Comments on: Taking human stupidity to new extremes: Click here to infect your PC http://www.geeksaresexy.net/2007/05/16/taking-human-stupidity-to-new-extremes-click-here-to-infect-your-pc/ tech, science, news and social issues for geeks Tue, 14 Feb 2012 07:53:04 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v= By: Donhttp://www.geeksaresexy.net/2007/05/16/taking-human-stupidity-to-new-extremes-click-here-to-infect-your-pc/#comment-53857 Don Fri, 28 Mar 2008 17:27:00 +0000 http://www.geeksaresexy.net/2007/05/16/taking-human-stupidity-to-new-extremes-click-here-to-infect-your-pc/#comment-53857 As an expert in paid search ads, I can tell you these numbers don't mean a whole lot. It's a click-through rate of only 0.15%, which would be considered by most as a failed ad. Also, chances are that most of these impressions didn't come from people search on security terms, and were probably shown on Google's network of sites that agree to show ads for a cut of the money. Now if this was done on a more targeted level, we could probably get some more intriguing details. As an expert in paid search ads, I can tell you these numbers don't mean a whole lot. It's a click-through rate of only 0.15%, which would be considered by most as a failed ad. Also, chances are that most of these impressions didn't come from people search on security terms, and were probably shown on Google's network of sites that agree to show ads for a cut of the money.

Now if this was done on a more targeted level, we could probably get some more intriguing details.

]]> By: Donhttp://www.geeksaresexy.net/2007/05/16/taking-human-stupidity-to-new-extremes-click-here-to-infect-your-pc/#comment-262239 Don Fri, 28 Mar 2008 17:27:00 +0000 http://www.geeksaresexy.net/2007/05/16/taking-human-stupidity-to-new-extremes-click-here-to-infect-your-pc/#comment-262239 As an expert in paid search ads, I can tell you these numbers don't mean a whole lot. It's a click-through rate of only 0.15%, which would be considered by most as a failed ad. Also, chances are that most of these impressions didn't come from people search on security terms, and were probably shown on Google's network of sites that agree to show ads for a cut of the money. Now if this was done on a more targeted level, we could probably get some more intriguing details. As an expert in paid search ads, I can tell you these numbers don’t mean a whole lot. It’s a click-through rate of only 0.15%, which would be considered by most as a failed ad. Also, chances are that most of these impressions didn’t come from people search on security terms, and were probably shown on Google’s network of sites that agree to show ads for a cut of the money.
Now if this was done on a more targeted level, we could probably get some more intriguing details.

]]> By: Angelinahttp://www.geeksaresexy.net/2007/05/16/taking-human-stupidity-to-new-extremes-click-here-to-infect-your-pc/#comment-5133 Angelina Mon, 21 May 2007 14:57:00 +0000 http://www.geeksaresexy.net/2007/05/16/taking-human-stupidity-to-new-extremes-click-here-to-infect-your-pc/#comment-5133 That sounds funny :) That sounds funny :)

]]> By: Angelinahttp://www.geeksaresexy.net/2007/05/16/taking-human-stupidity-to-new-extremes-click-here-to-infect-your-pc/#comment-262238 Angelina Mon, 21 May 2007 14:57:00 +0000 http://www.geeksaresexy.net/2007/05/16/taking-human-stupidity-to-new-extremes-click-here-to-infect-your-pc/#comment-262238 That sounds funny :) That sounds funny :)

]]> By: Rob dunnhttp://www.geeksaresexy.net/2007/05/16/taking-human-stupidity-to-new-extremes-click-here-to-infect-your-pc/#comment-4944 Rob dunn Fri, 18 May 2007 19:06:00 +0000 http://www.geeksaresexy.net/2007/05/16/taking-human-stupidity-to-new-extremes-click-here-to-infect-your-pc/#comment-4944 Remember though, Windows caters to the lowest common denominator much more than Apple or Linux does. Not to say all Windows users are part of this "low-denominator" category, but it is more than likely that most low-denominator users are Windows users. Also, Linux/Mac has that "but its different" stigma that many people don't like to grapple with. Most folks who use computers at their jobs use Windows, so they will naturally purchase a PC with Windows on it at home. Every single company I've ever worked at has used Windows as their desktop OS...and this includes working in the Public sector. People who use Macs & Linux at work are probably more than likely system admins/tech-heads or graphics artists (again, a generalization), all of whom are a bit more savvy when it comes to what/what not to click on when on the Internet. So I think the only real data this survey gave us was that the people who clicked on that link weren't thinking, clicked accidentally, were security professionals (as stated above) or were just ignorant...I suspect it is a combination of all these - too bad there wasn't a poll at the website asking the people these questions! Remember though, Windows caters to the lowest common denominator much more than Apple or Linux does. Not to say all Windows users are part of this "low-denominator" category, but it is more than likely that most low-denominator users are Windows users. Also, Linux/Mac has that "but its different" stigma that many people don't like to grapple with.

