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What is Popup Blocker ?
Pop-ups (or pop-up windows) are
advertisement windows which appear when the user logs on to the
net. They vary in size and generally occupy a part of the opened
web page. These pop-ups are not only disturbing and bothersome
but are also dangerous as they might contain some objectionable
content. There is no fool proof solution to this nuisance.
However, both Windows XP and Netscape Browser have tried out
methods to prevent these from appearing.
Pop-up Blocker does not close any pop-up windows when they
appear on the page while browsing. It actually assists the
customer to select all the pop-ups he prefers to shut down with
the block list picture; thus increasing the pop up blocker usage
will result in viewing less number of pop ups. Pop-up Blocker is
compatible with Windows XP and with all internet connections.
Netscape Browser permits its users to check on the pop-ups with
the help of Site controls options panel. By default, the pop-up
blocker is disabled and hence needs to be enabled to prevent
pop-ups from appearing. When the pop-up block facility is
activated, the pop-up toolbar changes to “blocked”. If the user
prefers some pop-ups to appear, the pull down menu on the pop-up
blocker can be used to particularize those pop ups which can be
allowed. The pop-up toolbar button looks:
• Pop-up blocker on (no pop-ups allowed)
• Pop-up blocker off (pop-ups are allowed)
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It is important to note that pop-ups
are always not bad. Some banking websites seek the help of these
pop-ups to display many important features and confidential
information. Hence blocking the pop-ups entirely may cause
problems. The pop up blocker can be instructed to remember these
sites so that these pop ups are allowed to appear. This data
provided by the user can be stored in the “white list”. So when
the consumer visits these permitted sites, the pop up blocker
switches off. But it must be remembered that blocking pop ups
are not entirely effective. Though Netscape Browser barricades
most of the pop ups, a few advertisers seek other methods to
display their products.
If the client wishes to do away with a few sites recorded in the
“white list”, he needs to open the page and then click on the
pop-up blocker key. The original message of “site pop ups
allowed” will automatically change to activate the pop up
blocker.
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The typical
pop-up block test: The normal pop up test comprises
of 9 sub-tests. The test is performed to evaluate the quality of
the pop up blocker. The test ranges from checking the regular
and common pop ups to the complicated and difficult ones.
Moreover it also evaluates the capability of the stopper to
identify those pop ups which are stored in the white list.
Normal Pop-up block test:
This test is performed to determine whether the blocker used has
the ability to recognize the unwanted pop ups and block them.
These pop ups are the regular ones that appear when a webpage is
opened. These pop up windows do not have any buttons, toolbar or
menus but only a title bar. On passing this test, the quality of
the pop up stopper increases by 20 points.
Full-Screen pop up block test:
There are a few pop up windows which cover the whole
screen. They do not have any toolbars, keys or menus like the
normal ones and are only found in the Internet Explorer Browser.
On qualifying this test, the quality enhances by 10 points.
Channel-opener popup block test:
This popup also covers the entire screen like the
previous one however, unlike that consists of a toolbar. This is
also viewed with the Internet Explorer. This increases the score
by 5 points.
Modeless dialog block test:
Like the previous two this popup can only be opened in Internet
Explorer. This operates in a slight different fashion. It opens
a dialog window and not a popup. Thus the user is compelled to
close it so that he can continue working on the web page that
opened it. This adds 10 points to the pop up block score.
Browser window popup block test
This popup is similar to the normal pop up that was discussed
earlier. Like the normal pop up, this also has menu bars and
tool bars. This adds 20 points to the pop up block score.
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Many a times it becomes difficult
for the consumer to differentiate between a pop up advertisement
and a new window.
Listed
below are a few methods which will help the user in making this
differentiation
• Clicked new window When the user clicks on a new link, the
window that comes out is not a pop up. This is the window that
the user that desired to view and hence it appears.
• On load popup ad Once the desired window appears on the
screen, the appearance of a new one immediately after that can
be a pop up advertisement window
• Delayed popup ad If a new window comes up on the screen
without any permission of the user or any activity, then it is
surely a popup advertisement.
• On quit popup ad The appearance of a new window after the
users exit from the original link is again a popup advertisement
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• Camouflaged popup ad At times, a pop
up appears along with the requested web page. As its occurrence
happens after placing a request by the user, it is often mistaken as
a new window.
• Interstitial ad this is most commonly mistaken to be a popup ad!
Interstitial ad appears instead of the web-page that was requested
for. This ad stays onscreen for about half a minute and then the
user is directed to the desired link.
• Windowless flash and invue popup ad: These are similar to pop up
ads. Windowless Flash and InVue Ads they emerge at the front page
obstructing website content. Unlike the previous pop up ads, the new
Windowless Flashes and InVue ads are actually a component of the
page and hence cannot be withdrawn.
All the advanced pop up stoppers should be able to discriminate all
these new modes of pop ups. These sophisticated pop up killers must
recognize the constructive new windows and prevent the pop ups. In
fact, the most important quality of the stopper should be to stop
the pop up and at the same time introduce a useful new window. In
order to prevent the pop ups from appearing, the pop up blocker
makes a few changes in the settings. However, it must be ensured
that in this process of making the changes, it does not hamper the
valuable and constructive browser functions.
There are a few points that one needs to consider before installing
a new pop up software stopper. The blocker should not only stop the
pop ups but also be able to distinguish the various spy wares, ad
wares that often camouflage as pop ups.
• Easy to Use it is necessary that the features and instructions of
the popup blocker are user friendly, so that it can be accessed by
any one.
• Feature Settings it must have the standard bells and whistles
along with the ability to easily recognize and remove the dangerous
spy wares and ad wares.
• Easy Installation it is also necessary that the software can be
easily installed.
• Protecting from hijackers it should also be seen that the
browser’s homepage is well protected and no changes are made by the.
A good pop up killer protects this by putting passwords. It also
ensures that the system remains clean by deleting unwanted data when
required.
• Effectiveness of the stopper finally and most importantly the user
must check the effectiveness of the blocker before installation.
There are quite a few test that are performed to determine the
efficiency of these blockers and the consumer must be updated about
all the results.
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Article Contributed By: Sukanaya
Banerjee
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