YouTube Finds A New Way To Be Wasteful And Bothersome

[VidThreeNorth]

For years now, I have left my computer on while I was "gone" without clicking on anything. "Not a problem"right? Well now, if you do that, YT will start playing something semi-randomly -- something similar to what you might click on, and it plays. But I didn't do that, and in some cases, I'm not there to watch it. So YouTube gets to charge advertisers for FAKE VIEWS. Seriously? That's stooping pretty low.

 

[smoke665]

Seriously? Are you maybe leaving your computer signed in to YT? Just as a matter of security I close out everything and go in sleep mode when I leave.

 

[VidThreeNorth]

Seriously? Are you maybe leaving your computer signed in to YT? Just as a matter of security I close out everything and go in sleep mode when I leave.

It depends. . . . I'm often in the middle of working on my own YT channel.

 

[smoke665]

It depends. . . . I'm often in the middle of working on my own YT channel.

If you're logged in an app, then I think they all do that to some extent. I know my steaming apps do it.

 

[RScottie100]

Just a heads up but some malicious computer code (viruses) is designed to work in the background or when you are not paying attention by actively using your computer.

This type of code has been used by hackers as a way to increase the reach and intensity of attacks on major computer systems of corporations and even governments. These hackers employ "bots" that will execute their commands either on command or whenever the opportunity exists.

Hackers like to take advantage of other people's equipment in that it makes the attack much harder to trace back to them.

I suggest logging out of each app and turning off your computer whenever you are not actively using it.

Also, invest in good anti-virus software.

As far as YT goes, it can indeed be a pita even though I am mildly addicted to it.

 

[tinytmp2]

Just a heads up but some malicious computer code (viruses) is designed to work in the background or when you are not paying attention by actively using your computer.

This type of code has been used by hackers as a way to increase the reach and intensity of attacks on major computer systems of corporations and even governments. These hackers employ "bots" that will execute their commands either on command or whenever the opportunity exists.

Hackers like to take advantage of other people's equipment in that it makes the attack much harder to trace back to them.

I suggest logging out of each app and turning off your computer whenever you are not actively using it. This can also help avoid unnecessary playback or issues when using https://youtube-tv.pissedconsumer.com/customer-service.html for support.

Also, invest in good anti-virus software.

As far as YT goes, it can indeed be a pita even though I am mildly addicted to it.

I’ve noticed similar behavior with YouTube autoplay. It can be frustrating when a video starts playing even though you haven’t interacted with anything. I’m not sure I’d call every unattended autoplay a “fake view,” though, since YouTube’s view-counting and advertiser metrics are more complicated than simply counting whether someone is actively watching. Still, there should be better controls to prevent autoplay when nobody is using the computer.

 

[benhasajeep32]

I have had one that will go to another video if I was watching one. But I have never had a video start on it's own if I just had youtube open and not actually watching anything.

 

[Rickbb53]

Clearing browser cache can fix 90% of that kind of thing.

The rest falls between what has been mentioned and malware that hitches a ride into your browser with updates. Malware designed to gain “click” revenue etc.