Most folks who use computers at their jobs use Windows, so they will naturally purchase a PC with Windows on it at home. Every single company I've ever worked at has used Windows as their desktop OS…and this includes working in the Public sector.

People who use Macs & Linux at work are probably more than likely system admins/tech-heads or graphics artists (again, a generalization), all of whom are a bit more savvy when it comes to what/what not to click on when on the Internet.

So I think the only real data this survey gave us was that the people who clicked on that link weren't thinking, clicked accidentally, were security professionals (as stated above) or were just ignorant…I suspect it is a combination of all these – too bad there wasn't a poll at the website asking the people these questions!

]]> By: Rob dunnhttp://www.geeksaresexy.net/2007/05/16/taking-human-stupidity-to-new-extremes-click-here-to-infect-your-pc/#comment-262237 Rob dunn Fri, 18 May 2007 19:06:00 +0000 http://www.geeksaresexy.net/2007/05/16/taking-human-stupidity-to-new-extremes-click-here-to-infect-your-pc/#comment-262237 Remember though, Windows caters to the lowest common denominator much more than Apple or Linux does. Not to say all Windows users are part of this "low-denominator" category, but it is more than likely that most low-denominator users are Windows users. Also, Linux/Mac has that "but its different" stigma that many people don't like to grapple with.Most folks who use computers at their jobs use Windows, so they will naturally purchase a PC with Windows on it at home. Every single company I've ever worked at has used Windows as their desktop OS...and this includes working in the Public sector.People who use Macs & Linux at work are probably more than likely system admins/tech-heads or graphics artists (again, a generalization), all of whom are a bit more savvy when it comes to what/what not to click on when on the Internet.So I think the only real data this survey gave us was that the people who clicked on that link weren't thinking, clicked accidentally, were security professionals (as stated above) or were just ignorant...I suspect it is a combination of all these - too bad there wasn't a poll at the website asking the people these questions! Remember though, Windows caters to the lowest common denominator much more than Apple or Linux does. Not to say all Windows users are part of this “low-denominator” category, but it is more than likely that most low-denominator users are Windows users. Also, Linux/Mac has that “but its different” stigma that many people don’t like to grapple with.

Most folks who use computers at their jobs use Windows, so they will naturally purchase a PC with Windows on it at home. Every single company I’ve ever worked at has used Windows as their desktop OS…and this includes working in the Public sector.

People who use Macs & Linux at work are probably more than likely system admins/tech-heads or graphics artists (again, a generalization), all of whom are a bit more savvy when it comes to what/what not to click on when on the Internet.

So I think the only real data this survey gave us was that the people who clicked on that link weren’t thinking, clicked accidentally, were security professionals (as stated above) or were just ignorant…I suspect it is a combination of all these – too bad there wasn’t a poll at the website asking the people these questions!

]]> By: links for 2007-05-18 | Mansoor Nathani's Bloghttp://www.geeksaresexy.net/2007/05/16/taking-human-stupidity-to-new-extremes-click-here-to-infect-your-pc/#comment-4885 links for 2007-05-18 | Mansoor Nathani's Blog Fri, 18 May 2007 00:40:16 +0000 http://www.geeksaresexy.net/2007/05/16/taking-human-stupidity-to-new-extremes-click-here-to-infect-your-pc/#comment-4885 [...] Taking human stupidity to new extremes: Click here to infect your PC [...] [...] Taking human stupidity to new extremes: Click here to infect your PC [...]

