Removing unwanted content on webpages: Difference between revisions

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==NoScript==
==NoScript==
[https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/addon/722/ NoScript]allows you to  [[Allowing only certain sites to use JavaScript|block JavaScript except for sites you specify]].  Although its main function is to block malicious JavaScript, NoScript also blocks [[Java]], Silverlight, [[Flash]], [[Quicktime]], and other [http://noscript.net/features#contentblocking plugin content on untrusted sites].  For more information, see [http://noscript.net NoScript's home page] and the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NoScript NoScript article at Wikipedia].
[https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/addon/722/ NoScript]allows you to  [[Allowing only certain sites to use JavaScript|block JavaScript except for sites you specify]].  Although its main function is to block malicious JavaScript, NoScript also blocks [[Java]], Silverlight, [[Flash]], [[Quicktime]], and other [http://noscript.net/features#contentblocking plugin content on untrusted sites].  For more information, see [http://noscript.net NoScript's home page] and the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NoScript NoScript article at Wikipedia].
==Blocking with a  Hosts File vs. blocking with Adblock Plus==
The [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hosts_file Hosts file] contains the mappings of IP addresses to host names. You can use a HOSTS file to block ads, banners, 3rd party Cookies, 3rd party page counters, web bugs, and even most hijackers.  This is accomplished by blocking the connection(s) that supplies these little gems.  It should be your first line of defense.  See  [http://winhelp2002.mvps.org/hosts.htm Blocking Unwanted Parasites with a Hosts File]
The '''hosts file''' is not an extension and will work across your entire systems regardless of what browser or what Firefox profile you use.  But the entries are not very generic.  www.example.com,  example.com,  my.example.com  would each need separate entries.  '''Adblock Plus''' could block all of those and more with a generic entry blocking example.com altogether, but it only applies to your Firefox usage in the profile(s) it is installed in. 
'''Adblock Plus''' is easily turned on/off with a toolbar button on a toolbar,  the '''hosts file'''  is not easily turned on/off (must be removed/renamed by an Administrator) and the entries more restricted to absolutes in blocking (everybody) as opposed to those where users many want to make choices to block or not by adding/removing a filter or making their own exception to a filter within a filter subscription list.  Adblock Plus maintains each subscription list, and your own filters separately, so you can update a subscription without having to redo all of your own filter work.


==Other extensions==
==Other extensions==
Other extensions that can remove unwanted webpage content include:
Other extensions that can remove/modify unwanted webpage content include:
* [https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/addon/2108 Stylish]
* [https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/addon/2108 Stylish]
* [https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/addon/521 Remove It Permanently]
* [https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/addon/521 Remove It Permanently]
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* [https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/addon/748/ Greasemonkey]
* [https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/addon/748/ Greasemonkey]
* [https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/addon/4111 Aardvark]
* [https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/addon/4111 Aardvark]
* [[DOM Inspector]]  
* [[DOM Inspector]]


==See also==
==See also==

Revision as of 11:38, 6 June 2011

Many webpages contain advertising or other clutter you'd rather not see. These extensions can help you control unwanted content.

Adblock and Adblock Plus

For more information, see the Adblock article at Wikipedia. For details on adding filters, see Regular Expressions at MDC.

NoScript

NoScriptallows you to block JavaScript except for sites you specify. Although its main function is to block malicious JavaScript, NoScript also blocks Java, Silverlight, Flash, Quicktime, and other plugin content on untrusted sites. For more information, see NoScript's home page and the NoScript article at Wikipedia.

Blocking with a Hosts File vs. blocking with Adblock Plus

The Hosts file contains the mappings of IP addresses to host names. You can use a HOSTS file to block ads, banners, 3rd party Cookies, 3rd party page counters, web bugs, and even most hijackers. This is accomplished by blocking the connection(s) that supplies these little gems. It should be your first line of defense. See Blocking Unwanted Parasites with a Hosts File

The hosts file is not an extension and will work across your entire systems regardless of what browser or what Firefox profile you use. But the entries are not very generic. www.example.com, example.com, my.example.com would each need separate entries. Adblock Plus could block all of those and more with a generic entry blocking example.com altogether, but it only applies to your Firefox usage in the profile(s) it is installed in.

Adblock Plus is easily turned on/off with a toolbar button on a toolbar, the hosts file is not easily turned on/off (must be removed/renamed by an Administrator) and the entries more restricted to absolutes in blocking (everybody) as opposed to those where users many want to make choices to block or not by adding/removing a filter or making their own exception to a filter within a filter subscription list. Adblock Plus maintains each subscription list, and your own filters separately, so you can update a subscription without having to redo all of your own filter work.

Other extensions

Other extensions that can remove/modify unwanted webpage content include:

See also