# People who use the internet without ad-blockers - why? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [June 12, 2011, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-who-use-the-internet-without-ad-blockers-why/585215 "2011-06-12T14:10:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Steophan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steophan/32/9595_2.png) [@Steophan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steophan)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2011, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-who-use-the-internet-without-ad-blockers-why/585215/1 "2011-06-12T14:10:55Z")
Having read yet another thread about malware supposedly coming from ads on this site, I’m curious as to why anyone would browse without an ad-blocker. Not only will it improve your computer security, but reduce page loading times and make pages look better. So, why do you do it? ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2011, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-who-use-the-internet-without-ad-blockers-why/585215/2 "2011-06-12T14:13:47Z")
You’d be surprised how many people don’t know such things exist. I’ve seen numerous articles about online security and seldom are ad blockers mentioned. ---
**Author:** ![Steophan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steophan/32/9595_2.png) [@Steophan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steophan)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2011, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-who-use-the-internet-without-ad-blockers-why/585215/3 "2011-06-12T14:18:18Z")
> [@runner pat](#): > > You’d be surprised how many people don’t know such things exist. > > I’ve seen numerous articles about online security and seldom are ad blockers mentioned. They get mentioned repeatedly in all the ATMB threads here, though, and people still seem to not be using them. Depending on where you read the articles, there may be a reason they’re not mentioned - the writer may wish to stay on good terms with advertisers. ---
**Author:** ![G-SE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/f0a364/32.png) [@G-SE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/G-SE)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2011, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-who-use-the-internet-without-ad-blockers-why/585215/4 "2011-06-12T14:19:42Z")
Many websites out there exist only because they are supported by ad revenue. Without the ads, they simply would not exist. I don’t feel the need to rip off the people who take the time to build the sites I enjoy. ---
**Author:** ![Steophan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steophan/32/9595_2.png) [@Steophan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steophan)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2011, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-who-use-the-internet-without-ad-blockers-why/585215/5 "2011-06-12T14:25:18Z")
> [@G-SE](#): > > Many websites out there exist only because they are supported by ad revenue. Without the ads, they simply would not exist. I don’t feel the need to rip off the people who take the time to build the sites I enjoy. I assume you never fast-forward through the adverts if you record a tv show, and watch all the trailers on DVDs you rent? Also, there’s no way I’ll buy something from an unsolicited ad on a website, that’s an even worse idea than allowing ads in the first place. ---
**Author:** ![Implicit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Implicit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Implicit)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2011, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-who-use-the-internet-without-ad-blockers-why/585215/6 "2011-06-12T14:29:57Z")
Quite a lot of people browse forums from work and aren’t allowed to download programs to those computers, which includes the ad blocking addons. ---
**Author:** ![Sateryn76](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e4f/32.png) [@Sateryn76](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sateryn76)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2011, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-who-use-the-internet-without-ad-blockers-why/585215/7 "2011-06-12T14:33:36Z")
I could use it, but I don’t see the ads anymore, so why bother? My security is tight, so I’m in no danger. And, every once in a while, I see an ad for something that interests me. ---
**Author:** ![MsWhatsit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eb8c5e/32.png) [@MsWhatsit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsWhatsit)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2011, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-who-use-the-internet-without-ad-blockers-why/585215/8 "2011-06-12T14:36:21Z")
> [@Implicit](#): > > Quite a lot of people browse forums from work and aren’t allowed to download programs to those computers, which includes the ad blocking addons. Bingo. When I was working in an office, I had to put up with their preferred browser and add-ons, which I assure you did not include ad-blocking software. ---
