When we first purchase a computer, one of the most important things on our minds is protection. Typically, this comes in the form of an antivirus program, so we are guarded against hackers and malicious software. While this is certainly important, there is another type of protection and blocker that we may overlook: ad blockers. To better understand why you may need to install an ad blocker on your computer and how you can benefit from it, use the comprehensive guide below to learn more about the software and what it helps users accomplish.

Benefits of an Ad Free Browser

Having an ad free browser goes beyond simply getting rid of those pesky ads that you don’t want to look at. Take a look at some of the most notable benefits of using an ad blocker on your device below.

Faster

Digital advertisements have the ability to significantly slow down the loading time of web pages. This is especially true if you visit sites that frequently deliver pop-up ads while you are trying to use them, or if they have walls of advertising space that take up a lot of the web page. When you use an adblocker to prevent these ads from coming through, you get rid of a lot of the information that the browser has to load in order to get you to the website, which helps you to load the website faster and get to the content that you are actually trying to reach.

Safer

Although ads are often more annoying than they are dangerous, some of the ads that you see on a daily basis could be more harmful than you think. Known as malvertising, entities or companies who are looking to do damage pay for advertising space that they then fill with advertisements that contain malware. When you click on these advertisements, or simply visit the website that they are contained on, your computer and your data are put at risk. While ad blockers may not be able to get rid of all of these advertisements, they can get rid of most, providing you with a safer and more enjoyable web browsing experience.

Easier

To wrap up the entire ad block user experience in one word, using an ad blocker on your computer makes the browsing experience easy. Without pop up ads and ads that fill up the sides of websites, you can navigate any site with ease and remove the risk of running into a potential problem as a result of the ads contained within the content. If you’re having difficulty loading or using web pages because of the ads contained within them, you may want to consider using an ad blocker to make the entire experience simple.

No More Web Cookies From Ads Invading Your Privacy

Despite what you may have heard, cookies are necessary bits of information that are stored in your browser as you surf the internet and are designed to help personalize your advertisement experience so that you receive more content that is suited for you. Cookies and internet use go hand in hand, and you can’t have one without the other. That being said, cookies can also be used the wrong way if they are sold as data to another company or if they contain private information such as your SSN or payment details. If you’re looking to avoid these potential issues, you can use an ad blocker to reduce the chances of these disasters from occurring so that you can maintain your peace of mind as you navigate the web.

The Danger of Pop Up Ads

It’s no secret that pop up ads often pose a security risk. These annoying advertisements slow down our computers and if we click on them, have the ability to do much worse. There are typically two types of dangerous software injected into the advertisements, both of which we will cover below. Here are some of the dangers that pop up ads often create for users.

Spyware

Spyware is a specific type of malware that infiltrates your computer and collects sensitive information. Once spyware has been installed onto your device, it can gather any type of information from browsing data to credit card numbers by tracking your internet activity and keeping tabs on all of the information that is input into different websites that you use. Once the person or entity who put this type of malware on your computer has access to your private information, it can be hard to reverse the damage that is done with that information. In addition, pop up ads that install malware often give the person or people who installed it the ability to add programs or change the current settings on your computer.

Malware

The term malware is an abbreviation of the words malicious software and refers to any kind of software that has been installed with the intention to do damage to the system. As we stated above, spyware is a type of malware as it falls under the umbrella term and aims to harm the user’s system. When it comes to malware, there are plenty of different kinds that you may experience if you click on a pop up ad—and some pop up ads are malware themselves!

If you’ve noticed any changes in your computer’s ability to function, such as a significant decrease in website loading speed, if your computer starts crashing, or if you have noticed an increase in web activity or device usage, you may be dealing with malware as a result of accidentally clicking on a pop-up or you may also be dealing with pop ups as a result of a malware known as adware. No matter which one came first, it is important to address these issues as soon as they arise.

What’s the Best Ad Blocker?

When people begin researching ad blockers for personal use, the first question they ask themselves is, what’s the best ad blocker? Although there are some popular ones out there that get the job done and tower above the others, you will also need to take your own personal needs into account and consider some of the pros and cons that come with using specific ad blocker software. For example, some ad blockers may be able to remove the ads that are causing you trouble, but they may also be a company that sells your data to third parties or could malfunction and block not only ads but also important website functions as well. While you need to think about these things and ask yourself what is most important when it comes to your ad block software, here is one of the most well-regarded ad blockers for your consideration.

