Blocking Pop-Ups
Source: iKeepSafe Internet Safety Coalition
Topics: Preteen Years (9-13), Parent's Guide to Understanding the Internet, more...
Pop-up ads are one of the most annoying facets of internet use. However, there are some simple ways you can significantly decrease or entirely eradicate pop-up occurrence. Be sure that you frequently run anti spyware scans. Spyware can monitor your web history, and alert advertisers to what your interests are. When advertisers have this information, they will send you pop-up ads that offer products they think you would buy based on your web history. Another way to decrease the frequency of your pop-ups is to add the Google Toolbar to your internet browser. This feature can be downloaded for free off of http://toolbar.google.com/index_xp.html. Remember that no program is perfect, so it may be wise to run two pop-up blockers at once to check each other.
Pop-ups are not only annoying, they have the potential to damage your computer, or force you to send out personal information about yourself. Never attempt to close a pop-up by hitting the “Okay” button, or even the cancel button. Typically hitting the X in the top right corner of the screen will be a safe method of closing the pop-up, but there are a few pop-ups that will add more if you attempt to close them in that fashion. The safest procedure to closing a window is to hold the Alt key and press F4.
About the Author
iKeepSafe provides families with all the tools, education, and resources they need to stay safe online and to implement an Internet safety strategy in their homes.
Copyright © ikeepsafe.org
Reprinted with the permission of the iKeepSafe Coalition. © 2006 iKeepSafe Coalition. All Rights Reserved.
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