Advertisements have become an inevitable part of our life, invading almost every realm. Sometimes they are harmless and easily ignored, but they can appear outright annoying and then again some ads may be too tempting to pass on. But honestly, how often did you find random ads useful?
On the internet it's not always possible to avoid banners, ads or pop-ups. Firefox offers several different ways to control what is shown to you and what will remain hidden, blocked or covered.
1. Built-in Options
Per default, Firefox can block pop-ups, not load images, and not run Java or JavaScript.
Conveniently, exceptions can be set very easily, so that selected sites can be granted additional rights, such as launching pop-up windows.
However, when you really want to control ads and potential spam, you will have to befriend extensions.
2. Flashblock
Flashblock is the absolute must for blocking Flash advertisements. Blocking Flash also helps to save computer resources. Just as the built in pop-up and image block, this extension allows you to build a Whitelist for Flash-driven websites you would like (or have) to view in all of their beauty.
Additionally, blocked material is indicated by a placeholder on that website which allows you to download and view the Flash content as you please. Flashblock requires JavaScript by the way.
3. Adblock Plus
Adblock Plus is much stronger than Flashblock, but it can also be more difficult to handle. This extension can block all kinds of ads and filters can be set manually to block specific items. The most convenient solution is to subscribe to filters which will automatically block most ads.
Lists should be selected carefully though, as some may slow down the browser. However, it's save to choose from the filters offered per default.
4. YesScript
As opposed to NoScript, YesScript takes a different approach. It assumes that not all JavaScript is bad, so it doesn't restrict it per default. Rather JavaScript remains enabled and pages are blocked via a blacklist, that you take full control over it via the browser status bar or options window.
Surely, the security aspect is undermined with this extension. The advantage is less initial maintenance.
5. Add-Art
This little extension doesn't help to block art but it helps to make blocked ads much nicer.
It works in conjunction with Adblock Plus and recognizes when an advertisement was blocked. It then ads an art image to decorate the blank space, turning your browser into a small art gallery. Unfortunately, it can not replace all script-based ads.
The displayed images change every two weeks, when the current show is updated. If you don't like a current show, the only way to escape the images is to disable the extension until the next update. This could be improved.
How do you perceive ads? Do you tolerate or fight them? Please share your experience!