Need some simple IE/Flash ad help

[Arnold Yim]

I remember reading this over at GG a while ago, but for obvious reasons I can't find it.

I am getting annoying Flash web ads, and I want to get rid of them.  I don't want to use another browser, since I am used to Microsoft's not so good IE browser.  However, I am starting to hate Flash, and since I am on dialup anyways I really don't need it for anything.  

So, any way to get rid of Flash?  Do I check some option somewhere, or delete the installed components, etc?

Thx in advance.  And I hope this question is in the right section :-)

[Destructor]

Yes, I know that this isn't the answer you're looking for, but...

Get Firefox...

Built in ad-blocking (which can be easily enhanced by a plugin), built in pop-up blocking, mouse based gesturing (plugin) that drastically increases the ease of the web... Oh, and none of the security flaws that IE has.

To answer your question though, yes, there is a way to delete Flash/Shockwave after you've installed it, but I don't know the command offhand to see/edit what's been installed in your browser. Now that I think on it though, I thought that Service Pack 2 for WinXP was going to do that as an option...

[Arnold Yim]

*Sigh*

Thanks Destructor.

I guess I should finally switch to Firefox lol.  I tried Avant Browser, but it was too "different."  Hopefully I can get used to Firefox.

To think I was a Netscape/Mac zealot back in college.  Look at me now, clutching to my Windows XP/IE. . . . I feel like a traitor :-D

[Anonymous Bosch]

Try PopUpCop.

It's a shareware pop-up ad killer that also allows you to disable a wide variety of other annoyances (including Flash, ActiveX controls, JavaScript and so on). Although it isn't freeware, you can at least download a 30-day free trial.

[Grinfin]

http://www.macromedia.com/support/flash/ts/documents/remove_player.htm

^^If you specifically want to get rid of Flash.

[Destructor]

http://www.macromedia.com/support/flash/ts/documents/remove_player.htm

^^If you specifically want to get rid of Flash.

See, I knew there was an easy to remove method. Just didn't know what it was/where to look.

I still recommend you switch to Firefox anyway.

[Grinfin]

I still recommend you switch to Firefox anyway.

I do too. I've been using Firefox for a while and love it. Except for the cache. It seems to make its own variety of cache files so you can't go in and find, e.g., a Flash movie you want to save. Or maybe I just don't know what I'm doing.

[Destructor]

I do too. I've been using Firefox for a while and love it. Except for the cache. It seems to make its own variety of cache files so you can't go in and find, e.g., a Flash movie you want to save. Or maybe I just don't know what I'm doing.

I've never really dug through Firefox's cache, well, ever, so I wouldn't know about this. I also don't have Shockwave or Flash installed on this browser, so I couldn't view them if I tried.

That's why I keep IE around - just for that and nothing more.

[pricecs]

I'll second both above suggestions:

Firefox is definately the way to go - I've been using it since the 0.6 release and do 95% of my browsing in it. Be sure to grab the FlashBlock extension - it replaces the Flash with an icon you can press to run if you want (since not all Flash are ads). Also grab AdBlock to rip out all the banners, and 'IEView' that lets you open a link in IE directly from FF..

I also have PopUpCop - by far the best thing to happen to IE, and well worth the money (I paide for it a couple of years ago and still get free updates). It does a wonderful job of PopUps and also blocks Flash (again, you can selectively start it). The newest release also takes care of those annoying ads that 'float' over the top of the page (PopUpCop calls them Layers).

Chris.

[Zaxxon]

I'll live up to my name and continue pushing Opera on this new Internet home.    

You need Opera

Why you need Opera

[Destructor]

I'll live up to my name and continue pushing Opera on this new Internet home.    

And why I prefer Firefox (unless things have changed):

1) Firefox is completely, totally, and utterly free.
2) It doesn't have the same name as that person on TV that I utterly hate.

You know, Zaxxon, I remember doing these same arguments with you before...

[Zaxxon]

You know, Zaxxon, I remember doing these same arguments with you before...

Yep; they'll never end.  Find solace in the fact that we're both enlightened, just with slightly differing philosophies.   :lol:

[Arnold Yim]

Thx so much guys :-)

I didn't know I could load pages like 50% faster just by using Firefox :-)  Using dialup, downloading those banner ads are real bandwidth killers lol.