How to Remove Popup from Your PC

I’ve had this same problem. And I Fixed it. What all the browsers did on my computer was loading a fake popup or something similar to that by spoofing the Domain's IP address in the HOSTS file.

NOTE: The italicized text is for advanced users.

How I Fixed My Computer

If you've been encountering a popup and other browser hijacking issues, don't worry. I'll guide you through the process of removing it with step-by-step instructions.

Step 1: Access the HOSTS File

Click on the START button. Use the Search bar to type NOTEPAD. Right-click on the NORMAL TEXT result and click RUN AS ADMINISTRATOR. Grant the Administrator's Permission when prompted.

Step 2: Open and Edit the HOSTS File

Press CTRL O. In the File Name box, type C:WindowsSystem32driversetchosts. Click OPEN.

Step 3: Delete or Correct the Spoofed IP Address

For users who are not advanced, you can safely delete everything in the file by pressing CTRL A and then pressing BACKSPACE. For more advanced users, look for any lines that contain a suspicious spoofed IP address, such as {dot}com, and delete the lines that point to an incorrect IP address (not 127.0.0.1).

After making the necessary changes, press CTRL S to save the file and then exit Notepad.

Restart Your Browser

Once you've completed the above steps, restart your web browser. The popup and other issues should be resolved.

What Is the HOSTS File?

The HOSTS file is a file on your computer that contains mappings between domain names and IP addresses. It plays a crucial role in how your computer resolves domain names to IP addresses, but it has largely been replaced by DNS (Domain Name System) for most purposes. However, it can be useful for various tasks, such as blocking advertisements or redirecting traffic.

Back in the day, before DNS was widely available, users would rely on HOSTS files to manually provide the IP addresses for websites they frequently visited. Today, it's mainly used for:

Alternative to DNS for specific websites. Blocking ads by redirecting known ad-tracking domain names to 127.0.0.1, which is a special IP address that points to the local machine.

When your computer visits a website, it first checks the HOSTS file for a direct match. If it finds a match, the computer uses the specified IP address from the HOSTS file, bypassing the DNS server. This is why making changes to the HOSTS file can affect how your web browser loads pages and handles popups.

Conclusion

By following these steps, you can effectively remove the popup and other annoying browser hijacking issues. If you're unsure, consider consulting a Google SEO expert for additional advice on maintaining a secure and efficient browsing experience.