The ad server list is available in various formats and somehow it should be possible to import it into avast!'s webshield.
So my question might be: Where does avast! store the list of to be blocked urls? And what format does avast! use?
Currently I use WebWasher to block those urls and my idea is to get rid of WebWasher if avast! turns out to be sufficiently effective in blocking ad sites.
I’m well aware of avast!'s main purpose, but I would like to give it a try anyway. It’s too temptimg to possibly get rid of another piece of software …
And no, I don’t use Mozilla/Firefox. There is really no compelling reason to do so - imho.
Well now it might be. You can block ads by using AdBlock extension for Firefox.
Block list for AdBlock can be found on my eXcessive Software page found in my signature.
For me,AdBlock is probably the one and main reason to use Firefox. It’s just so damn good Otherwise i’d probably use Opera hehe
Just load the block list to AdBlock extension and say goodby to ad banners and other crap on webpages.
WebWasher is ok,but not nearly as flexible and effective as AdBlock.
No i haven’t promoted Firefox and i have answered your question.
Web Shield is not an AdBlocking program. WebWasher is,but it has way too many compatibility problems and doesn’t do it’s job as it should.
I don’t care which browser you use even if its Internet Exporer 1.0.
I just gave you the most logical (and actually working and usefull) solution.
RejZoR’s right: it is an excellent solution if you want to block ads.
I believe the avast! team have something up their sleave for version 5: the possibility of adding a blocklist to webshield rather than individual entries. Being an anti-virus company, they may well be concentrating on malware rather than adware servers, we shall have to wait and see. Meanwhile, Firefox Adblock is recommended if you don’t like ads.
http://remember.mine.nu/ have most you need. As long as host file is maintained it is still good solution but look into edexter and dnskong. Dnskong give systemwide protection! Will work in all browsers, a bit like Ad Muncher which is the best by far but not free.
About Adblock: Forget orignal Adblock Plus is better http://www.sitesled.com/members/bene/adblock.htm latest dev. har working whitelist for example. No more crybaby talk about killing revenues, if site is worth supporting user can whitelist it. Then either show ads or download but hide them. Author says he will not add more, now only want to improve compatibility. Sweet words.
If you refer to Adblock whitelist yes it is great you can download ads but still hide them with a per site policy. What people have been asking of Adblock for ages. Default = kill them all - User selected sites = ad supported but with option of hiding them.
Well the debate of ad-killing vs. ad-support is more or less dead with whitelisting option. General blocking not popular everywhere. Now user has more control… Ive allready added at least 10 “good” sites which depend on ads to some degree. No more talk about lost revenues etc.
drahnier, unfortunately, there’s no IMPORT feature…
The definitions are in the MDB or XML file (depending on the Database=… setting in the INI file) but I wouldn’t recommend changing it directly (they’re assumed to be divided into parts).
RejZoR: As a special service just for you I’ll repeat my question:
“So my question might be: Where does avast! store the list of to be blocked urls? And what format does avast! use?”
My AdBlock is massively relying on such masks. And i must admit they are very effective.
Only problem with Web Shield blocking is that it doesn’t collapse web objects like AdBlock does. It also can’t always remove all ads (some visual glitches are left).
I know your question is where avast saves the blocked url so u can edit the file manually and add many urs in few buttons, Well I dont know BUT Since your objective is to just block the ads and get rid of the software doing it, You can use the way I do it.
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