What Web Browser Do You Use?

[anon]

Every browser has a way or extension to block advertisements these days. Opera's the only one where that functionality comes built-in as far as I've noticed, though.

Sadly, the Web is not without its share of annoyances nowadays - pop ups and unders, Flash ads, seizure-inducing banners, tracking cookies of all flavors. If ads on every site were like here on FST, i.e. simple banners that don't distract you from browsing, I'd gladly turn my ad blocker off.

[zot]

annoyances nowadays - pop ups and unders, Flash ads, seizure-inducing banners, tracking cookies of all flavors. If ads on every site were like here on FST, i.e. simple banners that don't distract you from browsing, I'd gladly turn my ad blocker off.

But FST uses those annoying animated ad banners, a few of them seem to be designed specifically to make a person dizzy.

That's one reason why for simple web browsing, i prefer to use a browser without Javascript enabled or Flash installed (not 'blocked' flash- which some ads can defeat)

The only problem is that an increasing number of sites don't view properly --if at all-- unless all the browser's junk is turned on.

[anon]

But FST uses those annoying animated ad banners, a few of them seem to be designed specifically to make a person dizzy.

I have disabled animations

That's one reason why for simple web browsing, i prefer to use a browser without Javascript enabled or Flash installed (not 'blocked' flash- which some ads can defeat)

I have JavaScript disabled by default as well. Can you tell me more about those ads? I have Flash installed (but turned off) and never stumbled upon any of those.

[zot]

@anon - I was using an older version of Firefox, with (at different times) several different flash-blocking plugins. Maybe the browser version made a difference. It blocked maybe 80 or 90% of animated flash ads.

For sites like Youtube, i use a different browser with flash.

[Limeru]

I use Mozilla Firefox. However, I think it's got to the point that the top 3 browsers (FF/Chrome/IE9) are indistinguishable when it comes to usability, speed etc. The only reason people stick with what they use is that they're accustomed to it.

[zot]

I decided to try out the just-released version 6 of Firefox, and was surprised and disappointed to learn that a type of spyware is built-in.

Basically, URL hotlinks secretly go to a Google address, which are then forwarded to the actual address. So Google knows the websites we visit, but we don't (easily) know that we're being monitored by Big Brother. I'd like to know a way to disable this "feature" -- or maybe just go back to using an older version.

It would be nice if a web browser could allow the user to bypass these forwarded referral links (except for FST's of course) and jump directly to the end destination site -- rather than hiding the referrer from the user and deceiving the user into thinking that the actual desired address is being clicked on.

[anon]

I decided to try out the just-released version 6 of Firefox, and was surprised and disappointed to learn that a type of spyware is built-in.

Basically, URL hotlinks secretly go to a Google address, which are then forwarded to the actual address. So Google knows the websites we visit, but we don't (easily) know that we're being monitored by Big Brother.

So, let me get this straight... the browser rewrites every link to bounce through Google first, and deliberately hides that from you? That's disgusting.

[DarkAngel1337]

Chrome. Upgraded about a year ago from Opera, wich was a upgrade from Safari. At the beggining I was using IE, an7yway I never liked firefox.

[Glaucon]

I decided to try out the just-released version 6 of Firefox, and was surprised and disappointed to learn that a type of spyware is built-in.

Basically, URL hotlinks secretly go to a Google address, which are then forwarded to the actual address. So Google knows the websites we visit, but we don't (easily) know that we're being monitored by Big Brother.

So, let me get this straight... the browser rewrites every link to bounce through Google first, and deliberately hides that from you? That's disgusting.

Would love to see some proof. Why the hell would Firefox redirect you through Google? On the other hand, it's common knowledge that Google's Chrome assigns a unique user ID to everyone, tracking their browsing history.

[anon]

Would love to see some proof.

Same. I downloaded Firefox 6 a few days after reading zot's posts, and scanned the requests it made using SmartSniff. Didn't spot any Google redirects.