Which the following is a filtering program that stops pop-up ads from displaying on web pages?

Pop-ups, their types, and why we should fight them

Pop-ups exist as long as the Internet does, and it seems that they have long-term plans of making users “happy” with their presence. Here we will tell you a little about them and give some advice concerning how to remove pop-ups and protect your computers and devices from numerous threats. In order you to get a clearer picture of what pop-up windows exactly are, we will first tell you about different types of these annoying ads because you must know your enemy.

Tricky click-under

Nowadays nearly all internet browsers can remove pop-ups showing service messages when a window is blocked. But there is one important detail – these browsers’ possibilities only extend to those windows which open automatically. Without thinking twice advertisers have changed their strategy – pop-ups started to appear right after a user fulfils any action on a web-page [for example, after a click on a web-page].

Surely you have often run into such kind of windows. They open as soon as you try to follow a link or open an image. Very often such approach puzzles algorithm of a browser blocker, so it can't decipher if the opened window is a result of the user’s actions or it’s really an ad. Actually, this is the end of the browsers’ built-in pop-up blockers evolution that seemed pretty promising at first. There is no way to determine if a pop-up contains ads or some useful information which means that windows appearing at a click can stay with us for long. Of course, it relates only to built-in browser protecting options, but not to additional protecting tools that are described below.

Pop-ups and concealed viruses

The scenario described above is the most popular now, but not the only one. Today pop-ups are actively used for viruses that look like catchy or, vice versa, like plain announcements. Once a virus is in a computer it starts to open pop-ups from time to time [which can even contain pornographic materials] forcing a user to click an ad. “Viral advertising” indeed!

Pop-ups that appear due to viruses can't be removed neither with anti-banner nor with other blocking tools. The only way to remove such pop-ups is a program that can delete viruses. By the way, today a scenario when a virus that shows up as a browser extension becomes more and more common. This means you have to be attentive and check the safety of all programs and components you want to install.

Fake pop-ups

Existing malicious schemes are vulnerable to ad blockers, so fully featured pop-ups became less popular. The industry has found a substitution for them – banners that look like pop-ups and have the same control elements. Such banners only simulate pop-ups.

Pop-ups against attentive users

Pop-ups that were trying to disorient even very attentive users gained their popularity by the mid noughties when Windows XP was the most commonly used OS and nearly all users had the same looking windows. Then Vista 7 appeared and the «black magic» could work no more. Now user’s interface became very flexible and was based upon individual settings. As a result, it was a problem to find two computers with a similar looking interface. Users started to pick out the lie and stopped clicking such ads. However even now some sites contain this kind of “windows”, as significant number of users still can't distinguish a deceit.

«Hi, how are you» pop-ups

Today users have a wide perception of the term “pop-up” seeing it like something more than just an OS window. For most of the users a “pop-up” is just some kind of a big square banner with the “Close” button. These banners are widely used by advertisers for undesirable ads. You have surely seen such messages like «Your browser needs to be updated» with a following “possibility” to update. This usually appears after some unknown program was installed.

Рop-ups that look like messages from Skype, Facebook and other popular social networks can be divided into separate group. These small windows appear on your screen and are often targeted on getting your confidential information. Anyway, these pop-ups don't look promising.

There are many more different pop-ups on the Internet, we've seen just their main types. But fortunately, there are various ways of fighting them as well. Let's move beyond theory and start to answer the question how to remove pop-up ads.

How to block pop-ups on mobile devices

Even if you mostly work on computer, you definitely use your mobile phone many times a day not only for calls but for searching information on the Internet, chatting on different platforms, watching videos online, viewing photos, etc. The advertisements that constantly pop up on the screen prevent you from doing that. Finally, they become so annoying that you begin thinking about a good ad blocking solution. And this is where the right path begins.

In this part of article we will look at the different blocking methods for mobile devices on two different operating systems: Android and iOS.

Blocking pop-ups on Android

Most of the Internet users still try to fight against ads by themselves and close windows with ads manually because they just don’t know about other, much more easier ways of fighting these intrusive monsters.

When we speak about ad blocking, we first of all mean blocking the ads popping up on every website we visit in our browser. So now it’s time to announce the first method of removing pop-ups – blocking them in browser settings on your Android.

How to disable pop-ups using browsers' settings

As mentioned above, some browsers allow us to manage showing pop-ups in their settings. Remember that not every browser on Android gives us such opportunity. However, since the situation may just insignificantly change depending on a platform version and on a certain browser, we decided not to describe every specific way for every single browser on every device. Let's just look at this blocking method by the example of one of the most famous browsers – Google Chrome.

As the approach is almost the same for each browser, you will be able to easily find the appropriate settings in your favorite browser as well.

