From wire reports
ATLANTA -- EarthLink Inc. said Monday it plans to offer its subscribers software to block Internet pop-up advertisements as part of a wider campaign to set itself apart from competitors.
The Internet service provider said it will offer the software to customers at no additional charge.
The Atlanta-based company said its subscribers will see the feature as an icon on their browser screen. It will also block so-called pop-unders, ads that appear under the browser window.
For sites that use pop-up windows as a normal part of business, such as banks, EarthLink said the Pop-Up Blocker will let users specify certain Web addresses where pop-up windows are permitted.
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EarthLink acquired the technology for its new service from Salt Lake City-based FailSafe Technology Inc.
EarthLink also unveiled an ad campaign that urges subscribers to seek an alternative to slow browsing, pop-up ads and excessive spam.
The new ad campaign, with the tagline "Why Wait? Move to EarthLink," will begin running this week, and includes national television, radio, print and online ads.
EarthLink had 4.9 million subscribers at the end of June.
In late trading Monday, shares of EarthLink were at $6.63, up 56 cents, or more than 9 percent, on the Nasdaq Stock Market.
