Win a Pentax Limited Lens: Raffle Now Live!

wildman · 04-04-2015, 04:40 PM

Need an Ad blocker for Firefox.
Getting all kinds of junk and is making being on the net almost unusable.
I've got Ad Block plus but it does no good.
Better yet something that can scan and remove the code that's causing this.

Thanks

Last edited by wildman; 04-04-2015 at 04:45 PM.

Adam · 04-04-2015, 04:57 PM

ABP is what I use.

Originally posted by wildman

Getting all kinds of junk and is making being on the net almost unusable.

Perhaps you've got some sort of toolbar/plugin that's spamming your pages with ads (a.k.a. adware). A lot of these programs disguise themselves as security or cleanup software, so be wary of misleading names. They can also come as part of installers for other programs, even if those programs are themselves legitimate. For example, if you don't pay attention while installing Open Office, you'll end up with 4 different pieces on unwanted software on your PC.

Check the list of installed programs on your computer via the control panel, and check what plugins are enabled in firefox by presing control+shift+a. Disable and/or remove anything that looks fishy or that you don't recall installing yourself. You might also want to run an anti-malware tool like SpyBot or Malware Bytes. Antivirus software generally doesn't pick up on malware if it isn't a virus.

alamo5000 · 04-04-2015, 06:53 PM

Ghostery helps a lot.

I run all kinds of stuff and I tend to be ad free for the most part.

lightbox · 04-04-2015, 09:38 PM

I second what Adam said, and Malwarebytes is great for finding "unwanted" stuff that you maybe didn't know you had.

The problem with Firefox plugins that disable too much (such as Javascript) is that you will cripple your web experience and find yourself constantly adding exceptions to the plugin's whitelist so that your favorite sites continue to work. Once you start adding exceptions, you defeat the purpose. Having said that, you can look into things like Ghostery and NoScript.

Unfortunately ads are a reality. Popups, though, can be dealt with much better. I use a combination of AdBlock Plus and the Firefox setting to "Block pop-up windows" (this is in Options->Content). This, too, requires an exception list for sites that use legitimate pop-ups.

Last edited by lightbox; 04-04-2015 at 09:47 PM.

magkelly · 04-04-2015, 09:55 PM

This might help some. Ad blocker is a bit weak these days but this add on to it seems to get a lot it doesn't. I have that plus the add blocker for Google installed in my FF. Lately though even the news sites are slipping ads in as new stories. Ad block doesn't think that stuff is ads, but I do! Yahoo is particularly bad. I've almost given up on Yahoo News because of it. 1/3 of the so called news stories now are just blatant promotion for some product or another.

Adblock Plus Pop-up Addon

lightbox · 04-04-2015, 10:06 PM

Originally posted by magkelly

This might help some. Ad blocker is a bit weak these days but this add on to it seems to get a lot it doesn't. I have that plus the add blocker for Google installed in my FF. Lately though even the news sites are slipping ads in as new stories. Ad block doesn't think that stuff is ads, but I do! Yahoo is particularly bad. I've almost given up on Yahoo News because of it. 1/3 of the so called news stories now are just blatant promotion for some product or another.

Adblock Plus Pop-up Addon

This add-on seems to be a pop-up blocker only? Is it different than the one built into the browser?

I'm not sure about Google Chrome, but here's where to find it on Firefox:

I have a hard time believing that Google would allow any kind of fine grain control of ads from Chrome, given that Google is itself an ad service and runs the largest ad platform (Google Ad Services)! Tracking and advertising are how Google makes money (and are able to provide "free" services). It only makes sense that Chrome should help them do that better, not worse.

lightbox · 04-04-2015, 10:11 PM

By the way, Firefox also started serving up ads recently on all new/blank tabs. There's no way to completely turn them off.

magkelly · 04-04-2015, 10:24 PM

Um, it's not doing it on mine...New tabs, totally blank. I have it set up to blank page though, so maybe it depends on your choice? I don't auto update FF. Could be that it's a new thing, if so, I won't be updating anytime soon. Not cool...

