"What's with all the ads?" Topic

Suddenly this morning, I can't open a topic without getting totally un-wargame related ads.
So far I have seen the same mortgage relief SPAM ads that are all over the place and AAA auto sales and Publishers Clearing House.

What else can we expect and why?
Has The Editor in Chief vetted these ads?

Also, unlike all other links on TMP it takes me away from TMP instead of opening a new window.

Nothing of the sort here.

Not here, either. Could be a little something special you picked up somewheres.

What boards/threads do you see it on, or is it everywhere? The Lounge? Here?

I've got them too Winston, never seen this before.

I believe you have some sort of virus in your browser. I would google this problem and I imagine you will have a solution. It has come up here before and that was the problem, hopefully it will be easy to resolve.

Are you on Ipad? It appears that an adware root got installed on mine (I got the ads as well). I installed adblock pro and got rid of them.

This has nothing to do with TMP, however. It probably came from a link we all went to. The ad servers are sneaky that way.

On an I phone? VIRUSSES???
That's an invulnerable Apple product!

I hate whem someone enhances my websurfing experience w/o asking. Did you update Flas recently? Adobe is good for slipping crap in the erla agreement.

Oddly enough there are some gaming ads too. And I am not talking about the TMP banner ads.

When I say virus I donīt mean virus. I mean some kind of adware or malware or whatever. As a lowly end user I just lump them all together under the word virus.

What's with all the ads?"

duh

its for revenue generation and you know it. so what? are you really that bored that you have to start a controversy about something so completely obvious???

, looks like I'm getting them too. I'm on an ipad. What's this ad block pro? Is it a free app? How the hell do I get these off my ipad? Pisses me off! I don't want to have to pay for an app to clear this off because some sneaking malware in somewhere here. This is ing bull . Dammit…

Sorry, winston. I don't have them on my lowly PC.

Any way we can 'stifle' or 'ignore' them?

Well I do have them on my lowly PC. Trying to decide if it's adware that we picked up somewhere, or if it's part of a new revenue stream here at TMP.

Shows up on both my PC's as well as my iphone. Both IE 8 and Google Chrome.

With or without TMP signon.

Vince

Nothing on my Linux machine.

If this is a new TMP "feature" I will just install an ad block. Of course this will also block any banner ads. Is that what TMP wants?

We're experimenting with some new banner ads. Only Basic Members see the ads.

Sounds like some of you may have picked up some "Malware" either in the form of a virus or Spybot. First go yo your anti virus service and update then run a check This may catch the bug

If it does not work try two "free" products that may help

The first is Spybot
This is a service that hunts out malware on your computer and lets you fist identify it then delete You have to approve any deletions yourself Thee is a good tutorial

safer-networking.org

The second is AdBloc Plus Again this is free and stops pop up ads even on your browser page like Yahoo. It allows you to choose what you want to block

adblockplus.org

After posting this I saw the Editor's comments so that may be the cause As some members are not seeing the ads, including me on a Firefox run PC There may be another cause Eeven ifthere is nothing to it the two products I have recommended are good things to have on your machine

The ads that have appeared on my computer are all directly from Google, and it will not allow me to opt out from them.

So what I am getting, me a lowly non Supporting Member, are adds for used cars, mortgage refinancing, Publishets Clearing House and trash like that.
Can we expect that in the future if the "experiment" succeeds?
I have to pony up to not get any?

Winston

I am a basic member and I am not getting the ads you mentioned As Nazrat suggests it may be Google I use Yahoo

I am getting the ads today also. I am using IE 8. Just saw note for editor that only basic members see ads. So I guess that explains it.

If the Editor is looking for a way to really and truly off TMP members, he has hit on a novel method. "Pay to not see ads."

I have installed an 'ad' blocking program to one of my Windows PCs.

No ADS!!

You are infected Cut off the limb quickly!

You all just need to visit better sites. My ads are for SF video games, Syfy network, and American Military University (I've been reading a ton of Navy stuff). All generally relevant.

