Firefox v.3.6.13
Windows Vista
Is there a way to stop those ads linked to words or phrases in text on a page?
27374-linked-ads
I get these also in IE.
Thanks.
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Home » Forums » AskWoody support » Questions: Browsers and desktop software » Other browsers » Want to stop those ads linked to text in Firefox
Firefox v.3.6.13
Windows Vista
Is there a way to stop those ads linked to words or phrases in text on a page?
27374-linked-ads
I get these also in IE.
Thanks.
Try the Ad Block Plus addin for FF.
Another alternative is to use the local HOSTS file to stop the advertising you receive on a web page. In addition to stopping the advert result you will reduce usage of your bandwidth. Each “link” is a name requiring a DNS look up. By referencing the local node of 127.0.0.1 you will stay off the network (yours and the ISP’s).
The following link will get you there, but registration is required. The software is free…and so are the updates.
I have used this method for a few years with this software. You may have to browse the list when you feel the site you want has been blocked.
following is a copy of the info from that page.
Hosts File Manager
Keeping your Hosts file up to date has never been easier with the BISS Hosts File Manager and it’s wide range of features. Options like Personal Inclusions and Personal Exclusions designed to help manage your own collection of bad sites / domains were a feature we had only ever seen before in the Blocklist Manager for IP addresses, until now.
Included with the Hosts File Manager is the Hosts Switch, a floating transparent toolbar giving you FAST access to enable or disable your Hosts file.
The Hosts Switch is a great tool for adding new entries directly to your Hosts file without actually needing to open and edit your Hosts file each time you want to add something new to block.
Check out the Hosts Managers full list of features.
@brucewebs:
BISS Hosts File Manager “Not suitable for Vista – Use at your own risk.” Too bad.
I haven’t seen those for IntelliTXT ads years. Since I installed the NoScript extension. :D:
I use a similar program HostsMan which allows easy updating of the Hosts file. I also use Spybot.
I just installed HostsMan, but am uncertain how to use “Update Hosts”. Should I just go with the defaults, which are to install only “MVPD Hosts”, and “Merge with current hosts”? Please tell me what has worked best for you.
Thanks
I just installed HostsMan, but am uncertain how to use “Update Hosts”. Should I just go with the defaults, which are to install only “MVPD Hosts”, and “Merge with current hosts”? Please tell me what has worked best for you. Thanks
Yes, that’s what I have also used. Seems to do the trick.
The HOSTS file as an ad blocker works well. In Firefox there is a simple way to get rid of the useless message that replaces the blocked ad. I’ll leave that for another post but it can be found in a web search.
It should be said I use simple batch files to almost automate the next part.
First I date check my HOSTS file against the mvps website latest replacement file: http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.txt
If the website file is newer than mine, I download it to my desktop: http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.zip
Then I replace my existing HOSTS file with the new one (unzipping it in the process).
To bypass the HOSTS file takes a simple toggle.
——————————————————————————————————
:: hostsbak.bat
:: Just type hostsbak and your HOSTS file is renamed hosts.bak Type hostsbak again and hosts.bak once again becomes HOSTS
:: NOTE: Close Firefox open windows during this renaming.
@echo off
if exist c:windowssystem32driversetcHOSTS goto next
if exist c:windowssystem32driversetchosts.bak ren c:windowssystem32driversetchosts.bak HOSTS
if not errorlevel 1 (echo. & echo HOSTS file restored & goto end)
:next
ren c:windowssystem32driversetcHOSTS hosts.bak
if not errorlevel 1 (echo. & echo HOSTS file renamed to hosts.bak & echo.)
:end
——————————————————————————————————
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