Inability to Recognize Fake Pop-Ups Could be Risky

A new research conducted by security investigators at North Carolina State University indicates that majority of the online users are not able to differentiate authentic pop-up alert messages from the fake ones despite repeated mistakes, as reported by periscopeit on September 25, 2008.

The study says that the university's students regarded a pop-up message as a disturbance in their online activity and therefore, they quickly delete them, suggesting that the common people are inclined to react in such a manner towards pop-up alerts. If this practice is true, then people are exposing themselves to spyware and viruses, say the researchers.

Furthermore, the research shows that the tangible distinctions between the genuine and the phony messages are subtle, while a large number of participants in the study could not discern them. The fake warnings fooled the participants in 63% cases, as they clicked on the "OK" option in the pop-up box that showed up on the computer screen in spite of being warned that not all that are displayed are real.

However, the research study stated that the fake messages were crafted to fool users into downloading malicious software. The software could subsequently be utilized to obstruct Website access and to potentially result in server outages.

According to Dr. Micahel S. Wogalter, Study Co-Author and Professor of Psychology at NC State, the study proves how people could be easily fooled on the Internet, as reported by sciencedaily on September 23, 2008.

Wogalter further said that the manners in which people responded to pop-up messages could potentially expose them to malicious software. Safer options like clicking "cross" on the pop-up box were hardly chosen, he said.

Wogalter also points out that business organizations and other legitimate entities may consider of incorporating extra features that let people distinguish between the real alerts and the phony pop-ups. Nevertheless, he wonders if it might not be possible to duplicate an authentic message and use it illegitimately.

In any case, the study results highlight the necessity to raise awareness among all Internet users who should be suspicious of anything popping up.

» SPAMfighter News - 30-09-2008

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