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Amazon pushing malware f.txt file download on Chrome?

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By Kindle Customer, 19-Sep-2015 12:04 America/Los_Angeles Permalink Report abuse

While browsing the Amazon.com site today, the file "f.txt" was downloaded by my Chrome browser multiple times. A google search, found this happened to another user today:

https://medium.com/@unsetbit/dear-amazon-you-dropped-something-fc82375a5bb0

Unlike the user above, I'm more concerned Amazon is displaying ads that are distributing malware. Here is the attack vector:

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=8563477

Please advise.

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Thank you.

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By A. Dietz, 19-Sep-2015 12:08 America/Los_Angeles Permalink Report abuse

In reply to Kindle Customer

19-Sep-2015 12:04 America/Los_Angeles

While browsing the Amazon.com site today, the file "f.txt" was downloaded by my Chrome browser multiple times. A google search, found this happened to another user today:

https://medium.com/@unsetbit/dear-amazon-you-dropped-something-fc82375a5bb0

Unlike the user above, I'm more concerned Amazon is displaying ads that are distributing malware. Here is the attack vector:

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=8563477

Please advise.

You're talking to other customers here. To reach customer service click on the Contact Us button on the right side of this web page or go here: amazon.com/contact-us

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By Clean Freak, 19-Sep-2015 15:07 America/Los_Angeles Permalink Report abuse

In reply to Kindle Customer

19-Sep-2015 12:04 America/Los_Angeles

While browsing the Amazon.com site today, the file "f.txt" was downloaded by my Chrome browser multiple times. A google search, found this happened to another user today:

https://medium.com/@unsetbit/dear-amazon-you-dropped-something-fc82375a5bb0

Unlike the user above, I'm more concerned Amazon is displaying ads that are distributing malware. Here is the attack vector:

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=8563477

Please advise.

Same thing happened to me. Deleted immediately and double checked downloads folder.

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By Brian C., 19-Sep-2015 17:31 America/Los_Angeles Permalink Report abuse

In reply to Kindle Customer

19-Sep-2015 12:04 America/Los_Angeles

While browsing the Amazon.com site today, the file "f.txt" was downloaded by my Chrome browser multiple times. A google search, found this happened to another user today:

https://medium.com/@unsetbit/dear-amazon-you-dropped-something-fc82375a5bb0

Unlike the user above, I'm more concerned Amazon is displaying ads that are distributing malware. Here is the attack vector:

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=8563477

Please advise.

For the record I'm seeing this too.
- Brian

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By Atiq U. Malik, 19-Sep-2015 17:42 America/Los_Angeles Permalink Report abuse

Me too! Chrome downloaded the file; Opened it in notepad and read through the script. This is crazy ..

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By Mike, 19-Sep-2015 18:16 America/Los_Angeles Permalink Report abuse

In reply to Kindle Customer

19-Sep-2015 12:04 America/Los_Angeles

While browsing the Amazon.com site today, the file "f.txt" was downloaded by my Chrome browser multiple times. A google search, found this happened to another user today:

https://medium.com/@unsetbit/dear-amazon-you-dropped-something-fc82375a5bb0

Unlike the user above, I'm more concerned Amazon is displaying ads that are distributing malware. Here is the attack vector:

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=8563477

Please advise.

Yep, been happening to me over the last two days on multiple computers. All running chrome.

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By Francisco Hernandez, 19-Sep-2015 18:19 America/Los_Angeles Permalink Report abuse

Yes this is happening to me too. When is someone important going to see this? where should we contact them?

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By kp, 19-Sep-2015 18:22 America/Los_Angeles Permalink Report abuse

In reply to Kindle Customer

19-Sep-2015 12:04 America/Los_Angeles

While browsing the Amazon.com site today, the file "f.txt" was downloaded by my Chrome browser multiple times. A google search, found this happened to another user today:

https://medium.com/@unsetbit/dear-amazon-you-dropped-something-fc82375a5bb0

Unlike the user above, I'm more concerned Amazon is displaying ads that are distributing malware. Here is the attack vector:

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=8563477

Please advise.

This happens on both Chrome and IE.

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By camSoCal, 19-Sep-2015 18:32 America/Los_Angeles Permalink Report abuse

In reply to Francisco Hernandez

19-Sep-2015 18:19 America/Los_Angeles

Yes this is happening to me too. When is someone important going to see this? where should we contact them?

Did you read A. Dietz' post advising this is a customer forum? You're not reaching Amazon by posting here. If you want to address the issue with Amazon Customer Service, use the link already provided.

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By Goldwave, 19-Sep-2015 19:44 America/Los_Angeles Permalink Report abuse

Just FYI this started happening to me yesterday as well. It only happened when I went to a specific Amazon page (for the film "Ju On"). However, it would happen repeatedly if I returned to that page.

Just now, I got two of these downloads (f.txt and f(1).txt) while shopping for dry cat food.

I notified Customer Service yesterday, and I received an email back from a rep in India who wrote about two paragraphs of profuse apologies then said we needed to speak in person, because it was a complicated issue.

I haven't followed up because in my past experience, those kinds of customer service interactions take forever and go nowhere. I had notified Amazon not because I wanted help, but to alert the company that this was happening on their website. I use other resources to help me check my own computer for problems.

