Ad Blocker

[luvrbus]

Not bus related but a ? for the smart guys, is there really a free ad blocker for windows,I tried one and how they got my CC number is beyond me.Free my @$# they charged a $199.00 for a year to my BofA  CC

[mqbus767]

Sorry to hear that. I don't trust those web browser extensions/apps; too much wiggle room for that kind of nonesense. Definitely recommend you dispute and reissue the card with a new number.

If we're talking PCs here (not mobile), my recommendation is to not use software, but switch DNS resolution services. There are several good free ones out there that do all sorts of blocking, not just for Ads. Blocking at a DNS level prevents your computer from ever even seeing the ad website traffic. It takes a little extra effort to setup, but I find it vastly superior for a couple of reasons:

* If you configure it on your home/bus router, all devices that connect to your home/bus network are protected without installing any software.
* It actually reduces the amount of traffic on your network and speeds up page loads

A few drawbacks:
* This won't help you wtih mobile devices that connect directly to the cellular provider. (NOTE: WiFi hotspots can still be configured to use an ad blocking DNS service)
* There might be a monthly query limit
* Configuration can be a bit more invovled than just installing an app/extension

I'd read through this for more information: https://www.pcwrt.com/2021/01/use-opendns-for-ad-blocking/

And "free" in this case means you're DNS query traffic is being logged by the service for whatever algorithmic purpose they see fit. It might only be used to improve whatever premium DNS service they offer. There may be other limitations or teers. Regardless, it works well. I host a DNS black hole server on my home network and then use OpenDNS. The combination works well, but it's a bit much for the average user to setup/maintain. I'd start with Ad Guard (above) and see how that works.

I'm happy to answer any questions or help troubleshoot if you need the assistance.

I like the quote I recently heard regarding social media and other "free" services; "If you're unsure what the product is they're selling, it's probably you."

[windtrader]

mq - You have tech skills most do, same as me. I used to go above and beyond standard due diligence levels of privacy protection. But I confident that my general web surfing experience manages and minimizes the easy stuff to collect, track, and sell.
What I have given up on is tracking in general. I admit I've gotten sold out. I detest Facebook and resisted mightily but over the years I've been forced into the walled garden because there are special interest groups that only exist on FB, the marketplace is massive and gets the most eyeballs on stuff to buy and sell. Messenger was the latest forced surrender. One thing I have not done is install FB or Messenger on the phone, at least confining what they grab to the laptop.
Just today, I thanked Google location service for finding my lost phone. I was gardening in a corner of the property then went about with a bunch of other stuff for a couple hours then discovered my phone was missing. Looked high and low, scratch every inch of my body but stil no ding ding where I put it. So, I do a locate phone on Google. It shows it is outside somewhere it usually is not. The ring alert starts and I start my search. Walk outside and around and around then hone in on the sound. It's in the area where I was early in the morning. I hear it right under my feet but do not see anything. I get down and move a pile of pine needles and there it is. If not for that Google location service, I'd be buying a new phone. Sure there may be independent apps to do similar but Google has so many useful features and services it is so hard not to enable them, knowing they are scooping everything about you.

I think you can only do so much these days to keep shields up. I do use MFA/2FA as much as I can on sites where security matters. I use LastPass for all passwords and Authenticator.

[Dave5Cs]

Clifford sent you PM with info.

[RJ]

Not bus related but a ? for the smart guys, is there really a free ad blocker for windows?

Cliff-

I, like several others, do not use Microslop's browser (Edge?) on my PC, I use FireFox from Mozilla, which, in itself, is free. I also use the following free ad blocker extensions for FireFox, which work really well, and did I mention that they are free?

AdNauseam
AdBlocker Ultimate
uBlock Origin
Webmail Ad Blocker
Popup Blocker (strict)

Since these are extensions to the browser, there's a little puzzle piece in the upper RH corner of the main screen, to the left of the three horizontal lines, that's the link to FireFox extensions and your ability to manage them.

I forgot to mention that one of the above, and I can't remember which one, asked for a one-time donation to the developer, similar to some phone apps. I think it was $10 or whatever above that you were willing to donate.

I would love to do something like mqbus does, but I don't have the computer techie smarts to do that, so I just stick to what I know. . .

Now if I could just figure out how to add ad blockers to my iPhone, I'd be a happier camper!

FWIW & HTH. . . 

[luvrbus]

People selling ad blockers are the one driving me nuts

[thomasinnv]

I use a router that has add block ability built in. It does a really good job of blocking pretty much all adds in a browser and most apps. About the only thing it won't do is block adds in YouTube videos, but I use another method that does that. Not your standard YouTube app.

[dtcerrato]

Let's face it, ads create revenue for the main venue to exist. Free TV = 8 minutes of show, 4 minutes of ads (advertisement). Paid monthly subscription to cable, no ads - prepaid up front every month. It's how the world turns. I'm numb to advertisement especially pharmaceuticals!

[Dave5Cs]

We have a winegruard 360 which gives us 41 channels for free. Then we watch the ads for free peacock and paramount and sign up for 1 year for free and chancel before it is a year. 

Used to use uS TV GO but that was taken off because it was free and had every channel you would ever need for we cable cutters.  We cut the cable in 2010 and have not  ever go back
.
We do pay for Amazon prime and get a bunch of movies and things there but most are pretty old and they put one or two new ones up each month or so.

[chessie4905]

We have Roku tv and use several free channels plus Amazon, Netflix, Hallmark, Friendly TV, Brit box, Paramount,HBO max, etc. We pay for Prime, daughters pay for most of others, and share them. I share Prime, so it works for us. We finally ended dish two months ago and don't  miss it anymore. Currently spending less than 40 bucks a month.

[windtrader]

My goodness. I wonder if Gary is reading this. I'm sure he's loving how are in his house talking about bypassing the ads on this site.

[luvrbus]

I don't want to block the ads on this site just the rest of the junk ads,Gary's can stay like on my other lap top was.This new Dell is nothing but pop ups ever since I turn it on,I see Mcafee in my sleep