Operators who employ the use of mousetraps aggressively make a run at market their goods or services.
They may even have a go at steal your personal data.
So how do you recognize when you’re caught in a trap?
Some operators even make it so that the new page you’re redirected to is in a new window.
“Your phone is hacked.
Download this Antivirus Software Now.
Image Credit: Yendi08/Shutterstock
99% of android users have this app on their phone.
Your government is tracking your phone.
Install this VPN.”
Typically, clicking the exit button on these pop-ups will only lead to more call-to-action messages.
It could be the official website of a celebrity or your favorite newspaper.
Sometimes, it is almost impossible to know if the site is legitimate until you poke the link.
Image Credit: Yendi08/Shutterstock
Fortunately,there are ways to know if a site is legitimate.
Owners of these sites create the mousetraps to get as many clicks as possible from unwitting visitors.
By this time, it is already too late.
That’s not all.
You could open different windows as you attempt to escape because pop-ups pop up rapidly.
Mousetrapping isn’t for clicks alone.
Somethreat actorsuse these traps to stall their victims.
Despite all these, there are a few ways to escape mousetraps.
Inputting a new, legitimate web link should do the trick.
Many traps don’t affect the address bar, so moving to a new site should help you escape.
You could also select a bookmark or a link from your Historyor Favorites folder.
Disable JavaScript
Another option isdisabling JavaScript in your web app.
JavaScript is a popular programming language used by most websites.
It is what allows these websites to create pop-ups and redirects that prevent you from leaving a page.
Some would argue that disabling JavaScript is overkill because many other legitimate websites also use this programming language.
An alternative is to use a online window that allows you to disable JavaScript for specific sites.
Use Keyboard Shortcuts
Clicking on web app buttons while trying to escape a mousetrap can be very frustrating.
That makes this a good time to memorizekeyboard shortcuts that help you navigate your setup.
To close an entire window,Ctrl + Shift + Wworks perfectly.
Keyboard shortcuts should work, so you should be able to shut the opened windows.
However, prevention is always better.
Use web browsers with add-ons and plug-ins that block redirects, ads, and unauthorized window openings.
Disabling JavaScript is another option.
Many functionalities on the site would be disabled, including the pop-ups and banners.
