Online advertising can fund useful websites, but not every advertising experience is trustworthy. A deceptive ad may disguise a promotion as a security warning, make a close button difficult to find, or redirect a visitor to an unrelated page.
Warning signs to notice
Be cautious when a page claims that your device is infected without a trusted security application detecting anything, announces that you have won a prize you never entered to win, or pressures you to act immediately. Unexpected download prompts, fake update messages, countdown timers, and repeated redirects are also reasons to stop and reassess.
Look carefully at buttons and links. A large button labelled “Continue” may lead somewhere different from what the page suggests. Check a link's destination before opening it, and avoid following links that already seem suspicious.
Do not trust every warning
A website displayed inside your browser cannot reliably diagnose your device merely by showing a dramatic warning screen. Do not call phone numbers shown in pop-up warnings, install unfamiliar applications, share passwords, or provide payment details to remove a problem announced by an ad.
If a warning appears to come from your operating system or security software, close the suspicious tab and open your security application directly rather than using the pop-up's links.
What to do after an unexpected redirect
- Close the suspicious tab. If it refuses to close, use your browser's tab controls or force-close the browser.
- Do not approve notifications, download files, install extensions, or enter personal information.
- Review browser notification permissions and remove sites you do not recognize.
- Check your downloads and do not open files you did not intend to obtain.
- Update your browser and device. If you opened a suspicious file, run a scan using security software you trust.
Advertisements may be provided by third-party services. Never follow an ad that asks you to disable security protections or disclose sensitive information.
How publishers can make ads safer
Responsible publishers should label advertising clearly, avoid deceptive placement, and work with providers whose policies and behavior they can review. Ads should not imitate browser alerts, obstruct essential navigation, or force visitors through unexpected destinations. Publishers should also make it easy to report harmful advertising.
A short safety checklist
- Pause when an ad creates urgency or fear.
- Check the destination before following a link.
- Keep your browser and operating system updated.
- Review site notification permissions regularly.
- Never provide passwords, verification codes, or payment details in response to an unsolicited warning.
This article provides general educational information and cannot guarantee that a website or advertisement is safe.