Yup, new thing, and this is apparently how you stop it..

http://www.pcworld.com/article/2848017/how-to-get-rid-of-firefoxs-new-ads-on...-tab-page.html

What a pisser though. Sheesh...

lightbox · 04-04-2015, 10:38 PM

I haven't experimented with it much, but from what I can tell Firefox does not honor its own options. Both "Enhanced" and "Classic" show me ads. I have mine on "Classic" and I see an ad for Intuit TurboTax when I open a new tab, although I did not visit the TurboTax website and it's not in my history.

Also, the "Blank" option is too limiting because it doesn't show me any of my site history anymore. It just a blank (useless) page. So they force you to enable one of the ad views just to get a basic feature working again.

I also don't trust that the analytics engine just stops collecting and sending data about you when you select not to see the ads... but that's just me being me I guess. The downside to not updating your browser is that you don't get security fixes and leave yourself vulnerable.

**paulh** · 04-04-2015, 11:46 PM

I've been running Firefox with Adblock Edge (not Plus) for a few years now. I've never seen a single ad of any kind since I started using it.

**RobA_Oz** · 04-05-2015, 12:08 AM

Originally posted by lightbox

By the way, Firefox also started serving up ads recently on all new/blank tabs. There's no way to completely turn them off.

What version is doing this? I'm running 37.0.1 and what comes up on new tabs is a group of my most recent or regular sites visited, with Mozilla links and one sponsored site (Booking.com) but no ads as such. Each of these can be removed by simply clicking in the top right corner.

wildman · 04-05-2015, 12:10 AM

Originally posted by Adam

They can also come as part of installers for other programs,

Won't go into all the details but I'm pretty sure this is what happened.
But even after getting rid of suspected programs I know I didn't install it was too late.
The whole damn system was infected and Malwarebytes got rid of some junk but it didn't help.

It was really bad - my first post here I had to do on my Wife's machine there was so much clutter and false links etc.

Anyway went to bed thinking I was faced with a complete reformat and clean install of everything.
Woke up early with a clear head and bingo! - Why not try a System restore?
So I went back about a week did that and everything is running clean. No problems.

Anyway in this case System restore cleared it up so I thought others should know this.

Thanks to all,
Wildman

lightbox · 04-05-2015, 12:17 AM

Originally posted by RobA_Oz

What version is doing this? I'm running 37.0.1 and what comes up on new tabs is a group of my most recent or regular sites visited, with Mozilla links and one sponsored site (Booking.com) but no ads as such. Each of these can be removed by simply clicking in the top right corner.

Ah, you're right.. they're sponsored ads. My bad.

reeftool · 04-05-2015, 06:21 AM

Ad Block Plus worked good for a while but a lot of sites have found ways to work around it. Some sites blocked users for a while but instead of turning it off, most users stopped using those sites. There is currently a huge lawsuit filed against Ad Block's developers which is probably why they haven't made the software more aggressive.

**csa** · 04-05-2015, 06:57 AM

Originally posted by magkelly

Um, it's not doing it on mine...New tabs, totally blank. I have it set up to blank page though, so maybe it depends on your choice? I don't auto update FF. Could be that it's a new thing, if so, I won't be updating anytime soon. Not cool...

Yup, new thing, and this is apparently how you stop it..

How to get rid of Firefox's new ads on the New Tab page | PCWorld

What a pisser though. Sheesh...

I actually like the "new tab" ads. I've deleted all the ads and now it simply shows what sites I've visited in the past. This makes it easy & quick to revisit a previous site by simply clicking on the box of the site.

04-04-2015, 04:40 PM	#1
wildman Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Flyover America Posts: 4,469	Need an Ad blocker for Firefox. Need an Ad blocker for Firefox. Getting all kinds of junk and is making being on the net almost unusable. I've got Ad Block plus but it does no good. Better yet something that can scan and remove the code that's causing this. Thanks Last edited by wildman; 04-04-2015 at 04:45 PM.

