Pop-up ads are the most common threat on the Internet. Malicious sites can insert viruses, trojans, worms and spyware into your computer through pop-ups. Some sites are programmed to open hundreds or even an unlimited number of pop-up ad windows when you load their page. New programming technology allows advertisers more control over pop-up windows, increasing the threat. Even 'innocent' pop-up ads take a toll on your system, slowing it down and destroying performance.

Instant messaging software, often called 'IM' or chat software, offers hackers and advertisers a new way to deliver worms, viruses and ads. New threats appear daily. Hackers take advantage of how easy it is for you to use your IM service and bombard the net looking for IM victims. Pop-up ads also hurt your computer's performance. They slow you down as you use the Internet, fill up your hard drive and eat up valuable Internet connection bandwidth.

Even if the pop-ups aren't a threat, they're a nuisance. If your favorite sites use pop-ups to display ads, you've got to kill each window as it pops up. You don't even have to be at your computer, many sites are programmed to reload themselves in your browser automatically. Each time it reloads the page, you get a new pop-up. Stop surfing to answer the phone, and you can find dozens of new browser windows. Each with an ad for something you don't want.

Windows that mysteriously appear when you leave web sites are a particularly annoying type of pop-up ad, called 'pop-unders.' Advertisers want to get one more ad in front of you - even after you've left their web site. Advertisers willing to be this aggressive assaulting you with ads frequently know few boundaries. Many advertisers will program their pop-under ads to open a new ad each time you close an ad - an endless loop that can only be solved by restarting your computer.

The only way to stop pop-ups is with a pop-up blocking program. These programs load when you start your computer, and run continuously until you shut down. They work by preventing your browser from opening new windows automatically. You can override the blocking program to allow windows you want to open, usually by holding down your control key when clicking on a link. Our favorite pop-up blocking program is Pop-Up Stopper Professional software from Panicware. Pop-up Stopper is reasonably priced, and performs well in all of the common browsers including Netscape, AOL, MSN and more. Panicware has an neat addition for Pop-Up Stopper, Pop-Up Stopper Companion available at additional cost. Pop-Up Stopper Companion installs a tool bar in your Internet Explorer window (Internet Explorer only! Not other browsers) that allows you to control all pop-up ads, cookies, internet history from your browser's window. Panicware offers a 30 day free trial for both Pop-Up Stopper Professional and Pop-Up Stopper Companion.

A less expensive alternative is Pop Up Killer from Track Zapper. Track Zapper is a very good program, but without as many ad blocking features as Pop-Up Stopper Pro and no privacy protection features.

There are some practical steps you can take to protect your computer from pop-ups in your instant message & chat programs. As we all learned - too often the hard way - to be careful handling email, IM requires some basic precautions:

• Keep your Windows software up-to-date. In your start menu is an icon that connects your computer to Microsoft's web site. Microsoft can scan your computer to see if there is updated software available. Windows Update should be set to automatically check for updates every few days. Microsoft has instructions here.
• Keep your IM & chat software up-to-date. The program's developers update their programs as they learn of new threats from hackers. Most programs will let you set an option to have the program automatically check for updates. You should set it to check every few days.
• Install good anti-virus software and keep it up-to-date. Most programs will automatically check for updates. If your program let's you determine how often to check, set it to update every day.
• Install good spyware protection software and keep it up-to-date. Most programs will automatically check for updates. If your program let's you determine how often to check, set it to update every day.
• Be as careful opening or downloading files sent to you in IM or chat. Never open, accept, or download a file in IM from someone you don't recognize. If someone does send you a file you weren't expecting, don't open it. Email or phone the sender to make sure it is harmless. If the sender doesn't remember sending the file to you, it is very likely a virus that automatically sent the message - with a virus.

Put an end to your pop-up hassles by downloading and installing pop-up blocking software today.