Firefox and Opera both have ad-ins that will block Flash content (the most comment type that these ads are written in). The downside, you may not see the Flash content you want, such as videos, but you can always turn that feature off.
Firefox browser
Then DL the AdBlockPro add-in
and NoScripts add-in
Post a URL with the type of ad that you want to block. I’ll try it and see if AdBlock works.
What browser do you use?
They are hideous, but I have never figured a way around them. I figure that the newspapers must have at least some form of revenue for my time spent reading. I just live with it and move on.
You won’t see hardly a one if you use Firefox and the Add-on called “Adblock Plus.”
What ads?
As others have said....Firefox and the add-on called “Adblock Plus.”
I had a good ad blocker installed in my IE browser for awhile.
I don’t recall exactly what it was I had installed but it took the URLs for common ad sites and blocked them and their content outright. I’d get “page unable to display” errors within those small boxes where ads (including flash ads) were supposed to display but the rest of the page was fine.
I could add or remove URLs from this block list.
It wasn’t targeting popup launches, it blocked the content.
I get nothing but content. I haven't seen a popup in years. I'd forgotten they were still around.
Hostsman
Automated hosts file manager... incredibly effective.
http://www.abelhadigital.com/2008/07/hostsman-3157-released.html
The progam just manages the HOSTS file and the hosts file updating from various adblocking lists maintained by various organizations around the world.
Features
Automatic update of hosts file
Enable/Disable hosts file
Built-in hosts editor
Scan hosts for errors, duplicates and possible hijacks
Hosts file backup manager
Exclusion list
Local HTTP server
...
Requirements
Windows 98SE, Me, 2000, XP, Server 2003, Vista