**Author:** ![mutantmoose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a87d85/32.png) [@mutantmoose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mutantmoose)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2011, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-who-use-the-internet-without-ad-blockers-why/585215/9 "2011-06-12T14:41:40Z")
dunno really. Seems like adblock plus is just for firefox, I use ie. I haven’t got round to looking into ones that work on ie. There’s one called simple adblock - is that any good? ---
**Author:** ![G-SE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/f0a364/32.png) [@G-SE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/G-SE)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2011, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-who-use-the-internet-without-ad-blockers-why/585215/10 "2011-06-12T14:42:32Z")
> [@Steophan](#): > > I assume you never fast-forward through the adverts if you record a tv show, and watch all the trailers on DVDs you rent? > > Also, there’s no way I’ll buy something from an unsolicited ad on a website, that’s an even worse idea than allowing ads in the first place. Television advertising and online advertising do not work the same way. Even if you fast forward through an ad on a recorded show, that ad has already been paid for. In most cases, blocking an ad on a site does prevent the ad being paid for. There’s a big difference. Also, the trailers on rented DVDs don’t direclty pay for the production of the DVD. And lastly, not all online advertisements require you to “buy something” for the site owner to generate revenue. Sometimes all it takes is someone to see the ad with no further action required. ---
**Author:** ![Steophan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steophan/32/9595_2.png) [@Steophan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steophan)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2011, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-who-use-the-internet-without-ad-blockers-why/585215/11 "2011-06-12T15:00:05Z")
> [@mutantmoose](#): > > dunno really. Seems like adblock plus is just for firefox, I use ie. I haven’t got round to looking into ones that work on ie. There’s one called simple adblock - is that any good? I don’t use IE, so I don’t know what’s available for it. Adblock Plus is also available on Chrome, and Adblock on Opera. The latter is what I use, and it seems to work fine. > [@G-SE](#): > > Television advertising and online advertising do not work the same way. Even if you fast forward through an ad on a recorded show, that ad has already been paid for. In most cases, blocking an ad on a site does prevent the ad being paid for. There’s a big difference. > > Also, the trailers on rented DVDs don’t direclty pay for the production of the DVD. > > And lastly, not all online advertisements require you to “buy something” for the site owner to generate revenue. Sometimes all it takes is someone to see the ad with no further action required. it sounds like the end result of your argument would be that I have a moral duty to view ads that could harm my computer, so someone else can make money. I’m not sure I accept that. ---
**Author:** ![MsWhatsit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eb8c5e/32.png) [@MsWhatsit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsWhatsit)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2011, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-who-use-the-internet-without-ad-blockers-why/585215/12 "2011-06-12T15:13:42Z")
I have never seen a user agreement on any website that made viewing ads a condition of use. Ads are frequently vectors for viruses and other malware, and additionally are annoying as shit. I do not feel I have any moral duty to view them. ---
**Author:** ![G-SE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/f0a364/32.png) [@G-SE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/G-SE)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2011, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-who-use-the-internet-without-ad-blockers-why/585215/13 "2011-06-12T15:17:36Z")
> [@Steophan](#): > > it sounds like the end result of your argument would be that I have a moral duty to view ads that could harm my computer, so someone else can make money. I’m not sure I accept that. Wow, since when does 1+1=tree? You asked why people don’t use a blocker, I gave my reasoning. You responded with a clear lack of understanding how advertising works in general, so I tried to explain it to you. All that ends up as every website that shows advertising is part of an evil conspiracty to harm your computer. Bravo. See site tagline. ---
**Author:** ![G-SE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/f0a364/32.png) [@G-SE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/G-SE)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2011, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-who-use-the-internet-without-ad-blockers-why/585215/14 "2011-06-12T15:36:04Z")
> [@MsWhatsit](#): > > I have never seen a user agreement on any website that made viewing ads a condition of use. Ads are frequently vectors for viruses and other malware, and additionally are annoying as shit. I do not feel I have any moral duty to view them. Even if a site doesn’t forbid you to not use an ad blocker, that doesn’t negate the fact I stated that most sites need ad revenue to exist. Ads are **not** frequently vectors for viruses and other malware, but like any other media including the website itself, you computer may be vulnerable to exploits if you don’t take the proper precautions. I never spoke of a moral duty to view them, just don’t cry when your favorite “free” site all of a sudden requires you to pay or decides to close down. ---
