So-called pop-up downloads have to be the sleaziest Internet advertising scheme yet — far more pernicious than even the ubiquitous spam or moustrapping. According to News.Com,
In recent weeks, some software makers have enlisted Web site operators to entice their visitors to download software rather than simply to view some advertising. For example, when visiting a site a person may receive a pop-up box that appears as a security warning with the message: “Do you accept this download?” If the consumer clicks “Yes,” an application is automatically installed.
I do not think it will take more than a few months to see a class against lawsuit against the companies using this sort of advertising. For example, one company in the News.Com article, Gator, explains that it is okay to do this because the dialog box that pops up says “Would you like to try this application? Click here if you do.” I’m sorry but that is not nearly enough information to gain consent for installing an application on my system.
Only on the Internet is advertising that infuriates its target audience considered a wise business move.
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