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By Boniface N. Osonwanne, 20-Sep-2015 15:08 America/Los_Angeles Permalink Report abuse

In reply to Kindle Customer

19-Sep-2015 12:04 America/Los_Angeles

While browsing the Amazon.com site today, the file "f.txt" was downloaded by my Chrome browser multiple times. A google search, found this happened to another user today:

https://medium.com/@unsetbit/dear-amazon-you-dropped-something-fc82375a5bb0

Unlike the user above, I'm more concerned Amazon is displaying ads that are distributing malware. Here is the attack vector:

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=8563477

Please advise.

Yeah I'm also seeing this too - f(2).txt - It's some Javascript problem. - Bon

+...........................................'});var gsodar = document.createElement('script');gsodar.type = 'text/javascript';gsodar.async = true;gsodar.src = '//tpc.googlesyndication.com/sodar/sbhK2lTE.js';var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0];s.parentNode.insertBefore(gsodar, s);})();

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By cgpena, 20-Sep-2015 15:09 America/Los_Angeles Permalink Report abuse

Same here, only on Amazon.com on chrome. No other website. But I do see others on other blogs complaining about the same but on other sites.

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By Pamela Fischer, 20-Sep-2015 15:16 America/Los_Angeles Permalink Report abuse

Same thing is happening on Safari. Also happened to me on Chrome and then I tested another browser. Has Amazon issued any comments on why this is happening? Based on the above, it sounds like customer service form will not be helpful.

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Deleted by author, 20-Sep-2015 19:36 America/Los_Angeles


By Zapatero, 20-Sep-2015 15:59 America/Los_Angeles Permalink Report abuse

Just noticed this same issue as well... Only on Chrome, not Firefox. Disturbing.

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By Lana E., 20-Sep-2015 16:01 America/Los_Angeles Permalink Report abuse

I am having the same problem. It's the second time it happens to me. It would be great if someone can explain why this is happening if they get an answer from Amazon. Thanks!

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By CatChat, 20-Sep-2015 16:11 America/Los_Angeles Permalink Report abuse

Once again, for everyone here:
This is not customer service.
To get assistance for this issue, contact Amazon personally using the link provided in the first reply to the OP.
Posting here will not add you to any list letting Amazon know there is or is still an issue.
EVERYONE with the issue needs to contact customer service.

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Deleted by Amazon, 20-Sep-2015 19:40 America/Los_Angeles


By Gee, 20-Sep-2015 19:29 America/Los_Angeles Permalink Report abuse

In reply to david prats

Deleted by Amazon, 20-Sep-2015 19:40 America/Los_Angeles

And CatChat is free to provide excellent advice for those who can comprehend what is being suggested.
Instead of complaining about someone's post, why don't you ask other customers how to get your trimmer pieces to stay on it's stand since that seems to be important to you.

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By Amazon Customer, 21-Sep-2015 06:33 America/Los_Angeles Permalink Report abuse

In reply to CatChat

20-Sep-2015 16:11 America/Los_Angeles

Once again, for everyone here:
This is not customer service.
To get assistance for this issue, contact Amazon personally using the link provided in the first reply to the OP.
Posting here will not add you to any list letting Amazon know there is or is still an issue.
EVERYONE with the issue needs to contact customer service.

I think it's pretty reasonable for individuals to discuss this on this forum, especially as it could involve something malicious from Amazon. With that said, I'm certain Amazon will monitor this forum on amazon.com.

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By n8tr, 21-Sep-2015 06:40 America/Los_Angeles Permalink Report abuse

Contacting customer service, although probably a good idea, only solves the problem for ONE individual. But apparently quite a few people are experiencing this problem, including myself and having a public discussion on this matter is really helpful. Furthermore, this is the only hit google is finding currently and I'd really like to know what is happening. So IMO chat and discuss here about this problem as much as you like and perhaps we'll be able to help each other out.

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By Amazon Customer, 21-Sep-2015 07:06 America/Los_Angeles Permalink Report abuse

It appears to be a phishing attempt from someone using Amazon's ad network.

http://stackoverflow.com/questions/28535603/google-chrome-forcing-download-of-f-txt-file

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By MisterPlow, 21-Sep-2015 07:29 America/Los_Angeles Permalink Report abuse

Happened to me twice now while shopping for two different products, while using Chrome. Makes me nervous.

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By Thomas F. Resing, 21-Sep-2015 07:36 America/Los_Angeles Permalink Report abuse

In reply to Amazon Customer

21-Sep-2015 07:06 America/Los_Angeles

It appears to be a phishing attempt from someone using Amazon's ad network.

http://stackoverflow.com/questions/28535603/google-chrome-forcing-download-of-f-txt-file

That stackoverflow thread is helpful. After reading it, I updated Chrome and removed some things I didn't need in "Add/Remove Programs." The f.txt dialog isn't popping up anymore.

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By J.D., 21-Sep-2015 08:04 America/Los_Angeles Permalink Report abuse

Here is a link to an interesting article with some details of how and why this is happening.
https://medium.com/@unsetbit/dear-amazon-you-dropped-something-fc82375a5bb0

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