Ad Blockers

[LindaH]

I just got a new computer and am getting lots of ads on sites where I've never seen them before.

What ad blocker would you recommend -- preferably free. I looked at NordVPN which says it has an ad blocker in addition to the VPN, of course, but it's quite expensive. I've also looked at a couple of "Best Ad Blockers" websites, but I'm always suspicious of those kinds of sites since I assume they get paid by the companies they "review."

[Alan_Hepburn]

I've been happy with uBlock Origin...

[k4rs]

uBlock Origin has always worked well for us.  Unfortunately, recent changes to Google based browsers has left it unsupported.  They have released a new 'Lite' version that works but is somewhat less effective.   I have used dns based ad blocking and it appears to doing the job.  Pi-hole turns a raspberry pi into a dns server on your local network.  A simpler method is to change the dns sever ip address in your network settings.  I have recently started testing adguard.com and so far appears to work well:

The DNS server address for AdGuard is "94.140.143.20" for the standard filtering mode. You can also use "178.221.12.20" as an alternative AdGuard DNS server address. 

AdGuard provides both a standard filtering mode and a family protection mode, each with its own DNS address.

You can change your device's DNS settings to use AdGuard's servers to block ads and trackers across your system.

More info at:

https://adguard-dns.io/kb/general/dns-providers/

Safe Travels...

Edited January 2 by k4rs

[Chalkie]

I use Chrome as a browser and found an extension in the Chrome Web Store called simply "Adblock for Chrome" and I think may be the best I have used.

[LindaH]

Thanks everyone. 

Fooling around with DNS is way above my pay grade, so I wouldn't even attempt trying it.

I use Microsoft Edge, so I'll look to see if it has an extension.

[chindog]

I've used Adblock Plus for a few years.  It does pretty well.  Sometimes I run into websites that pop up a window saying "We see you are using an Ad Blocker..." and won't let you see content until you whitelist their site.  I use mostly Firefox for a browser, and it has a "reader view" toggle switch in the address bar, and it bypasses those ad blocker blockers.

[bthomforde]

I've been very happy with Brave browser, it's ad blocker works great. https://brave.com/

[LindaH]

Update: I found Privacy Badger and I'm going to try it out for a while. So far, so good -- the site I visit everyday where I had been getting a ton  of ads (and hadn't prior to changing computers) is no longer showing any ads.  I guess I must have had an ad blocker on my previous computer, but it's been long enough ago that I don't remember putting one on or which it might have been.

[RV_]

I use Adblocker plus. As well I use Firefox and Duck Duck go for my search engine. I also have Nord VPN  and 5 Malwarebytes paid premium lifetime licenses. However several privacy browsers help with ad blocking too. Adblocker plus does a lot of asking for upgrade to paid version or donation and I give them abut ten bucks a year since I use it in my five primary systems. However several privacy browsers do a great job too. I came here to post the article and link look in that thread here I am about to post. Best reviews of top browsers on privacy and ad blocking in the browsers I've read yet.

Edited January 14 by RV_

[2gypsies]

I have the plain AdBlocker; not Plus but when I get on sites it asks me to discontinue the adblocker to view.  What's the purpose of Adblocker then?

[Pat & Pete]

6 hours ago, 2gypsies said:

I have the plain AdBlocker; not Plus but when I get on sites it asks me to discontinue the adblocker to view.  What's the purpose of Adblocker then?

I simply X out of those sites and find a different site . Takes less time , usually . 

 

[Chalkie]

On 1/4/2025 at 10:28 PM, 2gypsies said:

I have the plain AdBlocker; not Plus but when I get on sites it asks me to discontinue the adblocker to view.  What's the purpose of Adblocker then?

It is doing its job and the websites aren't happy. If it is a site I want to visit I will whitelist it. 

[RV_]

Linda, these are mostly easy to use. This PC Mag article outlines the free and paid for privacy browsers. It lists them at the top then goes in depth with the details for each. Most are free but many still want the same browser and won't change. Even for the free stuff we still have to pay . . .attention. I can vouch for most of those browsers in the article as being safe and secure to use. https://www.pcmag.com/picks/stop-trackers-dead-the-best-private-browsers

Edited January 14 by RV_

[LindaH]

26 minutes ago, RV_ said:

Linda, these are mostly easy to use.   https://www.pcmag.com/picks/stop-trackers-dead-the-best-private-browsers

Thanks Derek. I'll take a look.

[RV_]

12 minutes ago, LindaH said:

Thanks Derek. I'll take a look.

YW! Since you are not interested in complicated or techie solutions download a few of those browsers and try them out. Then if you find one you think anyone can use post back as I would be interested.