How to block advertisements in Firefox, Internet Explorer, Chrome, and Opera [2nd Edition] [Guide]
February 26, 2012 88
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A few weeks ago we had a good discussion regarding advertisements. There are many dotTechies who are OK with advertisements; but there are also others that are not. Out of those that dislike ads, there are some that block ads and there are some that would like to block ads but don’t know how. This article aims to change that.
Advertisements are a critical source of revenue keeping dotTech afloat (same goes for most other websites). I greatly appreciate anyone and everyone that does not block ads on dotTech. However, I do not hold a grudge with anyone that does block ads because I understand advertisements can be very annoying (especially Flash ads); and, I feel everyone should at least have the knowledge of how to block ads so it is by choice when (if) they decide to not block ads as opposed to by helplessness. After all, education is the key to making an informed decision. (Okay, that was a lame dialog.)
That said, this article will discuss ways on how to block ads on the four major browsers used by Windows users: Firefox, Internet Explorer, Chrome, and Opera.
Table of Contents
Firefox
Without a doubt Firefox is the easiest browser to block ads in because of its extensive add-ons support. In fact, while I don’t know if Firefox was the first browser to support adblockers, I do know Firefox is what made adblocking popular.
If you are a Firefox user and you want to block ads, look no further than AdBlock Plus. AdBlock Plus is a no-hassle, install-and-go adblocker add-on for Firefox. Really the only sort of “setup” you need to do with AdBlock Plus is select the adblocking filter you want to use:
These filters are, more or less, a definitions list telling AdBlock Plus which ads to block (similar to how there are virus definitions for anti-virus programs). You need to select one of the filters to use; unless you know what you are doing, just leave it at “EasyList” and click “Add subscription”. After the initial installation you can select to use more than one filter (“Tools” -> “AdBlock Plus Preferences…” -> “Filters” -> “Add Filter Subscription…”) but in all honesty one filter is more than enough to block 99.5% of ads. (Do note, though, if you visit non-English websites frequently, you may want to use a second non-English filter to block ads on non-English websites.)
Although AdBlock Plus blocks most ads on its own, if AdBlock Plus ever misses an ad you can right-click on the ad and select “AdBlock Plus: Block image”; this will allow you to create a custom filter blocking that ad and ads similar to it:
If AdBlock Plus misses a Flash or Java ad, a little “Block” tab will pop up above it allowing you to block it manually (since you can’t right-click on those types of ads).
Other useful features of AdBlock Plus are
- The ability to disable AdBlock Plus on specific websites (i.e. allow ads to some on a website *cough* dotTech *cough*). This can be done via the AdBlock Plus button:
- Adblocking is not a perfect science; there will be false positives (i.e. AdBlock Plus blocks an image or element which isn’t an ad). AdBlock Plus makes it fairly easy to unblock images/elements when these false positives do occur. This can be done by clicking the AdBlock Plus button, right-clicking the false positive, and disabling the corresponding filter:
Many people decide to use NoScript (an add-on that blocks scripts – like JavaScript – from running) instead of AdBlock Plus for their ad blocking needs (most ads are served using JavaScript, so when NoScript blocks JavaScript the ads do not appear). Yes NoScript is a terrific add-on, and yes it will make your browser safer and faster. However, I personally dislike NoScript.
NoScript is something that discourages the use of browsing technologies like JavaScript. Can JavaScript be used to exploit people’s computers? Yes. How many websites that run JavaScript do this? Maybe .01%? The point is we should not be discouraging the use of these website technologies – we should be embracing them (unless everyone wants the plain HTML websites back) – just because a few punks decide to exploit that technology. Do we stop downloading programs just because some programs are malicious? Of course not! Rather, we are just careful about what programs we download. Similarly, there is no need to block scripts if you are just careful of where you visit (and if you have security software installed), just like if you are careful of what you download.