**Author:** ![Steophan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steophan/32/9595_2.png) [@Steophan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steophan)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2011, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-who-use-the-internet-without-ad-blockers-why/585215/15 "2011-06-12T15:37:42Z")
> [@G-SE](#): > > Wow, since when does 1+1=tree? > > You asked why people don’t use a blocker, I gave my reasoning. > > You responded with a clear lack of understanding how advertising works in general, so I tried to explain it to you. > > All that ends up as every website that shows advertising is part of an evil conspiracty to harm your computer. Bravo. See site tagline. It’s an undeniable fact that _some_ internet advertising can harm my computer, and the only way I know to be sure it won’t is to block the ads. Running plenty of anti-malware programs will of course get close, but not to 100%. These two quotes from you - > [@](#): > > I don’t feel the need to rip off the people who take the time to build the sites I enjoy. > [@](#): > > In most cases, blocking an ad on a site does prevent the ad being paid for. There’s a big difference. -led me to my conclusion that you think people _should_ view ads online. If I’ve misunderstood you, I apologise, and would welcome clarification. ---
**Author:** ![MsWhatsit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eb8c5e/32.png) [@MsWhatsit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsWhatsit)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2011, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-who-use-the-internet-without-ad-blockers-why/585215/16 "2011-06-12T15:40:58Z")
> [@G-SE](#): > > Ads are **not** frequently vectors for viruses and other malware, but like any other media including the website itself, you computer may be vulnerable to exploits if you don’t take the proper precautions. Are you just quibbling with the definition of “frequently” here or what? Because I think it’s generally accepted that ads are in fact one vector for malware infections. I’d be happy to say “sometimes” instead of “frequently” if that makes you happy. (I’m on a Mac these days so it’s no longer much of an issue for me personally.) ---
**Author:** ![Edward\_The\_Head](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ce73a5/32.png) [@Edward\_The\_Head](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Edward_The_Head)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2011, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-who-use-the-internet-without-ad-blockers-why/585215/17 "2011-06-12T16:45:14Z")
> [@MsWhatsit](#): > > I have never seen a user agreement on any website that made viewing ads a condition of use. Ads are frequently vectors for viruses and other malware, and additionally are annoying as shit. I do not feel I have any moral duty to view them. I have, [gameknot.com](http://gameknot.com), a chess site, doesn’t let me play any more because I have an ad blocker. Maybe they shouldn’t of had those huge moving ads while I was playing. ---
**Author:** ![Wesley\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wesley_clark/32/20581_2.png) [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2011, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-who-use-the-internet-without-ad-blockers-why/585215/18 "2011-06-12T16:54:37Z")
What is a good one for opera? Firefox blockers were easy to find, but I am having trouble finding a highly rated free one for opera that is from a reliable site and works on vista. ---
**Author:** ![Steophan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steophan/32/9595_2.png) [@Steophan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steophan)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2011, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-who-use-the-internet-without-ad-blockers-why/585215/19 "2011-06-12T17:18:59Z")
> [@Wesley\_Clark](#): > > What is a good one for opera? Firefox blockers were easy to find, but I am having trouble finding a highly rated free one for opera that is from a reliable site and works on vista. I use Opera Adblock. It’s not as good as Adblock Plus on Firefox, but I don’t want to use Firefox 4… ---
**Author:** ![xoferew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/e9a140/32.png) [@xoferew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xoferew)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2011, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-who-use-the-internet-without-ad-blockers-why/585215/20 "2011-06-12T18:42:58Z")
For me? Inertia. It’s on my lengthy list of things to eventually do like clean the blinds and throw away old stuff in the freezer. The ads haven’t annoyed me enough yet to move to the top of my list. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-who-use-the-internet-without-ad-blockers-why/585215.md?page=2)