There’s rarely something more frustrating than annoying ads popping up when you’re trying to read something on the internet.
What’s even worse are those ads that force you to sit through them while trying to watch a video on YouTube.
However, many of them are a higher threat than you may imagine.
You can stumble upon an ad coming from a malicious website that may steal a sensitive datum from your device. That’s why you should get an ad-blocker that will block all potential malware and protect your data.
Adware is software for displaying ads. However, it’s not always so innocent, as it can track your activity from one website to the next and gather various data about you.
What’s even more alarming is that it can be malicious.
It can insert malicious code into your browser or device, and steal sensitive data without you even noticing. Some malware can do that also if you don’t click on a malicious ad and download anything.
There are four main types of ad-blocking ways to choose from:
Some browsers come with built-in ad-blockers, but they usually have limited features. Extensions may provide better security, and you can choose from both free and paid solutions.
Ad-blocking routers work best with a DNS filter that automatically blocks malicious adware and protects all the devices on the network.
The best solution against adware is a VPN with a dedicated ad-blocker. It can keep multiple devices safe and prevent anyone from targeting you with malware.
But what is the best ad-blocker? Let’s take a look.
AdBlock is the most commonly used ad-blocker in the world. It’s the best pop up blocker for Chrome that automatically blocks ads on video websites and their static counterparts.
It’s also the best ad-blocker extension for Chrome because it has a whitelisting feature that lets you allow some ads.
But what about AdBlock Plus? Is AdBlock Plus safe?
This extension is known to let some ads through its filter, but it’s completely safe and legitimate. It also automatically updates regularly and remains the best free ad-blocker for Chrome.
uBlock Origin is a free, open-source browser extension for ad-blocking that allows users to block any ad and content they desire.
Apart from blocking pop-ups, undesired content and websites, and potential malware, it also prevents browser activity tracking, it’s easy on CPU and storage, and helps websites load faster.
You can get this extension for Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, Safari, and there’s even a dedicated app for Mac users.
Ghostery is the best ad-blocker you can get for Safari, but it’s also available for Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Opera. You can also get it for Android.
It’s a free, open-source browser extension for preventing browser activity tracking and various analytics tools, and for blocking ads.
It also allows you to block specific ads and trackers.
It may take you some time to get the hang of this tool, but it will be worthwhile.
The most important thing when choosing the best ad-blocker for your needs is to make sure you install a legitimate solution.
Also, you can install more than one ad-blocker to get an even higher level of protection. Whichever of the tools mentioned above you choose, you can be sure that you’ll keep all your data and devices safe and secure.
While uBlock Origin and AdBlock remain the most popular free ad-blockers for Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge, Opera, Mac, and Android, there are plenty more fish in the sea.
You shouldn’t settle for something just because it’s free and offers dynamic filtering options.
Free extensions don’t adequately protect your privacy.
With a VPN extension, you can get the highest level of security. One such example is CyberSec by NordVPN.
When you install a VPN ad-blocker, you block ads, access restricted websites, prevent browser tracking (including third-party tracking), disable cookies, block malware, and have an overall safer and cleaner browsing experience.
Your private information indeed remains private.
CyberSec is an optional paid ad-blocker offered by NordVPN to protect you from adware, malware, spyware, and browser tracking.
It’s one of the best available solutions that block DNS requests from malicious websites.
Even if your browser or device is already infected by malicious adware, the CyberSec option will effectively block it.
CyberGhost is a paid pre-protection feature that you can activate in your Windows VPN client.
As soon as you connect to your chosen CyberGhost VPN server, you can surf anonymously with an encrypted internet connection, while the feature will block all ads and malicious websites, and prevent browser tracking.
It will also compress data, provide faster loading times, and use automated HTTPS redirects whenever available.
This feature is server-based, which means that it won’t protect you when you disconnect from your VPN server.
Surfshark is yet another expert VPN that offers excellent adware, malware, and tracking protection.
Its CleanWeb feature allows every subscribed user to surf the internet safely and anonymously by blocking DNS requests from more than a million harmful servers.
This ad-blocker isn’t free, but it’s quite affordable and worth every dime when you consider the level of protection it provides you with.
Windscribe is also remarkable at blocking ads and protecting each subscribed consumer from malware, trackers, and even phishing scams.
It has a domain list of dangerous sites and servers and the R.O.B.E.R.T. feature that blocks all DNS requests coming from those domains.
It can protect multiple devices at the same time, either for free or at an affordable price.
Its free version has a data limit of 10 GB per month, so it may not be for you if you’re into a lot of streaming.
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