There are quite a few packages and techniques to choose from when it
comes to blocking ads. The list of software cited in Question 18204
is actually the cream of the crop. However, I will describe the best
of these packages so that you understand the advantages of one package
over another. Some of the packages cited there only deal with pop-ups
and do not address banner ads (such as POW, which is excellent for
blocking pop-ups, but, not banners).
The most effective free ad killer (actually, it stops many, many other
annoying things as well) is Proxomitron. It works as a proxy server
on your computer to filter your web activity, allowing it to block
things that other packages simply cannot handle. If you are opposed
to going through a proxy server than this may not be the tool for you
(some say that it "slows their surfing" to go through the proxy,
though that has not been my experience). Also, it should be noted
that this is one incredibly unnatractive interface to look at. One
can't always judge a book by its cover... nor a software package by
its graphics... in this case, this tool delivers the goods where it
counts. Leo Laporte and the others at TechTV always have this tool at
the top of their list.
TechTV: "Top Ten Things to do with Proxomitron" by Megan Morrone
http://www.techtv.com/screensavers/downloadoftheday/story/0,24330,3381882,00.html
Proxomitron Home Page
http://proxomitron.cjb.net/
Next we will look at WebWasher, which is commercial software, though
they have a home version which is free to use. It blocks pop-ups by
intercepting the window calls and blocks banner ads by intercepting
graphics of a specific height and width associated with banner ads.
The down-side of this technique is that some ads do not conform to the
appropriates size, though the software does allow you to add
additional custom sizes to filter.
WebWasher download
http://www.webwasher.com/en/products/wwash/download_license.htm
TechTV: "WebWasher 3.0" by Mick Lockey
http://www.techtv.com/products/software/story/0,23008,3317662,00.html
There is also a commerical package called AdSubtract Pro that has
received the highest ratings from CNET and PCWorld. They have a
license to integrate the Proxomitron engine into their code, to offer
powerful features in a package with more polish. One negative is that
it apparently drives traffic through its own remote server, which
could impact performance.
AdSubtract
http://www.adsubtract.com/
CNET Editors Choice March 2002 "AdSubtract Pro 2.5" by Robert Vamosi
http://www.cnet.com/software/0-3227886-1204-8712111.html
Other links that may be of interest:
JunkBuster Proxy and Guidescope
http://www.junkbusters.com/guidescope.html
TechTV: "Top Five Ways to Kill Pop-Up Windows Dead" by Megan Morrone
http://www.techtv.com/screensavers/twistedlist/story/0,24330,3365598,00.html
TechTV search terms: ad kill
I hope that you find this information useful and easy to understand.
However, if any confusion remains, please do not hesitate to ask for a
clarification. |
Clarification of Answer by
snapanswer-ga
on
21 Aug 2002 14:14 PDT
You had some specific questions about Norton that I believe have been
neglected.
1) What is Norton "ad blocking"?
From a PC Magzine review: "Once you turn on Norton's optional
ad-blocking feature, pages download at high speed without being slowed
by graphics-heavy ad banners, and most animations and other
distractions never appear at all. If an ad slips through, simply drag
it from Internet Explorer to Norton's Ad Trashcan. You can control or
block animations and pop-up windows on a systemwide or site-by-site
basis. Norton Internet Security is a powerful and effective firewall,
but the ad-blocking feature is the best thing that happened to the
Internet since the Web browser."
PC Magazine, "Symantec Upgrades Three Norton Stalwarts" by Edward
Mendelson (September 25, 2001)
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,4149,635,00.asp
Some users have had trouble with this feature, however. You may find
the User Reviews at CNET helpful:
http://www.cnet.com/software/0-352108-1205-6844863.html?tag=dir-rev
2) Can I not use Norton anti-virus but install other parts of Norton
Internet Security?
Yes. From my own experience using Norton SystemWorks, the Symantec
installers typically allow you to choose which parts of the package
are installed. If you have already installed the complete Norton
Internet Security package, and you want to know how to uninstall
Norton Anti-Virus, this TechNote from Symantec provides the details:
http://service4.symantec.com/SUPPORT/nip.nsf/docid/2001082910430136?OpenDocument&src=hot&prod=Norton%20Internet%20Security&ver=2002%20for%20Windows%202000/NT/Me/98/XP&stg=2&base=http://www.symantec.com/techsupp/nis/&next=nis_2002_search_solve_install.html&sone=nis_2002_tasks.html&tpre=
(If the above appears to be a broken link, you may need to copy and
paste this into your browser since long links may not be presented
correctly).
I hope that helps.
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