How to Block Unwanted Websites from Opening Automatically

By Eric Som

Protect your computer from possible malware by using your browser’s pop-up blocker.
i emty browser window image by .shock from Fotolia.com

The random popping up of websites in your browser may be an indication of many things on your computer. Malware may have infected your computer, or you simply may not have a pop-up blocker enabled. Irrespective of the reason behind the pop-ups, blocking unwanted websites from opening automatically is helpful in ensuring a safe and uninterrupted browsing experience. Fortunately, most, if not all, web browsers come preinstalled with pop-up blockers. While enabling a pop-up blocker is no guarantee that you will never experience websites opening automatically, it can greatly reduce pop-ups.

Internet Explorer 8

Step 1

Open the browser and then select “Pop-up Blocker” from the “Tools” menu.

Step 2

Select “Turn on Pop-up Blocker” from the “Pop-up Blocker” menu.

Step 3

Allow pop-ups for specific websites by selecting “Pop-up blocker settings” from the “Pop-up blocker” menu, typing the URL of the site in the “Address of the website to allow” field and then clicking “Add”.

Firefox 3.6

Step 1

Launch Firefox, select “Tools” and then choose “Options”.

Step 2

Click the “Content” tab and then select the “Block pop-up windows” check box.

Step 3

Apply the changes by selecting “OK”.

Google Chrome 5.0

Step 1

Open the browser, select the wrench icon and then choose “Options”.

Step 2

Choose the “Under the Hood” tab and then select “Content settings”.

Step 3

Click the “Pop-ups” tab, select the “Do not allow any sites to show pop-ups (recommended)” radio button and then choose “Close”.

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