How to Learn About Pop-ups Laws

Pop-ups are the all too familiar form of advertising adopted by many Web sites with aggressive marketing tactics. While there aren't any laws currently in place that specifically prohibit the use of pop-ups, some kinds of pop-ups do violate anti-spam and fair business practice laws and can even be harmful to your computer. Therefore, it's useful to learn which laws can help protect you.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Computer with Internet access

Find Out What Laws Protect You From Pop-ups

1. Be aware that there are laws in place preventing advertisers from using pop-ups to engage in deceptive practices to harvest your email address, or to try to get you to purchase a product to stop the pop-ups from appearing in the first place. The Federal Trade Commission came down hard on a company that did exactly that via the Windows Messenger Service, which set precedence for future violations (see Who Can Help below).
2. Learn about the CAN-SPAM Act which also governs the misuse of pop-ups to collect information or repeatedly present unsolicited advertisements for products or services. More information can be found at the FTC Web site (see Who Can Help below).
3. Don't stand for pop-ups interfering with your online experience. Report web sites that violate anti-spam laws or attempt to deceive consumers with the use of persistent pop-ups to the Federal Trade Commission (see Resources below).

Learn About Measures to Prevent Pop-ups

4. Disable the allow pop-ups feature from your Internet browser. In addition, if you're using Microsoft Windows as your operating system, also disable the Messenger Service from the Administrative Tools under the Control Panel. Many spammers who use pop-ups are taking advantage of this vulnerability which is actually intended to be used by network administrators, not advertisers.
5. Install a software or hardware firewall (or router, if networked) to help prevent pop-ups from appearing by blocking unauthorized access to open ports on your computer. This is especially important if you connect to the Internet via cable modem or a digital subscriber line (DSL).

Who Can Help:

• Read about a past settlement.
• View the CAN-SPAM act.
• File a complaint.

Tips & Warnings

• Seeing a lot of Pop-ups may be an indication that your computer's operating system has been compromised, a program has been installed without your permission or knowledge or that hackers can access your computer via an open port.