Pop-up windows are the new windows that open when you click on something on the web, and sometime they seem just to open themselves. They have become a standard practice on the web, and some web applications use them legitimately. For example, MyFAU’s e-mail and calendar clients open via pop-up windows. But pop-ups can also be a result of spy-ware or adware, and, perhaps most dangerously, can also be used by malware for gathering personal information. A good rule of thumb is never enter your personal information in a pop-up window.

The good news is that you can block pop-ups, but blocking all pop-ups can be dangerous because some web-applications use pop-ups to provide information or functionality. Microsoft Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Safari, and AOL browsers have pop-up blocker options in their tools/ preferences. (See information below on setting the popup blocker in these applications.) Microsoft has also included a pop-up blocking feature in the Windows XP operating system – it was released in Service Pack 2.

Blocking pop-ups can greatly reduce the annoyance and damage from spyware, but you need to be aware that it can also decrease the functionality of some programs. Turn the pop-ups off as needed. With most pop-up blockers, you can temporarily override the blocking by holding the control key when you click or you can identify sites whose pop-up you will accept (for example, accept pop-ups from MyFAU and Blackboard).

Also keep in mind that if a program isn’t working as you would expect (especially if nothing happens when you click on an icon that should open a window) then you should review your pop-up settings.

Internet Explorer Pop-up Blocker

1. From the Tools menu select Internet Options.
2. Select the Privacy tab. Near the bottom of the window is a section labled Popup blocker.
3. If the checkbox for “Block pop-ups” is blank, the pop-up blocker is not on. To turn on the pop-up blocker click the box so that it is checked.
4. Click the Settings button so you can customize what is actually blocked.

Mozilla Firefox Explorer Popup Blocker

1. From the Tools menu select Options top open the options window.
2. Click the Web Features button.
3. If the checkbox for “Block Popup Windows” is blank, the pop-up blocker is not on. To turn on the pop-up blocker click the box so that it is checked.
4. Click the Allowed Sites button to enter the URLs for sites whose popups you want to accept (for example, enter http://myfau.fau.edu to accept pop-up windows from MyFAU.