+and+How+to+Fix+It.png "What is Fake Search Results (Virus) and How to Fix It?")
Unless you’re completely new to the internet, you’ve had to
deal with plenty of annoying spam. These days, spam takes the form of just
about anything. It can be in email, social networks, instant messaging, blog
comments, QR codes, and just about everything else you can think of. It can be
pesky to individuals, and costly to large organizations that need to spend
thousands on equipment and software to prevent it.
deal with plenty of annoying spam. These days, spam takes the form of just
about anything. It can be in email, social networks, instant messaging, blog
comments, QR codes, and just about everything else you can think of. It can be
pesky to individuals, and costly to large organizations that need to spend
thousands on equipment and software to prevent it.
Recently there’s been a new threat in the world of spam. This
time it happens when you click your back button and a page of fake search
results shows up. We did some research to get to the bottom of it.
time it happens when you click your back button and a page of fake search
results shows up. We did some research to get to the bottom of it.
Also Read: How to Bypass Cyberoam by using Wayback Machine to Access Blocked Sites on Wi-Fi [100% Working]
What is it?
“Fake search results” is a slightly misleading name for this
new kind of spam. When you search Google, there’s nothing fake about what you
see. The problem comes after that. Let’s say you visit a page and then try to
use the back button to go back to your original search results. When you click
the back button, you’ll be directed to a new page that looks quite a bit like
search results. However, every link is just an advertisement, usually for the
same place. Spammers have found a way to insert pages you’ve never gone ton
into your browsing history.
new kind of spam. When you search Google, there’s nothing fake about what you
see. The problem comes after that. Let’s say you visit a page and then try to
use the back button to go back to your original search results. When you click
the back button, you’ll be directed to a new page that looks quite a bit like
search results. However, every link is just an advertisement, usually for the
same place. Spammers have found a way to insert pages you’ve never gone ton
into your browsing history.
Why should you care?
If you’re a casual internet browser then you probably
already know spam when you see it. You’re not going to respond to an email in
broken English telling you an ancestor from a foreign land has left a large sum
of money for you that can be transferred once you respond with your bank account
number. These fake search results are meant to trick you and can show up when
you least expect it.
already know spam when you see it. You’re not going to respond to an email in
broken English telling you an ancestor from a foreign land has left a large sum
of money for you that can be transferred once you respond with your bank account
number. These fake search results are meant to trick you and can show up when
you least expect it.
If you’re a business owner, you want to be even more aware
of this spam. Let your employees know what to look for and advise them to never
click on anything fishy. The last thing you want is for an employee to click a
link with a virus. A quick meeting to explain the risks of spam could save you
a lot of money and hassle in the long run.
of this spam. Let your employees know what to look for and advise them to never
click on anything fishy. The last thing you want is for an employee to click a
link with a virus. A quick meeting to explain the risks of spam could save you
a lot of money and hassle in the long run.
Also Read: The 12 Best Tools To Protect Your Password
Also Read: How to format an unformatable Pendrive
What can you do if it
happens?
happens?
Whatever you do, don’t click on
the links. Your best bet is to just close the window and start over. It will
seem annoying, but it only takes a few seconds. You could try a different
browser, but that won’t always work. Plus, if a site is spamming you, you
probably don’t want to go back to it. If it upsets you enough, you can report
the site to Google.
the links. Your best bet is to just close the window and start over. It will
seem annoying, but it only takes a few seconds. You could try a different
browser, but that won’t always work. Plus, if a site is spamming you, you
probably don’t want to go back to it. If it upsets you enough, you can report
the site to Google.
What is Google going
to do?
to do?
At this point, we’re not really sure. It looks like they’re
not really sure, either. They state on their blog that they may take action on
such sites. The key word there is “may.” Notice they’re not promising anything.
It could be that they’ll work on a plan to crack down on these sites and
completely shut them down. Only time will tell. In the meantime, be smart while
you browse the web and be on the lookout for fake search results. Hopefully you
won’t see them much longer.
not really sure, either. They state on their blog that they may take action on
such sites. The key word there is “may.” Notice they’re not promising anything.
It could be that they’ll work on a plan to crack down on these sites and
completely shut them down. Only time will tell. In the meantime, be smart while
you browse the web and be on the lookout for fake search results. Hopefully you
won’t see them much longer.
About Author:
Courtney Gordner loves
blogging about what is going on with the technology and Freight Broker world.
blogging about what is going on with the technology and Freight Broker world.
