Pprune pop ups and elves
 

Over the last few days, when I have clicked on a thread, on at least three occasions a page has appeared promoting ......elves.

Whilst I have nothing against elves, I do wonder as to why this is happening and what, if anything, can be done to prevent it please.

Also, if anybody else has had a similar experience.

I have also received a blank page at times, but with a caption at the top saying "Internet brands" and nothing else.

Help and advice appreciated please.

The subject-matter of pop-up ads usually relates to one's own browsing history rather than the website itself. I'm currently receiving pop-up ads for Hainan Airlines' MAN-PEK service. I also find myself a regular candidate for goods and services related to Islam (Eid groceries, anyone?) having looked up details of Hajj flights for photography purposes. Lots of airline ads. Steam train excursions are another common one for me - you may be getting a picture here! These trackers know how to target their ads. Perhaps the best was a series of ads for shoes after reading an article on Richard Reid. I guess these cookies don't do irony?

Is there perhaps a child in your family who may have browsed Christmas-related topics? Whatever the reason you have been deemed a likely customer for such merchandise, the data will be specific to how technology perceives your likely purchasing profile.

I did have problems a couple of weeks back when a particular serial pop-up was preventing PPRuNe from loading correctly. This appeared to come from some bank but I can't recall which one. Effective ad, obviously!

You could install adblock plus and be done with it...

Even if you don't use an ad blocker, you can avoid the worst of the trackers:

https://www.eff.org/privacybadger

Even better to combine it with an adblocker.

SD

This being a free, advertising-supported website, we'd prefer you not block ads, or promote technologies that do so.

The best course of action is always to report the offending ad to the admins (me) so we can block it. A screen shot is most helpful!

My thanks for all the replies and advice. :ok:

I am familiar with the browsing history ads, some showing sites I have visited and others offering products and services that are "interesting and eclectic"....;)...and which I get bemused at as I have never actually sought such products.

I do, from time to time including today in fact, also get a caption on here and on the BBC / Met office sites saying, for example...."bbc.co.uk is not responding"..so I press the refresh button and the page is restored.

The Met office site in particular seems to coincide with the loading of the various commercial adverts the site now carries.

Non of the above may be in any way related to the issue I originally asked about of course, but, for those who know about IT, may possibly be aware of some form of common issue.

It's only Elf n Safety.