Why do some webpages that I access show the cursor with a yellow cloud
(almost looks like a yellow star) with an exclamation point inside it?
(Most webpages that I access do not -- it happens perhaps 5% of the
time but I have been unable to detect a pattern with regard to the web
pages affected).

What causes this indication; what does it mean?  (Is it related to
cookies or other IE settings?)

I am asking this question only because when I see something I do not
understand, I try to find the answer (and, of course, try to be alert
to security problems).

I have done Google searches but, unlike most topics, cannot find any
relevant documentation on this subject.  I suspect that there is a
simple answer to this question that unfortunately exposes a hole in my
personal knowledge base.

Hi there drpangloss, 

What you are seeing is the Google Toolbar Pop-up Blocker at work. The
Pop Up blocker actively prevents many types of Pop Up advertisements
from appearing in front of your screen.

The cursor changes so that you can see that the blocker has blocked
something, just to show you that it's working and alert you in case
you actually want to see the item that is trying to load (such as in
the case of some necessary alerts or dialog boxes).  It is not
indicative of a security problem.

For a picture of the cursor icon and more information on the Google
Toolbar Pop Up Blocker, see the Help Page here:

GOOGLE TOOLBAR - About the Pop-up Blocker 
http://toolbar.google.com/popup_help.html

To confirm that this is a result of the Pop Up blocker, go this site
and click any link. Your cursor should change to show you that an ad
has been blocked. (At least mine did!)

http://www.touchlocal.com/directory/category-towns.cfm/Estate%20Agents/E%20Riding%20of%20Yorkshire

Other Pop Up blocking services also have cursor icons that change. If
for some reason you do not have the Google Toolbar installed, it is
likely that your cursor change is due to some another Pop Up blocking
program.

Examples: 

Toolbar 2.2 Frequently Asked Questions
http://www.infospace.com/_1_300313__swbd.main/tbar/inc/faq_popup.htm

"When the Toolbar blocks a popup window, your cursor changes briefly"

---------------

VIVISIMO Pop-Up Blocker
http://vivisimo.com/toolbar/toolbar-features.html

"When blocking a popup the Popup Blocker will alert you by briefly
changing the image of your cursor. "

-----------------

That should explain your mystery cursor! 

-K~ 

search terms - none, I use the Google Toolbar myself.

---

Clarification of Answer by knowledge_seeker-ga on 31 Aug 2004 11:10 PDT

I was a bit inaccurate -- I did use a search string to find
information on the other Pop Up Blockers.  I used:

popup blocker alert cursor 

-K~

Question answered perfectly.  Many thanks.