The Necessity of Ad Block
According to Charles “Penguinz0” White Jr., “Internet Is Unusable Without Ad Block” on YouTube. Using an ad blocker provides essential cybersecurity protections and enhances privacy while browsing the web. As a result, websites load faster, function better, and appear more organized. Some advertisements even block website buttons, making navigating websites annoying. Ad blockers are free to use and essential when navigating the Internet safely.
Digital advertisements can serve as attack vectors that steal personal data, defraud people, and infect devices with malware. Ad blockers remove advertisements on websites, whether they are images, videos, or audio. This helps eliminate malvertising, reducing the risks to your computer. Furthermore, ad blockers also prevent advertisers from tracking your online activity and collecting personal data, improving user privacy. Advertisers collect data through cookies, tracking pixels, and UTM codes. It reduces the risk of browser fingerprinting and private data leaks.
Users can use browser settings to improve the website experience and Internet safety. For example, Google Chrome has a setting that allows users to block intrusive advertisements.
Here are some ad blockers I recommend using:
- AdBlock Plus
- uBlock Origin (Open-source)
- Brave Ad Blocker (Open-source)
Brave is available on computers and mobile devices. The Brave Browser provides an ad blocker. Users can install uBlock Origin on computers and mobile devices by installing the Mozilla Firefox browser and then installing the uBlock Origin extension.
Alternatively, one can use Pi-Hole to block advertisements at the network level. The equipment required is an Ethernet cable and a Raspberry Pi. Pi-Hole blocks ads by acting as a DNS sinkhole.
There are some differences between Pi-Hole and browser extensions, primarily in how they operate and their scope of ad-blocking capabilities. Both extensions and Pi-Hole operate and block advertisements on devices differently. Pi-hole functions as a network-wide ad blocker by filtering DNS requests for all devices connected to your network. This means it can block ads before they are downloaded, effectively eliminating many unwanted advertisements across various platforms. However, Pi-Hole requires maintenance and can be challenging to set up.
In contrast, an ad-block extension blocks advertisements on the browser and device only. The extensions intercept and filter web page content, effectively removing ads only during browsing sessions. These extensions are easier to install and use, making them accessible for users who may not be comfortable with more complex setups.
Note
Some websites, such as Spotify and YouTube, prohibit ad blockers as stated in their terms of service. To comply with the terms of service, it is advisable to disable your ad blocker or Pi-Hole setup. Alternatively, you may consider purchasing a premium subscription, if available, to enjoy an ad-free experience.