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A New Low for Web Advertisers: Pop-Up Downloads

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the measuring-new-lows-jinxes-us-all dept.

rizzmanix writes: "I thougt it was strange that I had been getting a lot of pop-up download prompts for the Gator software as I browsed around the web in the recent days. Why were all these sites requiring this Gator thing I wondered? Well I wonder no more... as apparently advertisers hit a new low by running 'pop-up downloads' instead of pop-up ads. Sneaky, underhanded, nasty and vile."

7 of 641 comments (clear)

  1. a followup link by argStyopa · · Score: 5, Informative

    www.scumware.com

    --
    -Styopa
  2. why mozilla rules here by cetan · · Score: 5, Informative

    Since 0.9.4, mozilla users have had the ability to block onload and unload pop-ups/unders. I've had zero problems with this. It doesn't block pop-ups you request, just the ones you don't.

    I've not seen a popup in months and months. It's fantastic.

    --
    In Soviet Russia...michael would be rotting in Siberia!
    1. Re:why mozilla rules here by bconway · · Score: 5, Informative

      Preferences -> Advanced -> Scripts and Windows. I uncheck all except the last 3.

      --
      Interested in open source engine management for your Subaru?
  3. Re:Wow, this is lame by Violet+Null · · Score: 5, Informative

    I've never, ever seen a webbrowser that automatically installs stuff.

    IE will happily install stuff without prompting if that's the way the security is set up; eg, if you set the "Internet Zone" (or whatever) to "Low" security, it will automatically download any signed ActiveX control.

  4. Re:Popup warning dialog by shyster · · Score: 5, Informative
    Why can I ONLY see a checkbox for "Always trust downloads from this company" and NOT "Always MISTRUST downloads from this company" on the install dialog on IE?

    Add them to the Restricted Sites zone. That will (by default) keep them from running any code, including signed and unsigned ActiveX, and even cookies.

  5. Re:Question about Gator specifically by poulbailey · · Score: 5, Informative
    The only reason I've kept using Gator is that I have a large investment in terms of the passwords

    Grab RoboForm instead. It's freeware and it doesn't have any ads nor does it contain spyware. It'll even let you import all your Gator passwords. There's absolutely no reason to keep using Gator.

  6. A Wonderful Tool for Spyware by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

    Not too sure if this has been said yet, but this is an amazing tool that will clean all the spyware from your system. You will be amazed at how much you have on there. It is called AdAware and can be downloaded free from the link below.

    http://www.lavasoftusa.com