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Google Targets Fake "Download" and "Play" Buttons (torrentfreak.com)

Posted by timothy on from the no-mallet-big-enough-for-justice dept.

AmiMoJo writes: Google says it will go to war against the fake 'download' and 'play' buttons that attempt to deceive users on file-sharing and other popular sites. According to a new announcement from the company titled 'No More Deceptive Download Buttons', Google says it will expand its eight-year-old Safe Browsing initiative to target some of the problems highlighted above. 'You may have encountered social engineering in a deceptive download button, or an image ad that falsely claims your system is out of date. Today, we're expanding Safe Browsing protection to protect you from such deceptive embedded content, like social engineering ads,' the company says.

3 of 117 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Good by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    SOME!?
    More like nearly ALL!

    I've seen download sites for FOSS software have a lot of this crap. It gets confusing for me as an IT professional sometimes to figure out the legit download links, I can't imagine how normal computer users manage to navigate the hazardous waters long enough to actually get a legit non virus laden download. Then you have even legit downloads from massive companies filled with toolbars (like adobe reader and flash).
    Like shark infested water. Hopefully this move will do some good

  2. Download Now by goombah99 · · Score: 3, Insightful

    |\
    |--\
    |----\ Click to start
    |----/ DOWNLOAD
    |--/
    |/

    --
    Some drink at the fountain of knowledge. Others just gargle.
  3. Re:Good by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Insightful

    Why isn't an IT professional using an Adblocker or at least HOSTS file?