Internet Security ABC - Don't Click No! How to Safely Close those Pop-up Windows

Don't Click No! How to Safely Close those Pop-up Windows

Even though you are probably very aware of the dangers of viruses and spyware, it is possible that you are downloading those very things onto your computer without even knowing it. As you surf the internet, you surely have encountered pop windows. Most likely you simple close them and keep going on with what you are doing. However, what you may not know is that closing those windows may be the worst thing you can do. The people who create pop up windows are sneaky and are certainly not out for your best interests. In many cases, what you think may be a simple move to rid yourself of an annoyance is really a way for you to end up with a virus or spyware on your computer.

You will find that many pop up windows and ads look like

they are standard windows boxes. They have in them a message or alert and likely a button at the bottom. It usually asks something to the effect of "would you like your system scanned for spyware" and then offers you choices of buttons for "yes" and "no." Sometimes it's even an alert and only one "close window" button. Either way, you must be alert with these pop ups.

The boxes that show up on your screen may seem pretty innocent or even useful. Plus, you probably don't pay it much attention because you saw that there was a way to get rid of the box quickly by clicking "no" or "close window." The truth is that if you are getting a pop up in the first place, there is cause for concern. In most cases, those buttons are not what they appear to be. In a large number of cases, if you click either button or anything on the pop up, you will end up downloading a virus or some sort of spyware. So by simply trying to close the window, you are probably causing harm to your computer.

There is a proper way to click out of a pop up box. Many system security experts will tell you that you click on the "x" in the corner of the pop up window, instead of those option buttons it gives you. The only problem is that many of the windows will mimic that "X" and trap you once again. Remember to always be a little bit suspicious when it comes to pop up windows. Just the fact that someone is even using pop windows is reason to be very cautious of anything having to do with that window.

There is another option, and it is likely the one that will be the safest with any pop up window situation. The way is to find the pop up in your task bar. Move the curser over the window and right click it. You will get a menu and from that you can select "close." However, from time to time you may get a pop up that is not listed in your task bar. All is not lost in such a case. Simply right click on the task bar and you will get your task manager. Find the pop up in there and click the "shut down" option for that window. This will safely and easily rid you of the pop up without putting you in danger of accidentally downloading spyware or viruses onto your computer.

We live in an age of technology. With that technology, comes danger, because as with anything there are always people trying to take advantage. Viruses and spyware are certainly no exception. Even though you are most likely fully aware of the dangers of downloading software about which you are unsure, you may still be doing it without even knowing what you are doing. Often times, those annoying pop ups that spring up all over your screen as you surf the net are actually traps. You click the button to close or to say no and actually end up clicking a link to download spyware. There are, however, safer ways to close those windows. Whenever you are confronted with a pop up window on your screen, take precautions so that you do not end up with unwanted viruses or spyware on your computer.

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