Hijack...! or "There's no such thing as a free lunch".

**bulldog drummond** · #1 06-30-2014, 01:20 PM

Today I downloaded a super model of an AK 47 from Paper Replika and was redirected to Media fire. On hitting download I got the file but also downloaded a hijacker which changes your default browser & lets pop-ups through. It has been a bit*h to remove and, frankly, I'd rather have paid for the model!

The moral... "There's no such thing as a free lunch ( model); beware!

**Vermin_King** · #2 06-30-2014, 02:31 PM

My guess is that you clicked on the wrong link. What is the model called, as I don't see one listed as 'AK 47'?

**Tapcho** · #3 06-30-2014, 03:49 PM

Take this one instead:
PM AKM by Hoborginc on deviantART

Tappi

**db-sa** · #4 06-30-2014, 04:34 PM

But do take care, you'll need all the detective skills of the genuine Bulldog Drummond to find the right download button.

**airdave** · #5 06-30-2014, 08:16 PM

You didn't get the hijacker" from Mediafire.
It was either in the download, unlikely, since it is a paper-replika file,
or you downloaded something else from somewhere else.

It would help if you could provide a link to the exact download?

Browser hijackers generally are an installed thing.
At some point you unknowlingly agreed to the installation of a redirect or search bar
or some other browser modification.
which means you clicked on the wrong download button.
Probably something in an Ad.
This a common thing, where people are fooled by big "download" buttons in Ads.

Heres a tip...whenever you click on something and are looking for a download, or a file link
...watch for a ".exe" file. Never agree to anything that is an .exe file.
This is an installation of some sort of software! Usually something you don't want.

**Isaac** · #6 06-30-2014, 08:28 PM

I stopped downloading free stuff a long time ago. Primarily I was suspicious of the malware that most likely was attached to it. Also, allot of it is pirated, and I just could not waste my time looking for legitimate files.

I only purchase printed kits and then only from well known dealers.

Download files that you pay for ( like Ecard ), or this forum or similar. Why stuff your computer with files....................

Isaac

**3Turner** · #7 06-30-2014, 09:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bulldog drummond

Today I downloaded a super model of an AK 47 from Paper Replika and was redirected to Media fire. On hitting download I got the file but also downloaded a hijacker which changes your default browser & lets pop-ups through. It has been a bit*h to remove and, frankly, I'd rather have paid for the model!

The moral... "There's no such thing as a free lunch ( model); beware!

I think you clicked the wrong link.

There is no "AK-47" model on Paper Replika, however, there is a link through to a model that looks similar to an AK-47 here: AKM Papercraft (Assault Rifle)

In that page, Paper Replika links to an original designer...the very same one on Devient Art that Tapcho linked: PM AKM by Hoborginc on deviantART

There, yes, you do go to a MediaFire file....however, when I downloaded by clicking the Green button on the top right...all I got was a RAR archive file containing the model in JPG format and instructions. There was nothing else in the file.

Now, I do have to add....I am on Chrome and have AdBlock installed....so I may not be seeing the same links you are seeing for the download. Which could very well be that you clicked the link that had the download and a browser hijacker that earns revenue for the website. I do see that AdBlock has blocked at least 6 ads on that MediaFire webpage which has the download.

**bulldog drummond** · #8 07-01-2014, 12:25 AM

Sorry guys(& the guys at PahperReplika), looking at my history I saw it on Paper Replika, was diverted to deviant art and then to media fire. It was the PM AKM by Hoborginc.
Thanks everyone for the good advice. Guess who's feeling foolish!

**Loui** · #9 07-01-2014, 02:38 AM

PM AKM by Hoborginc, looks very details... looking forward to see your WIP of that rifle here in the forum....

**airdave** · #10 07-01-2014, 05:35 AM

Same here, as Robert says...

I have downloaded the file too. No problems.

When you get to the Mediafire page, you may see extra advertising.
Thats how Mediafire pays its bills.
I don't see those ads, because I am a Mediafire client and I have ADblock running within Firefox.

But I have seen these ads....many are placed so as to appear to be the download button you need.
Many are misleading as to what they really are.

Bottom line, as I mentioned before, is if you click on a link or "download"
and a Windows box appears...where you must choose to save or agree to "yes"
take a good look at what you are agreeing to.
Many times these will be install programs
and by clicking you have started the install of something you don't want.
Look for ".exe" at the end of the file name.

....

Another tip...when downloading a shareware program or a trial software,
try to go to the manufacturer's website to get it.

If you do a search for a particular program, you may get many results of sites
that offer free downloads and trials of various programs.
These are legit. And are sometimes alternate places to get quick downloads.

But many times, the software you are wanting
has been bundled in an installer that contains other programs.

And during the "simple" installation process, other things get installed.
Things like "search bars", browser home page redirects, or even full blown programs.

Usually, during the installation process, you will get screens that indicate what is being installed.
You may have to go through multiple install agreements for extra software installations.
Check boxes will already be checked.
Its up to you to read carefully ...and UNCHECK these boxes!

Nothing gets installed into your system unless you install it.
Remember that.