In fact, the number of malicious banners and ads compared to their total number is not so great. Nevertheless, the amount of advertising on the network has simply reached astronomical figures. And often this is very distracting from viewing sites, reading useful information. And today we’ll try to figure out how to remove ads in the Opera browser once and for all. But for starters, a little theory - say, for general development.
Why do we see ads?
A person who is ignorant of the issues of Internet business may have a logical question: why do website owners clutter up their resources in this way? It's simple - like any other advertisement, it brings them income. Moreover, pop-up banners and similar types of advertising can bring a lot more money than the classic Google AdSense and Yandex.Direct.
Another reason why an advertisement pops up in Opera may be special virus software that has been loaded onto a computer and displays banners and windows in different tabs.
Check installed add-ons
If the problem is in some program, it is very likely that it is embedded in your browser and acts as an add-on.
You need to open the browser’s main menu and select the “Extensions” item in it (as an option, you can simply use the hot key combination Ctrl + Shift + E). In the list that opens, you should find the extension that causes you to distrust, and then just click the "Delete" button next to the corresponding icon.
However, the problem can not always be solved so simply. How to remove ads in the Opera browser if there are no malicious extensions?
Install anti-spyware programs
Do not think that the antivirus installed on your computer can cope with absolutely all threats. If certain files and programs were not included in the database and are not perceived as dangerous and malicious, then even an antivirus of the same level as, say, Kaspersky Internet Security will not help find them.
Experts recommend using two very useful utilities - Malwarebytes Anti-Malware, as well as SpyHunter. These anti-spies have proven themselves in work and can detect a huge number of different threats. The described programs do not conflict with full-fledged antiviruses, take up little space in the computer's memory and have a Russian version.
The first of these, Anti-Malware, is free. It scans the computer and removes malware. At your request, you can also enable the active protection module. But SpyHunter is a paid utility, but it has a more detailed database and is able to effectively fight even the latest types of adware viruses.
Install AdBlock
In order for various banners not to bother you anymore, you can install AdBlock, the most popular and reliable ad blocker for Opera.
1. First of all, go to the same “Extensions” tab that you have visited before.
2. In the menu located on the left side, you need to find the item “Add extensions” and click on it.
3. You will be redirected to the site, where you can download a variety of add-ons for your browser in just a couple of clicks. However, now we are interested in AdBlock - that program, thanks to which you will have a clean "Opera" without ads. Therefore, in the search bar at the top right, enter the name of the add-on that interests you.
4. The first link that you will see is exactly the extension we are looking for. Go to the AdBlock page and click the "Add to Opera" button in the upper right corner. Almost immediately after that, the application will start working.
Want to get maximum protection? Download AdBlock Plus!
Another way to remove ads in the Opera browser is to download an improved version of the add-on, the AdBlock Plus program. Unlike its predecessor, it is able to block not only annoying ads, but also other things (for example, tracking). In addition, AdBlock Plus has much more customization options.
By default, two filter lists are included - an ad block list based on browser language settings, as well as a list of acceptable ads. You can disable them at any time or create your own.
Knowing that not all advertisements are harmful, the developers of AdBlock Plus took care of creating a database of “good” sites with adequate and useful ads. However, the whole “trick” is that not all resources can get into the database of acceptable advertising, and this happens only after a thorough analysis of all sites. In addition, even such ads you can turn off if you want.
Another important feature of AdBlock Plus is its tracking protection. Pop-up ads in "Opera", as practice shows, is far from the only problem for users. A huge number of companies monitor the history of visits and activity of people, collect data on each browser use. At the same time, using AdBlock Plus, you block any tracking mechanisms and use the network resources absolutely anonymously. According to experts at Stanford University, the filters used for this purpose by the AdBlock Plus program are the most effective of all currently existing.
At the same time, the application is fighting another problem - malicious domains. Special settings allow AdBlock Plus to automatically block those domains, by switching to which you yourself, without knowing it, infect your computer with viruses and spyware. As a result, you can not be afraid that spam will begin to be sent from your address, and you will also be almost 100% protected from theft of personal confidential information and passwords.
Equally important is the fact that, for all its merits, the AdBlock Plus program is absolutely free. No trial or limited versions - all the functionality is available to absolutely any user.
How to install adblock plus?
To install the application, you need to do a few simple steps: download the installation file from the official site (be careful, because scammers often hide under domains similar to addresses of known resources), open it, wait for the installation to complete, and restart the browser.
Done! Now you know how to remove ads in the Opera browser that interfere and distract you, leaving truly useful and useful ads!