The Security Mentor

This isn't exactly a security issue, but when web sites fill your screen with unwanted popup windows, they are interfering with your use of your computer.

There are hundreds of products to block popup ads. Modern browsers, like Mozilla Firefox, have protection built in. When you get XP Service Pack 2 soon, Internet Explorer will block popups.

Besides the technical solution, you can reduce the hassle by staying out of bad neighborhoods on the Web. Porn sites and sleazy get-rich-quick places are some of the worst for bombarding you with popup ads.

I suggest testing whatever popup blocker you install. One vendor has set up a test page where you can try out your popup blocker against some common tricks for making ads pop up. I haven't tried their software but I appreciate their offering a test page.

I'm not linking to the test page. It's too dangerous for someone with a standard installation of Microsoft Internet Explorer. Scroll down to where it says "popup blocker and ad killer test page" near the bottom, then click "enter" on the warning page that comes up next.