Vent: Websites with spontaneous video ads that can't be turned off

[OceanAnnie]

Ugh! I don't like the video ads just spontaneously playing while reading a website. There is no way to turn them off. There are times it startles me to be blasted with that nonsense. It's annoying! I don't stay on the websites that have this. I just "x" out of the whole site. The ad banners don't bother me nearly as much.

Luckily there hasn't been too many websites that have these ads. I hope it doesn't catch on.

 

[Hollywoodhaha]

I agree.
Also when it is a website I am trying to watch a video on so the two video's sound mixes.

 

[OceanAnnie]

And another ad trick I can't stand is the pop up box that overlays over the content you are trying to read. At least with that one you can "x" it off.

 

[FireDancer]

They are easy to block by using Firefox and NoScript. I block all scripting and manually allow only the scripts I need to run on pages. This blocks all sorts of adds along with a lot of tracking practices done by sites.

 

[OceanAnnie]

They are easy to block by using Firefox and NoScript. I block all scripting and manually allow only the scripts I need to run on pages. This blocks all sorts of adds along with a lot of tracking practices done by sites.

Thanks, FD! I didn't know that. I do use Firefox. I'll get my DH to set that up! Yea! It pays to vent.

 

[Imzadi]

They are easy to block by using Firefox and NoScript. I block all scripting and manually allow only the scripts I need to run on pages. This blocks all sorts of adds along with a lot of tracking practices done by sites.

I have always wondered if these sites are able to download stuff to my computer.

I do my banking online and do a LOT of shopping online and am paranoid someone will be able to see me go online to my bank account or enter my credit card numbers by "remote access" and get my account numbers. (Verizon did that a couple times when I had problems and they were moving my cursor arrow around, etc., pressing open & closed windows, in order to fix my computer setting. This was done with my permission of course while I was on the phone with them.) Hackers aren't going to announce they are online with me and move my cursor, but just watch me inputting my card numbers and scribbling them down. IF that is even possible.

I worry that websites are able to put some tracking stuff on my computer to get my info. Is this even possible? If they are able to get past 2 pop-up blockers to force a pop up window on me, what else are they able to do?

 

[robinb]

They are easy to block by using Firefox and NoScript. I block all scripting and manually allow only the scripts I need to run on pages. This blocks all sorts of adds along with a lot of tracking practices done by sites.

I do that too, but I use FlashBlock. I was also using AdBlock (which I LOVED) but for some reason it is not playing well with the new Firefox and my other add-ons and Firefox was hanging a lot until I disabled it.

 

[OceanAnnie]

I have always wondered if these sites are able to download stuff to my computer.

I do my banking online and do a LOT of shopping online and am paranoid someone will be able to see me go online to my bank account or enter my credit crard numbers by remote access and get my account numbers. (Verizon did that a couple times when I had problems and was moving my cursor arrow around, etc., pressing open & closed windows, in order to fix my computer setting. This was dome with my permission of course while I was on the phome with them.) Hackers aren't going to announce they are online with me and move my cursor, but just watch me inputting my card numbers and scribbling them down. IF that is even possible.

I worry that websites are able to put some tracking stuff on my computer to get my info. Is this even possible? If they are able to get past 2 pop-up blockers to force a pop up window on me, what else are they able to do?

I scan my computer a few times a day for cookies and trackers. I was doing it daily, but now before I turn off the screen I run the program. It's surprising how many there are after a short amount of time on the computer.

 

[robinb]

I scan my computer a few times a day for cookies and trackers. I was doing it daily, but now before I turn off the screen I run the program. It's surprising how many there are after a short amount of time on the computer.

Firefox will also help you deal with cookies. You can set it to ask you if you want to accept or reject cookies and will remember the answer for you.

 

[FireDancer]

Thanks, FD! I didn't know that. I do use Firefox. I'll get my DH to set that up! Yea! It pays to vent.

