“Pop up” ads grew out of Web companies’ need to generate money. The first generation of Web ads were those wide, flat strip ads embedded on Web pages, the so-called “banner ads.” Response to these ads was abysmal so marketeers looked for other ways to catch viewers’ attention. It probably started innocently enough with some comment like “Why not make our ads jump right out at people?” It’s an easy thing to do from a Web site, and it puts messages directly in front of viewers.

However, people quickly became annoyed with new windows popping up all the time. Marketeers responded by fading into the background, literally. Ads that used to “pop up” in front of your browser suddenly opened behind your browser, and were dubbed “pop under” ads. Guess what. They’re just as annoying as the pop up ads; they just collect behind your browser like mud on the bottom of your shoe.

Cool Tool

Many ISPs offer services to defeat pop up ads. There are also software products that you can buy and install. However, I recently found an effective tool for shutting down these ads from a trusted Web name. The search engine Google offers their Google Toolbar that includes a pop up blocker. I’ve found it to be unobtrusive, easy to use and very effective.

To get the PopUp Blocker tool itself, you have to install the whole Google Toolbar package. Install the tools by going to Google (www.google.com) and clicking the “Services & Tools” link, then looking for the Google Toolbar link. Follow the link, then click on the “Download Google Toolbar” link. When prompted, choose “Open” and let the program install.

There’s a point in the installation process where you’re asked about enabling “Advanced Features” where I would click “Disable”. The Google Toolbar can include some tools that report information about your browsing to Google. The PageRank feature, for example, gives you rankings for Web sites and pages in exchange for a peek into your browsing habits. It’s not that I don’t trust Google; I just don’t like to share a lot of information regarding my use of the computer. If you’re less concerned about the privacy of your browsing habits, you may choose to enable the feature.

I’ve turned off all the tools except their Popup Blocker. You can do this once Google Toolbar is installed by clicking on the “Options” button on the tool bar and unselecting the other features.

When Google Toolbar encounters a pop up ad, the toolbar icon ignites with an exclamation point, letting you know that it’s blocking an ad. You can click on the button to allow pop up ads on the current Web site. You might do this since some Web sites use pop ups for purposes other than advertising.

Hacked Pops

Another type of pop up ad is a little more dastardly. In fact, these ads have caught the attention of Microsoft and the Federal Trade Commission because they are actually an exploitation of Windows’ Messenger system, created by cracking into your computer. Don’t confuse Windows Messenger with Instant Messaging, though. Windows Messenger is the seldom-used service that corporate administrators can use to notify users of system shutdowns. The service is allowed to start automatically by Windows versions including 98, NT, 2000, ME and XP.

This type of ad can pop up even when you’re not browsing the Web, but can be easily defeated. Microsoft and the FTC recommend shutting down the service. For Windows XP (other versions will be slightly different), this is done by going to Start/Control Panel/Administrative Tools (may be under “Performance and Maintenance”), then double clicking “Services”. Find “Messenger” in the list, and double click it. In the “Startup Type” section, select “Disable” and click on “Stop” in the “Service Status” section. Finish by clicking OK.