[JoeC1947]

Originally Posted by skyguy79

It's a little complex how it works, but I'll try to explain what I can on how little I actually know from my years as a web administrator for a non-profit.

The ads are provided by a 3rd party and not the website (like TOTV) where you're seeing them appear. The website applies to the 3rd party to participate in return for a small commission (measured in cents) on each click you made on the ads. To get it on the website the 3rd party supplies code to the website administrator to place on their pages where the administrator chooses to add it or where dictated by the software used. Then either by a time period or by reaching a level of clicks, the 3rd party will pay the website their commission.

Now how does it work from your perspective? When you browse different areas of the web, most sites will place a mostly benign cookie on your computer that will somehow associate not to you personally, but to a source that stores your search and browsing preferences without actually identifying you. Of course and generally speaking their could be malicious sites out there, but there is no way for you to prevent them from trying to enter your computer except through good virus protection, firewall software and malware checkers like Malware Bytes for instance.

Now, your on the forum and you see the ads you're referring to. They get there by the code provided to the website when it searches the cookies on your computer, looks into the externally located data file with you're preferences that I previously mentioned. It will then chose, based on that information, ads to display which of course are what you are seeing and asking about.

One final note... again, what I'm explaining is based on my past experience and it shouldn't be taken as gospel as I could be off in what information I've provided. If you're confused, or don't understand what I explained, don't be alarmed! It is complex and I'm far from fully understand it myself! Furthermore, I'm not going to tell anyone not to worry about this though as that's not my place to do. However, I will say that I'm not personally worried about it on this site or any other site, at least no more worried than I would be without the ads present. Happy browsing and always keep your security software up to date!

Yikes! That is complicated! I guess I'll classify it in "The things I shouldn't ask" category. Thanks for the detailed reply.