As an example, if we put ad.doubleclick.net into our browser line, we get a blank page. We recall banning serving-sys.com from our computer because of a Flash advertisement that covered the page content we were trying to view, and there was no way to close it. It’s possible that the ad did not display properly on the browser we were using, but that is not our problem; it is the advertiser’s responsibility to design the ad so it will work properly on all browsers.The bottom line is that advertisers’ access to people’s computers is a privilege and not a right, and abusive conduct as perceived by the user (such as overuse of connection bandwidth, intrusive ads, opening new browser windows without permission, and so on) is a good way to have a privilege taken away.
Opening a new browser window on my computer without my permission is one of the best ways for an advertiser to make sure his domain cannot even be accessed by my computer, and that his material will never be seen. Intrusive ads, or those that slow my connection, are others.
The above method also could presumably be used by parents or employers to block sexually explicit content, but it could be evaded by anyone who knows how to edit the HOSTS file with Notepad.
127.0.0.1 ad.doubleclick.com
127.0.0.1 ad.doubleclick.net
127.0.0.1 www.doubleclick.com
127.0.0.1 www.doubleclick.net
Suddenly, many of the websites I visit are easier to read and not nearly so annoying. :)
Thanks for that.
It can also be evaded by simply converting a host name to an IP address.
Ping for later. Thanks!
I have used a free program called Mike’s Ad Blocking Hosts file for several years now. It cuts out a tremendous number of ad-vertising web links.
http://everythingisnt.com/hosts.html
Even ads that only have images can slow the fastest connection to a crawl. What happens is that the ad company requires an iframe in the page that gets loaded up from the ad company's servers. What happens though, is that the ad company's connection isn't so great, and your web browser will not display the entire page until the ad company's server responds. I used to let advertising through when I browsed the web so that the sites I visited would get some money. After experiencing stalls from ads regularly, I stopped them entirely.
To stop ads entirely, get Firefox and install the AdBlock Plus and Flashblock add-ons.
Ping.
.
The last month or two I have been getting blank pop-up windows (just white space inside the popup, nothing else). Anyone else been experiencing this phenomenon?
I have used shareware popup blockers many times over the years, but in recent years, WinXP’s embedded popup blocker stops all but a very few of the popups, so I choose not to add software if it is not really needed.
This a pretty good approach if all you are doing is looking to deny access to a few specific web sites. IMO, one is better off deploying a firewall on the perimeter of their network. Not only can it block specific hosts, but it can also enforce policies based on content, and what types of traffic are allowed.
I have used a HOSTS file for years and it works fine with Windows XP. However, a large enough HOSTS file will drag Windows 2000 Pro to a crawl, and so I don’t recommend it for that version of Windows.
I use the Firefox browser, plus:
Ad Aware extension - blocks ads.
Ad Aware Filterset.GUpdater - updates the blocked list
Add Art - Firefox extension that puts Japanese wood blocks where the ads were.
No Script extension - Firefox forbids scripting on the page unless you allow it.
Cookie Monster extension - Extension easily manages and forbids/removes cookies from ads that might sneak in, though few ever do.
Bump, BTTT, As a bookmark