IE Flash Ad Blocking

Like billboards, Flash ads may distract you while navigating the Internet.

An optional component of most Web browsers, Flash allows for rich graphics and video but also powers Flash advertisements. Flash ads can become annoying when they distract you from the websites you're trying to use. Though you can disable Flash ads in Internet Explorer, doing so requires you to disable Flash, all together. When disabled, you'll have the option to enable flash for specific websites when visiting them, useful when you actually want to use a Web page's Flash content.

Instructions

1. Open Internet Explorer. Click "Tools" from the menu bar and select "Manage Add-ons."

2. Click the "Show" box in the new "Manage Add-ons" windows left pane. Select "All Add-ons."

3. Select "Toolbars and Extensions" under the left pane's "Add-on Types" heading. Find and double-click "Shockwave Flash Object" in the right pane, listed under "Adobe Systems Incorporated."

4. Click "Remove all Sites," directly under the text box labeled "You Have Approved this add-on to Run on the Following websites." Click the "Close" button.

Tips & Warnings

• The next time you're on a website with Flash content, including ads, you'll see a new option appear directly under your toolbars. The message informs you that the website you're visiting wants to run Flash. Clicking the message gives you an option for enabling Flash on that website.

References

• Webopedia: What is Flash?
• MS MVPs: Adobe Flash- How to Disable and Enable in IE 7 or IE 8; Harry Waldron; May 2008
• The Techno Path: How to Block Flash Ads (and Movies) in Internet Explorer; Uzair Sajid, July 2009