AOL has long been an online pioneer in several respects. But since AOL bought the Huffington Post in 2015, it has increasingly been trying to compete as a media brand and not just for content creators. AOL’s latest announcement of launching AOL.com news and entertainment shows this trend.
There are tons of places online where you can get news and entertainment. But what if your favorite news source is also your number one source of malware?
Are you concerned about safety on the web? If you’re a frequent reader of AOL news, you may want to rethink your online safety habits.
There are many types of malware, but the most common is spyware. Spyware can collect sensitive information, such as your banking credentials and phone number. This makes it possible for hackers to steal your identity and charge you fraudulent credit card bills.
This is why it’s important to understand the difference between news and entertainment and avoid sites containing malware.
The Internet has changed the world in countless ways, and it’s no longer possible to go through life without knowing its existence. One of the ways it’s affected our lives is by providing us with access to information and entertainment that was once available only in libraries and museums. But did you know that the Internet is also where bad people have been caught committing illegal acts? Many Internet sites that allow users to download music, movies, and software are owned by people who sell pirated material. These people are known as “pirate site owners” and are not all nice people.
Is AOL safe?
AOL News has been plagued by malware, spyware, and other types of malware since its inception.
The malware problem was first reported in 2013. Security firm Symantec published the first ever AOL malware report in May 2013.
The report was based on data collected between January 2012 and April 2013. It found that a wide range of malware was targeting AOL users.
Most attacks came from the United States, Canada, Brazil, and Russia. However, the report also showed that most victims used third-party software to download files, which is why AOL News is so popular.
The malicious programs were primarily distributed via pop-ups, spam, and fake websites. In total, AOL was the number one target for malicious downloads.
The report also noted that the most common types of malware were keyloggers, adware, and ransomware.
Of course, there’s no guarantee that AOL will continue to have this problem. However, the fact remains that the site has been riddled with malware for several years.
AOL’s privacy policy
This is probably the most well-known example of AOL news’s questionable security practices. In 2011, AOL’s former security chief John McAfee warned of a massive security breach that would expose the personal information of over 200 million users.
Unfortunately, the breach occurred, and nearly half of the user base was affected.
While the company quickly claimed that the breach wasn’t due to a hack but rather a software bug, the fact that AOL couldn’t fix the problem promptly and that it took over a year to disclose the security issue speaks volumes.
AOL News has since tried to improve its security practices, but the damage has already been done. The site still ranks as one of the biggest sources of malware.
Are there viruses in AOL?
Viruses and other malware have plagued AOL since the beginning. If you’re browsing AOL news, there’s a good chance you’re being infected with malware.
AOL News has been the victim of various viruses, from the infamous Mydoom to the more recent Downadup. AOL is no stranger to malware, and the problem only worsens.
While AOL News has had its fair share of issues, the real culprits are the advertisers.
Most malware and spyware are delivered to users via an ad-supported site, and advertisers are the primary cause. Advertisers pay the sites to have their ads, and they’re often not the most reputable sources of news and entertainment.
Is AOL.com safe for my computer?
The problem is that AOL News has been notorious for hosting malware, spyware, and other types of malware since its inception. Even after AOL acquired the Huffington Post, and even after Verizon purchased the Huffington Post, AOL’s reputation for harboring malware has remained.
The worst offender is the AOL Mail program. It’s been called “the biggest security threat on the web,” and has a history of spreading malware.
As reported by SecurityWeek:
“It’s estimated that more than 10% of AOL’s desktop users were infected with malware called Win32/Diaact.D.”
“When Win32/Diaact.D spreads, it usually uses a legitimate email client such as Outlook Express, Eudora, Thunderbird, or Apple Mail.”
“Once the victim opens the attachment, the malware installs a backdoor on their machine.”
“Once the backdoor is installed, the attackers can see everything on the infected PC.”
“Attackers can then use the compromised PCs to launch attacks against other computers.”
“It’s believed that the malware is spread through a network of compromised websites that host malicious code.”
“One reason for the malware’s success is that it can infect a victim’s computer without user interaction.”
“It’s also very well hidden from the user.”
“Unlike viruses, which display a warning message when running on your computer, malware won’t warn you.”
“It’s also difficult to remove.”
“To remove the malware, the user needs to go into the Windows Registry and delete certain keys and values.”
“Even then, the malware might return.”
“Security researchers have been trying to find a way to stop the malware for several years.”
Frequently asked questions about AOL.com News.
Q: Why do you think AOL.com readers are interested in you as a correspondent?
A: I have interviewed celebrities like Angelina Jolie, Jennifer Lopez, Halle Berry, Beyoncé Knowles, and Kim Kardashian. I have also had my picture taken with Britney Spears.
Q: How much do you know about AOL.com readers, and how do you know if it is safe to trust them?
A: I am always careful to ask questions and do my research before I post a story. I think they are interested in me because I talk about issues that they can relate to, like celebrities, and I can give them answers.
Q: What kind of questions do you ask celebrities?
A: I usually ask what they are doing in their personal lives and how they started their careers.
Top Myths about AOL.com News
- AOL.com is safe to use.
- You need to be very careful what you click on.
- If you are a young adult, you need to be especially careful.
Conclusion
AOL’s new site is a rebranding of their AOL news section. That said, it’s still a pretty big step forward. They’re taking steps to make the site more relevant and interactive by allowing users to engage directly with the site.
The AOL news section will probably be a little less entertaining than the old one, but it should still be a nice addition to the site.
