SLUniverse Forums

Fmeh · 09-20-2008, 03:01 PM

If you type "Spybot Search and Destroy" into Google or Yahoo, the first two results are scams! I originally thought that there was supposed to be some sort of procedure that helped stop this kind of crap from happening. What's really sad is that both scams that come up as the first two results are supposedly "sponsored". I guess these scams are bringing in quite a bit of money.

I guess both Google and Yahoo don't give a flying fuck WHO gives them money as long as they get money--they'll just show whoever gives them the most money on the top of the results.

I guess it's a bit confusing though--both Google and Yahoo have had an anti-malware thing going on for a while, where some sites say "this site may harm your computer"--so why would they allow for something like this?

I'm upset right now because my niece was having problems and I recommended Spybot. Now I don't know whether she is smart enough to click the REAL site instead of one of the scams. I just still can't believe Google and Yahoo would do something so irresponsible!

I guess this is more of a warning than anything--if you're looking for something to get rid of spyware, don't trust Google's results unless you already know the name of the company you want to get anti-spyware software from.

Decadent · 09-20-2008, 03:04 PM

Pro-tip: ignore the Top Three results for any search, regardless of what it is. If it's a legitimate website that you skipped over, you'll stumble back to it thanks to the other results eventually.

Oh, and I always skip sponsored links just because.

Walker Moore · 09-20-2008, 03:24 PM

The first two results are actually sponsored links aren't they?

The first proper result for me is: The home of Spybot-S&D! , which is the correct site.

Fade Languish · 09-20-2008, 03:33 PM

I always just ignore the sponsored links. Just email her the direct link if you're worried.

Walker Moore · 09-20-2008, 03:47 PM

I think Google are reading this site.

I'm not getting the sponsored links anymore.

Decadent · 09-20-2008, 03:54 PM

» Most users ignore Google’s Sponsored Links - iQ Blog

Fmeh · 09-20-2008, 04:00 PM

It's my niece that I'm mostly worried about. She may know photoshop like the back of her hand, but this kind of stuff she knows nothing about

Decadent · 09-20-2008, 04:05 PM

Well, it really isn't anything to get into a tizzy about unless the website is chock full of porn ads or personal ads -- which they more than likely only would be if those were the terms searched for. Also, any website that asks for a credit card number to be inputted before you can download what you're looking for should be routed through her parents (if she's young enough) so they could easily put the kibosh on it as well.

If your niece knows Photoshop as well as she apparently does, I'm sure she's computer savvy enough to spot scams as well.

Fmeh · 09-20-2008, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Decadent

Well, it really isn't anything to get into a tizzy about unless the website is chock full of porn ads or personal ads -- which they more than likely only would be if those were the terms searched for. Also, any website that asks for a credit card number to be inputted before you can download what you're looking for should be routed through her parents (if she's young enough) so they could easily put the kibosh on it as well.

If your niece knows Photoshop as well as she apparently does, I'm sure she's computer savvy enough to spot scams as well.

I haven't been able to reach her today yet, so I don't know....

Decadent · 09-20-2008, 04:18 PM

I guess I'm wondering what the worst that could happen is. You know your niece better than we do, obviously, but I'm just not seeing why her clicking a sponsored link would be a big deal?

Fmeh · 09-20-2008, 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Decadent

I guess I'm wondering what the worst that could happen is. You know your niece better than we do, obviously, but I'm just not seeing why her clicking a sponsored link would be a big deal?

I've clicked the sponsored links, I'm not worried on my system, and they're a scam. They claim to be something they're not and they want a bunch of personal info. They are not the homepage of Spybot Search and Destroy, nor are they the place where you download it as they wrongfully claim.

Usually sponsored links lead to places that are BLATANTLY shopping sites, or they lead to places like Amazon where you can actually purchase the things you searched for (EDIT: Okay, so those are the same thing--shopping sites). In this case, and in cases of other spyware removal titles, they allow for scams to appear as the sponsored links. This also happens occasionally when searching for antivirus software. I think that's rotten.

I may know the difference when I'm seeing these things, and others who are in the know may know about it, but people who don't know may not be able to see those things and will click on those kinds of links FIRST and think they're getting legitimate software.

Decadent · 09-20-2008, 06:12 PM

I never, ever input any personal information beyond a first name and email address into any website that isn't well-known before running it by someone else first to see if they've ever heard of it -- and that's rare in and of itself.

If your niece is especially trusting, try suggesting that she do the same. Otherwise, it's just trial and error and unpreventable short of just ignoring those links like most other people do.

