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Scripts and Pop-ups
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Here is a funny story
about a computer problem. As you have just discovered, it is possible
to play tricks with your computer. |
A fellow called the Help Desk at his company and complained that his
cup holder was broken.
After some discussion the dispatcher sent someone to look at his computer.
The technician found that the user had been placing his coffee cup in
the tray of the CD drive, which succumbed to the weight of the cup and
the coffee.
That's a pretty funny story, isn't it? Now, please click
here. Did your coffee cup holder suddenly appear? If so, you may need
to take steps to ensure that your computer is protected.
The script that opened the door to your CD player is completely harmless.
It is a program that runs in your browser. Unfortunately this program could also include
code to do a number of not-so-nice things to your computer, such as reformatting your hard drive. Fortunately,
it does not.
Now perhaps you understand how things can be done to your computer without
your consent. If you have been the victim of of one of these tricks your
computer may be running rather slowly. If you don't already have them,
download and install some of the Malware tools for which we have provided links. Use them to clean the out the gremlins
from your computer and keep them at bay. Programs such as AdAware, Spybot, Spyware Blaster, and Zone Alarm are excellent and they come in both paid and free versions.
As for the script that opened the CD door it really is harmless. If you
are concerned about it the code is reproduced below. It is found in the
<HEAD> section of the page code.
<SCRIPT LANGUAGE="VBScript">
<!--
MsgBox "Click here to view this page. This will run a harmless
script.",64,"Here is your free coffee cup holder!"
Set oWMP = CreateObject("WMPlayer.OCX.7" )
Set colCDROMs = oWMP.cdromCollection
if colCDROMs.Count >= 1 then
For i = 0 to colCDROMs.Count - 1
colCDROMs.Item(i).Eject
Next ' cdrom
End If
-->
</SCRIPT>
Sometimes while surfing you may run into a window that advises that some
sort of attention such as a speed improvement or a virus scan is urgently
needed. Some of them jiggle and some flash. Some advise that you are a
winner (along with every other visitor to the site).
Clicking "OK" or clicking the "X" in the upper right
hand corner of this type of message box could take you to another Website,
which is essentially harmless. It could also cause a script to run on
your computer. Yes, that "X" can be part of a graphic, not a
Windows message box, and clicking it will run the script!
| Below are three flashy graphics that we
encountered on one Website, along with a description of what happened
when we clicked on them. None of them ran scripts or downloaded anything
but that doesn't mean that is what will happen next time. Note that
we did not include any of those wiggly-jiggly ads that are the bane
of many Websites. Some of those have a far worse payload than the
ones featured below. |
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Clicking on this ad takes you to Media25.FastClick.Net and then
to Freemem.SoftwareSavingsPlus.Com. Here we found an offer (that
expires today!) for FreeMemPro, which supposedly fixes memory leaks.
When we exited this page a pop-up ad reminded us of this wonderful opportunity. After
we left we found several browser windows that wouldn't open, possibly
pop-behind ads. We also found a window promoting NetBoostPro, which
supposedly speeds up Internet connections.
Note that you cannot "upgrade" your memory with software. You need to plug in a new stick of memory. You can "optimize" the memory but that only works in older systems any more and not all that well at that. |
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Clicking on this ad takes us to www.Poetry.Com, where you can submit
your original poem for consideration in a contest. You must give them
your name, address, and e-mail address in order to submit your poem. |
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This one is really slick. Click and you will be taken to www.TheUseful.Com/Pitch,
where you are asked to enter your e-mail address. Never mind that
there is no mention of what you are agreeing to. When you exit a window
pops up begging you to click to win a $25,000 prize. |
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Some ads give dire warnings about broadcasting your IP address over the
Internet. Of course, if you didn't do that you could not receive Web pages
because that is how the Web works, but the warning sounds serious. Other ads warn about memory leaks.
Such leaks are the fault of software, not your computer, and it is doubtful
that a utility will correct this type of problem.
These flashy ads are annoying but they are relatively harmless. Of course,
there are similar types of ads that try to force a "drive-by" download of software that may spy on you as you surf. If you don't have
a firewall you
are leaving yourself open to all sorts of nefarious mischief.
The Romans had a good motto that sums it all up: Caveat Emptor, which
means, Let the Buyer Beware. Perhaps a better translation would be: If
it seems too good to be true, it probably is.
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