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Privoxy: Block ads universally!

(12 posts) (7 voices)

Started 7 months ago by GMMan
Latest reply from SimpleMinded

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GMMan

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Here's an awesome piece of software that I have been using for many years. It's called Privoxy, and what it does is create a local proxy that filters through your HTTP requests and feed a "blocked" page to those which request ads. This is especially useful for some (legitimate) programs that download ads from the Internet while you use them, and to prevent a whole load of Flash ads from bogging your computer down. As a bonus feature, you can also see which pages are being requested by your system. However, I think this is present only in versions 3.0.6 and earlier.

Home page: http://www.privoxy.org/
Download page (Windows): http://sourceforge.net/project/showfiles.php?group_id=11118&package_id=23580

To use, install the program, and set your browsers to use it.
IE: Internet Properties -> Connections -> LAN settings -> Tick Use a Proxy Server.... -> Advanced -> enter 127.0.0.1:8118 into only HTTP and HTTPS
Firefox: Tools -> Options -> Advanced -> Network -> Settings -> Manual -> 127.0.01:8118 in HTTP and HTTPS; uncheck Use this proxy server for all protocols.

Setting IE to use Privoxy is equivalent to setting all programs that use Windows' Internet settings to use Privoxy.
Did I mention that this program is portable?

Posted 7 months ago #
Lee

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Thanks!

Seems to work a little, not sure as I got also installed adblock for IE.

I will investigate some more and report back.

Posted 7 months ago #
GMMan

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Actually, the best combination is Privoxy, AdBlock Plus for Firefox, and Firefox itself. Privoxy provides general system blocking, Firefox is awesome, and AdBLock Plus gets rid of ads at its source. (That's what I'm using.)

Posted 7 months ago #
midori

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Hey, thanks, GMMan... I use Firefox, and will download Privoxy and AdBlock right now. I do have some kind of pop-up blocker, but will install these and see if there's an improvement.

Posted 7 months ago #
Whiterabbit-uk

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Games Guru

Thanks GMMan, will try this program. Despite having what I thought was a decen security suite installed I still get pop ups occasionally. :)

Posted 7 months ago #
BuBBy

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If it seems a lot of stuffing around and lots of programs to piecemeal block ads - there is one program that that does all the "complicated" stuff for you. AdMuncher is the closest thing I have seen to install and forget.

The AdMuncher people update the lists to catch new ads or new tricks to display ads about once a day - so you don't need to worry about it at all. I've been using it for several years and I've got nothing but praise for it.

It's a shareware program - but there is a free trial (30 days or something similar) on their site - http://admuncher.com/

For Windows 7 users there is a beta version you can download from http://www.admuncher.com/beta.pl

Posted 7 months ago #
Whiterabbit-uk

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Games Guru

Thanks BuBBy, another to vheck out when I have the time. :)

Posted 7 months ago #
Lee

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Member

Well if you use Windows Live Mail then the proxy inteferes with your mail.

Even at hotmail oin-line it also causes problems.

Well thanks, but no thanks!

Posted 7 months ago #
BuBBy

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Administrator

Using AdMuncher I go into the settings and should I want to exclude one or more programs from being filtered - I select which program (from a list of currently running or recent programs) and that program won't be filtered any more (until I change my mind).

I've not come across anything that it breaks yet (even the GOTD Activation checks) - but it's nice to know I can turn it off for one site or program or port - and leave it running for everything else if needed.

Posted 7 months ago #
hotdoge3

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no pop ups get firefox & AdBlock Plus for Firefox take out 95% or better, on dial-up Privoxy, may slow me down but thank's for the info may need one day.

Posted 7 months ago #
Lee

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Admuncher has issues with 3M sticky notes.

If using internet explorer 8 I must add.

Posted 7 months ago #
SimpleMinded

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When it comes to blocking ads, I haven't found anything more effective than a custom hosts file. Ad servers can simply map back to localhost, your local machine. I wouldn't recommend this method for everyone for several reasons however. The Hosts file is a hidden system file. It is not easily accessible for modification and many current security tools block access to it. It may also prove time consuming to find the IP address of an adserver and then enter it into the Hosts file. Fortunately there are tools out there to make all of this a simpler ordeal. To learn more about the Hosts file and how to use it to block ads and other internet annoyances check out the excellent MVPs article where you can also download a regularly updated hosts file to get you started.

http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.htm

The MVPs hosts file is loaded with hundreds of the most common ad servers and malicious sites. To further simplify the process there are several Hosts file editors available. My favorite being HostsXpert, a portable applcation which allows you to easily manage the contents of the hosts file. With HostsXpert you can add and delete entries, backup your hosts file and restore it when needed as well as download and install the latest MVPs hosts file. HostsXpert is free and highly recommended.

HostsXpert can be found at http://www.funkytoad.com/.

NOTES:

The MVPS Hosts file is a precompiled list, it may contain adresses that you would rather not have blocked. It may also inhibit the functionality of some websites that rely on referal and pay-per-click servers. To get around this problem use HostsXpert to back up your custom Hosts file next retore the Windows Hosts file. Do what you need to do with the website and then restore the backup of your custom Hosts file.

The Hosts file does not prevent pop-ups. You will likely get a blank pop-up but the occurence is still annoying, you still require a good pop-up blocker to handle this issue.

If your browser's default Page Not Found/Localhost page comes up on a link that should otherwise be valid the link is likely powered by a refferal service which is blocked by the MVPs Hosts file. Follow the instructions for restoring your Windows Hosts file and try again.

Google Adsense and Adwords are blocked, so links that rely on them will not work, particularly Sponsered Links via the Google search results.

Posted 7 months ago #

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