Re: Malware warning and my thoughts on advertising
The function of advertising is to create or increase demand for a product. Increased demand should equal more sales, more sales equals company growth, profit, JOBS. Increased GNP, better economy. Advertising is a good thing when done correctly.
On iboats I no longer see pop-ups. I did something at the advice of others here and they went away. I'm glad for that. On the web in general I have tunnel vision. Yes there are ads, my subconscience may have them memorized, but to me they have no real world impact.
I also choose to not watch tv commercials, if I can avoid them. If I need something I research and make a decision. I don't need an advertisement to tell me what I need.
Yes, word of mouth is the best kind of advertising, especially for local businesses, maybe not as effective for regional, national or global effect.
As with most things too much of something is usually bad. If some ad keeps coming on the radio or the tv I switch channels, they have lost a listener or viewer. That is my choice and prerogative. If web sites get so bad that my tunnel vision is no longer effective, then I will stop visiting those sites.
You always have a choice, going off the grid maybe a little extreme, but taking a break at times from everything is a good option for me.