How to Enable the Pop-up Blocker on the Google Toolbar

Pop-ups are often the bane of Internet users. They are annoying, sometimes confusing and unfortunately they can even prevent your computer from functioning efficiently. Unscrupulous Web site owners may use pop-ups to download programs to your computer or otherwise interfere with your Internet use. The Google Toolbar has a built-in pop-up blocker that keeps your screen clear of pop-ups, making the Internet safer and more enjoyable to use.

Things You'll Need

• An Internet connection
• Operating System: Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows ME, or Windows 98
• The latest version of Internet Explorer or Firefox
• The Google Toolbar

Instructions

1. Install the Google Toolbar to instantly protect your Web browser from pop-ups. The pop-up blocker is enabled by default, and you do not have to make any changes to the toolbar configuration to get it working.

Tips & Warnings

• Note that the pop-up blocker disables all pop-ups. Some Web sites use pop-ups as part of their structure. For instance, clicking on a thumbnail picture may open a pop-up with a larger version of the picture, so there will be situations where you want pop-ups to work. Enable individual pop-ups by holding the Ctrl key down while clicking the link. To enable pop-ups on an entire Web site, click the pop-ups button on the Google Toolbar.

• The Google pop-up blocker will sometimes block what are called applets. These are used on Web pages to display animations and scrolling text. If you experience this problem, you will need to disable the pop-up blocker for the Web page you are viewing and then refresh the page to view the animations. Disable the pop-up blocker by first clicking the Settings button, then choose the More tab. Uncheck the box labeled Enable Pop-up Blocker, then click OK. Remember to re-enable the pop-up blocker when you leave the Web site.

• The pop-up blocker plays a sound each time it blocks a pop-up. To disable this feature, click the Settings button on the toolbar. Choose the More tab, then uncheck the box labeled Play a Sound in the Pop-up Blocker section. Click OK to save your changes and exit the window.

• Disable the pop-up blocker completely by clicking the Settings button on the toolbar, choosing the More tab, and then unchecking the box next to the Enable Pop-up Blocker label. Click OK to save your changes and exit the window.

• The Google pop-up blocker blocks pop-ups that are generated by Web sites you are viewing, but is unable to block pop-ups that are generated by malicious third-party software installed on your computer. If you have installed the Google Toolbar and find that you are still getting pop-ups, run a Spyware scan on your computer with programs such as Ad-Aware, CW Shredder or Spybot Search and Destroy to remove the malicious software.

• These instructions are for use with Internet Explorer only. The pop-up blocker is not available with the Firefox version of the Google Toolbar. Firefox contains a built-in pop-up blocker.