Question

Three times today the OS website has sent my computer a Javascript file F1046576330783Q42HTM4831e152.js
I suspect it is malware and have not opened it.

Answer 1

Is it a file? Or just a pop up?

Answer 2

A pop-up aks whether you want to save or open. I saved to desktop and it is now in the Recycle Bin. It is 866 bytes.

Answer 3

When does that pop-up come up?

Answer 4

Because this occasionally pops up in my screen when i am in OS.
But it is not much of a problem to me.

Answer 5

I am assuming, based on what you described that yours is different. right?

Answer 6

The pop-up that I get is entirely different. The background color is orange and it asks you to open or save. A few minutes ago another instance appeared at the bottom of the screen with a completely different file name.

Answer 7

Can you take a screen shot of the pop-up? So that i could get a visual of it? If possible, thank you :)

Answer 8

I do not think OS would have malware given to users, but just to be in the safe side and if you feel safer, then do not open it :)

Answer 9

Here is the latest:

Answer 10

I get it to, anytime I hit post

Answer 11

.js
then it crashes my explorer

Answer 12

something is up with java on the site.

Answer 13

I am having the same problem.

The response fields are hopping up and down while a person writes.

The site is s-l-o-w.

When I finally am able to make a post, it is published but the response I made is not removed and the preview pane also remains. In addition the "Do you want to download" screen pops up.

The only way to get rid of it is to "refresh."

Answer 14

The same happens to me as to @Directrix.

Answer 15

See attachments.

Answer 16

Note that the pre-post pane, the preview pane, and the published post all remain. Plus, I'm not writing anything.

Answer 17

@some_someone

Download nag message comes up when a helper clicks on "Post."

Answer 18

Definitely strange, but definitely not a virus.
Knowing JavaScript, these really just appears like a loose script which is attempting to download because a fluke in the system.

Even if it was done in VB JavaScript, a virus couldn't run with a small JavaScript file (1K) alone.

This just appears to be a loose script. Obviously a bug, but still a loose script.

See, even in such a small file, if there *was* a virus, it couldn't open itself. As JavaScript is to be opened externally, ie with another file (such as .EXE, .HTA, HTML) thats saved locally on your computer: and that would have to be physically opened.

Unless another file was downloaded: I wouldn't worry.

Answer 19

yeah @dumbsearch2 i agree.

and @Directrix @zzr0ck3r @kropot72 maybe it is an issue with your browser; seems like all you guys are using IE.? Maybe it is a loose bug like Dumb said, which it could be it only happens when using IE?

Answer 20

Their browsers are definitely IE9: Only IE9 (or IE10 in desktop mode) would trigger that screen capture save box. @some_someone

Answer 21

Yeah, Dumb; good point.

And IE9 gave me those problems also, but on other websites; like on email and such, oh and a few times on OS.

Answer 22

MS: you su...
Oh forget it xD

Answer 23

IE9 and IE10 are improvements, sure, but I totally don't understand why with all their trillions they couldn't have improved it even further.

As a programmer, it still is horrible programming for IE!
Finally IE10 is supporting some CSS animations though... among other HTML5 codes.

Answer 24

I personally do not use IE, except well idk, when i do xD

Answer 25

I find it strange, almost insulting, that anytime someone posts a problem with the functioning of the OpenStudy site, then immediately there is a chorus of "You need to use another browser" posts. To my thinking, such is a dismissive and unthinking response. This problem is a NEW one given that I have been using I.E. 9 and 10 to access this site without recent disruptions such as those reported above. That is, until now. And, here is a new nag alert. And, yes, I know what it popped up.

Answer 26

Sigh. Directrix, please don't take offense. It is all in good spirit, and folks are only trying to be helpful.
That being said, we are working through these bugs. Your reports and screen captures are super helpful. Many thanks and hang in there.

Answer 27

But it does seem to be an IE bug. We are working on it.

Answer 28

@Directrix Why are you taking offense?
I wasn't nagging you, though I'm sorry if you took it that way :-)

Just being a programmer, a lot of issues I encounter are IE-specific, and it's a true fact that IE only *started* adopting HTML5 in IE9.

However, it could be a virus, that's still a possibility.

Answer 29

and @Directrix, to be rational, that *is* a performance alert not a virus alert.

Answer 30

IE 10.0.9200.16635
Update: 10.0.7 (KB284601)

Answer 31

IE Versions I use - see attachments.

Answer 32

Thanks folks. Directrix, I hesitate to say this. I am shaking in fear - but would you, could you possibly use some other browser till we fix this? (see, I asked nicely)

Answer 33

Firefox 20.0.1 Test Post

Answer 34

Firefox 20.0.1 Post appears to have acted normally.

Answer 35

Chrome Version 28.0.1500.95 m Test Post

Answer 36

Chrome Version 28.0.1500.95 m Post appears to have acted normally.

Answer 37

IE 10.0.9200.16635 Test Post

Answer 38

IE 10.0.9200.16635 Test Post still had typing speed or buffer problems and also included the annoying security prompt.

That does seem to be where we are.

Answer 39

Wow. Thanks for the feedback.

Answer 40

Hooray :) I just posted a reply without the popup occurring. Thanks for the fix!

Answer 41

IE 10.0.9200.16635 Test Post

Answer 42

IE 10.0.9200.16635 Test Post appears to have acted normally. Unfortunately, My friend "Processing Math 0%" just sits in the lower right-hand corner - mocking me.

Answer 43

"Processing Math 0%" is also an old 'friend' of mine. If I look at a question thread immediately after logging in the script runs and "Processing Math 0%" takes a holiday.