Disabling pop-ups in Google Chrome on Android

To block pop-ups in Chrome browser on your device you need to do the following:

Open Chrome browser;

Go to the "Site settings";

Find “Pop-ups and redirects” and turn off the toggle to "Block pop-ups"

Benefits:

There is no need to install anything to block pop-ups in browser

Drawbacks:

Not all annoying pop-ups are blocked through this method;

Not every browser and every Android version can let you delete pop-ups using browsers' settings.

To get rid of all annoying ads in all browsers and apps on your Android device you need a unique, cross functional program. Luckily, such program does exist! And you will find the information on it in our following paragraph.

How to stop pop-ups using AdGuard ad blocker for Android

“Why do I have to close annoying windows and adjust settings by myself if I can trust this work to some special tool?” - that is the question which has lately become increasingly frequent. We also have no idea why you are still doing this thankless job on your own. Modern users nowadays can choose from a variety of applications which are able to remove pop-ups by themselves. Just look around, we have a perfect solution for you :]

AdGuard is the most effective way of removing annoying ads and pop-ups. You download AdGuard for Android and it clears all browsers and apps on your device. Can you imagine? ALL apps and ALL browsers can become ad-free at the same time!

Besides, AdGuard protects your device from downloading a malware and visiting phishing websites. And that’s not all! It helps you forget all trackers and counters like a bad dream. Don’t be afraid of stealing your data while surfing the Web – you are well protected with AdGuard.

To get a clearer picture of all the features and capabilities of the application, look at the following list of its benefits and drawbacks.

Benefits:

With AdGuard...

You will enjoy a high filtering quality;

You won’t notice any ads and trackers in browsers and apps;

You will experience a faster pages loading;

You will be protected from malicious and phishing websites;

You will get rid of all trackers and analytical systems;

You will have a 24/7 Support

Drawbacks:

AdGuard for Android it is a fee-based program, so you will have to pay for it [not much] :]

Blocking pop-ups on iOS devices

Now it’s time to view the blocking methods for devices on another operating system – iOS.

How to disable pop-ups through Safari browser settings

It’s no secret that the most popular browser on iOS devices is Safari which is the default browser at the same time.

Here is what you can do in order to disable pop-ups through Safari settings:

Open Safari preferences in device settings;

Activate "Block Pop-ups" option

Just like that, easily and quickly you can disable showing pop-ups in browser on iOS devices. Let’s have a look at the benefits and drawbacks of disabling pop-ups through Safari preferences.

Benefits:

Blocking through Safari settings is a very fast solution;

You can enable blocking without installing anything on your device

Drawbacks:

The chance that you will get rid of all annoying banners is very low;

You will not be able to manage filtering.

In any case, you can take a pop-up out by entering a new URL or search term into the Search field to browse to a new site. But it’s absolutely not user-friendly way of removing pop-up windows.

How to stop pop-ups using AdGuard ad blocker for iOS

As in case with Android, there is a perfect solution for disabling intrusive ads for iOS devices as well. You can download an ad blocking tool and forget about pop-ups, video ads and other annoying banners on the Internet.

AdGuard for iOS is an ultimate app which eliminates all kinds of ads in Safari browser. No less important is that it protects your personal data from great amount of trackers and analytical systems and saves your traffic. The app contains various filters and effectively blocks social media widgets.

Specially for those users who want to ensure a better filtering quality and manage blocking processes on their device[s] there is another special tool ‒ AdGuard for iOS Pro. This app has much more to offer. It blocks ads in all browsers and in some apps and lets you customize DNS settings. Besides, it includes the AdGuard Assistant feature which helps users manage filtering directly in browser.

Here are the main benefits and drawbacks of blocking pop-ups in Safari with AdGuard for iOS Pro:

Benefits:

With AdGuard...

You will enjoy a high filtering quality;

There will be no more ads and trackers in browsers and in some apps;

You will experience a faster pages loading;

You will be protected from malicious and phishing websites;

You will have 24/7 Support

Drawbacks:

AdGuard won’t let you block all ads in all apps because of the Apple's new policy;

AdGuard Pro for iOS is a fee-based program

How to block pop-ups on computers

While working at a computer [even if you don't always work online] you often use the Internet for searching information, online processing of various files, sending email messages, etc. Sometimes we want to relax and watch videos or series, or show a cartoon to a child. But we can’t concentrate on work or enjoy the time online because of the even bigger amount of annoying pop-up ads. They fill all the space around us suggesting to buy something, to subscribe to some mailing, or to update a software, etc.

How can we prevent showing such intrusive elements on the screen? Don’t panic, we know what to do. In the next parts of our article we will tell you how to get rid of pop-up ads on your computer once and for all.

Blocking pop-ups on Windows and Mac

As in case with mobile devices, there is a number of different blocking methods for computers. Let’s have a closer look at them.

