unwanted filtering

beep54 · Unread post by **beep54** » 2017-12-16, 21:35

Recently, Pale Moon has decided, all on its own, to filter out certain sites. I end up at Google instead of where I want to go. This is specific to Pale Moon and no other browsers. What the hell? I did NOT ask for this. On a perhaps not unrelated note, all my RSS feeds became empty recently also. This was easily fixed if annoying but again, what the hell? I use Avast (free), Spybot Search and Destroy, Spyware Blaster, and Malewarebytes Pro in Windows 10 Pro and keep everything up to date.

Unread post by **Moonchild** » 2017-12-16, 23:07

Pale Moon does not, in any way, shape or form, filter what websites you visit! That would go right against everything we stand for.

back2themoon · Unread post by **back2themoon** » 2017-12-18, 22:00

By the way, your increased number of security software could potentially cause problems to your system, including the one you are reporting which as stated, is unrelated to Pale Moon. My recommendation is to use good security software, but just one.

Pallid Planetoid · Unread post by **Pallid Planetoid** » 2017-12-19, 00:27

^ In regards to the above suggestion, I would suggest disabling "Spybot Search and Destroy" (especially with WIN10) and removing if this helps (I haven't used this in years as it has had issues in recent years).

I use Avast Free and Spyware Blaster myself (frankly I do not think you need Malwarebytes Pro if you are using Avast Free as there will be a large degree of duplication and potential conflicts as a result but that's you choice of course), there cannot be any conflicts with the two I use (note: Spyware Blaster is passive protection against known sites with potential security issues).

beep54 · Unread post by **beep54** » 2017-12-24, 06:46

First off, Malwarebytes has saved my ass and it is the ONLY thing I pay for. None of my security programs interfere with one another. And this weird filtering happens in literally NO other browser. I have Firefox (it has gotten way, way better) Waterfox (which I might drop now), Chrome and whatever Microsoft has forced on me. So again I ask. why am I getting filtered in Pale Moon and nowhere else? I cannot watch YouTube in Pale Moon (unless it is embedded; weird) also, but I like to lock down my browsers (no sense in letting them run wild), so there's that and the reason for having Chrome.

Unread post by **satrow** » 2017-12-24, 11:39

beep54 wrote:So again I ask. why am I getting filtered in Pale Moon and nowhere else?

Likely because your security software does not recognise Pale Moon as it's not one of the 'big browsers'.

So it's probably 'locked down', just the way you profess to like your browsers to be

Take it a step at a time, either add exceptions for PM, or uninstall your security stuff one at a time during troubleshooting.

Pallid Planetoid · Unread post by **Pallid Planetoid** » 2017-12-24, 14:54

^ follow-up, and as I had suggested start with disabling "Spybot Search and Destroy".

Thehandyman1957 · Unread post by **Thehandyman1957** » 2017-12-24, 18:30

I agree about Spy-Bot. Used to be the best. Now it's buggy as heck. Seems to me I remember reading about
some issues with Spy-bot somewhere. Ahh yes, from themselves.

https://www.safer-networking.org/faq_ca ... wn-issues/
Please pay special attention to the Hosts issue as this can and will block web sites and such from loading.

I used to use a host blocking program but after a bit I found pages and such would not load and it took some hand wringing to
figure it out.

Please take a deep breath and calm down. Were here to help you, and as Moonchild has said. PM does not filter anything.
Been using this browser for a long time and never had those issues unless it was something third party doing it.

beep54 · Unread post by **beep54** » 2017-12-25, 03:59

Hum. I am not pissed as much as I am perplexed. Pale Moon IS my go to browser. I just find it irritating that when it comes to, OK, let's just say it, most (and, weirdly, not all} gay porn gets me sent to google.com. And if that is not filtering, I don't know what is. If it were an issue with the hosts file, wouldn't I have the same problem with other browsers (which I don't)? Since I DO have other browsers (hey, some things just work better; it is why I have multiple video players), this is not exactly a major thing, but an oddity that I would like to see fixed. Eh Rick and Morty is up now and it is "Anatomy Park"" so I really have to go now.

Unread post by **satrow** » 2017-12-25, 09:57

Sounds like you've managed to pickup a browser redirect infection, here's a generic routine that will result in at least a partial, if not a full cleanup; the resulting logs should also provide enough details to enable tracking the specific infection so you can complete the cleanup: https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/virus- ... ect-virus/

Unread post by **Moonchild** » 2017-12-25, 10:39

Another option, if the browser itself turns out to be clean, might be DNS that is also acting as a content filter. Especially if it deals with certain topics only.

Trippynet · Unread post by **Trippynet** » 2017-12-25, 12:04

Also possible that a proxy has been added to Pale Moon somehow. This would explain why only Pale Moon attempts are redirected. Check this in Options to see...

beep54 · Unread post by **beep54** » 2017-12-25, 19:41

Thank you all for your kind replies, but it is Christmas and I am too drunk to actually try some of your suggestions. One should not try things while drunk. Trust me on that. Should one of them work, I will let you know. I have obvious work-arounds and I bring this up only because Pale Moon is my main browser and I'd like it not to be too weird. I truly hate filtering and my case does seem ... odd. I am hoping, in a way, that I've simply found an odd bug to be fixed.

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