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I didn't see any ad blocker recommendations in the comments, so I searched and came across a list on Tom's Hardware of the best ad blockers of 2017. The funny p

I didn't see any ad blocker recommendations in the comments, so I searched and came across a list on Tom's Hardware of the best ad blockers of 2017. The funny part is that Tom's Hardware was FILLED with these exact kind of ads from algovid and adaptv. Even worse, the list is in a carousel / slideshow format so you have to keep clicking if you didn't GTFO like I did.

aeleos 9y ago
If you are still looking for an ad blocker, I have had great experiences with ublock origin.
- erikb 9y ago
  I also think this is the common suggestion on HN for a year or two now.
- aryamaan 9y ago
  Any advantages over adBlock?
  - Macha 9y ago
    Their acceptable ads policy turned into "pay to whitelist" which basically pissed people off on all sides. The advertiser's weren't happy about being held to ransom, the users weren't happy with ad blockers that didn't.
- dkersten 9y ago
  I'm looking for something to block YouTube adverts on iOS (not in the browser, but a standalone app). I hear that ProTube is good, but apparently its only available in the US app store and I don't feel like making a US AppleID right now... Does anybody have any recommendations?
teolandon 9y ago
I'd recommend uMatrix, it can be used to block add, but it can also do so much more. It really helps if you want to disable most JavaScript where you don't need it too. Really great addon.
- ChrisGranger 9y ago
  uMatrix is very powerful, but I feel like its interface might be a bit complicated for less sophisticated users. In the wrong hands, it can really "break" the web.
  - ljcn 9y ago
    Exactly. I'm a huge uMatrix fan but I have some grounding in web dev. It's not really aimed at or suitable for anyone else. The trouble is that selectively blocking scripts gives the greatest benefits to the user (removes ads, annoying videos, popups, trackers, practically every nuisance) but usually requires user intervention to enable only the minimum to get the page to function. Hopefully the more user-friendly options can work out how to do this en mass.
arthurfm 9y ago
> I searched and came across a list on Tom's Hardware of the best ad blockers of 2017 For some reason Tom's article is missing Pi-Hole [1] and AdGuard [2] which are network and computer-level ad blockers respectively. Both are good for people who regularly use multiple browsers on multiple devices since there isn't any need to install an ad blocker extension for each one then. [1] https://pi-hole.net https://pi-hole.net [2] https://adguard.com https://adguard.com
- creatonez 9y ago
  Adguard is nonfree software that intercepts and modifies TLS connections locally. Not my cup of tea at all. Maybe if it was free and open source software...
johanneskanybal 9y ago
I'll just add Brave to the list here. The blochchain related browser by former firefox founder. Out of all the actors in this space its the only one I know of that sees the bigger picture and news flash google its not gonna be "higher quality" ads :)
- _pmf_ 9y ago
  I really hope Brave stays around and does not burn in the current ICO dumpster fire.
- jerrre 9y ago
  >the only one I know of that sees the bigger picture Could you elaborate?
  - ljcn 9y ago
    Free content needs paying for somehow. At present it's by advertising, which has a variety of problems (see rest of conversation). Brave's idea (AFAIK) is for the browser to pay the owners of the pages viewed directly for time spent on it (or some other metric). How they do this I don't yet know. A bit like flattr etc. but without user intervention.
bo1024 9y ago
If you are willing to do some extra work, I highly recommend blocking javascript, e.g. with Firefox's NoScript extension. Enable only the javascript you need, when you need it. No harm in using ublock origin and privacy badger on top of it.
- ljcn 9y ago
  Try uMatrix, you'll probably love it.
  - bo1024 9y ago
    Will try it out now, thanks!
- overcast 9y ago
  Navigating the web without Javascript today is just silly. Use uBlock, or Ghostery, and be done with it. I understand, and respect you're in the static web minority, and that's fine. But telling someone to globally block javascript is bad advice.
  - bo1024 9y ago
    I see your point but think it's worth a couple comments. First, blocking javascript globally is a bit different, in my mind, from blocking it by default (i.e. whitelisting). Second my wording wasn't great, I more meant "try blocking javascript by default and see how you like it". I agree it's not for everyone, but in my A/B tests it's my clear favorite. Some benefits of a whitelist approach: You can set preferences to allow javascript for pages you regularly visit and trust. Meanwhile, if you're visiting an unfamiliar or unusual site, you're completely protected by default and still only one click from full functionality.

