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How to Prevent Pop Ups on Google Chrome
Are pop ups on Google Chrome driving you crazy? Do you find yourself constantly closing out unwanted windows while browsing the web? You’re not alone. Pop ups are one of the most annoying and frustrating things about using the internet. They can appear out of nowhere and disrupt your web experience, not to mention they can also be potentially harmful if they’re linked to malicious websites.
But fear not, there are steps you can take to prevent those pesky pop ups from appearing on Google Chrome. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll take you through the different methods you can use to keep pop ups at bay and improve your browsing experience.
1. Enable Chrome’s Built-In Pop-Up Blocker
The first and easiest step you can take to prevent pop ups on Google Chrome is to enable the built-in pop-up blocker. This feature is automatically turned on when you install Chrome, but if you’ve disabled it or it’s not working properly, you can easily turn it back on.
To do so, click on the three vertical dots in the top right corner of your Chrome window and select “Settings” from the drop-down menu. Scroll down and click on “Site Settings” under the “Privacy and security” section. Then, click on “Pop-ups and redirects” and make sure that the toggle switch next to “Blocked (recommended)” is turned on.
2. Add Websites to Chrome’s Allowed List
Sometimes, there are websites that you trust and want to receive pop ups from, like your email or social media accounts. To prevent Chrome’s pop-up blocker from blocking these pop ups, you can add websites to the allowed list.
To do so, repeat the steps mentioned above to get to the “Pop-ups and redirects” setting. Then, click on “Add” next to the “Allow” field and enter the URL of the website you want to allow pop ups from. You can add multiple websites by clicking on “Add” again. Once you’re done, click on “Add” to save your changes.
3. Install a Third-Party Ad Blocker
While Chrome’s built-in pop-up blocker is effective in blocking most pop ups, occasionally some pop ups can get through. To further enhance your pop-up blocking abilities, you can install a third-party ad blocker. These blockers not only block pop ups, but also all types of advertisements, making your browsing experience more streamlined and enjoyable.
Some popular ad blockers you can use include Adblock Plus, uBlock Origin, and AdGuard. These ad blockers have user-friendly interfaces and are easy to install. Once installed, they will work alongside Chrome’s pop-up blocker to provide you with a more effective ad blocking solution.
4. Clear Your Cache and Cookies Regularly
In some cases, pop ups may still appear even with Chrome’s pop-up blocker on and a third-party ad blocker installed. This could be due to malicious software lurking in your cache and cookies. Clearing your cache and cookies regularly can help prevent pop ups from appearing.
To clear your cache and cookies on Google Chrome, click on the three vertical dots in the top right corner and select “Settings”. Scroll down and click on “Privacy and security” and then on “Clear browsing data”. Make sure the boxes next to “Cookies and other site data” and “Cached images and files” are checked and then click on “Clear data”.
5. Disable Automatic File Downloads
Sometimes, pop ups can be triggered by automatic file downloads. To prevent these from happening, you can disable automatic file downloads on Chrome. This will also prevent malicious files from being downloaded to your computer without your knowledge.
To do so, go to “Settings” and click on “Privacy and security” as mentioned above. Then, click on “Site Settings” and scroll down to “Automatic downloads”. Make sure the toggle switch next to “Do not allow any site to download multiple files automatically” is turned on.
6. Use a Virtual Private Network (VPN)
Another way to prevent pop ups on Google Chrome is to use a virtual private network, or VPN. These services encrypt your internet connection and hide your IP address, preventing pop ups and other types of online threats from accessing your computer.
Additionally, a VPN can also protect your privacy and security while browsing by keeping your personal information and online activities hidden from hackers and other prying eyes. Some popular VPN services include NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and Surfshark.
Conclusion
Pop ups are one of the most common and frustrating issues faced by internet users. However, with these simple and effective methods, you can prevent pop ups from appearing on Google Chrome and improve your overall browsing experience. Remember to enable Chrome’s built-in pop-up blocker, add trusted websites to the allowed list, install a third-party ad blocker, regularly clear your cache and cookies, disable automatic file downloads, and use a VPN for added protection. By following these steps, you can reduce the number of pop ups you encounter while browsing the web. Happy browsing!