Pop-Under Deception and Private Property

RogerRamjet98 writes "I was browsing the web today and I got hit with a pop-under ad. Annoying but no big deal, right? Wrong. This one managed to change my home page to (CT:Link removed. Why would we send these dicks traffic?) Which pretends to be yahoo, and is convincing enough to fool the average computer user, but is really a platform for launching more pop-under ads. Combine this with the AOL/WinXP news, and it makes me think that the settings on my computer ought to enjoy legal protection as private property: Changing them without my permission (such as adjusting my home page, or whatnot) should constitute assault or trespass." Or turn of JavaScript. Or don't run IE. But good luck on that trespass case. With a history of laws like the DMCA, Uncle Sam can only make it worse.

Comments

Re:I wish there were a better solution

[Anonymous Coward]

Switch browser..?

Re:And which dicks would those be?

[hariya]

Personally, I would put the link in and make sure they get hella /.ed.

Re:Whoa there, Taco

[Anonymous Coward]

you know what they say about assumptions, right?

Yeah, they make an ASS of U and .... HEY!!!

And an IP address too!

[Prof. Pi]

Not a domain or anything, just a noun that we can use instead of "those dicks."

But an IP address would also be nice, to give to the Code Red Worm...

Re:Sure...if you set your Security to "Rape Me"

[JoeShmoe]

Actually...come to think of it...it is very surprising that trying to change your homepage from msn.com doesn't result in some kind of Microsoft FUD-ish message like:

"Warning! If your homepage is changed from MSN.Com you will not receive valuable updates and integrated web functionality! Are you sure you want to proceed with this reckless course of action?"

:)

- JoeShmoe

So I know to avoid them, that's why!

[devphil]

"Don't touch a hot stove, dear."

"But Mommy, what does a hot stove look like?"

"I can't tell you that, dear. You might touch one."