Jabloggy reader Karen recently submitted the question: “Pop-up blockers usually do not come up on my computer, however, Netflix and some others always seem to be able to open a window and get through. How can I prevent this?” Fortunately, I’ve had the same problem and I feel your pain! So how do we remedy this annoying issue with pop-up ads that can bypass pop-up blockers?

This issue seems to affect more than just one browser (specifically Internet Explorer). I personally use Firefox and Safari on my Mac and have seen this legendary, not-so-mythical ad on numerous occasions.

Before I provide the solution, here’s a quick low-down on why these ads get through. Netflix ads are considered “pop-under ads” instead of “pop-up ads”. Pop-ups appear on top of the window you are currently viewing, while pop-unders appear behind your current window and surprise you when you close that window.

Pop-up blockers are meant for just that, to block pop-ups. Pop-unders apparently don’t have a pop-under blocker yet, so BAM! Instant ads.

I’ve found a couple ways to block pop-under ads. I now present to you “The Global Temporary Way” and the “Possible Permanent Way”.

THE GLOBAL TEMPORARY WAY
If you go to http://optmd.com/optout.html and click on the button, it will take you through a quick process of opting out of these ads. It does this by placing a cookie on your computer that tells websites not to deliver pop-unders to your computer. The reason I say it’s a temporary solution is because you’ll have to opt-out of this every 5 years. But when those ads start appearing again in 5 years, you’ll remember your good friend Jabloggy and come back to click this link again!

NOTE: This solution is only directed at the company that serves up Netflix ads and other ads that belong to its clients only. If you get other pop-under ads, you may have to find out who is serving those up and opt-out of there site as well. I have no way of knowing all the companies that serve up these ads.

THE POSSIBLE PERMANENT WAY
Now there’s no way for me to test this theory because I don’t have Internet Explorer. In your Tools menu (which has changed from version to version) you should be able to find a Security or Advanced section that allows you to enter a list of sites that are restricted to access your computer (I think the section is called “Restricted Sites”). If and when you find this section, you can enter the web address for the companies serving up these ads to block them indefinitely. Again, this is all in theory and it should work, however I have no way of testing it myself.

If you find the Restricted Sites section and would like to enter some ad sites to block, you can start with these:

• http://optmd.com
• http://as.casalemedia.com

For additional information on pop-under blockers, check out the solution provided by eHow.com.

Still confused about this topic? Leave your question in the comments below and let us know!

Tags: Netflix Ads, Pop-Unders, Pop-Ups

This entry was posted on Tuesday, August 3rd, 2010 at 6:09 pm and is filed under Web Stuff. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.