Through the recent surge in digital marketing and ads being used everywhere, you must be seeing them everywhere now. While some of these ads are harmless and don’t really affect your online experience vastly, there is a majority of them that can be proven malicious in one way or another.
Even if that’s not the case and you simply want to scroll through social media or websites without having to come across ads or stream YouTube without waiting up to a whole minute. This is where one asks the most important question, “How to Block ads with a VPN?”
These ads, in addition to invading your privacy, also cause webpages to load more slowly, spoiling how you spend time online. Advertisements that appear out of nowhere and try to sell us stuff we don’t need are annoying, and in certain instances harmful.
On one hand, there are countless ways one can block ads through specific ads, but a VPN is known to bring in an expanded roster of features that help with overall security. According to the industry expert BestVPN.co, a VPN can be used for countless reasons, and there are specific ones that have a built-in ad-blocker like NordVPN called CyberSec. It detects ads and malware and blocks them.
How to Block Ads with a VPN – Detailed Guide
Tired of seeing redundant ads pop up on your screen the moment you open your browser? There are countless ways you can get around that through the use of a VPN. Although a VPN, like Surfshark, can make it more difficult for websites to follow your activity and lessen the likelihood of data leakage, it does not itself prevent ads.
You can use a variety of simple options to block ads and increase your overall security by using a VPN service alongside them. With the following ways, you can block ads easily and enjoy your time online.
Opt for a VPN with Built-In Ad-Blocker
You may see lesser advertising by using a VPN provider that includes integrated anti-ad and malware tools. However, many VPN providers now boast ad-blocking features as part of a bigger internet security package since ad blockers have become synonymous with online security. Using a VPN to avoid advertisements and is possible if you have a suitable subscription.
VPN ad blockers, however, have limitations, especially when it comes to blocking embedded ad content. They are unable to disable Spotify’s premium commercials, Facebook’s sponsored videos, or unskippable ads.
If your VPN service has this option, you may enable it as follows:
- Launch the VPN program, and head to the preferences menu.
- Discover and activate any ad-blocking or tracker-blocking options available.
- If your VPN has any special setup instructions or configuration settings, be sure to use them.
Use Extra Browser Extensions
Install an add-on that blocks advertisements, such as Adblock Plus or uBlock Origin. It is not necessary to use a VPN in order for these add-ons to properly block ads on the web. When it comes to ad blocking, browser add-ons and extensions are far superior to VPNs. However, using a VPN along with an add-on will only increase your overall security.
You can use the browser extensions through the given process:
- Get yourself an ad-blocking browser add-on. These add-ons are available in the extension or add-on shop for your browser (such as the Chrome Web shop for ).
- To turn on the ad blocker, choose its icon from the browser’s toolbar and click it.
- Adjust the parameters for the add-on if required. Most ad blockers allow you to fine-tune your ad-blocking settings, add or remove websites from your “whitelist,” and control other settings.
DNS with Ad-Blocking Service
You may avoid ads by using the DNS-based ad-blocking feature offered by some VPN services. Ad-serving domains are blocked while using their DNS servers. AdGuard DNS and NextDNS are two such services. In order to access these DNS servers, your device’s network settings must be adjusted.
If your device needs to look up a domain name, it will make a DNS query. The DNS server compares the domain name being requested to a blacklist of known advertising domains and blocks the connection if a match is found.
You can configure your settings with DNS with the following process:
- Pick an Ad-Blocking DNS Service. There are a number of ad-blocking systems that use the DNS. AdGuard DNS and NextDNS are two well-liked choices.
- Get your gadget set up! DNS settings are usually found under the general settings or Wi-Fi on most devices.
- Once the DNS settings have been adjusted, you may test ad blocking by going to certain websites or using specific apps.
Conclusion
In conclusion, advertisements’ effects on your time spent online might be quite variable. However, adverts that are too obtrusive, irrelevant, or infringing on your privacy can severely detract from your online experience. While still helping to fund content producers and providing targeted suggestions, they still harm your experience.
It’s important to keep in mind that not all VPN providers offer identical levels of ad-blocking functionality. Check user evaluations and the VPN’s official documentation to make sure its ad-blocking features work for your needs before making a purchase.