iPad web browsing problem

[DavidLJ]

Some time ago I was given an iPad Air2 as a gift. It has worked flawlessly until quite recently when a problem has arisen that means that I cannot use it at home to browse the internet to view my favourite astro-related websites. The problem is that immediately after I ask the iPad's Safari to go to any website a redirect automatically intervenes and after quickly passing through a number of intervening URLs (as seen in the address bar) I end up at a web page that tells me that I have won something and invites me to click on a link (example image attached) – which, of course, I never do. I cannot use Safari to exit or delete the page and the only way back from there is to use the Safari settings to “Clear History and Website Data”. It makes no difference which search engine is selected for Sarari (Google, Bing, etc.) the result is always the same. Nor does downloading and using Firefox make any difference.


The problem does not arise when using the Apple store's wifi. Yesterday, after a couple of days of trouble shooting, Apple replaced the iPad with a new one but the problem still occurs at home even with that new unit.


Attached is a diagram of my home setup from which you can see that I have two Windows PCs in addition to the iPad. One PC is linked by cable to the modem and the other PC is linked to the modem wirelessly via the same router that I use with the iPad. On neither PC do I have this web browsing problem. It only occurs with the iPad. Because the problem does not occur with the PCs my ISP denies any responsibility.


Any suggestions as to the underlying cause of the problem and/or how to fix it would be most gratefully received.

[Merlin66]

Hmmm that's an interesting issue.
Have you applied a factory reset to the iPad to see if that removes the problem??

[Steffen]

The ISP would deny responsibility even if the phone line was on fire...

Bunch of questions:


Does this also occur when both the desktop and the laptop are turned off?

What DNS server and router settings was your iPad given? (Settings > WiFi > tap the circle-i next to the network you're connected to)
Is there proxy server configured on the iPad? (same screen, further down)
When you got your new iPad, did you try browsing before restoring from iCloud/iTunes backup, or only afterwards? Can you try browsing from a factory clean install (set up as new iPad)?
Can you check whether there are other WiFi clients connected to your router?

[DavidLJ]

Steffen / Ken

Thanks for your replies. Much appreciated.

Ken
Have you applied a factory reset to the iPad to see if that removes the problem?

The new replacement iPad is straight out of the box so it only has the default factory settings. Regarding the old iPad that was replaced, one of the troubleshooting remedies we tried was just that - we reset it back to the factory settings but to no avail.

Steffen
Does this also occur when both the desktop and the laptop are turned off?
Yes

What DNS server and router settings was your iPad given?
Router 192.168.0.1
DNS 192.168.0.1

Is there proxy server configured on the iPad?
Off is highlighted. Manual and Auto are not highlighted.

When you got your new iPad, did you try browsing before restoring from iCloud/iTunes backup?
Yes. I have not yet done any restoring.

Can you check whether there are other WiFi clients connected to your router?
Not certain how to. But (1) the router that I'm using is just a small domestic unit with minimal range and I believe well short of the distance to our nearest neighbour 1/2 kilometer away. (2) Judging by the pattern of flickering lights on the front of the modem (which indicate the passing of traffic) no other client seems to have been connected.

I hope that this helps?

Cheers

David

[Steffen]

Interesting.

Can you determine what the DNS settings on the desktop and laptop are? Those machines are not affected, right? Do they also have 192.168.0.1, or perhaps the ISP's DNS servers?

Also, can you try setting a different DNS server on the iPad? On the same screen where it is displayed you can also change it. Does the problem persist if you put the Google DNS server (8.8.8.8) there?

[DavidLJ]

Hi Steffen

Can you determine what the DNS settings on the desktop and laptop are?
Attached is a screenshot of what I think is the relevant data on my PC desktop. Two DNS values are mentioned 192.168.1.1 and 192.168.0.1

Those machines are not affected, right?
Right

Also, can you try setting a different DNS server on the iPad?
Changing it to 192.168.1.1 makes no difference - the problem persists.

Does the problem persist if you put the Google DNS server (8.8.8.8) there?
NO !!! Using 8.8.8.8 gives me a clear run in Safari! So definitely you are on to something there. Well done. I don't pretend to understand why that should work but it does. If I leave the setting at 8.8.8.8 will there be any downside?

Cheers

David

[Nikolas]

Delete the safari history in settings.
You have some adware nothing more
When all browsing history is deleted the ipad will no longer redirect.

[DavidLJ]

Thanks for the reply Nikolas.

I'm afraid that simply clearing the Safari history using Settings did not resolve the problem. Have already tried that many times over. But your suggestion is nevertheless appreciated.

Cheers

David

[Nikolas]

Settings - safari- clear history and website data?

[Nikolas]

Re read that you have done so, so reset your modem and your router and start again. Also go through your windows machines on your network with a fine tooth comb

[Steffen]

I'm suspecting a poisoned DNS cache on your router, or maybe some malware on your router. If you put the iPad DNS setting back to 192.168.0.1 but restart the router, does the problem persist?

Interestingly, the wired segment your desktop is connected to uses a different IP subnet than the wireless one and gets a different DNS server. What do the network settings on the laptop look like?

You can keep using the Google DNS server, but that comes with a few drawbacks. Besides latency you will also not benefit from localised content delivery networks. This means media and other downloads may be slower because they come from overseas instead of servers in AU or nearby.

However, if you can find out your ISP's DNS server addresses you should use those. You can most likely also configure the DHCP server component on your router to hand them out, instead of 192.168.0.1 or .1.1, thereby eliminating any router DNS functionality from the equation.

[DavidLJ]

Hi Steffen. Again thanks for the feedback. Really appreciated.

What do the network settings on the laptop look like?
A screenshot of what I think are the relevant data is attached.

If you put the iPad DNS setting back to 192.168.0.1 but restart the router, does the problem persist?
Yes

You can keep using the Google DNS server, but that comes with a few drawbacks.
Understood. Would prefer not to have these drawbacks.

However, if you can find out your ISP's DNS server addresses you should use those. You can most likely also configure the DHCP server component on your router to hand them out, instead of 192.168.0.1 or .1.1, thereby eliminating any router DNS functionality from the equation.
Sorry but I'm getting out of my depth here. Maybe I should trot along to a local computer specialist shop to get them to help me try this? Or maybe I should just buy a new router? But first I'll call the ISP to see if they will provide the DNS server addresses? Will report on progress after that call.

David

[Steffen]

A simple web search for "<your ISP> DNS servers" should reveal them.

[DavidLJ]

Hi Seffen

Brilliant! You make it all seem so easy. "<your ISP> DNS servers" did indeed turn up two IP addresses for my ISP's Sydney service and entering the first of them into the iPad's DNS setting works like a charm.

Can't thank you enough. After the despondency of the past few days the Sun is shining again - 'though maybe that's not such a good way of expressing matters given that this is a nighttime-based forum.

Maybe this little thread can help any others who encounter the same problem? I hope so.

David