# Are you kidding me? Downloads on the Column page **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [August 18, 2016, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-kidding-me-downloads-on-the-column-page/763169 "2016-08-18T14:21:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Babale](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/babale/32/15666_2.png) [@Babale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babale)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2016, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-kidding-me-downloads-on-the-column-page/763169/1 "2016-08-18T14:21:05Z")
That’s it – I am done reading the SDMB columns. I originally got into this website because of the columns, years and years ago. I think I found this place 12 years ago, lurked for a long time, posted a bunch, then lurked again. But through it all I’ve been reading the columns, at least a couple every week. The recent changes to advertising pissed me off, but I understood why you did it. I get it. You need revenue. I can get behind that. So I’ve dealt with the popups, the redirects, the popUNDERS, and all the rest of the trash. But today I got the ad that broke the camel’s back. One of your ads downloaded and launched a pdf file on my computer, on its own, without me clicking anything. I know that this seems like a minor thing to get upset over, but I do not. Go. On. Websites. That download things automatically. Today it’s a pdf, tomorrow it’s an exe file. So it’s a great shame, because I love the columns, but I just don’t want to deal with it anymore. At least the forums aren’t so bad (so long as I’m logged in). ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2016, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-kidding-me-downloads-on-the-column-page/763169/2 "2016-08-18T14:36:27Z")
Just to be the first of many… Why don’t you become a member? ---
**Author:** ![Merneith](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/57b2e6/32.png) [@Merneith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merneith)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2016, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-kidding-me-downloads-on-the-column-page/763169/3 "2016-08-18T14:38:51Z")
More to the point - why aren’t you using an ad-blocker? I use U-block Origin. It works like a charm. Practice safe browsing, kids. Always use protections. ---
**Author:** ![Babale](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/babale/32/15666_2.png) [@Babale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babale)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2016, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-kidding-me-downloads-on-the-column-page/763169/4 "2016-08-18T14:42:49Z")
Becoming a member doesn’t change a thing since you aren’t logged in on the front page, only on the forums. And if the solution is adblock, why have ads? They don’t get revenue if we don’t see them. At the end of the day I don’t want this site to fail. I thinking getting a reasonable ad regiment is a better idea than having such terrible ads that every visitor has to use adblock. ---
**Author:** ![Omega\_Glory](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/7c8e57/32.png) [@Omega\_Glory](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omega_Glory)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2016, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-kidding-me-downloads-on-the-column-page/763169/5 "2016-08-18T14:43:52Z")
I’ve recently had the same automatic download on the forum when I visit the boards on my tablet. ---
**Author:** ![Inner\_Stickler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inner_stickler/32/318_2.png) [@Inner\_Stickler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inner_Stickler)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2016, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-kidding-me-downloads-on-the-column-page/763169/6 "2016-08-18T14:56:24Z")
> [@Exapno\_Mapcase](#): > > Just to be the first of many… > > Why don’t you become a member? You can’t be serious. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2016, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-kidding-me-downloads-on-the-column-page/763169/7 "2016-08-18T14:59:11Z")
> [@Inner\_Stickler](#): > > You can’t be serious. He is. And don’t call him Shirley. ---
**Author:** ![levdrakon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@levdrakon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/levdrakon)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2016, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-kidding-me-downloads-on-the-column-page/763169/8 "2016-08-18T15:08:01Z")
Automatic downloads is crossing the line, for sure. I’m also starting to see an increase in ads (not here) that will lock your browser and try to convince you that you’ve been “banned from the internet” or become the victim of ransomware or something. They provide a number to call get your computer unlocked. It’s not true ransomware thankfully. Yet. But dang, that should not be tolerated at all. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Great\_Unwashed](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_great_unwashed/32/4791_2.png) [@The\_Great\_Unwashed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Great_Unwashed)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2016, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-kidding-me-downloads-on-the-column-page/763169/9 "2016-08-18T15:25:25Z")
Y’all must be getting more interesting ads than me. For the last few months I have had nothing but the same four (which might well be a single ad): **ONE Image** BUSTY WOMAN IN TIGHT WHITE LOW-CUT DRESS ON AN AEROPLANE USING HANDHELD DEVICE (OO-ER) **Text** You’ll Probably Quit Your Job After This Video. You can earn $10,000 every week! Watch this. \*\* TWO Image\*\* TWO YOUNG EAST ASIAN WOMEN AT SOME SOCIAL EVENT STARING AT SOMETHING OFF CAMERA **Text** Chinese Government Will Never Show This To The Public! Be Were (sic) This System Will Make You Breathless. **THREE Image** SAME IMAGE OF BUSTY WOMAN FROM AD ONE **Text** A Proven System Can Trade $800 Every 5 Minutes With A Clean (sic) $15,000 Profit! After A deposit Of £250! **FOUR Image** WOMAN IN RED BIKINI LAYING ON A BOAT **Text** This Secret Method Can Make You a Millionaire in 30 Days! Watch How It’s Done After £250 Deposit. Laughably mistargetted (I already am a multi-millionaire with my own private jet and yacht and all the busty women I can eat). ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2016, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-kidding-me-downloads-on-the-column-page/763169/10 "2016-08-18T16:03:37Z")
