Fine-tune ad blocker so you’re not shut out
Q: When I visit some websites I get a notice that I have to disable my ad blocker before I can view the page. Is there a way around this?
A: Websites make their money from the revenue generated by advertisements. These websites have a vested interest in making sure that their advertisements are viewed by as many people as possible and have developed technology that cannot only detect ad blockers, but can stop visitors from viewing the site when ad blockers are running.
I don’t fault the owners of these sites for doing this. This is how they make their money and pay their staff their hosting fees.
The good news is that you can selectively disable your ad blocker so that it doesn’t run on the sites that block the blockers. Consult the support documents for your ad blocker to learn how to fine-tune it.
There are many websites I read daily that aggressively prevent ad blockers, and I have learned to cope with it because the content I want to see is worth the intrusion of advertisers.
It is also worth noting that many of the larger information websites offer subscription services, which usually have far fewer advertisements. Some even offer a completely ad-free experience. If it’s a site you like and that benefits you, it may well be worth the cost of a subscription.
Surfing the web is a constantly changing endeavor. The advertisers get smarter and smarter as technology to block them becomes more sophisticated. You have to be willing to adjust and compromise.
Q: What’s the best web browser to install on my PC?
A: All browsers have their pros and cons. My default browser is Google Chrome, but I also keep Internet Explorer and Firefox installed on my Windows computers and Firefox and Safari on my Macs.
I have encountered situations where it’s good to have a backup.
There’s no harm in keeping multiple browsers installed on the same computer, and since they’re free, there’s also no cost. I recommend trying them all and seeing which one is the best fit for you.