How to Eliminate Pop-Under Ads on Your WordPress Site

Pop-under ads can be a frustrating issue for many WordPress site owners, not only because of their disruptive nature but also due to the potential security risks they carry. If you're experiencing pop-under ads on your site, it's important to address the issue promptly. Below are detailed steps to help you resolve this problem effectively and ensure your site remains secure.

1. Check for Malicious Plugins or Themes

The first step in eliminating pop-under ads is to identify where they are coming from. Often, these ads are the result of malicious plugins or themes that have been installed on your site. Here’s what you can do:

Review Installed Plugins: Deactivate any recently added plugins to see if the ads disappear. Ensure that all plugins and themes come from reputable sources. Change Your Theme: Temporarily switch to a default WordPress theme to check if the ads persist. This will help you determine if the problem lies with your specific theme.

2. Use Security Plugins

Security plugins are invaluable tools for identifying and removing malicious code from your site. Consider using plugins like Wordfence or Sucuri Security to scan your site for malware and vulnerabilities.

Install Security Plugins: Run a full scan to identify any security threats. Once identified, the plugin can help you remove or mitigate them.

3. Disable Ad Networks

Additionally, if you are using an ad network like Google AdSense, consider disabling it temporarily to see if the pop-unders stop.

Check their Settings or Disable Them: Temporarily disabling the ad network can help isolate the issue and determine if it's related to the ad network itself.

4. Update Everything

Keeping your site up to date with the latest security patches is crucial in preventing pop-under ads and other types of web attacks.

Update WordPress Core, Themes, and Plugins: Ensure that all core WordPress software, themes, and plugins are up to date. Regular updates can help protect your site from known vulnerabilities.

5. Modify .htaccess File

The .htaccess file allows you to add rules that can block certain scripts or domains that are generating the pop-under ads.

Block Certain Scripts or Domains: For example, you can add the following rule to your .htaccess file to block pop-unders: /** .htaccess file modification **/ # Turn on rewrite engine RewriteEngine on # Block pop-under ads RewriteCond %{HTTP_REFERER} ^$ RewriteRule ^.*$ - [F]

6. Check for JavaScript Injection

Inspect your site's source code for any unfamiliar JavaScript that could be injecting the pop-unders. Browser developer tools can be very helpful in this process.

Use Browser Developer Tools: Right-click on the page and select 'Inspect' or 'Inspect Element'. This will open the developer tools where you can check the JavaScript.

7. Contact Your Hosting Provider

If you are still unable to resolve the issue, it may be time to reach out to your hosting provider. They may have additional tools or services to help you clean up your site.

Reach Out to Your Hosting Provider: They can provide assistance with security scans and clean-up procedures if your site has been compromised.

8. Consider a Content Security Policy CSP

Implementing a Content Security Policy (CSP) can help prevent unauthorized scripts from running on your site. This can be especially effective in preventing pop-under ads.

Implement a CSP Header: You can add a CSP header to your site's server configuration to control which resources can be loaded by the browser.

9. Educate Yourself on Ad Blockers

While implementing these solutions, you can also consider using an ad blocker in your browser to prevent pop-unders while you work on a solution.

Use an Ad Blocker: Browser extensions like uBlock Origin or Adblock Plus can help mitigate the effects of pop-unders while you work on a permanent solution.

By following these steps, you should be able to identify and eliminate the source of the pop-under ads on your WordPress site. Regular maintenance and security practices will also help prevent similar issues in the future.