Of course NoScript does allow users to enable scripts on “trusted” websites, but knowing when to enable scripts takes the eye of a tech-savvy person. The average user will be severely deprived of the wonders of the Internet after installing NoScript. (For example, dotTech uses JavaScript for the scroll “Old But Still Gold” on the main page; dotTech’s search cannot be used until scripts are enabled.)
I highly recommend AdBlock Plus over NoScript for ad blocking needs.
Internet Explorer
Block ads on Internet Explorer is a bit more complicated than Firefox because Internet Explore has no AdBlock Plus-like plugin. That is not to say Internet Explorer does not have adblocking plugins, but rather there is nothing for free as good as AdBlock Plus (AdBlock Pro can be considered to be IE’s version of AdBlock Plus but AdBlock Pro costs $19.95). So, in that regard, I will provide multiple different methods on blocking ads in Internet Explorer – you decide which one is best for you. (Or, alternatively, you can switch to a real browser. =P)
Use InPrivate Browsing Filtering Capabilities
Internet Explorer’s InPrivate Browsing – the mode that makes sure no browsing data is stored on your computer – has a feature that allows users to filter content. This filter can be used to block ads. A user on DSLReports forum created an XML file out of AdBlock Plus’s list of ads to block and this XML file can be imported into InPrivate Browsing’s content filter:
- Download the XML file. (Unzip it after downloading.)
- Go to “Safety” -> “InPrivate Filtering Settings” and click on “Advanced Settings”:
- At the “Advanced settings” window click in “Import” and import the XML file you downloaded:
The great thing about using this filter is
- It uses AdBlock Plus’s filter list so you will be blocking most all ads.
- You do not have to be in InPrivate Browsing mode for the ads to be blocked. Ads will be blocked like normal as long as you have “InPrivate Filtering” enabled (“Safety” -> “InPrivate Filtering”).
The thing about “InPrivate Filtering” is you must manually turn it on every time you run Internet Explorer. If you find that annoying, a simple registry hack makes “InPrivate Filtering” automatically turn on every time you run Internet Explorer. To do this registry hack
- Run regedit.
- Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Safety\PrivacIE
- Right-click, go to “New” -> “DWORD”:
- Name the new key StartMode:
- Right-click the key -> “Modify”. Make sure hexadecimal is selected, enter a 1 in the textbox and click OK:
- Close regedit. Done! Now every time you run Internet Explorer “InPrivate Filtering” will be turned on and ads will be blocked.
Since this method uses InPrivate Browsing’s filter, there is no need to download any plugins. The downside, however, is
- The XML file from the DSLReports user is an year old (i.e. AdBlock Plus’ filters have been updated since then) so the list does not include the latest ad servers in it (although it still allows you to block most ads you will come across)
- You cannot exclude specific websites from the filter (i.e. you can’t make it so dotTech ads are not blocked)
- It is hard to pinpoint and remove false positives.
IE7Pro
Updated February 25, 2012: IE7Pro seems to have stalled in development. It was last updated in June 2010. I’d suggest looking at the Use InPrivate Browsing Filtering Capabilities method mentioned above to block ads in IE since IE7Pro is no longer being actively developed.
IE7Pro is a plugin for Internet Explorer (works on IE 6/7/8 – not just IE 7) that adds a boatload of useful features to Internet Explorer. One of the features IE7Pro adds is an adblocker. This adblocker, however, is not enabled by default after installing IE7Pro – users have to manually enable it after installation. (Be warned during the installation of IE7Pro you are prompted with – drum roll please – an ad for installing a third party program; don’t accidentally install that third party program if you don’t want it.):
After the adblocker module has been enabled, you still need to enable the Flash blocker (to block Flash ads). To do this, go to “Preferences” again, click on “Ad Blocker” and enable Flash blocker:
You have the ability to modify filters, add your own filters, and whitelist websites.