Ad Remover

Ad Remover is a quiet, lightweight ad blocking software that gives you the ad free experience you need without having to use a complex application. Ad Remover boasts some impressive features including privacy protection so that companies won’t be able to track you online, lightning fast website speeds that result in a 44 percent improvement in overall speed, an easy to use interface that gives you the ability to block ads with only a couple of clicks, and the ability to access it within your browser. On top of all of those features, they are backed by Norton AntiVirus and they give you a 7-day free trial of their ad blocker, which will only cost you $10 per month once you pay for the service.

Look Out for Fake Free Ad Blocking Software Unfortunately, not all ad blocking software is legitimate, even if you downloaded it from a trustworthy website. There are plenty of fake free ad blocking software applications out there that are malware themselves and will put your computer in a dangerous position if they are downloaded and executed. While you can’t always be positive that your version is legitimate, there are ways to protect yourself by doing things such as reviewing the developer of the application, taking a look at the description of the software, and looking over the reviews for it. If anything doesn’t feel right or match up with some of the other legitimate ad blocking software apps out there, stay away from that software to avoid falling prey to a potential scam so that you can ensure you receive an adfree download from a reliable source.

FAQs

Despite the extensive amount of information provided above, you still may have some questions about ad blocking software. To better target some of these worries, here are some of the most frequently asked questions in regard to these useful programs.

Does Ad Blocking Software Get Rid of All of the Advertisements?

Many users will download an ad blocking software only to find that there are still advertisements that are coming through and making their way onto their search engine or the websites that they are visiting. So, does ad blocking software get rid of all of the advertisements? No. On some, you won’t be able to stop internet ads.

Here’s why: some of the bigger ad blocking software companies will receive payment from companies in order to push their advertisements through. No matter whether they are whitelisted on your program or not, you will continue to see these specific ads or related ads simply because the company that is advertising has already paid your ad blocker to receive continued exposure. For example, if you can’t stop Google ads, Google has most likely paid off the ad blocking company to keep them in. However, there are some out there who do get rid of all advertisements. Do your research and make sure that your chosen software does not have this kind of program in place for companies who still want to remain seen despite the ad blocking software being installed.

My Ad Blocking Software Is Causing a Website to Malfunction … What Do I Do?

Because an ad blocking software is a type of software, there is always the risk of it causing malfunctions in certain websites or programs. Some of the most common malfunctions are disappearing shopping carts or programs contained within websites that allow you to shop or sign up for certain things. Not only can this be a nuisance, but it can be especially problematic if you are pressed for time or if it caused you other major issues. Situations like these can typically be fixed if you whitelist the website in question, or if you temporarily turn off your ad block software so that you can follow through on the desired actions. If you’re experiencing anything outside of this problem or if you are having issues working on most or all websites, check with your ad block software support team to see if there is an issue with the software itself.

Does Ad Blocking Software Help You to Maintain Your Privacy?

For those who are a little bit more conscientious about how their data is being used, a common question that many ask is whether or not ad blocking software helps them to maintain their privacy and keep their data from being used or stolen. While ad block software does help to eliminate potentially dangerous ads, it isn’t always cut-and-dry as to whether or not it protects your privacy and your data. For example, while some ad blocking software works in your favor, others will actually track your activity and then sell the data that they have collected to third parties. It should be noted here, however, that not all of the ad blocking companies will do this, but it is important to do your research on any ad blocking software before you download and begin using it.

Does Ad Blocking Software Protect Me From All Harmful Malware?

As we stated above, ad blocking software protects you from advertisements that may contain malware and this is a very helpful tool to keep you, your data, and your computer protected in the long run. However, there are some users out there who will download this software and forget to add on other protective tools that help keep out hackers and viruses. While most ad block software is great at what it does, ad blocking is typically the only thing that it has to offer. This means that you are still open to attacks and viruses that do not come in the form of advertisements. While ad blocking software certainly aims to protect you from a majority of malware out there, it doesn’t do the job of anti-virus software and it is important that you cover all of the bases by downloading each of the protective programs that will work together to ensure full protection.

Should I Purchase Ad Removal Software or Use a Free Option?

It truly depends on your individual situation and needs when it comes to the type of software that you choose to use. Most free ad blocking software applications out there will function as needed and will provide you with the tools you need to keep ads out of your browsing experience. If you’re looking for basic coverage, a free ad blocker will do the trick. That being said, a paid experience will often give you additional coverage and tools that will help to enhance the overall experience. If you are looking for something beyond the basic coverage, go with a paid option.

The idea of ad blocking software is relatively straightforward, but there is a lot that goes into its use that users need to be aware of. If you have been looking into an ad blocker for personal use but are not quite sure what it entails or whether or not it is right for you, the information above will better educate you on the subject and allow you to make a choice that works best for your individual needs.