aeleos 9y ago

If you are still looking for an ad blocker, I have had great experiences with ublock origin.

erikb 9y ago
I also think this is the common suggestion on HN for a year or two now.
aryamaan 9y ago
Any advantages over adBlock?
- Macha 9y ago
  Their acceptable ads policy turned into "pay to whitelist" which basically pissed people off on all sides. The advertiser's weren't happy about being held to ransom, the users weren't happy with ad blockers that didn't.
dkersten 9y ago
I'm looking for something to block YouTube adverts on iOS (not in the browser, but a standalone app). I hear that ProTube is good, but apparently its only available in the US app store and I don't feel like making a US AppleID right now... Does anybody have any recommendations?

teolandon 9y ago

I'd recommend uMatrix, it can be used to block add, but it can also do so much more. It really helps if you want to disable most JavaScript where you don't need it too. Really great addon.

ChrisGranger 9y ago
uMatrix is very powerful, but I feel like its interface might be a bit complicated for less sophisticated users. In the wrong hands, it can really "break" the web.
- ljcn 9y ago
  Exactly. I'm a huge uMatrix fan but I have some grounding in web dev. It's not really aimed at or suitable for anyone else. The trouble is that selectively blocking scripts gives the greatest benefits to the user (removes ads, annoying videos, popups, trackers, practically every nuisance) but usually requires user intervention to enable only the minimum to get the page to function. Hopefully the more user-friendly options can work out how to do this en mass.

arthurfm 9y ago

> I searched and came across a list on Tom's Hardware of the best ad blockers of 2017 For some reason Tom's article is missing Pi-Hole [1] and AdGuard [2] which are network and computer-level ad blockers respectively. Both are good for people who regularly use multiple browsers on multiple devices since there isn't any need to install an ad blocker extension for each one then. [1] https://pi-hole.net https://pi-hole.net [2] https://adguard.com https://adguard.com

creatonez 9y ago
Adguard is nonfree software that intercepts and modifies TLS connections locally. Not my cup of tea at all. Maybe if it was free and open source software...

johanneskanybal 9y ago

I'll just add Brave to the list here. The blochchain related browser by former firefox founder. Out of all the actors in this space its the only one I know of that sees the bigger picture and news flash google its not gonna be "higher quality" ads :)

_pmf_ 9y ago
I really hope Brave stays around and does not burn in the current ICO dumpster fire.
jerrre 9y ago
>the only one I know of that sees the bigger picture Could you elaborate?
- ljcn 9y ago
  Free content needs paying for somehow. At present it's by advertising, which has a variety of problems (see rest of conversation). Brave's idea (AFAIK) is for the browser to pay the owners of the pages viewed directly for time spent on it (or some other metric). How they do this I don't yet know. A bit like flattr etc. but without user intervention.

bo1024 9y ago

If you are willing to do some extra work, I highly recommend blocking javascript, e.g. with Firefox's NoScript extension. Enable only the javascript you need, when you need it. No harm in using ublock origin and privacy badger on top of it.

ljcn 9y ago
Try uMatrix, you'll probably love it.
- bo1024 9y ago
  Will try it out now, thanks!
overcast 9y ago
Navigating the web without Javascript today is just silly. Use uBlock, or Ghostery, and be done with it. I understand, and respect you're in the static web minority, and that's fine. But telling someone to globally block javascript is bad advice.
- bo1024 9y ago
  I see your point but think it's worth a couple comments. First, blocking javascript globally is a bit different, in my mind, from blocking it by default (i.e. whitelisting). Second my wording wasn't great, I more meant "try blocking javascript by default and see how you like it". I agree it's not for everyone, but in my A/B tests it's my clear favorite. Some benefits of a whitelist approach: You can set preferences to allow javascript for pages you regularly visit and trust. Meanwhile, if you're visiting an unfamiliar or unusual site, you're completely protected by default and still only one click from full functionality.