If you regularly read the ZoneAlarm blog, you might think you know all there is to know about keeping safe from scams and tricksters on the internet. You know how to keep your online identity protected, and to be wary of shortened URLs. And you probably have a pretty good idea of how to avoid clickbait (though you may be dying to click that link….) In fact you probably can’t even understand how anyone could ever fall prey to such scams – You might even think that people who do get tangled up in scams have a few loose screws or deserved to get messed over as a punishment for being so gullible.
“Lose 10 pounds in two days! Unmask the latest diet craze that will make you the envy of all your friends!”
“See what this mom did just to get the perfect picture! (Reader caution advised)”
“The number one reason why you should NEVER go on roller coasters with your hair down!”
How many of the above topics sound at least somewhat familiar to you? And how many times have you clicked on similar ones?
Is there anything more annoying than internet ads?
True, being attacked very slowly by hundreds of fuzzy kittens might take first place – Touché. But internet ads come in at a close second.
Chances are that you have heard at least a little bit about the debate between internet advertisers and publishers versus the makers and proponents of ad blocking software. It’s a debate that neither side wants to lose, nor do they want to make any concessions. And the ramifications might very well be huge.
Do you use social media to keep up with family and friends? How about to read and share mind blowing articles (like the ones here on the ZoneAlarm blog)? Either way, if you hang around social media at all, chances are you have encountered and clicked on shortened URLs even if you weren’t aware of it. But as useful as shortened URLs are, they can easily be corrupted by hackers and scammers.
Have you ever tried searching for yourself on Google? Sure, it might seem like fun to see how many times you come up in a Google search. You’ll find your Facebook profile, a talkback you posted a few years ago and some whitepages.com results. Nothing too interesting there. But when you think about it, the very fact that you do come up means you’re being tracked. And it’s all thanks to cookies.