04-04-2015, 04:57 PM	#2
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,609	ABP is what I use. Originally posted by wildman Getting all kinds of junk and is making being on the net almost unusable. Perhaps you've got some sort of toolbar/plugin that's spamming your pages with ads (a.k.a. adware). A lot of these programs disguise themselves as security or cleanup software, so be wary of misleading names. They can also come as part of installers for other programs, even if those programs are themselves legitimate. For example, if you don't pay attention while installing Open Office, you'll end up with 4 different pieces on unwanted software on your PC. Check the list of installed programs on your computer via the control panel, and check what plugins are enabled in firefox by presing control+shift+a. Disable and/or remove anything that looks fishy or that you don't recall installing yourself. You might also want to run an anti-malware tool like SpyBot or Malware Bytes. Antivirus software generally doesn't pick up on malware if it isn't a virus. Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

04-04-2015, 11:46 PM	#10
paulh Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: DFW Texas/Ventura County, CA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 33,319	I've been running Firefox with Adblock Edge (not Plus) for a few years now. I've never seen a single ad of any kind since I started using it. Last edited by paulh; 04-05-2015 at 10:02 AM.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
i'm an idiot, need an original lenseep.lns for 16-50	wibbly	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	25	10-13-2015 09:19 PM
Shooting an Ad Campaign	interested_observer	Photographic Technique	5	08-01-2014 07:01 PM
Pentax should use this for an ad campaign	cwhans	Photographic Industry and Professionals	28	02-04-2014 09:15 PM
Need ideas for an assignment	Sig0431	Troubleshooting and Beginner Help	9	09-26-2013 08:00 AM
question on price, photographing for an ad campain	devisor	Photographic Industry and Professionals	5	11-04-2009 07:41 PM

04-04-2015, 06:53 PM	#3
alamo5000 Pentaxian Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 2,962	Ghostery helps a lot. I run all kinds of stuff and I tend to be ad free for the most part.

04-04-2015, 09:38 PM	#4
lightbox Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Posts: 599	I second what Adam said, and Malwarebytes is great for finding "unwanted" stuff that you maybe didn't know you had. The problem with Firefox plugins that disable too much (such as Javascript) is that you will cripple your web experience and find yourself constantly adding exceptions to the plugin's whitelist so that your favorite sites continue to work. Once you start adding exceptions, you defeat the purpose. Having said that, you can look into things like Ghostery and NoScript. Unfortunately ads are a reality. Popups, though, can be dealt with much better. I use a combination of AdBlock Plus and the Firefox setting to "Block pop-up windows" (this is in Options->Content). This, too, requires an exception list for sites that use legitimate pop-ups. Last edited by lightbox; 04-04-2015 at 09:47 PM.

04-04-2015, 09:55 PM	#5
magkelly Veteran Member Join Date: May 2010 Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,901	This might help some. Ad blocker is a bit weak these days but this add on to it seems to get a lot it doesn't. I have that plus the add blocker for Google installed in my FF. Lately though even the news sites are slipping ads in as new stories. Ad block doesn't think that stuff is ads, but I do! Yahoo is particularly bad. I've almost given up on Yahoo News because of it. 1/3 of the so called news stories now are just blatant promotion for some product or another. Adblock Plus Pop-up Addon

04-04-2015, 10:06 PM	#6
lightbox Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Posts: 599	Originally posted by magkelly This might help some. Ad blocker is a bit weak these days but this add on to it seems to get a lot it doesn't. I have that plus the add blocker for Google installed in my FF. Lately though even the news sites are slipping ads in as new stories. Ad block doesn't think that stuff is ads, but I do! Yahoo is particularly bad. I've almost given up on Yahoo News because of it. 1/3 of the so called news stories now are just blatant promotion for some product or another. Adblock Plus Pop-up Addon This add-on seems to be a pop-up blocker only? Is it different than the one built into the browser? I'm not sure about Google Chrome, but here's where to find it on Firefox: I have a hard time believing that Google would allow any kind of fine grain control of ads from Chrome, given that Google is itself an ad service and runs the largest ad platform (Google Ad Services)! Tracking and advertising are how Google makes money (and are able to provide "free" services). It only makes sense that Chrome should help them do that better, not worse.

