404 Tech Support

Google targets deceptive download buttons

Google announced that they will be working to end deceptive download and play buttons on sites. These often function as ads on websites offering downloads or streaming videos and are luring unsuspecting victims to click which will then take them to suspicious sites or download unwanted software.

Google has identified these fake buttons and is responding to them in kind with their social engineering policy, which was announced in November. They are considered social engineering when it pretends to act like a trusted entity or tries to trick you into doing something you would only do for a trusted entity. As a result, if you visit a site that uses these deceptive tactics, Google will use its Safe Browsing protection to warning you of the deceptive site ahead.

If visitors to your web site consistently see social engineering content, Google Safe Browsing may warn users when they visit the site. If your site is flagged for containing social engineering content, you should troubleshoot with Search Console. Check out our social engineering help for webmasters.

This has been a long time coming. I labeled this problem as disGUIsed Ads because the ads tried to disguise themselves as normal parts of the interface. My complaint, with plenty of examples, was published just shy of 5 years ago. It is better late than never and this should drastically help individuals from falling for deceptions of Flash Player or Java updates.

http://www.404techsupport.com/2011/05/google-adsense-needs-to-allow-category-blocking-of-disguised-ads-to-improve-user-experience/