How to Kill Pop-Up Ads
Annoying pop-up ads appear when you browse many Web sites. The pop-ups cover what you are trying to see and you must click on them to close them. Dealing with pop-up ads is just as exasperating as sifting through spam email. However, the latest versions of Mozilla's Firefox Internet browser and Microsoft's Internet Explorer have built-in pop-up blockers. Although they are enabled by default, you may need to find where to control this feature. Unfortunately, not all pop-ups can be controlled through this feature because they may come from malware such as viruses or spyware.
- Difficulty:
- Easy
Instructions
-
-
1
Open the browser installed on your computer. Click on the menu items that take you to the pop-up blocker features. In Mozilla Firefox, for example, click the "Firefox" menu option at the top of the screen, click "Preferences" and then click the "Content" panel. For Microsoft's Internet Explorer, click the "Tools" menu, then "Pop-up Blocker."
-
2
Adjust the settings to eliminate pop-up ads. For example, in Mozilla Firefox you can turn the blocker on or off by selecting the check box next to "Block Pop-up Windows." For Microsoft's Internet Explorer, click "Turn Off Pop-up Blocker" or "Turn On Pop-up Blocker."
-
3
Add the address of any websites for which you would like your browser to allow pop-up ads. For example, in Mozilla's Firefox, click the "Exceptions" button, key in the Internet address of the site you prefer, and click "Allow." For Microsoft Internet Explorer, click "Pop-up Blocker Settings" and enter the website address, then click "Add." Repeat these steps for as many sites as you wish.
-
4
Close the options menu when you are finished setting the pop-up blocker features. It is not necessary to restart your browser or computer.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Apple's Safari browser has a built-in pop-up blocker, too. Click "Safari" at the top of the screen and choose "Block Pop-up Windows" on the menu. It is enabled by default.
It is not necessary to be connected to the Internet to change the pop-up blocker settings in your browser.
Always make sure you have the latest version of a browser on your computer.
Some popups are not generated through your browser, but rather by malware such as viruses, adware and spyware. Scan your computer with your virus protection software if popups continue to appear. Lavasoft makes a good, free adware-spyware cleaner that will detect and remove other malware.
Some pop-ups are not pop-ups at all but are advertising that is designed to look like pop-up windows. The pop-up blockers cannot stop these ads.
Related Searches
References
Resources
- Photo Credit internet image by Soja Andrzej from Fotolia.com