Overall I found the ad blocking features of IE7Pro to be very poor; heck it wouldn’t even block Google AdSense ads…
Simple Adblock
Update February 26, 2012: Simple Adblock now has multiple editions, Free, Pro, and Enterprise. Free is limited to blocking 200 ad requests a day. Because of this limitation, I’d suggest using the the Use InPrivate Browsing Filtering Capabilities method mentioned above to block ads in IE since Simple Adblock is no longer free.
Simple Adblock is the closest IE users will be able to get to an AdBlock Plus-like plugin. Simple Adblock uses EasyList filters (the one from AdBlock Plus) to block ads so its accuracy in blocking ads is extremely good, although not as good as AdBlock Plus since AdBlock Plus allows for usage of multiple filters. Also, while Simple Adblock does allow users to disable Simple Adblock on a specific website, there is not much users can do to block individual ads or unblock individual ads. Simple Adblock does allow users to customize the filters list, but again, that is is a hassle because users have to modify files located in Simple Adblock’s installation folder.
On the brightside, Simple Adblock is very easy to setup, requiring only two inputs from the user after installation:
After installation Simple Adblock is accessible via an icon placed in Internet Explorer’s bottom bar:
As I said, Simple Adblock is the closest free plugin Internet Explorer users will get to AdBlock Plus; a word of caution about Simple Adblock though. You should always only install plugins/add-ons/extensions from trusted sources because otherwise you could be installing a browser exploit without knowing it. Simple Adblock is not that well known (thus not fully vetted by the Internet Explorer community) and the developer does not provide any information about him/herself. I am not saying Simple Adblock is a malicious plugin (SiteAdvisor says it is clean, Download.com says it is clean, and I scanned it personally and it came out to be clean); I am saying be cautious.
Chrome
Blocking ads in Chrome is just as easy as blocking ads in Firefox. AdBlock for Chrome does what AdBlock Plus does for Firefox. In fact, AdBlock is easier to setup than AdBlock Plus; with AdBlock you do not need to select which filter’s list to subscribe to – AdBlock automatically uses AdBlock’s own filters and AdBlock Plus’ EasyList. So, to use AdBlock all you need to do is install it – it will start blocking ads instantly requiring little to no assistance from you.
Most other features present in AdBlock Plus are in AdBlock:
- Users can exclude sites from being blocked (press Ctrl + Shift + L when surfing the website you want to exclude):
- Users can manually block an ad AdBlock missed (press Ctrl + Shift + K when surfing the website with the ad you want to block):
- Users can manually change which filters are being used:
Unfortunately AdBlock does not have an easy way to remove false positives like AdBlock Plus does (as far as I can tell). Also, whereas AdBlock Plus fully stopped ads from being downloaded, because of the restrictions of Chrome, some ads are blocked by AdBlock after they have been downloaded as opposed to being blocked from being downloaded.
Opera
Historically, like Internet Explorer, blocking ads on Opera is a bit complicated because of Opera’s poor extendability. In the past the best way to block ads in Opera is an adblocking method using Opera’s built in content blocker (similar to IE’s InPrivate Filter) and an add-on to block Flash ads specifically. However, ever since Opera introduced extensions starting in Opera 11, third-party developers have started creating add-ons for Opera. One such add-on is Opera Adblock.
Opera Adblock is an add-on for Opera that makes it extremely easy to block ads. Similar to Adblock Plus for Firefox and Adblock for Chrome, Opera Adblock utilizes ad filters to block ads, notably Fanboy and EasyList. The best part about Opera Adblock is it is extremely easy to setup and use. All you have to do is install Opera Adblock from Opera’s extensions website and you are good to go; Opera Adblock automatically starts blocking ads start installation, using Fanboy’s ad filter and CSS filter to block ads (Opera Adblock also blocks tracking websites and the annoying Facebook logins and buttons you see all over the Internet) — you don’t have to mess with any settings if you don’t want to.
