Close
  • Latest News
  • Big Data and Analytics
  • Cloud
  • Networking
  • Cybersecurity
  • Applications
  • IT Management
  • Storage
  • Sponsored
  • Mobile
  • Small Business
  • Development
  • Database
  • Servers
  • Android
  • Apple
  • Innovation
  • Blogs
  • PC Hardware
  • Reviews
  • Search Engines
  • Virtualization
Read Down
Sign in
Close
Welcome!Log into your account
Forgot your password?
Read Down
Password recovery
Recover your password
Close
Search
Logo
Logo
  • Latest News
  • Big Data and Analytics
  • Cloud
  • Networking
  • Cybersecurity
  • Applications
  • IT Management
  • Storage
  • Sponsored
  • Mobile
  • Small Business
  • Development
  • Database
  • Servers
  • Android
  • Apple
  • Innovation
  • Blogs
  • PC Hardware
  • Reviews
  • Search Engines
  • Virtualization
More
    Home Cybersecurity
    • Cybersecurity

    Down with Pop-Ups

    By
    Kevin Zaney
    -
    October 11, 2004
    Share
    Facebook
    Twitter
    Linkedin

      The bombardment of pop-up advertisements on the Internet is the latest scourge facing computer users. These software pests, known as adware and spyware, make ads pop up on a users screen. Difficult to find, uninstall or disable, they are usually packaged with other software and unknowingly installed by users.

      Pop-up ads hurt company brands. The Federal Trade Commission found that more than 40 percent of consumers who experienced pop-up ads believe the Web site they were on—not the pop-up advertiser—had permitted the ad to appear. Approximately one-third of consumers surveyed by the FTC said the pop-up ad would cause them to have a less favorable Opinion of the Web site.

      But pop-ups are more than annoying; they change users browsers, add programs, retard PC performance, crash computers and collect personal data. Even if you are able to find and uninstall a pop-up, it can rebuild itself.

      A recent survey conducted by the National Cyber Security Alliance found that nearly 90 percent of all PCs could be infected with at least one form of spyware. Microsoft reports that half of all computer crashes reported by its customers are caused by spyware and its equivalents. Dell reports that spyware is responsible for more than 12 percent of all technical support calls.

      Businesses and consumers are fighting back. Corporations that once sued only the adware companies are now going after the advertisers. Both the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate have bills pending to regulate the practice, including requiring consumer notice and consent before any software is downloaded, full disclosure by the advertisers, easy removal, and the prohibition of sharing any personal information. The Interactive Advertising Bureau has proposed guidelines for self-regulation, and consumer and business efforts such as the Internet Education Foundations GetNetWise (www.getnetwise.org) are educating buyers on safe Web behavior.

      At Wells Fargo, we have adopted policies against engaging in pop-up advertising. Similarly, Major League Baseball recently announced it would stop signing new business contracts with any company that advertises with adware companies. More organizations need to follow these examples.

      Businesses need consumers help. We urge these actions: First, avoid downloading files from unknown sources. Second, be suspicious of software offered for free over the Internet. Third, keep computer operating systems and Web browsers up-to-date with the latest patches, since pop-ups often exploit known security flaws. Fourth, keep Web browser security settings on high to decrease the chance for Web sites to download software to a computer without permission.

      It will take the united efforts of businesses and consumers to end pop-ups.

      Kevin Zaney is executive vice president of Internet strategy at Wells Fargo & Co. Free Spectrum is a forum for the IT community. Send submissions to free_spectrum@ziffdavis.com.

      Check out eWEEK.coms Security Center for the latest security news, reviews and analysis. And for insights on security coverage around the Web, take a look at eWEEK.com Security Center Editor Larry Seltzers Weblog.

      Be sure to add our eWEEK.com developer and Web services news feed to your RSS newsreader or My Yahoo page

      Kevin Zaney

      MOST POPULAR ARTICLES

      Big Data and Analytics

      Alteryx’s Suresh Vittal on the Democratization of...

      James Maguire - May 31, 2022 0
      I spoke with Suresh Vittal, Chief Product Officer at Alteryx, about the industry mega-shift toward making data analytics tools accessible to a company’s complete...
      Read more
      Cybersecurity

      Visa’s Michael Jabbara on Cybersecurity and Digital...

      James Maguire - May 17, 2022 0
      I spoke with Michael Jabbara, VP and Global Head of Fraud Services at Visa, about the cybersecurity technology used to ensure the safe transfer...
      Read more
      Big Data and Analytics

      GoodData CEO Roman Stanek on Business Intelligence...

      James Maguire - May 4, 2022 0
      I spoke with Roman Stanek, CEO of GoodData, about business intelligence, data as a service, and the frustration that many executives have with data...
      Read more
      Applications

      Cisco’s Thimaya Subaiya on Customer Experience in...

      James Maguire - May 10, 2022 0
      I spoke with Thimaya Subaiya, SVP and GM of Global Customer Experience at Cisco, about the factors that create good customer experience – and...
      Read more
      Cloud

      Yotascale CEO Asim Razzaq on Controlling Multicloud...

      James Maguire - May 5, 2022 0
      Asim Razzaq, CEO of Yotascale, provides guidance on understanding—and containing—the complex cost structure of multicloud computing. Among the topics we covered:  As you survey the...
      Read more
      Logo

      eWeek has the latest technology news and analysis, buying guides, and product reviews for IT professionals and technology buyers. The site’s focus is on innovative solutions and covering in-depth technical content. eWeek stays on the cutting edge of technology news and IT trends through interviews and expert analysis. Gain insight from top innovators and thought leaders in the fields of IT, business, enterprise software, startups, and more.

      Facebook
      Linkedin
      RSS
      Twitter
      Youtube

      Advertisers

      Advertise with TechnologyAdvice on eWeek and our other IT-focused platforms.

      Advertise with Us

      Menu

      • About eWeek
      • Subscribe to our Newsletter
      • Latest News

      Our Brands

      • Privacy Policy
      • Terms
      • About
      • Contact
      • Advertise
      • Sitemap
      • California – Do Not Sell My Information

      Property of TechnologyAdvice.
      © 2021 TechnologyAdvice. All Rights Reserved

      Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the products that appear on this site are from companies from which TechnologyAdvice receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site including, for example, the order in which they appear. TechnologyAdvice does not include all companies or all types of products available in the marketplace.

      ×