So many of you are smugly thinking, I don't have to worry one bit. I bought this cheap popup blocker for only $29 and haven't had a popup since. Well you may think that is the end of your problems, but actually it is only the beginning.  Popup blockers only block, or prevent you from seeing popups, and have the potential to block wanted popup windows.

So instead of dealing with popups, you deal with training the blocker to allow the sites you do want. Blockers are like taking pain pills so you won't feel pain. The problem is your pain is a sign of a larger problem that the blocker only masks.

See, most popups are an indication that you have spyware, a virus, or on a rare occaision � a hacker. The spyware generates the popups and downloads other spyware to increase the advertsising rate. A blocker doesn't prevent the activity, but only prevents you from being bothered with it.

So isn't that what you wanted? Not to be bothered with the popups? Not exactly. Your computer has limited resources in hard drive space and memory. Even though you aren't bothered with the ads, the blocker, the spyware, the viruses, are all using your memory in their steel cage match, winner takes all event until your PC is so slow you have to get it cleaned by a professional, reloaded by a lazy computer store, or give up and buy a new PC.

The only real way to prevent popups is to keep your computer updated and clean of viruses and spyware.  Then avoid high risk areas of the Internet like off-shore casinos and porn sites. Medium risk sites like music downloading and sharing sites and certain online gamming communities are also risky.  Finally, use the tip provided to quickly end the popups as they start.

So you and your computer are Peter being robbed by the Pauls (blocker companies) to pay themselves in this analogy.  Paul is no saint, and provides you only a temporary reprieve from the actual problem.  Treat the cause and not the symptom, or let an experienced thorough technician help you.