Yes, ads are too big a vector for malware to ignore, so turning on ad-blocking is non-negotiable. That being given, the only alternative for NYT and friends is

Yes, ads are too big a vector for malware to ignore, so turning on ad-blocking is non-negotiable. That being given, the only alternative for NYT and friends is for subscription which they don't have the taste for, since it gives them the true value of their journalism. The difference in this true value, and older ad-based value: their take from the revenue-sharing agreement with malware-creators. We just got better with dealing with malware, and their malware based revenue took a hit.