Anyhow, the ads aren't flashing or anything, so just don't look at them.

Frankly, if TMP can generate some more revenue, that's a good thing. More money to spend on an update!

I have changed my homepage from TMP to another page already as a result of these things. The top banner ads were at least miniatures related, but this new stuff is too much and to far in my opinion. And TMP (I'm sure because of the new ads), is now trying to install add-ons like Flash to make the ads even more annoying and flashy. I used to really respect TMP for moderate use with just the top banner ads. In my opinion this is beginning of the end of my use.

a novel method. "Pay to not see ads."

Not a novel method at all. Been around for decades.

I see lots of sound advice on this thread about adware, viruses, possible mew TMP 'features', etc.

One suggestion I haven't seen yet, so I'll post it:

Go to the Installed Software window of your Control Panel and scan through it for anything that was recently installed that you don't recognize. Look for names like 'Shopping Assistant'. The solution may be as simple as de-installing the rogue program.

We're experimenting with some new banner ads.

The new ads seem to work, but they are quite annoying and not related to TMP content (like the top banner ads).

I have now blocked the Google Ads on the side and bottom menus, but I continue to view the top banner ads.

I have not that problem.

Amicalement
Armand

I got it too thought it was just me . Got a my search dial in the tool bar too . off to antivirus and spam land

I suspect you have a virus…(mal ware) no problem with my account.

I routinely use the free version of Ad-aware and don't have these problems.

Given that wargames companies pay you for advertising on this site, using third party ones, especially without consulting with them first is very bad manners and actually insulting to those companies that do pay you to run targeted ads.

Im seeing lots of ads, not really bothered except the one on this very page, for travelling girls, apparently you can view galleries of girls for 59 euro a month?

Appropriate?

Steve

I've turned off certain categories of ads, but can also screen out specific ads if you can give me a very good description of the offending banner.

I can understand wanting to get ad revenue. But I am not coming to TMP to get a home equity loan, or buy a car. So those ads are a total waste of space. I have used ads before for wargaming or history related subjects, but these new ads are just annyoning and don't seem to be relevant to why anyone comes here in the first place. Just my 2 cents.

Yep I got them as well and they are distracting and I do not like.

I should add that I regularly check for malware and such. Nope this is a new thing that Bill has allowed to generate revenue I suppose. Ah well I think I might be coming to TMP less offen.

The Ads are from Google. When you click on an ad in the right hand corner, you can go to an options page which explains the ads, and provide an opt out option. I opted out, but Google stated that it was only an opt out for categories I selected (search history?) but would not stop the ads from appearing.

This is total BS from Google, and even more reason to not use their search engine.

I believe these ads are targeted based on your browsing history, so people will be seeing different ones based on where they have been surfing.

I've been using Firefox and adblock for years so don't get any ads anyway.
The down side is if everybody does that then the advertisers here will also get their ads blocked, making paying for advertising pointless!

I did not have the adverts earlier when first mentioned, I've got 'em now though!

I vote against them

What if this "Experiment" works. Will Supporting Members then get ads for mortgage refinancing, used cars etc too?

THIS IS NOT A VIRUS, or malware. This is deliberate TMP policy.

Whoa, look, hold your horses, if the owner of this website needs a couple of more cents at this time of year, pitch in and become a supporting member. (Can't at the moment myself).

If you don't like the policy then go somewhere else.

That's up to you and is called free choice.

What 'you' don't have is a vote in this matter.

Although…… I am interested in the hair loss ads thanks for the info Bill.

Ah, the old "Bill's House, Bill's Rules" argument.
Nice try.
However, when he puts so many inane housekeeping topics to a vote, it kind of loses its potency.

Why not have Polls on these topics?
"Should Basic Members be forced to have SPAM ads on every thread they open?"
"Should Supporting Members get the same treatment as Basic Members?"
"Should advertisers who pay for banner ads now have competition with much lower revenue SPAM ads?"

If you're responding to me (duncanh), John the OFM, then at least have the decency to say so.

And if you are responding to me, don't put words in my mouth.