This wikiHow teaches you how to set up a browser to block pop-up windows that appear when you open or close a website using a Mac.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Using Safari
Step 1. Open the Safari browser on the Mac
The icon looks like a blue compass and is located in the "Applications" folder.
Step 2. Click on the Safari menu
It is located in the menu bar, in the upper left corner of the screen. A drop-down menu will open.
If you see the name of another application in the upper left corner, click the Safari icon again
Step 3. Click Preferences in the drop-down menu
A new window will open with your browser settings.
Alternatively, press ⌘ +, on your keyboard. By pressing the "Command" key and the comma key at the same time, the "Preferences" will open
Step 4. Click on the Security tab
The icon looks like a padlock and is located at the top of the "Preferences" window.
Step 5. Check the box next to the Block pop-up windows option
From now on Safari will block all pop-up windows that appear when you open or close a site. You can change this option at any time by removing the check mark from the box in "Preferences".
Method 2 of 3: Using Google Chrome
Step 1. Open Google Chrome on the Mac
The icon looks like a small colored sphere. You can find it in the "Applications" folder.
Step 2. Click on the Chrome menu
It is located in the menu bar in the upper left corner of the screen. A context menu will open.
If you see the name of another application in the top left corner, click the Chrome icon again
Step 3. Click Preferences in the drop-down menu
This will open your browser settings in a new tab.
- Alternatively, type chrome: // settings in the Chrome address bar and press Enter on your keyboard. The same page will open.
- You can also use the keyboard shortcut ⌘ +, to open the "Settings" tab.
Step 4. Scroll down and click on Advanced
This option is written in blue and is located at the bottom of the "Settings" tab.
Step 5. Click the Site Settings button in the section titled "Privacy"
A new pop-up window will open with the settings regarding the contents of the sites.
Step 6. Scroll down to the "Pop-ups and Redirects" section
It is located between "Pictures" and "Announcements".
Step 7. Select Don't allow pop-ups to appear on sites
Chrome will block all pop-up windows that appear when you open or close a site.
Step 8. Click Manage Exceptions in the "Pop-ups and Redirects" section
This option will open a new window with the list of all exceptions. Chrome will not block pop-up windows for sites saved in this list.
Step 9. Click the x button next to a website in the list
When you hover the mouse cursor over a site in the list, an "x" will appear on the right side of the exception box. Click on it to remove the site from the list.
Step 10. Click Done
The new exception settings will be saved and the pop-up window will be closed.
Step 11. Click Done again in the "Site Settings" window
The new pop-up preferences will be saved.
Method 3 of 3: Using Mozilla Firefox
Step 1. Open Mozilla Firefox on the Mac
The icon depicts a red fox wrapped around a blue sphere. You can find it in the "Applications" folder.
Step 2. Click on the Firefox menu
It is located in the menu bar in the upper left corner of the screen. A drop-down menu will open.
If you see another application name in the upper left corner, click the Firefox icon again
Step 3. Click Preferences in the drop-down menu
Your browser settings will open in a new tab.
- Alternatively, type about: preferences in the Firefox address bar and press Enter on your keyboard. The same page will open.
- You can also use the keyboard shortcut ⌘ +, to access the "Preferences".
Step 4. Click on Contents in the left panel
Firefox allows you to access various menus via the navigation panel on the left side of the "Preferences" screen. The "Contents" item is located in this panel, next to a page icon.
Step 5. Check the box next to Block pop-up windows
This option is found in the section titled "Pop-up" of the "Contents" menu. Firefox will block all pop-up windows that appear when you open or close a site.
Step 6. Click Exceptions
This button is located next to the "Pop-up" title. A new window will open with the list of all exceptions. Firefox will not block pop-up windows for sites saved in this list.
Step 7. Click Remove All Websites
This button is located in the lower left corner of the exception list. All items in the list will be removed.
Step 8. Click Save Changes
It is located in the lower right corner of the pop-up window. This way Firefox will no longer have exceptions and will block all pop-up windows, from all websites.
