I know there are more than a few of you out there running blockers of some type. Ad blockers, Flash blockers, NoScript, maybe even Ghostery. Some of you might even be using a custom HOSTS file just to block stuff. If that’s the way you roll, fine by me because I’m not the boss of you.

People block stuff to either avoid ads, enhance security (e.g. "I don’t want to be tracked") or do both.

In my experience with blockers, this is what I’ve discovered.

1. There is no one single blocker that does everything.

I’ve found no single program/add-on/extension/plug-in/whatever that does it all, so it’s normal to use a combination of blockers.

2. Using a combination of blockers is a pain in the ass.

You have blocker A blocking ads, blocker B blocking Flash, blocker C blocking certain bits of JavaScript, etc. Now instead of just the browser it’s now browser + 3 extra apps; this can at times slow things down and/or just get in the way.

3. Blockers almost always break whenever the browser is upgraded.

I’ve had this happen to me several times when running blockers, and every time it does it just irks me to no end because then I have to degrade back to a previous browser version, wait for the blocker app update, re-upgrade again, blah blah blah. Very annoying.

The browser alone is usually just as good as any blocker app you have

Once one gets used to blocker apps, it’s really tough to give them up because you’re convinced you need them. Most of the time you can accomplish the same level of blocking (more or less) just from the browser.

Using the Chrome browser as an example:

"Blocking" Flash with Chrome

Google Chrome has an in-built feature from the address about:flags called Click to play:

…and after enabling and a restart of the browser can be set from Content Settings:

…and then from there prompts for a click first before running any Flash, such as YouTube:

This basically covers any/all the Flash-blocking stuff you’d ever want with no extra blocker apps needed.

Dumping cookies and session data on exit of Chrome

People get really freaked out about being tracked. Well, if that’s you, just auto-dump your cookies on close of the browser. Then whenever you want your sessions cleared, just restart the browser and that’s all there is to it.

In Chrome this can be set from Options/Under The Hood/Content Settings:

Also note that I have "Allow local data to be set for the current session only", meaning that in addition to cookies, all session data is dumped on close of the browser.

Having Click to play in concert with the auto-dumping of cookies and session data on close of the browser pretty much covers most (if not all?) the core stuff you’d want your blockers to do in the first place – all with just the browser alone and nothing else.

You can browse without blocking a thing and still avoid being annoyed

The Flash blocker in Chrome technically doesn’t block Flash but rather stops it before it starts (and yes there’s a difference). And for privacy concerns, the dumping of cookies and session data on restart of the browser fits the bill there.

Also remember that with Chrome you can run "Incognito" windows (press CTRL+SHIFT+N and watch what happens) and normal browser windows at the same time for even greater enhanced security. Use those regularly and you won’t even have to restart the browser when you want to dump cookie/session data.

If you want to stick to your blocker apps, that’s fine – but I’d suggest at least trying the blocker-free way with Chrome using the above suggestions. The end result is a blisteringly fast browsing experience because you have no blocker crap in the way of your browsing experience.

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