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Unseen risk from fake pop-ups | | 2008/09/25 | | A number of internet users are unaware of the risk from fake pop-up messages, new research has shown.
The study by North Carolina State University has shown that 63 per cent of participating students were fooled by fake pop-ups, regularly unable to distinguish them from genuine messages.
Clicking on fake pop-ups can lead to spyware and other harmful programmes being installed on machines.
This malicious software can then be used to disrupt website service and potentially cause server outages.
The implications of the study strengthen the case for use of website monitoring software in order to minimise the damage these outages may cause to businesses' online content.
Tony Neate, managing director of Get Safe Online, advises users to install pop-up blockers.
"Browsers and most anti-virus software offers them," he said.
Meanwhile Dr Wolgalter, who conducted the study, warned: "Be suspicious when things pop up. Don't click OK - close the box instead." |
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