This wikiHow teaches you how to prevent a clicked link on a web page from displaying an ad page before you can access the page you want. You can block redirects in several ways on the desktop versions of Google Chrome, Firefox, Microsoft Edge, Internet Explorer, and Safari. However, it is not possible to block redirects on the mobile version of the browser. Keep in mind that while this step can improve redirect detection, your browser won't always catch page redirects on time.
Step
Method 1 of 5: Google Chrome
Step 1. Open Google Chrome
The browser is marked by a blue, red, yellow, and green ball icon.
Step 2. Update Google Chrome
Click the button in the upper right corner of the window, select “ Help, and click About Google Chrome ” to check for updates. If available, the update will be installed automatically. After that, you will be asked to restart Chrome.
Since the release of Chrome version 65, all kinds of page redirects are automatically blocked by the browser. Thus, the blocking feature is likely already active, unless you intentionally turn off this protection
Step 3. Click
It's in the top-right corner of the page. After that, a drop-down menu will be displayed.
Step 4. Click Settings
It's at the bottom of the drop-down menu.
Step 5. Scroll down and click the Advanced button
It's at the bottom of the page. After that, advanced options will be shown below it.
Step 6. Scroll to the "Privacy and security" section
This is the first segment under the “ Advanced ”.
Step 7. Click the gray "Protect you and your device from dangerous sites" switch
The switch color will change to blue
. With this option, Google Chrome's built-in anti-malware protection will be enabled.
If the redirect is blue, the page redirect is blocked on Chrome
Step 8. Use the extension
If you've enabled anti-malware options in Chrome, but your device still shows page redirects, you can use the "Skip Redirect" extension. To install it:
- Visit the Skip Redirect extension page.
- Click " ADD TO CHROME ”.
- Click " Add extension ' when prompted.
Step 9. Restart Google Chrome
The extension is now working. Skip Redirect will ignore almost all page redirects and take you directly to the destination page.
If a page redirect shows ads in the currently active tab and opens links or search results in another tab, Skip Redirect will ensure that the results tab is open and the ads tab is running only in the background
Method 2 of 5: Firefox
Step 1. Open Firefox
The icon resembles an orange fox surrounding a blue globe.
Step 2. Click
It's in the upper-right corner of the browser window. After that, a drop-down menu will be displayed.
Step 3. Click Options
This option is in the drop-down menu.
On a Mac computer, click “ Preferences ”.
Step 4. Click Privacy & Security
This tab is on the left side of the window (Windows) or at the top of the window (Mac).
Step 5. Scroll to the "Permissions" section
Skip this step for Mac computers.
Step 6. Check the box "Block pop-up windows"
After that, Firefox won't open the redirect pop-up window.
If this box is already checked, skip this step
Step 7. Scroll to the "Security" section of the screen
Skip this step for Mac computers.
Step 8. Check the box "Block dangerous and deceptive content"
This feature prevents malicious page redirects. However, some redirects may still “escape” the block.
If this box is already checked, skip this step
Step 9. Use the extension
If you've taken the proper security measures, but the page redirect is still running, you can use the "Skip Redirect" extension to block the redirect. To install it:
- Visit the Skip Redirect extension page.
- Click " Add to Firefox ”.
- Click " Add ' when prompted.
- Click " Restart Now ' when prompted.
Step 10. Use the Skip Redirect extension
When Firefox restarts, the extension is ready to use. Skip Redirect will ignore almost all page redirects and take you directly to the destination page.
If a page redirect shows ads in the currently active tab and opens a link or search results in another tab, Skip Redirect will ensure that the results tab is open and the ads tab is running only in the background
Method 3 of 5: Microsoft Edge
Step 1. Open Microsoft Edge
This browser is marked by a dark blue letter “e” icon.
Step 2. Click
It's in the top-right corner of the page. After that, a drop-down menu will be displayed.
Step 3. Click Settings
This option is at the bottom of the drop-down menu. After that, the “Settings” pop-out window will be displayed on the right side of the page.
Step 4. Scroll down and click View advanced settings
It's at the bottom of the pop-out window.
Step 5. Swipe the screen to the bottom of the menu
In this section, you can find options to block malicious content, including redirecting pages to malicious sites.
Step 6. Click the gray "Help protect me from malicious sites and downloads" switch
The switch color will turn blue afterwards
and indicates that Microsoft's built-in antivirus protection has been activated.
- If this button is already blue, skip this step.
- While it can't block all page redirects, it will block redirects to dangerous (or potentially dangerous) pages.
Step 7. Restart Microsoft Edge
The changes will take effect once the browser finishes restarting.
Method 4 of 5: Internet Explorer
Step 1. Open Internet Explorer
This browser is marked by a light blue “e” icon wrapped in a yellow ribbon.
Step 2. Open Internet Explorer settings
Click the gear icon in the top right corner of the page. After that, a drop-down menu will be displayed.
Step 3. Click Internet options
This option is at the bottom of the drop-down menu. After that, the “Internet Options” window will be displayed.
Step 4. Click the Advanced tab
This tab is at the far right of the row of tabs at the top of the “Internet Options” window.
Step 5. Swipe the screen to the bottom of the window
In the box in the middle of the “Advanced” page, swipe until you reach the bottom of the page.
Step 6. Check the box "Use SSL 3.0"
This box is at the bottom of the "Security" group of options.
Step 7. Click Apply
It's at the bottom of the window.
Step 8. Click OK
It's at the bottom of the window. After that, the “Internet Options” window will close.
Step 9. Restart Internet Explorer
After it finishes restarting, Internet Explorer will block malicious (and potentially dangerous) page redirects.
Method 5 of 5: Safari
Step 1. Open Safari
Click the Safari app icon that looks like a blue compass in the Mac's Dock.
Step 2. Click the Safari menu
It's in the top-left corner of the screen. After that, a drop-down menu will be displayed.
Step 3. Click Preferences…
It's at the top of the drop-down menu Safari ”.
Step 4. Click the Security tab
This tab is at the top of the “Preferences” window.
Step 5. Check the box "Warn when visiting a fraudulent website"
This box is at the top of the window.
If this box is already checked, skip this step
Step 6. Check the box "Block pop-up windows"
This box is a few lines below the "Warn when visiting a fraudulent website" box.
If this box is already checked, skip this step
Step 7. Restart Safari
After Safari restarts, the settings will take effect and the browser will block almost all page redirects.
Tips
- Advertising devices on your computer or browser can cause page redirects. Try scanning your computer for viruses and removing any extensions or add-ons from your browser to clean up any malware that might be causing page redirects.
- Most browsers will provide the option to continue page redirection when the redirect is blocked.
