Have you ever bought (or signed up for) anything from a pop-up ad?

Never - but I read some 2006 statistics the other day on spam that said 8% of users buy from spam emails and pop-up ads. Because of these people, it continues.

Think, if they send out one million spam emails (which takes them but a second and costs little-to-nothing), and even 1% buy something, look at the profit they just made.

As long as there are some morons out there buying or responding to the spam, it will continue to be a problem.

I have responded but backed out later (not giving them any real info, etc), but that's because I'm a very wary (and smarter than average) internet user, and very much aware of how these scams work.

Obviously, tho', there are enough people that do respond to them to make it worth their while to put this crap on your PC.

Keep in mind that they also make money other ways (some of the people who put spyware and viruses on your PC are seeking to steal your identity and empty your bank account when you enter your bank ID and password while doing online banking, etc. .

yes, the banks' computers and the transaction between your modem and the bank are secure (if they're using the encryption technology, which virtually all legitimate banks use). .

BUT, viruses exist (and have been used) which capture your info while still inside your PC (as you type it in) . . before it gets to the modem - and before it's into the "secure transaction" pipeline.

and then they have the program (virus) secretly send the information back to them, and next thing you know you're overdrawn on your account when yesterday you had thousands in there.

This is why knowledge is power. It's gonna happen to some people, but you can, by being careful, make sure it doesn't happen to you. You can do your part by making sure your PC is protected in every possible way (including constantly updated antivirus and anti-spyware programs, a good firewall, and all the latest Windows updates from Microsoft, etc.)

good luck and God bless you.

No, and I was going to ask the same question. I can't understand why pop-ups are necessary. There is a method that allows for the advertisement to be shown within the page when the user has a pop-up blocker, though. I think ads should be kept within a page. Any respectable seller should consider "the customers' sanity as always right."

No I haven't, but sometimes I play the games inside of the ads (shave the back, shoot the ducks, etc.) just because I have a pop-up blocker.

No I haven't. Then again, I have mostly never tried. Think I clicked on those once or twice, but then there's always a catch, like you have to subscribe to something etc. I think clicking on those could also install adware or spyware on your computer, so you should always be careful.

Nope, close them without reading them. Now with Firefox blocking them, I rarely see one.

They get closed as fast as the paper ads included with bills hit the trash can.

No. But someone must be because the web site is paid everytime that someone clicks on them. Those advertisers bid how much they would pay per click so they seem to think it is worth it.

No they will never get my business and I always have "BLOCK POPUPS" enabled.

Definitely not!!!!!! It is the most annoying thing on the Internet and I applaud the browsers that allow you to turn it off! If anything, I go out of my way to NOT have anything to do with anyone who does pop-up adds.

nope. Never.

I have not and do not know anyone who has either.