Pop-ups be gone

Programs help block ads

(CNN) -- It's almost impossible to surf the Web without being bombarded with pop-ups -- ads that appear in new browser windows. Although these pop-ups slow down your connectivity, they do help keep most web sites free of charge. But if you're fed up with pop-ups, the Internet does have some resources to alleviate this nuisance. CNN's Natalie Pawelski spoke with consumer tech guru, Marc Saltzman, and got some Tools on how to get rid of those pesky pop-up ads.

Natalie Pawelski: So Marc, there I am cruising the Internet and those annoying advertisements pop up. Can we do something about them?

Marc Saltzman: You can. There are a number of free programs, though some of them are limited, that finally get rid of those pop-up windows that we've been plagued with for the last year and a half. So, let's start with our first anti-pop-up solution software. Pop-up Stopper from Panicware can be found at panicware.com. It's actually a free download and a software program that you only need to download once and install it.

Pawelski: Let's check USA Today's homepage.

Saltzman: USA Today had 2 pop-up windows, if you remember, and now there are no pop-up windows at all. It works very well. The next software package we're going to look at is called AdSubtract. So you go to adsubtract.com, you click download. It's costs 30 dollars but you do have a 30-day trial period; so if you don't want it, you can uninstall it after that month is over.

Pawelski: So do we have any evidence that those annoying pop-up windows actually sell anybody on any of these products?

Saltzman: They do. Like all online Internet advertising, they're paying for a reason, because there is a percentage of the population that will click on that link, and it could take you to a travel destination, or the online casino, and the ubiquitous X-10 security camera -- those little cameras you can place around your house to spy on your nannies. So, I think it's public knowledge that the Internet ads are trying to find a way to make money. They have to advertise, be it banner ads, or those annoying pop-up windows, or now, the ones that float across the screen that are difficult to close.

Pawelski: Okay, so we've got Pop-up Stopper and AdSubtract, any more?

Saltzman: Last but not least, we've got a third program called AdsGone. If you go to a1tech.com, you can find a 21-day free trial for AdsGone.

Pawelski: Is this software like all the others?

Saltzman: Absolutely. AdsGone, AdSubtract and Pop-Up Stopper all aim to get rid of those pesky pop-up windows.

Pawelski: Are there any downsides to these programs?

Saltzman: Well, sometimes they work so well that they can prevent you from opening up windows that you want opened. For example, if you go to cnn.com, the popular thing to do is to click on the video tab so you can watch some of the video clips. But, with some of the software packages that I tested, it won't allow you to open those clips -- so sometimes you have to either disable the pop-up stopper, or you can customize the settings to allow some ads.

Pawelski: So, would you recommend these programs to the average Web surfer?

Saltzman: Absolutely. Whether you're on a dial modem or high speed, if you're aggravated by those pop-up windows, just test drive one of these programs for free and see if you like them.