{"id":13415,"date":"2019-07-17T16:46:55","date_gmt":"2019-07-17T23:46:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hellotech.com\/?p=13415"},"modified":"2023-01-20T16:30:28","modified_gmt":"2023-01-21T00:30:28","slug":"what-causes-pop-up-ads-how-to-remove","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hellotech.com\/blog\/what-causes-pop-up-ads-how-to-remove","title":{"rendered":"What Causes Pop-up Ads and How to Remove Them"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Have you ever been browsing a website when suddenly an ad pops up out of nowhere? These pop-up ads are not only annoying, and some of them can even redirect you to a malicious site. Here’s what causes pop-up ads and how to remove them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Are Pop-up Ads?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Pop-up ads are one way web developers and companies make money. However, they can also be used by hackers to steal your personal information (such as your bank details). Clicking pop-up ads can redirect you to sites that can infect your computer and system files.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Causes Pop-Up Ads?<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

1. Adware<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Adware (or advertising-supported software) is a type of malware (or malicious software) that hides on your computer and automatically displays advertising material when you are online.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019ve been getting annoying pop-up offers appearing on your screen, your computer might be infected. This software usually gets into the system through other free software that users willingly install.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Tech Support Scam<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Tech support scammers swindle money from unsuspecting victims. These scammers used to call the victims themselves, but they often use pop-ups now to convince users to call them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most tech support scammers will try to scare you into thinking you have a problem with your computer, such as a virus. If you have ever received a pop-up window that warns you about an issue on your computer, it might have been a scam.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many of these pop-ups look like they are from a well-known company. They often use logos from antivirus companies or your operating system. One easy way to tell if a pop-up is real is to look at the URL. If the pop-up claims that it is from Apple, the URL should say \u201cApple.com\/\u2026\u201d If the URL looks suspicious, do not click on anything and close your browser.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another way to tell that a pop-up is a scam is if it tells you to contact a phone number. According to the Federal Trade Commission<\/a>, you will never be asked to call a phone number by a real security warning.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Fake<\/span>
A fake example of a tech support scam with a phony URL (Image Source: FTC<\/a>)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n


If you end up calling the number, scammers or hackers could end up stealing your private information. Many of these scammers ask users to give them remote access to their computer. Once they\u2019re inside your computer, they can steal your information or try to sell you services to remove viruses that are not there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Ransomware<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Ransomware is a type of malicious software that hackers use to take control of a victim\u2019s computer. The software can block users from accessing their files until they pay a ransom, usually in untraceable Bitcoin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some forms of ransomware can employ web browsers to display pop-up notifications that accuse the victim of violating laws. These messages can look like they are from the FBI, IRS, or other government agencies. These messages can scare users into believing that they were involved with child pornography or downloading movies illegally.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"IRS<\/span>
The IRS will never use email or pop-ups to discuss personal tax issues (Image Source: IRS<\/a>)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

If your computer does become infected with ransomware, the FBI warns you against paying the ransom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cPaying a ransom doesn\u2019t guarantee an organization that it will get its data back,\u201d says<\/a> FBI Cyber Division Assistant Director James Trainor.\u201d \u201cWe\u2019ve seen cases where organizations never got a decryption key after having paid the ransom.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Instead, the FBI recommends you report the incident to the Internet Crime Complaint Center<\/a>.
You can prevent pop-up ads from showing up by taking the following steps:<\/p>\n\n\n

\"Computer<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n

How To Prevent Pop-Up Ads<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n