Ad/cookie blocking software

[Dan Mitchell]

What is the best program to block ads, cookies etc while browsing? I've used Internet Mute which worked well but has been replaced by AdSubtract, which is a bit less effective. Also have AdWare to detect hidden ad "spies", a good idea, but I'm now looking for the best blocker.

Thanks,

Dan

[Paleo Pete]

In IE go to: Tools\Internet Options\Security tab, click Custom Level and look for Cookies. Disable stored cookies, those are the ones that stay there...no more cookies. No third party software needed.

Per session cookies are not saved, they are only for use while actively on the Internet, allowing pages you've been to already to load quicker if you go back. Those cn be disabled too.

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[yawningdog]

Interesting twist to this topic. Disable cookies. Now run a search for "second amendment". I'm told that if ya can't be tracked, ya can't go.

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[Dan Mitchell]

Thanks for the replies. Re: keeping cookies from being stored beyond the present session, since I use netscape (doesn't have an option for this like Pete discribed for IE, which retains cookies for the present session but doesn't store them, as opposed to blocking them altogether), I always set my browser & windows dir cookies folders/files to read only, has the same effect. What I liked about Internet Mute was it would block the ad windows which appear in so many web sites. Sometimes it would prevent a site from operating, but if you keep this in mind & disable Mute when appropriate you were ok. Only thing I didn't like about it (and AdSubtract) is it uses their site as a proxy server. Not sure if this slows things more than the ads, but at least you didn't get the ADS, which most of us probably get more than enough of on every other damned surface/spare moment in time these days.

Most here probably know that there's now a cookie "feature" called advertising spyware which apparently connects back to a site w/o your re-visiting and reports your browsing habits. AdAware (www.lavasoft.de) blocks this.

Dan