How to turn on or off pop up blocker?

I have this obnoxious pop-up blocker on my toolbar. How do I turn if off when I want to access a link?

• The blocker looks like an anvil when it is allowing unarmed or when I do not try to access a linkage. It turns into this MEAN looking red spider or this hammer with a Red star behind it with the number of attempts made. It is real annoying when I try to access some links that I have used for years. I have tried to go to Microsoft Explorer and turn off the popup blocker from there and went to my computer and try to add the sites that I use so I can get in with no success. It is driving me mad. How do I adjust this darn thing so I can get into the linkages when i WANT TO. I have even tested it out with some children sites and some sites that I want to buy thing or research. Still no success. Can you let me know HOW I can get this thing working for ME and not fight me? HAHA. not really funny > but is the best I can do without throwing my laptop against the wall. Would love to hear from you or ANYONE that knows the question of the ages.

• Answer:

  if you want to open a pop-up webpage, try holding ctrl when you click the link. It usually helps.