How to Block Ads in IE using inPrivate Filtering ?

Apart from loading web pages, there's one thing that most of our readers want their browser to do: Block annoying advertisements. Microsoft introduced a new feature in its latest browser IE 8 called "InPrivate Filtering". This feature allows us to ensure that our browsing session remains secure and private. The InPrivate Filter (enabled by pressing CTRL+SHIFT+F) is intended to block content that may potentially share your information.

The InPrivate Filter is 'smart' in the sense that it can and will (if enabled) automatically detect content which appears with a high frequency on websites that you visit. In this regard, the Filter learns as you use the web and can detect what is an advertisement or of similar content, and take action accordingly. By entering the 'Manage Addons' window, you can select how many websites a piece of content must show up on before it is flagged, at which point you can then determine whether you want to block or allow such content.

Given the functionality of the InPrivate Filter, it seems that all that is required is a "Subscription List" containing the locations of advertisements for the filter to function as other Adblock applications. This is similar to a "Block List" in Adblock Pro and equivalent software. With such a list, it should be possible to simply block certain locations outright without relying on IE to learn from your browsing habits.

With regards to a subscription list that will block advertisements outright without having to 'learn' your browsing habits, I am in the process of searching for such. I have stumbled across this link where someone has compiled an XML file of the blocked URL's from Adblock Plus.

In order to Import these URL's into the InPrivate Filter, you must enter your "Manage Addons" window, accessible via Tools > Manage Addons. Click the InPrivate Filtering button, followed by Import and then locate the XML file. The result should be IE8 blocking content from said providers outright, without the need to learn via your browsing habits. Doing so has blocked about 99% of the advertisements I see while browsing with IE8.

Steps Simplified:

1. Download the XML file. It is a compressed (.zip) file, you need to extract it first.

2. Open your Internet Explorer 8.

3. In IE8, click on the Safety button in the Command Bar, then go to Manage Add-ons.

4. Under the “Add-on Types” column, click on the “InPrivate Filtering“.

5. Click “Import…” to import the XML file you downloaded in step 1.

6. You’ll get a message that it is done and just click “OK”.

7. You can close the window now, and you’re done!

After doing this, the ads associated with the URLs you imported will be automatically blocked in IE (when InPrivate Filtering is turned ON).

Note: The rules will not update automatically by itself. InPrivate Filtering is OFF by default and must be enabled on a per-session basis. To turn it ON, select InPrivate Filtering from the Safety menu. To end your InPrivate Browsing session, simply close the browser window or deselect InPrivate Filtering from the Safety menu. (Shortcut key: Ctrl+Shift+F)

If you seriously hate ads, check out How to set up your router as a universal ad blocker so no pesky ads will ever make it through to any computer on your system.

Using Hosts file will block ads and malware links

Another easy way to block ads so that IE8 will not display ads and block malicious or rogue websites is by using a Hosts file.

A Host file is either configured to connect to 127.0.0.1 or 0.0.0.0 which is computer’s local host - in other words, your computer. If you will download and replace the existing internet Hosts file in Windows, Mac or Linux systems, any malicious or websites that is known serving ads will fail to load in IE8 or any other browsers. The location of the internet Hosts file in Windows is in:

Windows XP, Vista and Windows 7: C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\DRIVERS\ETC

Windows 2000: C:\WINNT\SYSTEM32\DRIVERS\ETC

Examples of HOSTS file entries:

127.0.0.1 track.acclaimnetwork.com

127.0.0.1 ads.active.com

127.0.0.1 ads.digitalpoint.com

When you visit a website that is included in your Hosts file, IE8 will block it. IE8 will only display the content of the site you visited but not the ads.

Browsing using IE8 InPrivate Filtering and HOSTS file will not only prevent ads or malicious sites but will also make IE8 to load the webpage quickly which means you will not be distracted by any third party ads which can be malicious or will track your surfing habits!

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