09-20-2008, 03:01 PM	#1 (permalink)
Fmeh The Fourth Dimension That pulsating glowing thing. Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Tacoma, WA USA Posts: 2,484 Blog Entries: 1	Why does Google and Yahoo show scams as the first results sometimes? If you type "Spybot Search and Destroy" into Google or Yahoo, the first two results are scams! I originally thought that there was supposed to be some sort of procedure that helped stop this kind of crap from happening. What's really sad is that both scams that come up as the first two results are supposedly "sponsored". I guess these scams are bringing in quite a bit of money. I guess both Google and Yahoo don't give a flying fuck WHO gives them money as long as they get money--they'll just show whoever gives them the most money on the top of the results. I guess it's a bit confusing though--both Google and Yahoo have had an anti-malware thing going on for a while, where some sites say "this site may harm your computer"--so why would they allow for something like this? I'm upset right now because my niece was having problems and I recommended Spybot. Now I don't know whether she is smart enough to click the REAL site instead of one of the scams. I just still can't believe Google and Yahoo would do something so irresponsible! I guess this is more of a warning than anything--if you're looking for something to get rid of spyware, don't trust Google's results unless you already know the name of the company you want to get anti-spyware software from. __________________ The Fourth Dimension club and hangout http://slurl.com/secondlife/Meribel/205/171/104/

09-20-2008, 03:04 PM	#2 (permalink)
Decadent the ne'er do-well. Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Dallas. Posts: 3,416 SL Join Date: '04 '06.	Pro-tip: ignore the Top Three results for any search, regardless of what it is. If it's a legitimate website that you skipped over, you'll stumble back to it thanks to the other results eventually. Oh, and I always skip sponsored links just because. __________________ Some day we will look back on all this, laugh nervously and quickly change the subject. -- Tears stream down your face When you lose something you cannot replace Tears stream down your face And I.. Lights will guide you home And ignite your bones And I will try to fix you.

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09-20-2008, 03:24 PM	#3 (permalink)
Walker Moore The Son of Avatar Hiding Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 8,105 Doom Rider Champion! My Mood:	The first two results are actually sponsored links aren't they? The first proper result for me is: The home of Spybot-S&D! , which is the correct site.

09-20-2008, 03:33 PM	#4 (permalink)
Fade Languish something here Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 1,245	I always just ignore the sponsored links. Just email her the direct link if you're worried.

09-20-2008, 03:47 PM	#5 (permalink)
Walker Moore The Son of Avatar Hiding Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 8,105 Doom Rider Champion! My Mood:	I think Google are reading this site. I'm not getting the sponsored links anymore.

09-20-2008, 03:54 PM	#6 (permalink)
Decadent the ne'er do-well. Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Dallas. Posts: 3,416 SL Join Date: '04 '06.	» Most users ignore Google’s Sponsored Links - iQ Blog

09-20-2008, 04:00 PM	#7 (permalink)
Fmeh The Fourth Dimension That pulsating glowing thing. Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Tacoma, WA USA Posts: 2,484 Blog Entries: 1	It's my niece that I'm mostly worried about. She may know photoshop like the back of her hand, but this kind of stuff she knows nothing about

09-20-2008, 04:05 PM	#8 (permalink)
Decadent the ne'er do-well. Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Dallas. Posts: 3,416 SL Join Date: '04 '06.	Well, it really isn't anything to get into a tizzy about unless the website is chock full of porn ads or personal ads -- which they more than likely only would be if those were the terms searched for. Also, any website that asks for a credit card number to be inputted before you can download what you're looking for should be routed through her parents (if she's young enough) so they could easily put the kibosh on it as well. If your niece knows Photoshop as well as she apparently does, I'm sure she's computer savvy enough to spot scams as well.

09-20-2008, 04:18 PM	#10 (permalink)
Decadent the ne'er do-well. Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Dallas. Posts: 3,416 SL Join Date: '04 '06.	I guess I'm wondering what the worst that could happen is. You know your niece better than we do, obviously, but I'm just not seeing why her clicking a sponsored link would be a big deal?

09-20-2008, 06:12 PM	#12 (permalink)
Decadent the ne'er do-well. Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Dallas. Posts: 3,416 SL Join Date: '04 '06.	I never, ever input any personal information beyond a first name and email address into any website that isn't well-known before running it by someone else first to see if they've ever heard of it -- and that's rare in and of itself. If your niece is especially trusting, try suggesting that she do the same. Otherwise, it's just trial and error and unpreventable short of just ignoring those links like most other people do.