How to configure common pop-up blockers to work with Moodle
Moodle's secure quiz environment requires that popup blockers allow Moodle to work in a pop-up.
What are pop-ups?
Pop-up windows, or pop-ups, are browser windows that appear automatically without your permission while viewing the web. Typically pop-ups vary in size, but rarely do they cover your whole browser window. They can be intrusive, typically advertising and in some instances are necessary - as they are with Moodle's secure quiz environment.
Listed below are some of the most popular pop-up blocking software packages and instructions to enable pop-up blockers to allow Moodle to work. There are dozens of pop-up blocking software packages and we are unable to list each here, but we have chosen the most popular. Generally, most pop-up blockers will install themselves either within the browser toolbar, or within the Windows Taskbar along the bottom right corner of your screen.
Depending upon what is installed on your computer, it is possible that you may have more than one pop-up blocker running. You will have to either disable all of your pop-up blockers or configure them to allow Moodle as an exception for Moodle's secure quiz environment to work properly.
Once you have reviewed these instructions and have disabled the pop-up blockers in your system or allowed Moodle as an exception, you should be able to access your quiz.
How do I know if I have pop-up blockers?
Let's first test to see if you have a pop-up blocker installed. Click on this link and you should get 10 pop-up windows. If you don't, you have a pop-up blocker installed.
The following list will help you in identifying your pop-up blocker(s) and how to configure them.
| Browser | Tool Bar | Utility Software COMING SOON |
| Google Chrome | AOL | Internet Service Providers |
| Firefox | Bing | Pop-up Cop |
| Internet Explorer | Pop-up Stopper | |
| Opera | Yahoo! | Security Software |
| Safari |
Google Chrome
Google Chrome automatically prevents pop-ups. You will need to configure Google Chrome's settings to allow Moodle's secure quiz environment to function properly.
1. Click on the wrench icon in Google Chrome to access browser settings. Select 'Options' to open the Google Chrome Options dialog box.
2. Select the 'Under the Hood' section
3. Click on the 'Content settings...' button.
4. Find the 'Pop-ups' section in the Content Settings dialog box. To insure your pop-up blocker works, check that the radio button to the left of 'Do not allow any site to show pop-ups (recommended)' is selected and then click on the 'Manage Exceptions...' button.
5. To add a website to Google Chrome's Pop-up Blocker exception list, type the address of the website (Moodle would be 'courses.pittcc.edu') where you see the text 'Add a new exception pattern'.
6. Make sure 'Allow' is selected from the Action: drop down list. Then press the 'Enter' key and you are finished. Close the 'Content Settings' tab to exit the Options window.
For more information on Google Chrome's pop-up blocker, visit Google's Support Page.
Firefox
Firefox allows you to control pop-ups through the Content panel in the Options window. Pop-up blocking is turned on by default. You will need to configure Firefox's settings to allow Moodle's secure quiz environment to function properly.
Firefox 3.6
1. Select the Content tab at the top of the Options dialog box found in the Tools menu.
2. Keep your Pop-up Blocker turned on by insuring there is a check mark to the left of 'Block pop-up windows'.
3. Click on the 'Exceptions...' button.
4. Add the site you want to allow pop-ups by typing in the URL (Moodle would be courses.pittcc.edu) in the box under 'Address of website:' and then clicking 'Allow'.
Firefox 4 beta
1. Select 'Options' from the Firefox drop down menu.
2. Select the 'Content' tab in the Options dialog box. Make sure there is a check mark to the left of the 'Block pop-up windows' option to insure your pop-up blocker is on.
3. Click on the 'Exceptions...' button to open the Allowed Sites - Pop-ups dialog box.
4. Add the site you want to allow pop-ups by typing in the URL (Moodle would be courses.pittcc.edu) in the box under 'Address of website:' and then clicking'Allow'.
For more information on Firefox's pop-up blocker, visit Mozilla's Support Page.
Internet Explorer
With the release of Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2, pop-up blocking is integrated into Internet Explorer. By default, pop-up blocking is enabled. You will need to configure Internet Explorer's settings to allow Moodle's secure quiz environment to function properly.
