Videos
About a week ago I noticed strange searches appearing on my google search activity under my phone, a Google Pixel 5a. These are strange, random, and (mostly) innocuous searches, like for florida based orthopedic surgeons or sports betting websites, but also shadier stuff like 9-number strings that lead to pornographic videos or scam phone call links. I get chunks of these searches that all appear in the same minute and usually while I sleep, details showing that they're all "Referred from onclickb.com"
Since noticing this, I've changed all of my passwords to something substantially more complex and ended all device sessions multiple times. I've changed my home wi-fi name and password as well. There was no additional activity for 2 days so I thought I was in the clear, but just a few hours ago I had another chunk of random searches appear in my activity feed.
I've run clean scans for both phone antivirus software and computer antivirus software. Google security tells me everything is fine and no actions need to be taken. Is this true? Is this perhaps a cloud based glitch, or is my device and/or email compromised? If so, what do I do? I feel like I'm running out of options.
Update for anyone else experiencing the same issue - This appears to have been browser based. Disabling google chrome on my phone and replacing it with an adblocking browser seemed to have done the trick, checking now after about 4 days. You may not have to disable your browser entirely, rather maybe hard reset/clear everything. I just went scorched earth. Onclickb is apparently a "malvertising" ad network that is capable of 0auth misuse and injection of search queries into peoples accounts. Don't know the full extent of what it can do, but I assume it can do more. Gonna assume I got it 'tached to my device from browsing adult sites. Stay safe everyone.
Like does chrome still save my history? Also, how much actually does come up on the wifi bill/router?
thanks
Thanks !
Open Google Chrome and click on the three vertical dots at the top-right corner of the screen. Choose "Settings" ; a new tab will open.
On the left, choose "Search Engine". An option called "Search engine used in the address bar". will be shown on your screen : click on the drop-down menu and choose the search engine you want.
Hello ! I'm Aymeric, and I'm here to help !
What browser are you using ? You mentionned that you are not using Edge.
Each browser has its own way of changing the default search engine. Tell me which one you're using and I'll guide you on how to change the setting.
Looking forward to your answer !