I Just Got a Pop Up - Is My Computer Infected?
A pop-up window is a small browser window which in most cases is merely a form of advertising. Not all advertising is malicious nor do they always contain viruses or malware. The fact that you receive a pop-up doesn't always mean your computer will be infected. These windows are designed to get your attention, such as in the form of advertising. There are also windows known as pop-unders which appear under your browser window. Both are designed to get you to buy or opt-in for something.� While most are safe, others may contain viruses or links to malicious websites. If you are seeing more and more of these and you are tired of dealing with them each time you are on the Internet; you may wish to enable your browser to block them. This is easily done from your browser menu. Certain websites need to use them. Access and functionality of the website can be decreased if they are blocked and there are instances where you may need to use them.� A good example of when you would need to unblock them could be with your banking institution. Many times when you want to print your bank statement, such a window appears on the screen� which allows you to print that statement from the� screen. From an internet marketing perspective, there are obvious advantages to using these� windows. They may get the viewer to make a purchase or at the very least give contact details for further communications. How to Prevent Pop-ups on Your Computer Your best protection from malicious links, spyware, and malware is having a good anti-virus program installed. Be sure that you schedule daily scans of your computer, and enable the firewall protection that comes as part of the antivirus software. Never have two different antivirus programs enabled at the same time on your computer as this can create problems and cause the software not to work properly. Internet Explorer and Firefox are two browsers that have the ability to block these windows. Keep in mind; however, that it's virtually impossible to block them all. Firefox 3.6.11: Pop-up blocking is set as a default but you can always change these settings.��� When you visit a website and your pop-up blocker is turned on, when a such a window is available, a message will appear above the webpage asking if you would like to allow it.� If you want to see it, you can click the message to allow it. From the menu bar located at the top of your browser, click on TOOLS --> OPTIONS and then click on the CONTENT icon.You will see a check marked box in front of BLOCK POP UP WINDOWS. If you want to disable this function, simply un-check it.
Click on the EXCEPTIONS button to see a list of sites already having permission to display pop-ups on your computer. You can remove any or all of these from your list of exceptions.
If you know of a site that uses these that you want to give permission to, simply copy the URL address for this site and paste it into the address field provided and click on ALLOW. This site will now be able to have their windows displayed.
Internet Explorer 8: Internet Explorer also enables pop-up blocking as a default setting. If the blocker is on by default and you are on a website that uses pop-ups, the information bar will appear notifying you that pop-ups are blocked but gives you the option to allow them. The message will say "To see this pop-up or additional options click here". Should you wish to change the settings follow these instructions: Click on your START button ->Internet Explorer
On your menu bar locate TOOLS, click on this and see the drop down menu
Now you have the choice to either Turn off pop-up blocking or if you already have it turned off, to go to Pop-up Blocking settings turn it back on
As with Firefox, you can also add websites that you allow to display them by adding their URL address to the displayed field
You can remove any and all websites by clicking on the website and then clicking on remove.
In Summary, getting a pop-up screen or window on your computer does not mean it is infected. Enable your pop-up blocker, get a good antivirus software program installed, have your computer scanned daily, and don't click on any links within the pop-up windows unless you are sure that these pop-ups come from a website you trust.Deb Marsden is an experienced Internet training customer support manager. Deb and her good friend and equally experienced customer support gal, Lee Ann, have joined forces and offer their services to computer newbies and not so newbies, solve issues they may have in learning how to use their computer. For more articles on anti-virus and spyware [http://1-800-showmehow.com/category/anti-virus-spyware]click here. -Too much to do and too little time? OutMouseit! and let this dynamic duo work their magic with your personal online branding and more. This short video will give you ideas for your own [http://bit.ly/94AYJy]personal brand. Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?I-Just-Got-a-Pop-Up---Is-My-Computer-Infected?&id=5275760] I Just Got a Pop Up - Is My Computer Infected?
