Ads are everywhere on the internet. They are annoying, distracting, and more often than not, irrelevant.
What you may not know is that ads can severely slow down your web browsing, compromise your privacy, and expose you to harmful malware.
Keep reading and we'll show you how you can block ads, and the many benefits of doing so.
Faster Page Loads
One of the main benefits of blocking ads with a DNS service is that it can make web pages load faster.
DNS services like Control D accomplish this by reducing the amount of data that your browser has to download and render when you visit a webpage.
Ads can take up a lot of bandwidth and processing power, especially if they are interactive, animated, or video-based.
Control D saves you time and resources by blocking ads, dramatically improving your browsing experience.
Eliminate 80% of Site Connections
Ad-blocking browser extensions can only block ads and trackers in your web browser. however, they can only protect you within the browser itself.
Unfortunately, many ads and trackers operate outside of the browser — in your operating system, installed programs, and mobile apps.
By configuring Control D at the system or router level, you can block ads and trackers network-wide. Control D will reroute all DNS queries to your personal resolver, applying your blocking rules universally.
This creates a comprehensive ad and tracker blocking capability across all of your devices and apps, eliminating most ads and trackers before they can even load.
System-level blocking with Control D is far more effective than relying on browser extensions alone.
That being said, you will still need an adblocker like Windscribe or uBlock Origin for ads that can’t be blocked at the DNS-level, like YouTube and Hulu ads.
Improve Privacy and Security
The third benefit of blocking ads with a DNS service is that it can improve your privacy and security.
Ads are not only annoying, but also potentially dangerous. They can contain trackers, malware, and phishing links that can harm your device or compromise your privacy.
For instance, AnyDesk is a remote desktop access solution with more than 300 million users worldwide. In April 2021, Hackers used malicious ads on Google to spread infected AnyDesk software to unsuspecting users.
These ads, in turn, led to a fake site with a hacked version of the software which would subsequently steal user system information and send it to the bad actors.
Approximately 40% of those who clicked the ad went on to install the infected software, and of that group, 20% had their data stolen by the malware.
Advanced Protection
No one is completely safe from these types of cyberattacks, and even the smartest users can sometimes fall victim to them.
By blocking ads with a DNS service, you can protect yourself from these threats even before they get presented to you. In fact, Control D can even use AI to filter malware, should you choose to enable it.
What’s more, Control D itself does not store or collect any of your data. (Don’t want to create an account? Check out our free resolvers.)
A Safer Web for Kids
Control D also provides options to filter out sites containing clickbait, drugs, gambling, and adult content.
Parents are also able to block or schedule times for social media use. This also includes the ability to make search engine results safe for kids.
Check out our guide for parental controls to learn more.
How to Setup Control D
To set up Control D for ad blocking, first create an account and choose a subscription plan, either the free trial or a paid option.
After you sign up, you can access your dashboard to make a custom profile that defines how Control D handles your DNS queries. Tailor the profile to your preferences.
Then add a device and associate it with your profile. You can then follow Control D's setup guides for your specific device or platform to direct DNS traffic through Control D. This allows Control D to process DNS queries according to your profile settings.
Enable Protections in Control D
To customize your filters in Control D:
- Select Profiles.
- Identify the profile you want to customize. Select Edit.
- Select Filters.
- On the right-hand side, you’ll see Native and 3rd Party filters.
We provide suggestions for both native and third-party filters below. Please note that enabling multiple filters with identical scope is not advised, as it may break site functionality for only slightly more protection.
Most popular third-party filters already block over 90% of the same content, so adding more provides minimal benefit.
Block Ads
Ads are the most visible and annoying form of unwanted content on the internet. They can clutter your screen, interrupt your browsing, and distract you from the content you want to see.
By blocking intrusive advertisements, you can improve your internet user experience with a cleaner and faster web.
For native solutions to block ads, we suggest enabling Ads & Trackers (Relaxed).
For 3rd Party filters to block ads, we suggest enabling Hagezi's DNS - Normal.
Block Trackers
Trackers are scripts or pixels that collect information about your online behavior, such as your browsing history, preferences, location, and device details.
They can be used by advertisers, marketers, or third parties to create a profile of you that follows you around the internet and targets you with personalized ads.
With Control D, you can block trackers to prevent them from snooping on your online activity.
For native solutions to block trackers, we suggest enabling Ads & Trackers (Relaxed). If you are comfortable managing your profile for possible site or device breakage, you can also enable IoT Telemetry.
For 3rd Party filters to block trackers, we suggest enabling Hagezi's DNS - Normal.
Block Malware and Phishing
Malware and phishing are malicious software or links that can infect your device, steal your data, or trick you into revealing your personal or financial information. They can be disguised as legitimate ads, or embedded in them.
Malvertising is a term that refers to the use of online advertising to spread malware. It can happen when hackers compromise legitimate ad networks or websites, and inject malicious code or links into the ads they serve.
By blocking malware and phishing, you can reduce the chance of getting infected or scammed by these cyberattacks.
For native solutions to block ads, we suggest enabling the Malware (Strict) and Phishing options. If you are comfortable managing your profile for possible site breakage, you can also enable Dynamic DNS and New Domains.
For 3rd Party filters to block malicious threats, we suggest enabling Hagezi's DNS - TIF.
A Better Web Experience
Blocking ads with a DNS service can offer you many benefits, such as faster web browsing, less site connections, and better privacy and security.
A DNS service like Control D can help you block ads, trackers, malware, and other unwanted content.
Control D is packed with features – there’s nothing else quite like it.
Take Back Control With Control D
Control D is a powerful DNS service that gives you control over your internet experience.
Block ads and trackers, filter unwanted content, protect yourself from malware and phishing attempts, and more – all through an intuitive browser UI without the need for any additional software!
Get Control D today and jumpstart your ad blocking journey.
