What is this download box that pops up every once in a while?

[happybird]

It popped up a couple minutes ago and I’ve seen it 2 or 3 other times since January. I always just close the whole window out and then return to DU in a fresh window.

Is it legit? What does it do?

[EarlG]

1. It looks like a low quality ad designed to look like an error message

If you click away from the central box, onto a darkened area of the screen, it should just go away.

I don't know if there are any negative ramifications for clicking through the ad itself, because I don't know where it goes to. However, ads designed to look like error messages or download messages are generally considered to be low quality and not appropriate... I'm going to contact our ad provider about this because they will want to know about it. FWIW, I would prefer not to see ads like this running on DU.

[usonian]

2. Ads often deliver malware. Please consider a star membership.

I do so gladly. It stops ads.

I also use an array of adblockers for the rest of the internet. Seriously, it will speed up page loads, make the interent vastly more readable, and spare you from loads of malware such as "click to download" offerings.

[happybird]

5. I plan to renew my Star membership when I have the resources to do so

Things are extremely tight right now.
Thank you for your reply.

[usonian]

6. It takes very little (don't ask me how I know)

And during the big fund-raising drive, memberships can be gifted.
Noted.

I have asked that gift memberships be available more often!

[EarlG]

3. Quick follow up

Our ad provider is looking into this now (they confirmed that it is an ad which is not supposed to be appearing). Thanks for providing the screenshot -- that was extremely helpful. If you see it again, please let me know. Again, you can avoid it by simply clicking away from the ad itself.

[happybird]

4. Thank you for looking into it

and responding so quickly.

[happybird]

7. I'm still seeing it, probably 3 more occurrences since starting this thread,

most recently 10 min ago. Tapping on something else/background doesn’t make it disappear, I have to close DU to make it go away. It basically freezes the whole screen up. I use an iPhone or iPad, don’t know if that makes a difference in troubleshooting.

[EarlG]

8. Has it been there the whole time or has it just restarted again?

If you could do a screenshot with your phone or iPad and email it to me ([e-mail]) that would be super helpful.