How do I stop those alert ads that won't let me navigate away unless I click OK?

When I try to leave a website, the alert pops up and says to complete a survey or let them scan my computer for viruses, or hit cancel/close the alert to stay on the same page. Those me off so much, and I don't want to click the ok so they can install adware on my computer. Is there any way to disable those?

 

Maybe disable some activex controlls?

 

Does that happen on every site you visit?
If yes - potentially malware.

If its some sites - it may be legitimate - but even then, they don't tend to block you from leaving - and pop up at the beginning (looking at NY Times and Intel here...)

 

Install firefox.

Install no script and ad block plus.


Job done.

 

pretty much anything but MSIE will let you control the things.

FFox with addons or Opera out of the box.

 

To block annoying Pop-ups in IE8: Go into Internet Explorer, Tools, Pop-Up Blocker, and Pop-Up Blocker Settings. In Pop-Up Blocker Settings, at the bottom of the screen, open Blocking Levels, and select either Medium or High.

For additional help from Microsoft, at the very bottom of the same screen is a link entitled: "Learn more about Pop-Up Blocker." One section that has some relevant information for you is this one: " I turned on Pop-up Blocker but I still see some pop-ups. Why?"

The following are some common reasons why you might still be seeing pop-ups:
• You might have software, such as adware or spyware, on your computer that is opening pop-up windows. To stop these pop-ups, you will have to identify the software that is opening them and then remove it or change its settings to stop it from opening pop-up windows. For information about detecting and removing adware and spyware, see Spyware: frequently asked questions.
Some windows with active content are not blocked.
• Internet Explorer will not block pop-ups from websites that are in the Local intranet zone. If you want the pop-ups from these websites to be blocked, you have to remove the websites from this zone. For more information, see Security zones: adding or removing websites.

You might also try raising your Security and Privacy levels in the Internet Explorer, Tools, Security section and Privacy section.

 

Best solution is to use Firefox or Opera.

 

I know exactly what you're talking about, Ericyp. Using IE I've occasionally gotten those too (though only from sketchy websites, I might add, if you are getting them often and on reputable sites, you probably have malware on your system).

Personally I use Firefox and AddBlock Pluss to avoid such problems; and as somebody who stuck with IE for a long time and just recently made the switch, I'd highly recommend getting a better browser. Still, if you don't want to mess with your software you can sometimes free I.E. from such hijacks by closing the affected tab, or by using the 'back' dropdown menu to go back several steps instead of just one.

Hope this helps.

 

I think IE8 is super, and worth putting up with a few flaws. Yes, there are some flaws, as in ALL of the browsers. But for me, it's stable, has fabulous features, and has never given me a major problem. Sometimes you just have to spend some time and use a little ingenuity to solve the current problem, but they're usually solvable, like the poster's pop-up problem. Eventually he'll find the answer --- perhaps some of the suggestions I made above will either work, or help to lead him to the answer.

 

I'm curious. I never upgraded to IE8, but as I said, I was a loyal IE user until just recently. What exactly are the great features of IE8 that make it worthwhile?

(And worth sticking to over Firefox, which right out of the box has a superior download manager, much better resistance to browser hijacks like the ones we're talking about without turning anything off, and built in spell checking. This is not even to mention the availability of powerful, free add-ons like Zotero, GreasMonkey, DownloadHelper, and AddBlocker Pluss.)

 

I hear the IE7 Pro add on still works for IE8 and has better pop up blocking I think.

 

If you want to keep IE then I suggest that you use modified host files(independent of web browsers) since most ads that are annoying(and can be malicious) are from third party advertising/marking companys whose host names are known and can be blocked .

Modified host files can cause some annoyances(with modifed host files, "Internet Explorer cannot display the webpage" can now mean that the page is blocked instead of a connection issue), so do your own research on it, but IMO it does a good job(and easily reversible).

Though, its not a cure all, but one more layer of protection...my solution besides Anti-virus/firewall is a modified host files, addons like Noscript and ABP for FF, and a ramdisk(for temp cache), and common sense.

 

I run firefox and adblock but on occasions still get this kind of popup window. If it doesn't let me exit when I click on the red X then I go to task manager and terminate firefox.

 

What's so great about IE8? Well let's see, in addition to the Compatability View feature (which is reason enough, on its own, to use IE8), its Webslices, the new Tab features (including Tab Crash Recovery protection), the enhanced privacy browsing features, the new VISUAL SEARCH feature (not to mention its Enhanced Search and Search Suggestions), the new Favorites Bar, the ability to not only increase the Zoom level of every page -- but that IE8 SAVES your customized Zoom level, so that you don't have to increase it EVERY SINGLE TIME you go to a new page or screen -- PLUS of course, the 100 or so different customization and options settings IE8 offers (including the new Developers' Tools), the tons of IE8 Add-Ons and Accelerators, and probably some of the most important items, the multitude of impressively improved performance, security, and stability features.

 

Alright. I'll give it a try.