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Pop up ads, again

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  • Member since
    December 2008
  • From: Toronto, Canada
  • 2,560 posts
Pop up ads, again
Posted by 54light15 on Saturday, February 27, 2021 10:23 AM

My computer was recently "upgraded" to Windows 10 and now on the Trains forum it's one pop up after another. I have the ad-blocker engaged but I am still getting these. Any advice out there? 

  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Northern New York
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Posted by tree68 on Saturday, February 27, 2021 11:16 AM

If you're comfortable doing so, upload a "hosts" file and put it in place.  There are instructions on-line for doing so, and several sites have compiled suitable files.

The hosts file will block most such pop-ups.  I regularly get requests to disable my "ad blocker."  I just say I will and get on with my business.

The best part is that a hosts file won't have any malware in it, like some ad-blockers might.

LarryWhistling
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Posted by Convicted One on Saturday, February 27, 2021 12:01 PM

54light15
My computer was recently "upgraded" to Windows 10

 

There are two sides to the "ad blocker" game.  As you become increasingly strict in  setting what types of activity will be blocked, you also block some of the bells and whistles that make the  internet enjoyable.   Nothing can be more frustrating than to have to sit and wait watching your browser falter until it times out, just because it is doing it's job blocking content that a webpage depends upon to load.

Because of this, many ad blockers are set up by default to be very permissive in what they will allow to pass, leaving it up to you to decide if you want to go more strict.

I suggest this because of your new install. So check your settings for your ad blocker plug in and see if you need to raise the threshold a little better.

 

Alternately, sometimes my ad blocker fails to initialize properly, and just out of the blue I see ads every where. Usually a restart will fix this.  You don't mention if you have experenced your problem on multiple occasions, or if you're experiencing this only on your first boot.

So, reboot, and then see if your settings need to be made a little more aggressive would be my first suggestions.

 

Also  keep in mind that what Microsoft considers to be "mal ware" is completely different from what the rest of us consider to be intrusive.  Microsoft was created by people who see nothing wrong with people making money off your use of a computer.  So, their default settings tend to be more permissive for known "acceptable web partners", and focus mostly on known bad actors in term of who they block.

So, definitely go with a 3rd party blocker, if you haven't already.

  • Member since
    December 2008
  • From: Toronto, Canada
  • 2,560 posts
Posted by 54light15 on Saturday, February 27, 2021 1:57 PM

Thanks, I'll have to try that. It's only on the Trains forum that I get the pop-ups. 

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