Effective Tactics to Eliminate Disruptive Ads on Android

If you are an Android user, you are likely familiar with the frustration of pop-up ads interrupting your browsing experience.

These ads can be not only annoying but also potentially harmful, as they may contain malware or direct you to phishing sites.

However, there are effective strategies Android users can follow to combat this nuisance and reclaim their browsing experience.

In this article, we will delve into some of the strategies one can employ to stop ads below.

Effective Ads Blocking Tactics Used on Android — A poster highlighting some of the ways one can block ads on phones. PHOTO/Courtesy

Option 1: Regularly updating your device operating system.

One of the primary steps to address this issue is to ensure that your Android device’s operating system is regularly updated.

By keeping your system up to date, you can leverage the latest security features that are designed to block unwanted ads from appearing.

Option 2: Adjusting web browser settings

In addition to system updates, adjusting the settings of your web browser can also significantly reduce the occurrence of pop-up ads.

Many popular browsers, such as Google Chrome, offer built-in pop-up blockers that users can enable.

In this article, we will discuss two widely used web browsers: Chrome and Firefox.

Also Read: 3 Simple Steps to Cancel Unwanted Safaricom Subscriptions from Your Phone

To block pop-up ads in Chrome, follow these steps:

Open the Chrome app on your Android phone or tablet.
Click on the three dots in the top right of your browser.
Select Settings followed by Site Settings.
Scroll down to Pop-ups and redirects and ensure block sites from showing pop-ups and redirects are selected.

To block pop-up ads in Firefox, follow these steps:

Open the Firefox browser on your Android device.
Click on the menu (the three horizontal lines) at the top right of your browser.
Select Settings and then select Notifications.
Make sure the box that says Allow Notifications is off.

Option 3: Installing third-party ad blockers

If you are still seeing pop-up ads, you may want to consider installing a third-party ad blocker.

Here are some of the key reasons to use third-party ad blockers on Android devices:

Security and Malware Protection: Ad blockers can prevent malicious ads that may contain malware or lead to infected websites, protecting users from potential security threats.

Improved Performance: Blocking resource-heavy ads and trackers can significantly improve browsing speed and reduce data usage on Android devices.

Enhanced Privacy: Ad blockers help safeguard user privacy by blocking the tracking mechanisms often used by online advertisements to collect user data.

Customizable Experience: Third-party ad blockers allow users to tailor their browsing experience by blocking not just ads, but also other unwanted content like pop-ups and recommendations.

Protection for Vulnerable Users: Ad blockers can filter out inappropriate or adult-oriented ads, making the internet safer for children and other vulnerable users.

Popular ad blockers for Android include Adblock Plus, AdGuard, and uBlock Origin, which can effectively suppress pop-up ads across various apps and websites.

Option 4: Disable app notifications and permissions

In addition to appearing in web browsers, pop-up ads can also surface within specific apps or even on the home screen of your Android device.

Here are the steps on how to address pop-ups originating from apps:

Open Android settings.
Tap Apps, then choose the browser you want to customize permissions for.
Tap Permissions, then select Notifications.
Toggle off to block notification permissions for the Android browser.

Lastly, users must exercise caution when interacting with links or downloads from unfamiliar sources.

These can contain malware or lead you to phishing sites that can steal your personal information.

Also Read: How to Cancel Mobile Subscriptions and Save Money

As the Google Help guide warns, “Beware of sites that may cause you to download unwanted software.”

Always ensure that you are on a secure website (look for “https” in the URL) and that you trust the source before clicking on any links or downloading any files.

By verifying the security and credibility of websites before engaging with any content, users can protect their devices from potential security threats.