Thread: scary online ads: how successful are they?

  1. #1
    Registered User toaster's Avatar
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    scary online ads: how successful are they?

    for example, there was this ad I encountered once that mentioned about how our computers were insecure and then displayed the contents of my main HDD (mine was "C:\").
    I was surprised at first glance and then decided it was only using scripts(?) to make the browser display the HDD contents.
    I mean this can scare the heck out of those computer users who have no knowledge of this.
    how far are they (advertisers) leading this online security issue?
    I think they are making this more worse than it was before.

    ... and some rumors on anti virus software.
    whether or not this is true, would you believe that anti virus software companies would create their own computer virii just to have the edge on the competition?

    this is crazy. it's like we would soon have to debug every thing before we run it. ....and wasting our HDD space for all the data those security software create.

    now let's go do some headhunting (joking).

    all comments are welcome.
    think only with code.
    write only with source.

  2. #2
    Brian
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    Making viruses is kinda illegal so I doubt they do that, maybe they give out concepts so that more viruses end up being made.

    and to display the contents of someone's C drive on your website you can use <IFRAME src="c:\"></IFRAME> (which, by the way can be used locally to allow you to access directories normally restricted on some computers)

    Yeah, and it's viruses not virii or viri, get a dictionary.

  3. #3
    Banal internet user
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    as for the anti-virus thing... there's no way I would believe that a company like Symantec would stoop to that level; I have my doubts about the crappy McAfee stuff though

    I wouldn't be suprised if either company hired or paid employees to write and release semi-malicious viruses for business

  4. #4
    Just because ygfperson's Avatar
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    the c:\ thing can easily be done with a hyperlink to c:\

    c:\

    for *nix users:
    /usr/bin

  5. #5
    Green Member Cshot's Avatar
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    as for the anti-virus thing... there's no way I would believe that a company like Symantec would stoop to that level
    Don't be too naive...
    Try not.
    Do or do not.
    There is no try.

    - Master Yoda

  6. #6
    Seven years? civix's Avatar
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    yeah, that really had me going with an internet eraser ad. But I think that those kind of ads would be about as likely to convince as me kicking DA in the face.
    .

  7. #7
    Registered User toaster's Avatar
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    just found a good example with a specific ad recently shown on this site.
    for those who saw the ad that looks like a dialog window and displayed "Your computer could be infected!" with a button that was labeled "Scan Now!", don't you just get annoyed and have the urge to scan your entire HDD(s) whenever you see them?
    now I think I have problems...

    no wait, is it just me or am I being brainwashed by these ads?
    Last edited by toaster; 08-21-2002 at 11:12 PM.
    think only with code.
    write only with source.

  8. #8
    left crog... back when? incognito's Avatar
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    Well let me put it to you like this. Once while browsing some interesting sites.......(hehehe I think it was porn) This page came up with my IP address talking about we have your information you've done something illegal or something you're in trouble unless you buy this software for like 30 bucks.......at first I got scare then at a second glance I was more relieved......
    There are some real morons in this world please do not become one of them, do not become a victim of moronitis. PROGRAMMING IS THE FUTURE...THE FUTURE IS NOW!!!!!!!!!

    "...The only real game I thank in the world is baseball..." --Babe Ruth

    "Life is beautiful"-Don Corleone right before he died.

    "The expert on anything was once a beginner" -Baseball poster I own.


    Left cprog on 1-3-2005. Don't know when I am coming back. Thanks to those who helped me over the years.

  9. #9
    Registered User moonwalker's Avatar
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    hmm

    at first, i was a little afraid that some files might have been
    deleted...

    i usually avoid going to such sites.

  10. #10
    left crog... back when? incognito's Avatar
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    Re: hmm

    Originally posted by moonwalker
    at first, i was a little afraid that some files might have been
    deleted...

    i usually avoid going to such sites.


    Well let's see I was younger........you get internet at home you know that sooner or later you're going to try them out.....well at least I did.......just out of curiousity.
    There are some real morons in this world please do not become one of them, do not become a victim of moronitis. PROGRAMMING IS THE FUTURE...THE FUTURE IS NOW!!!!!!!!!

    "...The only real game I thank in the world is baseball..." --Babe Ruth

    "Life is beautiful"-Don Corleone right before he died.

    "The expert on anything was once a beginner" -Baseball poster I own.


    Left cprog on 1-3-2005. Don't know when I am coming back. Thanks to those who helped me over the years.

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