# Those annoying "dancing" ads

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/those-annoying-dancing-ads/415791>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [August 16, 2007, 5:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/those-annoying-dancing-ads/415791 "2007-08-16T05:11:45Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Little\_Wing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/51bf81/32.png) [@Little\_Wing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Wing)\
**Post date:** [August 16, 2007, 5:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/those-annoying-dancing-ads/415791/1 "2007-08-16T05:11:45Z")

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Several months ago, someone made a post about those annoying dancing ads that are on a lot of websites. Another poster offered a very easy solution to block the animation or the ad all together.

I had to completely reformat my computer today and unfortunately, I didn’t bookmark the thread when I read it months ago. :smack: I’m fairly certain it was in GQ but I’m not positive and I don’t have the strength to search through another forum, page by page, for the past six months.

I’d really appreciate it if someone could offer some assistance.

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**Author:** ![Reply](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/reply/32/15952_2.png) [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)\
**Post date:** [August 16, 2007, 5:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/those-annoying-dancing-ads/415791/2 "2007-08-16T05:15:17Z")

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If you use Firefox, try the [Adblock Plus](https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/1865) extension in conjunction with [Flashblock](https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/433).

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**Author:** ![Little\_Wing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/51bf81/32.png) [@Little\_Wing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Wing)\
**Post date:** [August 16, 2007, 5:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/those-annoying-dancing-ads/415791/3 "2007-08-16T05:28:38Z")

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I run IE and from what I can recall, the solution mentioned in that other thread was as simple as adding a line to a file on the PC. Wow, that was vague enough, huh? It’s the best I can remember.

Thank you for the response, **Reply**.

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**Author:** ![psiekier](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/psiekier/32/116_2.png) [@psiekier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psiekier)\
**Post date:** [August 16, 2007, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/those-annoying-dancing-ads/415791/4 "2007-08-16T19:47:03Z")

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[QUOTE=Little Wing]  
I run IE and from what I can recall, the solution mentioned in that other thread was as simple as adding a line to a file on the PC.  
[/QUOTE]  
You mean [adding an entry to your HOSTS file to block hijackers, advertisers, and other stupid stuff?](http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.htm)

My HOSTS file is pretty healthy these days. In fact, you can download a big one from that page which lists a multitude of known addresses of … dubious intent.