]]> By: Kiltakhttp://www.geeksaresexy.net/2007/05/16/taking-human-stupidity-to-new-extremes-click-here-to-infect-your-pc/#comment-262236 Kiltak Thu, 17 May 2007 12:42:00 +0000 http://www.geeksaresexy.net/2007/05/16/taking-human-stupidity-to-new-extremes-click-here-to-infect-your-pc/#comment-262236 Did you know that there are ways to unformat a formated drive? :) Back then, there was a DOS utility named <a href="http://www.csulb.edu/~murdock/unformat.html" rel="nofollow">unformat</a>. Did you know that there are ways to unformat a formated drive? :) Back then, there was a DOS utility named unformat.

]]> By: Cannonballhttp://www.geeksaresexy.net/2007/05/16/taking-human-stupidity-to-new-extremes-click-here-to-infect-your-pc/#comment-4823 Cannonball Thu, 17 May 2007 10:46:00 +0000 http://www.geeksaresexy.net/2007/05/16/taking-human-stupidity-to-new-extremes-click-here-to-infect-your-pc/#comment-4823 It is a fantastic article. Still I can't forget the day, sooo many years ago, I was formatting a floppy on the work notebook of a friend, and after digiting: c:> format c: when the system asked if I really was sure, I told myself "funny, i'm never asked this question when I am formatting a floppy", and I answered yes... geez, then I understood the sentence "I've never seen a mistake I could never do" by Johann W. Goethe! It is a fantastic article.

Still I can't forget the day, sooo many years ago, I was formatting a floppy on the work notebook of a friend, and after digiting:

c:> format c:

when the system asked if I really was sure, I told myself "funny, i'm never asked this question when I am formatting a floppy", and I answered yes…

geez, then I understood the sentence "I've never seen a mistake I could never do" by Johann W. Goethe!

]]> By: Cannonballhttp://www.geeksaresexy.net/2007/05/16/taking-human-stupidity-to-new-extremes-click-here-to-infect-your-pc/#comment-262235 Cannonball Thu, 17 May 2007 10:46:00 +0000 http://www.geeksaresexy.net/2007/05/16/taking-human-stupidity-to-new-extremes-click-here-to-infect-your-pc/#comment-262235 It is a fantastic article. Still I can't forget the day, sooo many years ago, I was formatting a floppy on the work notebook of a friend, and after digiting: c:> format c: when the system asked if I really was sure, I told myself "funny, i'm never asked this question when I am formatting a floppy", and I answered yes... geez, then I understood the sentence "I've never seen a mistake I could never do" by Johann W. Goethe! It is a fantastic article.
Still I can’t forget the day, sooo many years ago, I was formatting a floppy on the work notebook of a friend, and after digiting:
c:> format c:
when the system asked if I really was sure, I told myself “funny, i’m never asked this question when I am formatting a floppy”, and I answered yes…
geez, then I understood the sentence “I’ve never seen a mistake I could never do” by Johann W. Goethe!

]]> By: sixtieshttp://www.geeksaresexy.net/2007/05/16/taking-human-stupidity-to-new-extremes-click-here-to-infect-your-pc/#comment-4819 sixties Thu, 17 May 2007 09:31:00 +0000 http://www.geeksaresexy.net/2007/05/16/taking-human-stupidity-to-new-extremes-click-here-to-infect-your-pc/#comment-4819 Yes I agree... it doen't mean anything. People are curious to know what hides behind this strange link. I agree that a lot of people aren't critical when they surf the web but this is not a common case. Yes I agree… it doen't mean anything.

People are curious to know what hides behind this strange link.

I agree that a lot of people aren't critical when they surf the web but this is not a common case.

]]> By: sixtieshttp://www.geeksaresexy.net/2007/05/16/taking-human-stupidity-to-new-extremes-click-here-to-infect-your-pc/#comment-262234 sixties Thu, 17 May 2007 09:31:00 +0000 http://www.geeksaresexy.net/2007/05/16/taking-human-stupidity-to-new-extremes-click-here-to-infect-your-pc/#comment-262234 Yes I agree... it doen't mean anything.People are curious to know what hides behind this strange link.I agree that a lot of people aren't critical when they surf the web but this is not a common case. Yes I agree… it doen’t mean anything.

People are curious to know what hides behind this strange link.

I agree that a lot of people aren’t critical when they surf the web but this is not a common case.

]]>