Whether you use Chrome, Firefox, or any other typical browser, you’ll probably be enticed by some extensions and plugins. And when you consider getting ad blocking extensions, the alarm bells start ringing. The most popular ad blockers in use are Adblock, Adblock Plus, and uBlock Origin. They have their pros and cons, though. The opinion is divided as to whether to get them at all, considering there are ways advertisers can bypass these restrictions. And extensions, too, enable marketers at the cost of user privacy. How’s that for safe browsing?
If internet security is important to you, consider getting no extensions at all. Ad blocker or not, any extension can help snoop on you. So what do you do? You switch to a lighter, faster, and safer browser, like Kingpin, that has a default ad blocking feature and doesn’t allow extensions. However, if you’re not looking for complete privacy and just want to know if Adblock is free and safe, read on and find the pros and cons of this extension. Let’s begin with the pros.
Pages load faster
Since Adblock and Adblock Plus limit the running of ads, pages generally load faster. This depends on the page. If a page uses heavy adverts, its loading will become noticeably faster. However, for pages that use minimal ads, you won’t notice much difference. Web pages that you frequently visit are quicker to load and are more optimized.
Uninterrupted browsing
This one’s a no-brainer. When the extension restricts ads and recommendations, you do not experience breaks in browsing. A no-ad session is a luxury, especially if you are hard at work online, or engrossed in gaming.
Optimized system storage
Some ad-block extensions, like uBlock Origin, don’t use a lot of CPU. That is, they do not slow down your system by occupying a lot of space.
Are there are downsides to getting these extensions that limit ads?
Yes, there are. You may involuntarily share confidential information, suffer broken pages, or get attacked by malware.
Sharing of user data
Sadly, websites need to stay afloat. While ad blocker extensions do allow users to obstruct ads, they do let a few of them slip in through something known as the Acceptable Ads program. These extensions accept some form of payment from advertisers to allow them visibility to their target audience – you.
In this bargain, the ad blocker gets the money and the marketer gets your data. Guess who returns empty-handed? You.
No matter which adblocker you get, you cannot put a full-stop to all advertisements all the time. Besides, when browsers get their codes rewritten to remove restrictions on advertisers, the popular ad blocking extensions become redundant.
Hard-to-access web pages
Some users also complain that adblockers block even some of the most useful features and functions of websites. This is a complete waste of time since the very point of installing extensions is to optimize the browsing experience.
Malware infection
It might also happen that users download malware masquerading as useful files. If this is the case, you stand to lose valuable data and compromise your online security. An innocent looking file could just be the latest virus let loose on your system.
Is Adblock worth getting?
Whether you decide to get it or not and whether it is safe, depends partly on what you consider to be safe. If you don’t mind sharing user data or passwords with websites, or rather enjoy relevant ads, there is no reason you should block them. After all, not all ads are meant to harm you. Relevant ads are sometimes useful, informative, and welcome interruptions.
However, if it bothers you that some stranger’s virtual eyes are always on you or if you fear exposing your online identity or confidential information, getting an ad block extension is indispensable. But it is worth noting that even the most popular browser extensions, do, from time to time, allow marketers past the restrictions and into your safe browsing zone. Every website, after all, makes money out of ads and there is only so much they can do for users without limiting their own earnings. Hence, getting an ad blocking extension is good, but getting a more suitable alternative for stopping ads is way better.
What is the best alternative to AdBlock and AdBlock Plus?
The best way to browse without an extension is by switching to a different browser that naturally repeals them. Kingpin, for instance, is faster and lighter than Chrome and is a lot more secure, since it does not allow any ads to disturb you. It has a default ad-block function that is always on. So you can browse without worrying about leaking your information.
Besides, the browser lets you work anonymously. When you use it, you are automatically working undercover, privately. This minimizes the chances of snooping. Not only extensions, Kingpin effectively forgets cookies and user data once your session is up and you have logged out. This browser is a useful little tool to enhance your virtual security, limit ads, and enjoy peaceful browsing.
To further strengthen user privacy, Kingpin puts unique, four-digit pin protection on its tabs. Meaning, if you accidentally close them, you and only you can re-open them using a secret PIN. It is that secure.
Check out sensitive content, pay bills, and shop online with Kingpin, your default, incognito browser. The dangers are real, especially on public or shared computers. So choose your browser carefully and ward off unwanted attention.
The bottom line
Adblocking browser extensions are a blessing and a curse. They are good for better browsing but many of them are used for tracking website visitors. And not all extensions stop all ads from showing. They have to allow some to maintain website earning. And the risk lies right there.
To enhance online security, it is best to go extension-free. That is, install no extension file that could jeopardize your identity or expose your online actions to internet marketers, or worse, hackers. And the shortest possible way of doing this is migrating to an additional browser like Kingpin that doesn’t allow any extension to operate. It is your go-to incognito browser that hides your identity. It ensures that your browsing sessions go as planned, without ads showing up incessantly.
