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I don't often visit the site for Salon magazine as they seldom post anything of interest (to me), but the other day I clicked on a link that took me to their page. That's when I got this pop-up:
I get these sort of warnings a lot. This one was slightly different, though. They gave me an option. I could allow them to use my "spare" computing power to mine for cryptocurrency. Apparently they don't make enough money with ads or subscriptions, so they want me to allow them to use my computer and electricity so they can grab some digital currency to help keep them going. They talk about how the money could be used for what they consider valid social causes. Yes, I suppose it could, but I really think it's to help their bottom line.
While I give them kudos for being upfront about it, they didn't say anything about sharing.
If Salon wants to mine cryptocurrency, that's fine by me. But don't ask to use my resources and slow down / overheat my PC to do it.
What's also interesting is that back in December 2017 Salon posted an article saying this sort of thing was bad as it would require more value in energy than it would get in currency. This extra load would slow the acceptance of "green" energy sources. So it's bad if you do this but good if they do it. Got it.
You may ask why I use an ad blocker when so many sites rely on ads for revenue. I don't block all ads. I don't even mind having a few ads on the screen since I don't click on them. But things have gotten to the point where many web sites are so full of ads and pop-ups as to become unusable. Or they are painful to use. In addition, you never know where the ads originate. More and more have embedded malware or render poorly.
So, in an effort to keep my sanity, I use AdBlocker to block many of them. And since Salon seldom has anything truly unique I can't live without, I just have to say good-bye. I know Salon will disagree, but most of what they have (that I would consider reading) is 10% news and 90% opinion. That's not worth a subscription or having them use my PC to make them richer.
I've also stopped going to Business Insider as they insist I get rid of my ad blocker. Again, there is nothing on that site that isn't on a bunch of other sites.
I do pay for some content on the Internet, and have a few subscriptions that are free. But I get to chose which ones.
So, so long, Salon (and Business Insider).
Note: AdBlocker now has an option to filter out at least some of the sites using your PC to mine for money. And, yes, I have turned that filter on.
P.S. It would be great if you could check out Terri Deno's Patreon site and consider supporting her writing efforts! Struggling authors need all the help they can get!
© 2018 K. R. Smith All rights reserved
I had no idea sites did use your site to mine money! sounds horrifying. I don't quite get how it works. It makes me want to use adblocker. I have never paid much attention to ads, and just ignore them on the whole - if I click on a site to read something & too much pops up, i just exit and go to another site. But I hadn't heard of mining your site for money. That is quite scary. I need to look into that.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, most sites will never tell you they are doing it, you just see your PC become less responsive and the fans kick on to get rid of the extra heat.
DeleteIf people don't know what's going on and agree to let the sites do this, I don't have a problem with it. I don't want them to use my PC, however, and most sites involved with this don't let the users know.
It's created by "miners," who use computers and specialized hardware to process transactions, secure the currency's network and collect bitcoins in exchange. klick here
ReplyDelete