> [@Babale](#): > > Becoming a member doesn’t change a thing since you aren’t logged in on the front page, only on the forums. > > And if the solution is adblock, why have ads? They don’t get revenue if we don’t see them. At the end of the day I don’t want this site to fail. I thinking getting a reasonable ad regiment is a better idea than having such terrible ads that every visitor has to use adblock. Yeah, and you can mark that down as one of the main reasons why I sometimes ask myself, “why am I still paying?” along with the technical problems (which haven’t been too bad lately.) I’ve been following the Dope long enough that I’ve read all the old columns, so I only check the front page on Fridays for the new column. But those ads are a TERRIBLE way to welcome a first-timer. ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2016, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-kidding-me-downloads-on-the-column-page/763169/11 "2016-08-18T16:05:09Z")
> [@Babale](#): > > Becoming a member doesn’t change a thing since you aren’t logged in on the front page, only on the forums. I’ve never seen an ad on the front page. > [@](#): > > And if the solution is adblock, why have ads? They don’t get revenue if we don’t see them. At the end of the day I don’t want this site to fail. I thinking getting a reasonable ad regiment is a better idea than having such terrible ads that every visitor has to use adblock. Memberships probably give more money, are far less work, and certainly less disruptive. If every guest was a member they’d kick the ads down the Miracle Mile. ---
**Author:** ![fachverwirrt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/94ad74/32.png) [@fachverwirrt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fachverwirrt)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2016, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-kidding-me-downloads-on-the-column-page/763169/12 "2016-08-18T16:14:54Z")
> [@Exapno\_Mapcase](#): > > I’ve never seen an ad on the front page. Are you running Adblock? There are definitely ads on the front page; I just paused Adblock and got about 6. They’re splashed all over the columns too. ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2016, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-kidding-me-downloads-on-the-column-page/763169/13 "2016-08-18T16:46:07Z")
PDFs are a _very_ common vector for malware. Adobe’s products are just so exploitable. I strongly suspect the OP’s experience was a malware install attempt. Note: Using some other PDF reader is a really good idea. They have holes, but not as many as Adobe’s and less frequently attacked. ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2016, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-kidding-me-downloads-on-the-column-page/763169/14 "2016-08-18T16:50:11Z")
> [@fachverwirrt](#): > > Are you running Adblock? There are definitely ads on the front page; I just paused Adblock and got about 6. They’re splashed all over the columns too. Well, yeah, I’ve used ad blockers since forever. How can anyone not? ---
**Author:** ![fachverwirrt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/94ad74/32.png) [@fachverwirrt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fachverwirrt)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2016, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-kidding-me-downloads-on-the-column-page/763169/15 "2016-08-18T16:58:01Z")
> [@Exapno\_Mapcase](#): > > Well, yeah, I’ve used ad blockers since forever. How can anyone not? Then it’s hardly surprising that you’ve never seen an ad on the front page, is it? ---
**Author:** ![sleestak](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/919ad9/32.png) [@sleestak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sleestak)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2016, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-kidding-me-downloads-on-the-column-page/763169/16 "2016-08-18T17:07:37Z")
I am about to quit. I get the download, on my PCs, phones and my tablet. Every freaking time. I get popups on every single click. Go to the main page, get a pop up. Choose message board, get a popup. Pick a forum, get a popup. It is insane. I don’t run adblock because I expect the websites I use to be actually usable. The SD is rapidly becoming unusable. Slee ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2016, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-kidding-me-downloads-on-the-column-page/763169/17 "2016-08-18T17:39:22Z")
This is why I no longer reccomend the Dope to people. I don’t know if they use adblockers, and I don’t want to be responsible for someone getting malware on their computer. Saying, “buy a membership” isn’t a reasonable solution for someone wanting to check out the place, or who just wants to read an article, or a single thread. (And as I’ve said before, “buy a membership, lest you want to be bombarded with dangerous ads” is a really shitty business model) > [@sleestak](#): > > I don’t run adblock because I expect the websites I use to be actually usable. The SD is rapidly becoming unusable. > > Slee A good many websites aren’t usable without an adblocker of some type. ---
**Author:** ![fachverwirrt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/94ad74/32.png) [@fachverwirrt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fachverwirrt)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2016, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-kidding-me-downloads-on-the-column-page/763169/18 "2016-08-18T17:50:23Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > A good many websites aren’t usable without an adblocker of some type. A good many websites aren’t usable _with_ an adblocker. Personally I run Adblock and pause it if a site makes me, but I can well understand the philosophy that if the ads render your site unusable, then it ought not be used. ---
**Author:** ![TBG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@TBG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TBG)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2016, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-kidding-me-downloads-on-the-column-page/763169/19 "2016-08-18T19:20:45Z")
> [@sleestak](#): > > I don’t run adblock because I expect the websites I use to be actually usable. Who keeps taking all my stuff? I don’t lock my door because I expect people to not be thieves. ---
**Author:** ![Inner\_Stickler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inner_stickler/32/318_2.png) [@Inner\_Stickler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inner_Stickler)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2016, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-kidding-me-downloads-on-the-column-page/763169/20 "2016-08-18T19:25:46Z")
To be clear, you are equating the dope with a thief, and that doesn’t bother you? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-kidding-me-downloads-on-the-column-page/763169.md?page=2)