As a person with a disability I find navigating most websites fairly straightforward. I can use the keyboard or a mouse to scroll up and down to view content. With just the space bar I can scroll the page a frame at a time. Until my browser is hijacked by elements on the page. Then I have to use my mouse to get control of the experience. Here are four frustrating ways websites hijack my browser.
Search Bar
Hey Google (and now Yahoo!), I’m talking to you! I get that you want to make it easy for someone to get going on that search, but does my cursor really have to jump to the search box as soon as the page loads?! You can set up the tab order usingtabindex to take the cursor to the box on the tab click.
<input type="text" id="search" tabindex="1">
I get that Google has built this into their system and it’s the expected behavior, but it is a nuisance for people like myself who navigate with our keyboards.
First, it interrupts the browsing flow because I am unable to follow my keyboard shortcut (just backspace on most browsers) to go back a page.
Second, when I start pressing the space bar and want to scroll the page I’m just filling in the search bar. It just doesn’t work.
Confirmation Alert Box
Every now and then I’m surfing the Web and end up on a site with a confirmation box. Sometimes the box pops up on arrival, other times it pops up when I try to leave the page. I know enough about programming to recognize an opportunity to insert malware. So I never click the confirmation. I don’t know if pressing okay will close the tab or take me to russianhotties.xxx. My remedy is shutting down my browser then reopening it and tromping through history to the sites I had open.Popup Ads
This one drives me crazy and I’ll wager most developers are guilty of this one. Attractive popup ads are no longer an annoyance, but part of the business model of many websites. I’m left to watch the popup obscure my content. I get it. The company has to generate revenue. But the ad should get out of my way. The standard was to timeout the popup years ago. Some ads creatively move to the sidebar in a static ad. Regardless of the technology, this is available functionality. Another former standard was to tie a keyboard shortcut like esc or x to a close function on the popup. But rarely do I see a popup that I don’t have to click an action item or a tiny close link in the top corner with the mouse.Static Navbar
Finally, there’s the static navigation bar across the top of the page. Sometimes these are three or four lines tall. They are convenient, giving users easy access to site information. But go back to scrolling. When I tap space bar on a typical webpage the window scrolls down one frame. This is such a convenient way to quickly browse a page. As I pointed out above, hijacking my cursor gets in the way. But so do those fancy navigation bars. Some websites account for the navbar adding padding to accommodate the bar across the top. However, plenty of popular websites are oblivious. As the content scrolls, several lines are obscured by the handy bar.Am I Just a Curmudgeon?
Our lives as developers are already full of UX demands. Another accommodation now from this guy who just wants to click his spacebar to scroll is not floating to the top of my list. I get it. But imagine how all of the little tweaks you build into your workflow save you steps and then having to do away with them because somebody else just changed the way things are done. Look at recent decisions by Adobe and Google to shut down services, for example. For people with mobility impairments, added obstacles to the content are a real barrier. Just getting a mouse cursor in the precise spot can be a chore. But thoughtful design and graceful transitions can give the browser back to users like myself to enjoy our convenient web experience.Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Browser Hijacking
What is browser hijacking and how does it happen?
Browser hijacking is a form of unwanted software that modifies a web browser’s settings without the user’s permission. This could change the browser’s homepage, default search engine, or add unwanted toolbars and extensions. It usually happens when a user unknowingly installs a malicious program or extension, often bundled with free software or through deceptive pop-up ads.
How can I identify if my browser has been hijacked?
Some common signs of browser hijacking include: your homepage or search engine has been changed without your consent, you notice new toolbars or extensions, your browser has become slow or unresponsive, you are redirected to websites you didn’t intend to visit, or you see excessive pop-up ads.
How can I prevent browser hijacking?
To prevent browser hijacking, always download software from trusted sources, read the terms and conditions before installing any software, keep your browser and antivirus software updated, and avoid clicking on suspicious links or pop-up ads.
How can I remove a browser hijacker from my system?
To remove a browser hijacker, you can use a reputable antivirus or anti-malware program. You can also manually remove it by uninstalling any suspicious programs, removing unwanted extensions or toolbars, and resetting your browser settings.
Why does my search engine keep changing to Yahoo?
If your search engine keeps changing to Yahoo, it’s likely that a browser hijacker is redirecting your searches. This is often done to generate ad revenue. You can remove it by following the steps mentioned in the previous question.
How can I remove Yahoo Search from Chrome?
To remove Yahoo Search from Chrome, go to ‘Settings’ > ‘Search engine’ > ‘Manage search engines’, and remove Yahoo from the list. If it’s still there, check for unwanted extensions or reset your browser settings.
What is the Yahoo Toolbar and how can I remove it?
The Yahoo Toolbar is an extension that provides quick access to Yahoo services. If you didn’t install it intentionally, it could be a sign of a browser hijacker. You can remove it by going to your browser’s extension settings and deleting it.
Why can’t I remove the Yahoo hijacker from my browser?
If you’re unable to remove the Yahoo hijacker, it could be because it’s deeply embedded in your system or it keeps reinstalling itself. In this case, you may need to use a powerful antivirus or anti-malware program, or seek professional help.
Can browser hijacking harm my computer?
While browser hijacking primarily aims to generate ad revenue, it can potentially harm your computer by slowing it down, causing crashes, or even opening up security vulnerabilities that could be exploited by other malware.
Is browser hijacking illegal?
While the legality of browser hijacking can vary depending on the jurisdiction, it’s generally considered unethical and a violation of user privacy. Many countries have laws against distributing malicious software without user consent.
Mike RitterMike Ritter is a disability and diversity advocate and freelance web developer on the side. Paralyzed since high school, Mike found Web design was a creative outlet. He contributes to projects for various clients.
