker installed that is causing these redirects.
Remove Viruses, Trojans and Malware from Windows (Free Guide)
If your computer slows down, your screen is inundated with annoying ads, your browser settings change, or there’s a weird increase in your system’s Internet activity, then it is possible that you have malware installed on your computer. https://malwaretips.com/blogs/malware-removal-guide-for-windows/