How to Prevent Redirects in Safari

You click a link while browsing the Web in Safari and, all of the sudden, the App Store pops up displaying what seems to be a random app. What happened? Clicking on the wrong spot can cause a redirect, which is preventable in Safari for iOS 8 for iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch as well as Safari for OS X Yosemite for Mac.

Prevent Safari Redirects in iOS 8

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Update to Latest iOS

Preventing redirects in iOS is as simple as updating to the latest iOS version.

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Step 1: Check if There Is an Available Update

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Go to the Settings application and select General and then Software Update.

Step 2: Download and Install the Update

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If there is an update available, click Install Now to download and install it. IOS 8 includes security fixes meant to disable redirects from occurring in Safari.

Check Safari Settings

Change Safari settings to prevent redirects.

Step 1: Block Pop-Ups and Disable Website Tracking

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Open Settings, scroll down and select Safari. Within the General section, make sure the Block Pop-ups option is toggled on. Under Privacy & Security, enable the Do Not Track and Fraudulent Website Warning options.

Step 2: Block Cookies

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Click the Block Cookies option within Safari settings. Set the option to either Always Block or Allow from Websites I Visit, which may prevent redirects as you browse the Web.

Prevent Safari Redirects in OS X Yosemite

Check Safari Security Preferences

Step 1: Open Safari Security Preferences

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Click Safari in the menu bar while within the app and select Preferences. In the Preferences window, select the Security tab.

Step 2: Block Pop-Ups and Disable JavaScript

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To prevent redirects, make sure the Block pop-up windows and Warn when visiting a fraudulent website options are checked. Unchecking the Enable JavaScript option can help with preventing redirects, but may render certain functions of websites inoperable and cause some websites to not load at all.

Check Safari Privacy Preferences

Step 1: Open Safari Privacy Preferences

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Click Safari in the menu bar while within the app and select Preferences. Select the Privacy tab in the Preferences window.

Step 2: Block Cookies and Disable Website Tracking

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Check the Ask websites not to track me option. As with iOS, selecting Always block or Allow from website I visit under the Cookies and website data section may prevent redirects, but can also affect features of websites such as auto-login and suggested products.