Adblocks plus Google search results with adverts pre-warning system.What is an Ad Blocker and why do you need it?
Ad-Busters is an Ad blocker that, as the name suggests, is supposed to block ads in your browser. This is because, as anyone who's ever used the internet will know, any new window popping up or any ad sliding into your browser is annoying. Often really annoying. Nowadays unnecessary ads constantly bother users, restricting their access to peaceful web browsing.
But one of the main reasons to use an Ad Blocker is the security while browsing. Because hacked Adservers are often attacking the client (browser of the user) through unfixed bugs and then they try to gain access to the computer and/or private data. When you block ads before the site is rendered you block the malicious Adservers. That’s why Adblocking is not just more peaceful browsing, it makes browsing much safer.
What could be more annoying than having to constantly tackle pop-ups while trying to read an article, or having to watch pointless ads before finally being able to watch your preferred video on Youtube? Luckily, you don't have to answer this question because the internet advertising industry is way ahead of you. This is an industry dedicated to destroying your user experience, sometimes creating mazes of windows opening within other windows, making it all-but impossible for you to see the window you actually want. You may even end up downloading a file or app you don't want. This isn't just an irritation, this can include malware or other malicious software. Ads in apps and browsers can only really be accurately described as the scourge of the internet.
We are motivated by the desire to fight this scourge. We are standing alongside you on the side of good in the fight against this evil. Clearly, you would prefer not to have to waste your time closing intrusive pop-up ads standing in the way of the content you are aiming to see in the first place. This frustration, that you and millions like you experience on a daily basis, is what drives us on. We are here to help.
Unfortunately, this isn't a fight that can be easily won. Ads are one of the main ways that most websites generate revenue. So just as we don't like ads, and we try to block them, websites don't like ad blockers and are always developing new ways to get round them.
What do most Ad Blockers actually do? They are bribable
Most Ad Blockers do two things. They do block some ads, as you would expect. But they also have a clever, or rather devious, way of generating revenue. Without mentioning any of our specific competitors by name, adblock, adblock plus and the like let advertisers pay to be put on a so-called whitelist. This exempts their advertisements from the ad blocking filter and lets the user see them. Or rather, forces the user to see them.
Effectively, this means that adblock has sold out. Instead of fighting your corner in the battle against online advertising pests, adblock and adblock plus are in bed with the enemy. Which isn't just deceitful, but also restricts your access to the text, video or other content you're trying to see.
Ultimately, adblock makes its money by failing to offer the service it promises. And who has to bear the brunt of this failure, which allows countless ads to disrupt your online experience? Unfortunately, that would be you. Ad-Busters is different.
How is Ad-Busters different?
To begin, Ad-Busters feels your pain. Which is why you can be completely certain that we haven't secretly sold out. We're on your side and we always will be. This means that we do what ad blockers are supposed to do. We block ads. We don't sell you down the river or make deals behind your back. With us, you get the online experience you want and deserve.
Is that all?
No. As well as providing the most honest, reliable ad blocking service on the market, we boost your experience in Firefox with other great features.
You said something earlier about an Ad-O-Meter?
That's right. We've added the Ad-O-Meter to our latest version - it's a unique early-warning system for ad-heavy pages. When you google something, the Ad-O-Meter shows you – seamlessly integrated into the google search results – how many ads are going to be on each page. You see this before you even click on the link! This lets you avoid visiting pages covered in ads, and saves you having to click back and forth in firefox. Find ad-free pages faster, save time browsing and ultimately get the information you're looking for more quickly and more easily. Furthermore, steering clear of pages overloaded with unnecessary ads helps you keep your data usage down.
The Ad-O-Meter's little red bubbles help you identify which websites are full of ads and which are relatively less polluted. So, users can decide which link they want to click on to ensure a stress-free browsing environment. As opposed to our competitors (did someone say AdBlock?), you can trust that Ad-Busters will ensure you don’t lose your mind being chased deeper and deeper into hell by adverts that refuse to be closed.
How does this work?
The Ad-O-Meter service gathers data on the number of adverts on each URL, which forms the basis for the index. This data is then integrated back into the google search results. This means that the more people use Ad-Busters, the better and more accurate the data for the Ad-O-Meter is set to become. Our aim is that, eventually, people will be able to deactivate the actual adblocker part of the plugin, thereby avoiding anti-ad-blockers - and still benefit from the Ad-O-Meter.
Wow. Sounds great. AdBlock doesn't do that. Anything else?
As an adblocker, we're also interested in privacy. Which is why we also have a stealth mode which guarantees your privacy, and stops firefox tracking where you're browsing. Perfect for shared computers at home or for browsing at work - stealth mode gives you the option of keeping what should be private genuinely private. From you, from mozilla and, most importantly, from would-be advertisers. Stealth mode is an option which you can enable or disable with a simple click.
Get in touch
We're quite pleased with the current version - but we can always improve. That's why we're always looking to hear what you think - please get in touch
[email protected] or via the comments and let us know how you're getting on with Ad-Busters so we can make the next update even better. All updates are free – and will stay free – so your feedback will only help make your experience better. Let's work together and win this fight.