Steps to Avoid Annoying Popups

Popup advertising in all its invasive forms is here to stay. The good news is that popup blocker software makes dealing with this common nuisance a thing of that past.

After you have installed a popup blocker, there are three steps you can take to insure that your blocker can work to its maximum ability:

1. Keep your popup blocker and antivirus software up-to-date — Installing regular patches and updates will ensure that your computer is protected against new and creative threats. Many programs will even download and install these updates automatically, if you choose that option. Most companies provide updates free and release them several times a month or more. Check your program's specific documentation to see how to access updates.
2. Make sure that your popup blocker and antivirus software is running — This might seem like an obvious step, but some programs need to be manually enabled before they can begin protecting your computer.
3. Never click on them — Many popups link to harmful spyware, adware and even viruses. These malicious programs can lead to even more popups, sometimes even when you're not browsing the Internet. Internet safety is vital: never click on anything unless you're completely familiar with the source.

Ultimately, it's imperative to remember that you cannot use popup blocker software as a crutch or as your only source of protection; even the best programs aren't 100 percent effective. Advertisers and troublemakers create new forms of popup advertising every day, so you need to stay alert and be an active participant in protecting your computer, your personal information and your family from the potential dangers of popups.