TBD

My phone browser was hijacked five times yesterday. I scrambled to run malwarebytes scans and reset the phone thinking that I’d been infected, but it was resolved when I switched from Chrome to Firefox with Ad Block. On review, I think I may have been inadvertently clicking the banner ads while scrolling around in “full site” view on a website that we hold close to our hearts.

Coincidentally, I was engaged in a lively discussion where a passenger was downgraded (after boarding). Was it the airline’s fault? Or should the pax have acquiesced to policy? Well, I put the two events together and have to ask: are we properly directing blame for ads (and blockers)?

I see quite a few websites out there that take issue with ad blocking. I fully understand why the ads are necessary and how they keep sites like FT “free”. But when some sites plaster ads in obtrusive places and there’s an increasing risk that the ads are malware, why is the user “wrong” for blocking them? Why do sites blame the users and (seemingly) fail to recognize their own responsibility to manage their content?

Websites want to operate with their existing revenue models. Users want to continue using websites for free. But when users would rather risk loss of access to a site because the ads present too much risk … both sides lose.

Amelorn

YES YES YES

The new FT ads have become very intrusive. I occasionally hear short bursts of sound that originate from one of the many ads on FT. This is a complaint of mine when videos/sound automatically play on a webpage, which irks me (CNN is very guilty here).

My least favorite are the Trivago ads on mobile FT which "hijack" my text cursor and force me to their mini booking engine. No, I am reading a thread on the Hilton forum. I am not interested in being forced to book a flight originating from New York!

krazykanuck

Yeah - I finally had to ....... FT because they are cramming so many ads onto the page that it makes navigating FT impossibly slow.

exerda

The ads FT serves up also include a ton of the stupid "Your device is infected with the virus (16!) Click Here to Cleanse!!!" ads which redirect to their ad over and over again. I usually have to close the window, and bring FT back up, when those ads start.

That, and the "Congratulations Verizon Customer! You are the winner of $100 Amazon gift card!!!" ads.

Both redirect away from the page you were browsing and try to intercept attempts to return to the prior page you were on. I get these on a couple of other web sites on my mobile devices, too, but FT seems to be the worst offender.

Seriously, Chrome for Android needs to have some better ad-blocking options.

gfunkdave

It’s been announced that Chrome will start blocking ads internally on Feb. 15.

krazykanuck

Yeah: this thread is on page 52 now https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/tech...-shots-52.html

JDiver

To those who are Missing posts, please stop flogging dead horses and making posts that are attacks, overly personal or otherwise disruptive (including advocating ad blocking software use). Posts that meet those criteria will be summarily deleted. Members who continue make noncontributive and disruptive posts may be disciplined.

We know there’s a problem; many members have helpfully shared specifics such as device, operating system, browser, screen shots, etc. The problem has persisted in spite of time, and whatever Internet Brands has attempted to solve the issue has been insufficient. IB undoubtedly understands ads bringing income need viewers, and a diminution of viewers is harmful to that revenue stream.

We have heard from IBobi that they hope to resolve this issue close to the new year. Let’s see what happens.

Regardless, the Rules (link) still apply in this forum. Please continue documenting disruptive and rogue ads here, providing the requested information. IB needs that input. But please continue doing so civilly.

Thank you,

JDiver, Co-Moderator

Sallycat

I was on the following page and received the below pop up:

WWYD in this case to get to YYC-YYZ?

I’m on an iPhone 6S, using safari, and accessing from the US.

JDiver

Thank you for your post and your patience. The specifics really do help.

These, along with the phony virus infection warnings and browser page hijacks, are disconcerting.

Hopefully Internet Brands has figured out the source and will be able to control that within a week or two, as mentioned above by IBobi.

/JDiver, Co-Moderator

aww3583

I’m browsing this exact page in this forum and got the pop up and redirect ad.

I also got it in the HHonors and Delta Skymiles forums. Terrible. Makes the website unusable.

FlyerTalk should be embarrassed by the level of infiltration of toxic ads.

It it has been happening for months on iOS 11 and above using Safari on both the desktop and mobile sites.

dhuey

Add me to the list of You won an Amazon gift card! pop-ups. iPhone 6 Plus. It is so persistent I thought I had some malware on my phone.

chicagorich

Same here.

C W

This crap is back. Accessing using iPhone X with Chrome from Oregon.

scillyisles

Thank you for acknowledging that this problem has persisted in spite of time. The issue I have is that the “time” part seems to be over a year or more and yet we are told that a solution is coming in the New Year.
Hopefully the upcoming solution will solve the problem, I do however wonder why of all the Internet forums I frequent none of them have anywhere near the issues that FT has with disruptive ads/malware pop ups. Why is this - surely knowing the reason would lead to a solution?
In the meantime whilst posting this I continue to get the Amazon pop up as shown on post above on both Iphone 7+ and IPad both under Safari and IOS 11.2.1 browsin* from Hawaii on Time Warner Cable.

GadgetFreak