Pop-up Windows
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Don’t Click No! How to Safely Close those Pop-up
Windows
Even though you are probably very aware of the dangers of
viruses and spyware, it is possible that you are downloading
those very things onto your computer without even knowing it.
As you surf the internet, you surely have encountered pop
windows. Most likely you simple close them and keep going on
with what you are doing. However, what you may not know is that
closing those windows may be the worst thing you can do. The
people who create pop up windows are sneaky and are certainly
not out for your best interests. In many cases, what you think
may be a simple move to rid yourself of an annoyance is really
a way for you to end up with a virus or spyware on your
computer.
You will find that many pop up windows and ads look like they
are standard windows boxes. They have in them a message or
alert and likely a button at the bottom. It usually asks
something to the effect of “would you like your system scanned
for spyware” and then offers you choices of buttons for “yes”
and “no.” Sometimes it’s even an alert and only one “close
window” button. Either way, you must be alert with these pop
ups.
The boxes that show up on your screen may seem pretty innocent
or even useful. Plus, you probably don’t pay it much attention
because you saw that there was a way to get rid of the box
quickly by clicking “no” or “close window.” The truth is that
if you are getting a pop up in the first place, there is cause
for concern. In most cases, those buttons are not what they
appear to be. In a large number of cases, if you click either
button or anything on the pop up, you will end up downloading a
virus or some sort of spyware. So by simply trying to close the
window, you are probably causing harm to your computer.
There is a proper way to click out of a pop up box. Many system
security experts will tell you that you click on the “x” in the
corner of the pop up window, instead of those option buttons it
gives you. The only problem is that many of the windows will
mimic that “X” and trap you once again. Remember to always be a
little bit suspicious when it comes to pop up windows. Just the
fact that someone is even using pop windows is reason to be
very cautious of anything having to do with that window.
There is another option, and it is likely the one that will be
the safest with any pop up window situation. The way is to find
the pop up in your task bar. Move the curser over the window
and right click it. You will get a menu and from that you can
select “close.” However, from time to time you may get a pop up
that is not listed in your task bar. All is not lost in such a
case. Simply right click on the task bar and you will get your
task manager. Find the pop up in there and click the “shut
down” option for that window. This will safely and easily rid
you of the pop up without putting you in danger of accidentally
downloading spyware or viruses onto your computer.
We live in an age of technology. With that technology, comes
danger, because as with anything there are always people trying
to take advantage. Viruses and spyware are certainly no
exception. Even though you are most likely fully aware of the
dangers of downloading software about which you are unsure, you
may still be doing it without even knowing what you are doing.
Often times, those annoying pop ups that spring up all over
your screen as you surf the net are actually traps. You click
the button to close or to say no and actually end up clicking a
link to download spyware. There are, however, safer ways to
close those windows. Whenever you are confronted with a pop up
window on your screen, take precautions so that you do not end
up with unwanted viruses or spyware on your computer.
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