Google Chrome Helps Block Flash Ads

Internet, , ,
05
Aug 2015

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Wouldn’t it be great if you could block Flash ads which drain your PC’s resources? New features in Google Chrome disable flash ads automatically.

The Problem with Flash Ads

There is nothing more irritating than loading up a webpage and beginning to devour the content on offer when, out of the blue, a noisy Flash advert pops up and takes over your speakers.

It jars your concentration and means you lose focus on that amazing article about Malware you were enjoying.

Yep, we’ve all been there and we’ve all rolled our eyes and tutted aloud!

Unfortunately, for users of Chrome, the only choice they’ve had in these situations is to take a heavy handed approach to Flash plugins (tiny pieces of software embedded in a webpage). The choice has been to either allow all Flash plugins or disable all Flash plugins.

Now, with the dynamic nature of the web these days it’s impossible to disable all Flash plugins or you’ll find that you miss out on key information e.g. some older website still use flash to deliver the content you want.

Taking on the Ads

adobe-and-google-logos

Google, as we all know, are pretty much the guardians of the internet these days. They protect us from dangerous websites, offer us incredibly personalised search results and even find us the best price for a pair of jeans.

It’s this dedication to customer service which has inspired them to go that little bit further and make our web experience smoother than ever.

This is why Google has teamed up with Adobe (creators of Flash) to tackle this advertising nightmare through the Google Chrome browser.

Hitting the Pause Button

By utilising intelligent software, Google and Adobe have managed to program the latest beta version of Chrome to give context to content on a web page.

Say, for example, you’re on a website which features IT tutorials and you want to view their video on how to setup printers. If there’s a series of Flash adverts trying to sell you holidays to Brazil then Chrome will be able to determine which one to silence.

And, believe me, you won’t be hearing about holidays to Rio de Janeiro for long!

No piece of software, of course, is 100% fool proof so, yes, there’s a chance that Chrome could accidentally pause your video tutorial on printers. But the key word here is “pause”. No content will ever be blocked and it will all be readily available at the click of a button.

Thumbs up for Chrome

Google is cooking up something special with this latest advancement in browser software and we can only applaud them for it. We wouldn’t stand for an advert popping up unannounced in the middle of a TV show, so why would we tolerate it online?

The feature is currently only available in the Chrome desktop Beta version, but all the signs are pointing to it becoming a permanent Chrome feature in the near future, so keep your eyes peeled.

For more ways to secure and optimize your business technology, contact your local IT professionals.

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How To Fix: Browser stuck on a New Tab

Software, , , ,
11
Apr 2014

Typical Chrome New Tab page

Typical Chrome New Tab page

If your browser cannot leave a new tab page such as the Chrome one shown above and cannot navigate to another web page, here are a few possible remedies.

First, check if the keyboard or mouse is the issue.

Check if the backspace or other key is stuck. If that is the case, try to raise the key. Failing that, unplug the mouse and keyboard and see if the problem persists. Perhaps a key or short cut is being repeatedly triggered without the user’s knowledge. This can be confirmed by using a different keyboard or mouse.

Second, if it’s an issue with the browser

Other than Internet Explorer, you should save bookmarks into an html file then uninstall the browser thoroughly with an uninstaller tool such as Revo or from the Windows Control Panel. Reinstall the browser and see if the browser still freezes on the new tab page.

Internet Explorer is integrated with the Windows installation and cannot be simply uninstalled. For IE, after backing up desired new settings, configurations, and files, perform a system restore. Restore Windows to the last remembered time that the browser did not experience the new tab persistence problem.

For more tips or advice on troubleshooting common software issues, contact your local IT professionals.

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Chrome is Number One, and For Good Reasons

Security, Software, , , , , , ,
22
Jan 2014

w3-counter-browser-share

Browser share according to W3Counter

The debate about which internet browser is the best has essentially ended.  Personal preferences aside, the consensus among most casual users as well as developers is that Chrome, the Google-backed browser, is number one (for the time being).

Why should you pick Chrome over all other browsers?  First and foremost, let’s consider the fact that the browser is constantly being revamped and tweaked by a huge community of developers worldwide.  Google gave developers the source code for Chrome back in 2008.  Since then, the open source Chomium project has thrived, leading to a robust and constantly updated browser.

A Think Tank is Better Than One Einstein

ad-block

AdBlock can be easily integrated into Chrome

What it comes down to is this, Google is allowing outside developers to tinker with Chrome.  Among some of the crucial benefits resulting from the open collaboration of many brilliant minds are these:

  • Exceptional security measures as developers are constantly debugging and patching up vulnerabilities
  • Add-ons built around the Chrome browser allows for a highly customizable surfing experience.  For instance, the adblock plugin lets surfers select which site is allowed to have ads or popups.
  • Convenience.  Users can sync their browsing history, usernames, passwords, and etc. across multiple platforms.  By simply logging into one’s Google account, he/she can have access to all his past browsing history, and save his present browsing experience for future syncing on other platforms.

It Can Always Be Better

Google, with its involvement in adding parts to the Internet of Things (IoT), has greatly improved the browsing experience for most average internet surfers.  Much of the work done in the development of Chrome (past, present, and future) ultimately serves as medium for Google to grow and profit.  However, Google is taking input from outside developers, and thus it has given the search giant an edge in the browser war over its competitors like Microsoft’s Internet Explorer and Mozilla’s Firefox.

Although Chrome is an exceptional browser for almost everyone and every purpose, a tool for surfing the internet is only a piece of the personal computing experience.  Chrome users will still need to consider what other tools will complement the browser, so that surfing the Internet becomes as secure as possible.

For more ideas and tips on staying safe and secure online, contact your office IT professionals.

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