If, however, you do feel inclined to customize Opera Adblock settings, from Opera Adblock’s Preferences you can…
- Customize what ad filters to use:
- Manually block specific websites and/or CSS elements:
- Add a button in Opera’s address bar to quickly enable/disable Opera Adblock:
- Control how often Opera Adblock looks for updates for the filters you are using, change which CSS element filter to use, enable/disable New York Times paywall and Facebook buttons/logins blocking, and enable/disable launch delay:
- Set Opera Adblock to automatically check for updates:
Really the only downside I can see to Opera Adblock is that it isn’t as easy to unblock ads on specific websites as it is for Adblock Plus for Firefox or Adblock for Chrome. If you want to unblock ads on a specific website with Opera Adblock:
- Right-click on the page you want to unblock ads on
- Select Edit Site Preferences…
- Go to the Content tab
- Uncheck Enable content blocking
You need to do this for every website you want to manually unblock ads and for some websites it still may not work in which case you would have to uncheck Enable plug-ins, too.
Final Words
There are multiple different ways to block ads on Firefox, Internet Explorer, Chrome, and Opera; instead of talking about all of them, I picked the best adblockers to recommend in this article. Everyone is, of course, welcome to share their opinions on which adblockers are the best (be sure to specify for which browser is the adblocker you are recommending).
Before blocking ads, always keep in mind you may be blocking the only source of revenue your favorite website has; lack of ad revenue can often times drive a website out of business, or force the website to put up a pay wall. That is not to say you are wrong or evil if you block ads (some ads, especially Flash ads, deserve to be blocked because they are so intrusive and annoying) but rather one should always consider the impact blocking ads will have on the website in question. That said, now everyone has the knowledge and tools needed to block advertisements. So, please share with us in the comments below: Do you, or will you, block ads?
Originally posted on August 8, 2010. Second Edition posted on Febuary 26, 2012 to update ad blocking procedures for Opera.
About the author: Ashraf View all posts by Ashraf
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88 Comments »
Leave A Response »
Hi Ash :*)
Many thanks for that info on Opera, didn’t know h2 do it. Don’t use it much, but it’s nice to know how to configure it.
Been using AdBlock on Chrome & AdBlock Plus + NoScript on FF.
As for IE, never use that darn critter!! For MS Dwlds/Updates we use IETab Plus.
As for dotTech, rather then unblocking the adds, I do prefer to send you donations directly.
• And if I may, I suggest anybody that Ashraf has helped w his Reviews, Tutorials, Promos, etc, try to send something, even if its a small amount. Every little bit helps to pay for the servers, registration, maintenance, etc, etc, as those he does have to pay for!
Peace
I began using AdMuncher -got it from BitsduJour- before I started in Facebook, and till then I had only used IE. Right after I installed it, a great calm came over me, a deep exhaling of the tensions all those clamouring adverts had incessantly barraged me with. I find it quite customisable, thorough, and their customer service has been prompt and effective. I’m counting on its being available for all browsers soon. I’m testing Firefox’s beta now, and so far very few of my add-ons work with the new versions. (I’m also counting on all those eventually working together again!) I’d go back to Firefox 3 in a heartbeat if they weren’t also counting on me to tough it out. They have a multitude of bright young lads testing, but very few ornery old gals like me~
I’m careful to except the sites like yours, Ashraf, where the work is done by one or a few folks not linked to a corporate teat, and I do send a few dollars when I can.
Sincere appreciation for the work you do for us, and all I’ve learned here, from the reviews and the intelligent commentors.
Alas, MissKittyWamPuss is trying to commandeer my keyboard, which means it’s time for us to go to bed.
Ta!
Brilliant summation and ethics of ad blocking. Could I add …
If using a system wide proxy (eg Privoxy or Proximitron) to route all web http:// requests increase Max server requests / connections towards maximum or browser will be S-L-O-W when several Tabs are open. Do this for all browsers used. Easy in FireFox, Chrome and Opera. Regedit in IE unless you find a Registry hack program or a setting in another program. IE7PRO works with IE8
A system wide ad blocker will block ads in email and other programs and stop some malware.