IE7
1. Click on the 'Tools' drop down menu on IE8's menu bar.
2. Select 'Pop-up Blocker' from the Tools drop down menu and then 'Pop-up Blocker Settings' from the Pop-up Blocker sub-menu.
* NOTE: Insure that the menu item above says 'Turn Off Pop-up Blocker'.
3. Add the site you want to allow pop-ups by typing in the URL (Moodle would be courses.pittcc.edu) in the box under 'Address of website to allow:' and then clicking the'Add' button.
IE8
1. Click on the 'Tools' drop down menu on IE8's menu bar.
2. Select 'Pop-up Blocker' from the Tools drop down menu and then 'Pop-up Blocker Settings' from the Pop-up Blocker sub-menu.
* NOTE: Insure that the menu item above says 'Turn Off Pop-up Blocker'.
3. Add the site you want to allow pop-ups by typing in the URL (Moodle would be courses.pittcc.edu) in the box under 'Address of website to allow:' and then clicking the 'Add' button.
IE9
1. Select the Privacy Tab on the top of the Internet Options Dialog Box under Tools.
2. Keep your Pop-up Blocker turned on by insuring there is a check mark to the left of 'Turn on Pop-up Blocker'.
3. Select 'Settings'.
4. Add the site you want to allow pop-ups by typing in the URL (Moodle would be courses.pittcc.edu) in the box under 'Address of website to allow:' and then clicking 'Add' button.
You will see the site's URL under 'Allowed sites:'
For more information on Internet Explorer's pop-up blocker, visit Microsoft's Support Page
Opera (v11.01)
By default, Opera will block websites from opening pop-up windows without your interaction. You will need to configure Opera's settings to allow Moodle's secure quiz environment to function properly.
1. Select 'Settings' from the Opera Drop Down Menu and then select 'Prefrences...'.
2. Select the General tab in the Preferences dialog box and select 'Block unwanted pop-ups' in the Pop-ups drop down list under the heading Choose how you prefer to handle pop-ups.
3. Right click on a page (such as Moodle) that you want to allow pop-ups. Select 'Edit Site Preferences...' from the context menu.
4. Select the General tab on the Site Preferences dialog box then select 'Open all pop-ups' under the Pop-ups drop down list.
For more information on Opera's pop-up blocker, visit Opera's Support Page.
Safari (v 5.0.3)
The pop-up blocker built into Safari is enabled by default. You can only toggle between having all pop-ups blocked or allowing pop-ups by toggling the 'Block Pop-Up Windows'option from the Safari menu.
For more information on Safari's pop-up blocker, visit Apple's Support Page.
AOL
The AOL Toolbar enables pop-up blocking with Firefox, Flock or Internet Explorer web browsers.
For more information on AOL's Toolbar pop-up blocker, visit AOL's Support Page.
Bing
The Bing Bar works with Internet Explorer 6+ and Firefox 3+. The pop-up blocking option in the Bing Bar is working in conjunction with your browser. Please see the documentation for your browser to make sure it is configured properly.
Google
Google's pop-up blocker for their toolbar is only available for Microsoft's Internet Explorer. If you're using another type of browser, the Google toolbar does not contain a pop-up blocker.
1. When on a page you wish to allow pop-ups, such as Moodle, click on the pop-up icon.
2. Select 'Always allow pop-ups from courses.pittcc.edu' from the pop-up blocker drop down menu.
For more information on Google toolbar pop-up blocker, visit Google's support page.
Yahoo!
Yahoo!'s Toolbar Pop-Up Blocker is only available for Microsoft's Internet Explorer. If you're using another type of browser, the Yahoo!Toolbar does not contain a pop-up blocker.
1. Click the Pop-Up Blocker icon for the drop down menu.
2. Select 'Always Allow Pop-Ups From...'.
3. Select the site from the 'Sources of Recently Blocked Pop-Ups:' list. Then click on the 'Allow' button.
For more information on Yahoo Toolbar Pop-Up Blocker, visit Yahoo!'s support page.
Utility Software - COMING SOON
Internet Service Providers
Pop-up Cop
Pop-up Stopper
Security Software
