Are Ad Blockers Good For Security?

How often do you try to watch a video online or read an article, maybe on a social media platform, and suddenly your screen is swarming with ads? It’s frustrating, not to mention confusing, at the best of times, with banners and flashing ads competing for your attention.

Most times, you can’t even focus on what you’re trying to read or watch and probably just abandon it anyway. That’s where ad blockers come in.

A lot of people use them with the sole purpose of cleaning up their online activity and making it look less cluttered. The thing is, they don’t just make a website look cleaner – they also make it safer.

However, it’s a little more complicated than just saying that they are good for security. Let’s get into it.

 

 

What Is An Ad Blocker?

 

An ad blocker can either be a browser extension or a built-in feature that prevents ads from loading on a website.

They work in a number of ways, either stopping recognised ad servers from delivering content to your browser or removing any ad elements that could be on the page.

Additionally, they can also put a stop to tracking scripts which are used by advertisers to monitor your activity and serve you specific ads based on your preferences. Ever wondered how funny it is when you look for something once and then suddenly it’s all over your Internet and social media? It’s not a coincidence.

Even though the main objective of ad blockers is to stop ads, they often end up blocking a lot of code in the process. Now, that’s where the security part comes in.

 

How Do Ad Blockers Improve Security?

 

These days, cybersecurity always needs to be top of mind. Hackers are getting more sophisticated and if you aren’t careful, you can easily fall victim to a phishing scam or find yourself with malware on your device.

While things like having a Virtual Private Network (VPN) keep you safe online, ad blockers also have a role to play in your security.

 

Tracking Scripts Are Blocked

 

The misconception about adverts is that they are just trying to sell you a product. That’s not necessarily their only goal, they also collect data about you and what you like – or don’t. With this information, they can build detailed profiles about you with some pretty good accuracy.

Now, this is usually for targeted advertising which seems harmless, right? But if that data was stolen in a breach, it could be used for fraud.

Ad blockers remove these tracking elements so that you and your data is more private online.

 

 

They Stop Phishing Ads

 

Phishing is the most common form of cyber attack because they are built on false identities. Some ads can disguise themselves as well-known brands that you probably trust to lure you in.

You’ve probably gone onto a website to see a notification pop up that you have won a brand new iPhone. This is definitely a scam and if you click on it, you’re inviting the hacker in.

But if these never load, which they won’t with ad blockers, you are less likely to fall for them.

 

The Risk Of Malvertising Is Reduced

 

Some ads are intentionally harmful because they carry malicious code. This tactic is known as malvertising.

The issue is, you don’t even need to actually click on the ad for it to wreak havoc. They can pick up any weak spots in your browser to install malware. The scary thing is, even legitimate websites can accidentally host these ads without knowing. They often then redirect you to another website which can be harmful.

When ads are removed entirely, this type of advertising can’t happen.

 

Is There A Catch To Using Ad Blockers?

 

Of course, there are some downsides to using ad blockers. Before you jump into using one, here are a few things that you should know.

They don’t replace an antivirus: Ad blockers can help you avoid certain threats but they can’t stop any existing malware or identify suspicious activity on your actual device. That’s all up to an antivirus programme.

Websites can break: Some websites rely on ads as a form of revenue and design their layout with this in mind. If ads are blocked, some elements could be missing from the page or you will get a notification asking to disable the ad blocker.

Not all ad blockers are safe: They can be dangerous themselves with extensions that spy on your browsing history. Some free ad blockers even sell your data to advertisers which is incredibly ironic in itself, isn’t it? This doesn’t always happen but it is best to use a reputable, open-source option.

 

Best Practices For Using Them

 

To avoid any unnecessary risks, always use a trusted ad blocker that has got plenty of user reviews. If it’s only got a handful of reviews and it doesn’t seem well-know, rather steer clear.

When you start using a reputable ad blocker, always keep it updated so it can block harmful ads as they evolve themselves.

Lastly, use it as one part of your overall cybersecurity system. It should work with an antivirus, VPN and a secure browser to make sure every base is covered.