Search for how to please, as this will change over time.
I use Privoxy as a system wide AD block . It also blocks other nasties system wide. Additional security. No need to install separate proxies. Set Privoxy as system proxy in Control Panel, and all browsers are using it. Safari included. Set browser options to use system proxy. Watch animated Icon in system tray work. Try Running Privoxy as a service or put shortcut in All Users startup folder. Only Blocks content on ports :80 and :81
If hosts file file is big, THIS WILL MASSIVELY SLOW SYSTEM DOWN and may slow system start. Not recommended but very effective. Spybot S&D has a hosts file list alterer (!)
A big filter.ini in Opera can slow Opera down.
Can turn Privoxy on and Off through icon in system tray for allowing ads system wide. Exceptions can be added to a Privoxy config file for sites to support like this one.
HTH
Hello, I was given you Web link from HP. I need help I need to purchase software that will stop people on craigslist from flagging my ads. I sell products on Craigslist and its competitive and theres people that just won’t leave my ads alone. i’m losing money because I can’t get my ad on they have software that flags it as soon as I put it out there. Can you please help me? Alls I need is a way to keep my ad on craigslist, without being removed when ever these people feel like removing it. Its illigal what there doing but no one responds from craigslist.
Dianna
IE7Pro has a virus
Of course, IE9 can use Fanboy’s Lists and Easylist, without any extras. If I must use IE, I use IE9, though I prefer firefox.
Hey Ashraf have you had a chance to check out the Quero toolbar for IE9 ? Among its many features is the ability to selectively hide flash ads. The site also has an IE9 TPL based on the AdBlock Plus Easylist.
One extra thing I do with Chrome is to block flash is to disable through the click to play switch. A tutorial is at this link-
http://www.howtogeek.com/58058/how-to-enable-flashblock-in-chrome-and-make-it-5000-more-secure/
@acr:
here is a link to the quero toolbar-
http://www.quero.at/features.php
http://www.quero.at/news.php?id=69
Great article, Ashraf. Almost everything anyone needs to know is there, or in the comments. I’ve enabled ads in Dottech, something that took just a moment.
http://www.abine.com/products.php
All of the above suggestions are good, and I’ve tried them all at one time or another, but frankly, the best solution I have found is a little known program called HostsMan. HostsMan is a free “hosts” file management program that works with all versions of Windows and is very easy to install and use.
Instead of trying to block pop ups and malware sites from running on your PC, the hosts file prevents your PC from ever going out and retrieving them to start with! Thus your PC browser runs faster because its not downloading a bunch of crap Ad’s and Pop Ups into your browser the you probably don’t want to see anyway
The end result is nice clean web pages and very few Ad’s or Pop Ups!!
(I use Firefox, Chrome and IE all without issues.)
You can easily update, modify or disable or enable your “hosts” file with one click of the mouse. For those worried about a slowdown of the system (I run XP SP3 and have never had a problem with this), HostsMan also comes with a tiny Hosts Server that is also free, that can run in the background which takes care of this problem for those with extremely large “hosts” files or those that don’t like to see junk in the blank space where the Ad was suppose to be. Instead, you only see something that says “Blocked:AdYieldmanager.com”.
In addition, several different HOSTS files can be used, combined, etc and automatically updated when needed. On rare occasions, I have had the need to temporarily disable (one mouse click) or modify the hosts file (can also be done easily with HostsMan tool) to allow Ad’s to run in order to view some online videos on some of the major news channels or access some sites, but for sites like HULU.com, a visual warning comes up when trying to watch a video stating that the Ad won’t play or display because you don’t have cookies enabled or you have Ad’s blocked. If you look at the top of the video window, the clock counts down as one Ad after another try to play in the background… but you never see them. When the Ad’s have finished playing, your video begins to play normally.