How to disable pop-ups using browsers' settings

No matter what platform you are working on, you are always offered a wide range of browsers with their built-in blocking capabilities. The principle of blocking pop-ups doesn’t crucially differ depending on a browser, so let’s look how to do that in Chrome, as the example, and in Safari which is the most popular browser on Mac OS. Once you have read the instructions for one browser, you will be able to easily apply them for another one.

Chrome

To block pop-ups through browser settings in Chrome, please follow these steps:

Click the Chrome menu on the browser toolbar;

Select "Settings" and click “Advanced”;

In the "Privacy" section click the “Content settings”;

Find "Pop-ups and redirects" there and make sure the pop-ups are Blocked.

Customize permissions for specific websites by adding them to “Allow” and “Block” lists.

Safari

Safari also provides an easy way to block pop-ups via browser settings. Here it is:

Open Safari Preferences;

Choose the Security tab;

Check the box “Warn when visiting a fraudulent website”

Then you should open the Websites tab:

Click on “Pop-up Windows”;

Choose "Block" or "Block and Notify" in the lower right corner of a window

Also make sure there are no add-ons installed which you’d prefer to turn off. Click the “Extensions” tab in Safari preferences and check it.

Now let’s assess the benefits and drawbacks of disabling pop-ups through browsers’ settings.

Benefits:

Quick and easy customization of blocking pop-ups directly in browser;

No need to install anything to block pop-ups in browser

Drawbacks:

Not all kinds of pop-up banners are blocked when using this method;

You will probably have to activate these options again and again when updating the versions [depending on a browser]

How to block pop-ups with the help of ad blocking extensions

The ad blocking extensions have been a rather good solution on fighting pop-ups for a long time. Unfortunately, nowadays their capabilities are noticeably limited by browsers.

There are various extensions aimed to disable pop-ups, but each of them is intended to block ads in a particular browser. You can find such add-ons in different online stores like Firefox Add-ons, Chrome Web Store or Mac App Store, etc.

AdGuard is on the list of the most effective ad blocking plugins. There are AdGuard extensions for all popular browsers: Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, Opera, Microsoft Edge, Yandex, Safari, etc.

AdGuard extensions perfectly block ads, pop-ups, video ads, banners in browsers and protect your personal data from trackers and phishing websites. You can easily manage filtering process: add some sites to the Whitelist, enable/disable a wide range of filters, or create your own filtering rules. Besides, there is a very handy instrument for blocking annoying elements or reporting websites directly on a page.

But as mentioned, the ad blocking extensions now have big problems because of some browsers' restrictions. AdGuard extension works better than others, but even so, the filtering is constrained by browsers’ capabilities.

So, let’s see the pros and cons of using ad blocking extensions.

Benefits:

All the extensions are easy to install and customize;

The ad blocking browser extensions are mostly free;

They let you block some kinds of pop-up windows

Drawbacks:

The lower filtering quality because of the browsers’ restrictions;

One specific extension blocks ads in one particular browser [ads are not being blocked in other browsers and apps].

All these methods make us wonder: "Is there any pop-up blocking program that is able to block all pop-ups and other kinds of ads in all browsers at once? And maybe, there's something that helps us block ads not only in browsers but in other apps too... "

We will answer this question in our next chapter :]

AdGuard app ‒ your most effective and reliable assistant in fighting pop-ups on your computer

Speaking of AdGuard as of the best way to block pop-ups and other types of advertisements we are not trying to impose a purchase on you. The fact is that this is a really effective program which removes ads in all browsers and applications on your PC. You no longer need to go into your browser settings and search for some blocking features there. You don’t need to install extensions for each browser you use. AdGuard replaces hundreds of unnecessary steps with just two ‒ download and install AdGuard.

In addition, the app guards your privacy by blocking all kinds of counters and tracking systems, prevents visiting phishing websites and installing malicious software. Just imagine, how many possibilities a single application provides!

We have two apps for different operating systems to offer: AdGuard for Windows and AdGuard for Mac. Let’s go through their special features separately.

AdGuard for Windows

AdGuard for Windows is a unique desktop program that contains all the necessary features for perfect web experience. It works in any browser and app providing the most effective ad blocker, a whole privacy protection module, and a parental control tool.

AdGuard filters all kinds of ads: pop-ups, video ads, banners and such. All you will see when visiting websites is clean pages with the content you came for.

The most important features of AdGuard for Windows except for the ad blocking are:

Browsing Security — AdGuard checks every page for any malicious content and blocks requests from potentially dangerous sites;

Stealth mode — AdGuard protects your personal data by fighting against all trackers and analytical systems that spy on you; blocks third-party cookies and is able to mask your IP address, etc.

