A friend of mine asked me “How do I block up pop up ads?”
I’m glad you asked. Here are my suggestions:

• Download Mozilla. – Mozilla is an open source browser similiar to Netscape. After you install it, go to Edit, Preferences, Advanced, Scripts and Windows….Uncheck “Open Unrequested Windows.” This will stop all pop-ups, even the ones you want. Like the CNN pop up vote thingies on their website. Still, it is a good thing. Use Mozilla for passive surfing. If you need to see a pop up, cut and paste the URL into Internet Explorer and use that.
• Privoxy – Advanced users should be able to download it and configure their browser properly. Just follow the directions.
• Reconfigure your host file – Do a web search for Hosts file and ads. You should find a file with text like this:
  127.0.0.1 ad.doublclick.net
  127.0.0.1 ad.linkexchange.com
  127.0.0.1 ad.linksynergy.com
  Download it to somewhere where you can easily get to. Then go to your real host file (usually in C:windows or C:winntsystem32driversetc folder). Rename it to host.bak. Then copy the host file you just downloaded to there. Make sure you name the host file simply “host” or you might find your internet connection gone. That should take care of some of the ads (depending on how comprehensive the ad file you downloaded). Also if you get tired of the broken images of the missing ads, get eDexter.
• Surf in Peace. Install it and put it in your start up folder. Everytime you get an unwanted pop up add, click on the icon by your clock (bottom right corner), and add it to the block list.
• Download Adaware and clean your system of spyware.

That’s it. Nothing else. This has stopped 90% of ads. I rarely see them anymore. Your mileage may vary. If you screw things up, don’t blame me. It’s your own dumb luck.