It is so nice to rarely see an Ad while surfing the web, and browser redirection to other harmful sites are a thing of the past. Since the “hosts” file runs in the background on pretty much ALL Windows Machines (and I suspect other OS’s as well), you are simply enhancing it by using HostsMan and HostsServer. HostsMan can be configured to auto-update with new “hosts” files when they are available from at least 3 different providers built into the app, or you can add your own sources. You can also edit and modify the hosts file very easily via the app.
Here is the link to a great article that explains what the HOSTS file does and how you can use it to protect your PC better. http://winhelp2002.mvps.org/hosts.htm
You can find the HostsMan program for free at http://www.abelhadigital.com/hostsman
There are links in the article that also provide other hosts file management programs that can be used.
Read the directions carefully as there are a few special Admin permissions required on Windows Vista and Windows 7 machines to allow automatic updating and also to perform the initial installation due to Microsoft enhanced security methods being used with those OS’s.
Oh, did I mention that this fabulous tool is FREE!!!!!!
Enjoy!
I would like to know if websites make the money from ads if they are just shown or do people have to click on them. Thanks
@colin ripley: Both; it depends on what type of ads they are. Google AdSense ads (the one on dotTech) only pay when people click on them. Other ads, such as Technorati Media ads, pay when ads are just shown — no need to click on them.
I have been using adblock plus in FF for years now and suddenly it has started blocking images from Amazon. Is there an easy way to fix this or am i forced to discontinue its use. Great article by the way. Thanks
CRAP GUIDE!
SO, HOW KILL ALL OPERA FLASH ADS , ANY WORKING SOLUTION???
*** EDIT ***
No way!
FIREFOX + ADBLOCK PLUS + EasyList & EasyPrivacy filters are the BEST OPTION to block any ADS while surfing the web.
IE 9 users may install “EasyPrivacy Tracking Protection List” filter to block web bugs, tracking scripts and other damn information collectors they may stumble upon.
All of this can be grabbed for FREE of course!
http://easylist.adblockplus.org/en/
Enjoy!!
I wonder how many people will keep blocking ads when their favorite website has to close down or end certain sections or functions because their revenue has been hurt by people blocking ads. When will people realize that running a business costs money. And if your business is to provide content to people via the Internet and your revenue is from ads, employees who make the content can’t be paid if the ads are removed by visitors. Money to operate doesn’t come out of thin air. Ad blocking is the equivalent to me coming to where you work and shredding your check while still expecting you to provide a service to me. How long could you survive if someone expected you to work for them but blocked your paycheck? And how would you feel about people who did that?
@logicandreason you have absolute no logic or reasoning skills. cookies and ads are an invasion of our privacy. we already pay fees to our ISP. So, next time you try to promote your website through annoying ads et al, think about the privacy implications and how it negatively affect others. If revenue through invasive ads is your sole marketing strategy, time to higher a professional to handle your marketing needs.
this works great thanks
thanks this works great
I had searched for almost an hour for a solution to the annoying audio ads. I came upon this site and tried your advice. It actually worked so I felt like I should leave a comment. Thank you so much!
Doesn’t seem to work with Firefox 11.
@chris: You are welcome!
@Cynthia: You are welcome!
@Frank D: Adblock Plus may not have been updated to work with FF 11, yet. According to Adblock Plus’s website:
Firefox 9
Firefox 10
Firefox 11: Using Adblock Plus development builds is recommended.
Firefox 12: Using Adblock Plus development builds is recommended.
Firefox 13: Using Adblock Plus development builds is recommended.
@Ashraf: Was trying unblock ads for Dottech, found out that I have not installed adblocker yet for Firefox on Win 7. Did have Ghostery installed , so it must be blocking ads also. Have whitelisted Dottech in Ghostery and have 3 ads now.
I have been happy to pay for the freedom provided by AdMuncher for years, but now AdFender seems to do the same job for free. Has anyone tried this??
http://www.adfender.com/
Both of these are not plugins so should work regardless of which browser you prefer.
Cheers