{"id":92499,"date":"2018-11-06T11:02:17","date_gmt":"2018-11-06T19:02:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/securingtomorrow.mcafee.com\/?p=92499"},"modified":"2025-07-30T20:33:53","modified_gmt":"2025-07-31T03:33:53","slug":"browser-push-notifications","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mcafee.com\/blogs\/tips-tricks\/browser-push-notifications\/","title":{"rendered":"Connected or Compromised? How to Stay Secure While Using Push Notifications"},"content":{"rendered":"

You\u2019re probably familiar with push notifications \u2013 messages sent by app publishers that pop up on your desktop or mobile device. Browser push notifications<\/a>\u00a0are messages from websites that users have granted permission to serve them the latest news without having to open the actual website. While push notifications are a handy way to stay current with social media and the latest news from your favorite apps, the researchers here at McAfee have observed that these notifications have some compromising features, which impact both Chrome and Firefox browsers.<\/p>\n

It turns out there are some real cybersecurity risks involved with taking advantage of the convenience of browser push notifications. That\u2019s because to show push notifications, website owners must utilize pop-up ads that first request permission to show notifications. Essentially, users are tricked into thinking that the request is coming from the host site instead of the pop-up. This feature is currently being exploited by adware companies, which are using it to load unwanted advertisements onto users\u2019 screens. Often times, these ads contain offensive or inappropriate material and users can even be exposed to irritating pop-ups that could potentially lead to viruses and malware.<\/p>\n

So, how can users enjoy the convenience of push notifications without putting themselves at risk of a cyberattack? Check out the following tips:<\/p>\n