Ads that are Fake Browser Warnings

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Ads that are Fake Browser Warnings

keyplyr

8:58 am on Jun 23, 2018 (gmt 0)

I've been seeing large, near full page pop-ups that pretend to be browser warnings. These do not appear to be Adsense.

On desktop sites I've seen pop-ups saying "Microsoft has detected... Follow instructions to fix... and remove the virus from your computer." This link leads to page selling scan software with a large Download button.

On mobile I've seen a similar overlay ad using Google's multicolor logo. The message even sniffs my OS and identifys my phone make & model.

Just more damage done to the internet experience

mack

4:07 pm on Jun 26, 2018 (gmt 0)

These are like a fall back to the early 2000's when it was common to have a popup styled to look like a system notifier informing you of "updates required" or "virus found" and so on.

Are the ones you see being displayed in page using CSS to give the impression of it being a popup? I have noticed a few sites try this using the "Modal" feature from Bootstrap.

Mack.

keyplyr

7:18 pm on Jun 26, 2018 (gmt 0)

Are the ones you see being displayed in page using CSS...

Not sure. Both the mobile & the desktop versions hijack the browser functions so to proceed the user has to click the ad link, or use keyboard commands like I do to close the browser completely.

tangor

4:54 am on Jun 27, 2018 (gmt 0)

Another reason why NoScript and Ad Block is essential ... as I have NOT seen any of these. :)