# Is CNN. com doing things to my computer? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [April 4, 2007, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cnn-com-doing-things-to-my-computer/398749 "2007-04-04T18:49:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Jake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f475e1/32.png) [@Jake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jake)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2007, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cnn-com-doing-things-to-my-computer/398749/1 "2007-04-04T18:49:38Z")
Why is it that CNN’s website flashes / blinks occasionally whenever I log on to it? Is it downloading something(s) I don’t want? Lke spam? I’d like to think it’s just checking for the latest news, but I need reassurance. ---
**Author:** ![Cowboy8467](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b5e925/32.png) [@Cowboy8467](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cowboy8467)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2007, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cnn-com-doing-things-to-my-computer/398749/2 "2007-04-04T19:19:31Z")
Same thing happens to me when I’m logged in. I’m almost positive that it is just refreshing the news. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2007, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cnn-com-doing-things-to-my-computer/398749/3 "2007-04-04T20:54:19Z")
That happens only when I use Firefox, but not IE. Could y’all be using FF? ---
**Author:** ![TimeWinder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bcef8e/32.png) [@TimeWinder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TimeWinder)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2007, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cnn-com-doing-things-to-my-computer/398749/4 "2007-04-04T21:41:34Z")
I get a couple notifications that popups have been blocked – I suppose that you could have your popup blockers set to more silent than mine. ---
**Author:** ![WarmNPrickly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/d78d45/32.png) [@WarmNPrickly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WarmNPrickly)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2007, 4:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cnn-com-doing-things-to-my-computer/398749/5 "2007-04-05T04:28:22Z")
I no longer leave my CNN tab open for this very reason. It bugs me when it starts doing stuff without my saying so. I am in control here, if I want a refresh I will do it. Besides it has caused my system to crash. I am using firefox. ---
**Author:** ![Quiddity\_Glomfuster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/c4cdca/32.png) [@Quiddity\_Glomfuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quiddity_Glomfuster)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2007, 4:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cnn-com-doing-things-to-my-computer/398749/6 "2007-04-05T04:29:08Z")
Have you upgraded your Firefox? My old version hated CNN. ---
**Author:** ![WarmNPrickly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/d78d45/32.png) [@WarmNPrickly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WarmNPrickly)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2007, 4:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cnn-com-doing-things-to-my-computer/398749/7 "2007-04-05T04:41:39Z")
It’s a mish-mosh of problems primarily stemming from using a dial-up connection with my WiFi network. ---
**Author:** ![Meeko](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e495f1/32.png) [@Meeko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Meeko)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2007, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cnn-com-doing-things-to-my-computer/398749/8 "2007-04-05T19:15:41Z")
When I go to [CNN.com](http://CNN.com) all of my background windows gain focus and come to the front again. I also get an “error” beep. Is this what you guys are talking about?