NoScript is great but it takes a bit to get used to. Don't give up, it becomes natural after a while. Make sure uncheck the "Show message about blocking scripts" on the Notifications tab under settings. It will put a small "S" icon n the bottom right of the screen. It will block scripts on every page. You can right click the S when scripts are blocked and either allow them temporary or permanently. Sites like the DIS you use often and can trust you can allow permanently. Sites you visit that are trustworthy but you don't visit often you can temporarily allow.

The thing you will notice often is that the site you are visiting will be attempting to run scripts along with other 3rd party sites. I usually only allow the first party scripts and don't allow the 3rd.

Like I said, it is a little inconvenient but it becomes second nature after a while.

I have always wondered if these sites are able to download stuff to my computer.

I do my banking online and do a LOT of shopping online and am paranoid someone will be able to see me go online to my bank account or enter my credit crard numbers by remote access and get my account numbers. (Verizon did that a couple times when I had problems and was moving my cursor arrow around, etc., pressing open & closed windows, in order to fix my computer setting. This was dome with my permission of course while I was on the phome with them.) Hackers aren't going to announce they are online with me and move my cursor, but just watch me inputting my card numbers and scribbling them down. IF that is even possible.

I worry that websites are able to put some tracking stuff on my computer to get my info. Is this even possible? If they are able to get past 2 pop-up blockers to force a pop up window on me, what else are they able to do?

NoScript will block some of these kinds of things. Some other things you can do is block 3rd party cookies and set all cookies to act as session cookies. Session cookies aren't stored permanently. Another thing people don't realize is that Flash uses cookies that are different than regular cookies. Google "Flash Cookie Settings" and you will get instructions on managing them.

The best thing anyone can do is pay attention online. The vast majority of phishing and identity theft is low tech and user error. For example, if you are entering information on chase.com make sure that that is what is in the browser's address bar. Anything asking for a username and password really should be on a secured page (https: instead of http. The DIS doesn't have that option but they aren't asking for financial info. Just make sure the password you use here isn't the same one you use on other sites.

Most viruses, malware, and identity theft can be thwarted by changing some security settings and being vigilent. If you get an email from a financial institution don't follow links, manually go to the page in a browser. If you get an email to call BoA at a number don't use it, get the number off the back of you card.

If anyone wants to really know about online security checkout the Security Now podcast, it is part of the TWiT network. It requires above average computer knowledge but doesn't require a Computer Science degree to follow.

 

[OceanAnnie]

Thanks guys.

 

[Imzadi]

I scan my computer a few times a day for cookies and trackers. I was doing it daily, but now before I turn off the screen I run the program. It's surprising how many there are after a short amount of time on the computer.

My antivirus takes aobut 1.75 hours to do a scan. I don't run it nearly enough because of that.

I suppose it is long past time to download Firefox. I do want it because it has the magnifying window ability. But, my PC is as slow as mollasses as it is. I hate to download extra stuff which may slow things down more.

 

[Imzadi]

NoScript will block some of these kinds of things. Some other things you can do is block 3rd party cookies and set all cookies to act as session cookies. Session cookies aren't stored permanently. Another thing people don't realize is that Flash uses cookies that are different than regular cookies. Google "Flash Cookie Settings" and you will get instructions on managing them.

The best thing anyone can do is pay attention online. The vast majority of phishing and identity theft is low tech and user error. For example, if you are entering information on chase.com make sure that that is what is in the browser's address bar. Anything asking for a username and password really should be on a secured page (https: instead of http. The DIS doesn't have that option but they aren't asking for financial info. Just make sure the password you use here isn't the same one you use on other sites.

Most viruses, malware, and identity theft can be thwarted by changing some security settings and being vigilent. If you get an email from a financial institution don't follow links, manually go to the page in a browser. If you get an email to call BoA at a number don't use it, get the number off the back of you card.

If anyone wants to really know about online security checkout the Security Now podcast, it is part of the TWiT network. It requires above average computer knowledge but doesn't require a Computer Science degree to follow.

Thanks! I'll check out those sites later, when I'm more awake.