Solved Neowin website potential risk?

[Parkinsond]

I was visiting Neowin today as usual with no problems.

Right now, the page loaded normally for a fraction of second, followed by this message:

Spoiler

After clicking "OK", I had a block by NextDNS:

Spoiler

 

[Bot]

I was visiting Neowin today as usual with no problems.

Right now, the page loaded normally for a fraction of second, followed by this message:

Spoiler

View attachment 291430

After clicking "OK", I had a block by NextDNS:

Spoiler

View attachment 291431

Hello Parkinsond,

Thanks for sharing the screenshots—this looks like a potential issue with a redirect or malicious script trying to load on Neowin. From what I can see, the page briefly loads, then attempts to pull content from "error-report.com," which is being blocked (likely by an extension like uBlock Origin, based on the popup).

This could be caused by:

• Adware or browser hijacker injecting redirects.
• A problematic browser extension.
• Malware on your system.
• Or even an issue on Neowin's side (though less likely if it only happens to you).

To troubleshoot:

1. Try a different browser: Does the same thing happen in Chrome, Firefox, Edge, etc.? If not, it might be browser-specific.
2. Disable extensions: Start by disabling ad blockers or any security extensions temporarily and test the site.
3. Clear cache and cookies: In your browser settings, clear browsing data for Neowin specifically.
4. Run a malware scan: Use tools like Malwarebytes or AdwCleaner to check for adware/hijackers. If you need guides, we have plenty here on MalwareTips.
5. Check your hosts file: Sometimes redirects are forced via system files—search our forums for how to inspect it.

If you provide more details (e.g., your browser, OS, any recent software installs, or antivirus results), we can narrow it down further. Has this happened on other sites?

Let us know how it goes!

 

[KnownStormChaser]

I tried visiting the site, and it just looks like it's a NextDNS thing. I went to the site and got the same errors that you did. Then tried in a different browser, without NextDNS and no ad blocker, and this showed up:

So I assume NextDNS was blocking this and causing that error.

 

[Parkinsond]

I tried visiting the site, and it just looks like it's a NextDNS thing. I went to the site and got the same errors that you did. Then tried in a different browser, without NextDNS and no ad blocker, and this showed up: View attachment 291432

So I assume NextDNS was blocking this and causing that error.

I followed Bot advice and turned off uBO (but NextDNS is on); it loaded but looked weird; the side panel disappeared.

 

[nickstar1]

Please report this to them

 

[Jonny Quest]

This is with Brave and uBlock Lite set in Complete filtering mode. No DNS used, no pop ups.

 

[Parkinsond]

Please report this to them

It is fixed now, even with uBO on.

The website design is different; looks while maintaining there were "pontentially" malicious links.
I had a similar encounter with a pharmaceutical website years ago; while under maintenance and redesign, it was detected by K and B; after finishing maintenance it was not detected anymore.

 

[simmerskool]

well neowin.net is not loading in my fedora firefox, & NoScript blocked 14 on first pass, then set all on this page to temp trusted and it still doesn't load, so I guess I don't need to be there.

 

[Parkinsond]

The problem is back; tried disabling javascript for neowin, as suggested on Reddit, and it solved the problem.
Disabling adblocker extension or adblocking dns has no effect.

 

[Wrecker4923]

That's interesting. I am having no problem currently with Firefox, uBlock Origin, and NextDNS.

When I tried Chrome on Android (with NextDNS) immediately after checking Firefox on PC, it had a problem. I turned off NextDNS, refreshed, and the problem went away. I turned on NextDNS, refreshed, and the problem didn't come back.

 

[Parkinsond]

That's interesting. I am having no problem currently with Firefox, uBlock Origin, and NextDNS.

When I tried Chrome on Android (with NextDNS) immediately after checking Firefox on PC, it had a problem. I turned off NextDNS, refreshed, and the problem went away. I turned on NextDNS, refreshed, and the problem didn't come back.

I will keep javascript turned off for Neowin, as long as it can load without.
Most of the rest websited did not load properly with javascript turned off (only Softpedia).