Parental control — AdGuard protects your children online by blocking access to inappropriate websites. It removes obscene materials from search results and provides parents with a customizable blacklist.

AdGuard for Mac

AdGuard for Mac is a standalone ad blocker for MacOS. AdGuard knows how to block pop-ups, video adverts, banners and such in all browsers and even in other apps, protecting your privacy along the way.

Except for the ad blocking AdGuard for Mac provides:

Safe web surfing — AdGuard protects you from malware and phishing websites;

Privacy protection — AdGuard fights against all trackers and analytical systems that spy on you thanks to the special Tracking Protection filter;

Filtering inside apps — AdGuard lets you filter traffic of any app installed on your Mac [not only browsers].

These and many other useful functions will be accessible for you if you install AdGuard application.

You will find the AdGuard for Mac installation instructions here.

Now let’s emphasize the main advantages and disadvantages of using AdGuard app.

Benefits:

With AdGuard for Mac and AdGuard for Windows you will enjoy…

High filtering quality;

Using apps and browsers without ads;

Faster pages loading;

Protection from tracking and analytical systems;

Protection from malicious and phishing websites;

24/7 Support;

14 days trial period [you can try AdGuard before buying the program]

Drawbacks:

Both AdGuard for Windows and AdGuard for Mac are fee-based programs

What solution to choose

We’ve tried to thoroughly cover all the possible ways of blocking pop-ups in browsers and apps on different devices and platforms. Now we’d like to summarize all information in order to help you choose the most suitable way exactly for you.

With the help of the following comparative table you will be able to analyse the efficiency of three different pop-up blocking methods by looking at the features they perform.

Comparison of different ways to block pop-up windows

As you can see, AdGuard is the more universal and effective method of blocking pop-ups and other ads [and online threats!] on your device and/or computer.

For those people who want to get AdGuard already now, here are the installation instructions for every operating system.

How to download and install AdGuard on different platforms: Android, iOS, Windows and Mac

AdGuard for Android

To download AdGuard for Android versions 4, 5 and 6 you need first of all to allow installing apps from unknown sources in your device's settings:

On Android 6: open Settings , then select Additional settings in System & Device. Switch on Unknown sources and press OK in the system warning window.

For Android 4 and 5: open Settings, then select Security in the Personal section. Switch on Unknown sources [in Android 4, there is a checkbox instead of a switch] and press OK in the system warning window.

You should not do that for Android version 7 and later.

When you see the request to save the downloaded file, please press "OK";

When the download is complete, press "Install".

On Android 4, after AdGuard has been downloaded, you may see a dialogue window requesting for further action regarding the file. Select "Package installer" and then "Just once". Next you will see the list of permissions required by the app. Press "Next" and then click on "Install".

AdGuard is now installed on your device. You can launch it by pressing its icon in the list of installed apps.

AdGuard for iOS

Go to App Store and search for AdGuard for iOS Pro;

Download the app and receive further installation instructions within the app

AdGuard for Windows

Open your browser and go to the AdGuard website. After that click on the "Download" button on the main page;

After the download is finished, press the "Run" button shown in the Downloads bar or click the file name _adguardInstaller.exe_;

You’ll see the User Account Control dialogue box requesting to allow the app to make changes to your PC. Click "Yes";

Accept the terms and conditions by clicking the respective button at the bottom of the window;

Next, choose the folder on your PC where the app will be installed;

Wait for the installation to complete and click "Finish".

AdGuard for Mac

Click on Adguard.release.dmg icon in the list of downloaded files in the Dock panel, then click on AdGuard icon to open the installation app;

In the installation window, drag the AdGuard icon to the "Applications" folder icon on the right;

Now the application has been installed on your computer. To launch the application, double click on the AdGuard icon in the "Applications" folder that you can open with Finder. Upon the first AdGuard launch, your operating system will warn you that this application has been downloaded from the Internet. Click "Open";

To use the application, you will need the administrator password for your macOS account. Enter the password when propped in the dialogue box and press "OK".

If you want to protect your PC [Windows/Mac] and your Android device at once, you have a great possibility to purchase a Premium license which will go on both Android device and Windows/Mac computer. Get more information on our site.

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Anonymous BEST AD blocker I have used. Just try it on a trial and enjoy it. I did and the money is worth it.
My total ad block goes up every day!

Faith I know it sounds a bit weird, but I really like that you can invert your whitelist to only block ads on certain sites.

Renye Gardoves this is amazing it keeps me protected and also my privacy protected anddddd....i dont have to watch da ads from YOUTUBE anymore

Saul Goodman Blocks ads well, doesn’t miss a single one. All I wish is that it had comparable speed to Google’s DNS service. I still use AdGuard as my primary and secondary resolver, but it’s a great service for free. If you could have a non-anycast server that1

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