04-04-2015, 10:11 PM	#7
lightbox Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Posts: 599	By the way, Firefox also started serving up ads recently on all new/blank tabs. There's no way to completely turn them off.

04-04-2015, 10:24 PM	#8
magkelly Veteran Member Join Date: May 2010 Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,901	Um, it's not doing it on mine...New tabs, totally blank. I have it set up to blank page though, so maybe it depends on your choice? I don't auto update FF. Could be that it's a new thing, if so, I won't be updating anytime soon. Not cool... Yup, new thing, and this is apparently how you stop it.. http://www.pcworld.com/article/2848017/how-to-get-rid-of-firefoxs-new-ads-on...-tab-page.html What a pisser though. Sheesh...

04-04-2015, 10:38 PM	#9
lightbox Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Posts: 599	I haven't experimented with it much, but from what I can tell Firefox does not honor its own options. Both "Enhanced" and "Classic" show me ads. I have mine on "Classic" and I see an ad for Intuit TurboTax when I open a new tab, although I did not visit the TurboTax website and it's not in my history. Also, the "Blank" option is too limiting because it doesn't show me any of my site history anymore. It just a blank (useless) page. So they force you to enable one of the ad views just to get a basic feature working again. I also don't trust that the analytics engine just stops collecting and sending data about you when you select not to see the ads... but that's just me being me I guess. The downside to not updating your browser is that you don't get security fixes and leave yourself vulnerable.

04-05-2015, 12:08 AM	#11
RobA_Oz Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Tasmania, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,209	Originally posted by lightbox By the way, Firefox also started serving up ads recently on all new/blank tabs. There's no way to completely turn them off. What version is doing this? I'm running 37.0.1 and what comes up on new tabs is a group of my most recent or regular sites visited, with Mozilla links and one sponsored site (Booking.com) but no ads as such. Each of these can be removed by simply clicking in the top right corner.

04-05-2015, 12:10 AM	#12
wildman Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Flyover America Posts: 4,469 Original Poster	Originally posted by Adam They can also come as part of installers for other programs, Won't go into all the details but I'm pretty sure this is what happened. But even after getting rid of suspected programs I know I didn't install it was too late. The whole damn system was infected and Malwarebytes got rid of some junk but it didn't help. It was really bad - my first post here I had to do on my Wife's machine there was so much clutter and false links etc. Anyway went to bed thinking I was faced with a complete reformat and clean install of everything. Woke up early with a clear head and bingo! - Why not try a System restore? So I went back about a week did that and everything is running clean. No problems. Anyway in this case System restore cleared it up so I thought others should know this. Thanks to all, Wildman

04-05-2015, 12:17 AM	#13
lightbox Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Posts: 599	Originally posted by RobA_Oz What version is doing this? I'm running 37.0.1 and what comes up on new tabs is a group of my most recent or regular sites visited, with Mozilla links and one sponsored site (Booking.com) but no ads as such. Each of these can be removed by simply clicking in the top right corner. Ah, you're right.. they're sponsored ads. My bad.

04-05-2015, 06:21 AM	#14
reeftool Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Upstate New York Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,555	Ad Block Plus worked good for a while but a lot of sites have found ways to work around it. Some sites blocked users for a while but instead of turning it off, most users stopped using those sites. There is currently a huge lawsuit filed against Ad Block's developers which is probably why they haven't made the software more aggressive.

04-05-2015, 06:57 AM	#15
csa Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Montana mountains Posts: 10,133	Originally posted by magkelly Um, it's not doing it on mine...New tabs, totally blank. I have it set up to blank page though, so maybe it depends on your choice? I don't auto update FF. Could be that it's a new thing, if so, I won't be updating anytime soon. Not cool... Yup, new thing, and this is apparently how you stop it.. How to get rid of Firefox's new ads on the New Tab page \| PCWorld What a pisser though. Sheesh... I actually like the "new tab" ads. I've deleted all the ads and now it simply shows what sites I've visited in the past. This makes it easy & quick to revisit a previous site by simply clicking on the box of the site.