Can the Ellipsis Jetpack block web pages?

[richw46]

I have the Ellipsis Jet Pack model MHS700L. I don't see any way to filter web pages and when I visit some forums the number of video ads drains all my prepaid data. At home I can use the security features on my modem to block by web address, is there any feature available for Jet Pack users?

[smith6612]

The JetPack shouldn't be used to block content like this, even if it does support it.

I would recommend using an Adblocker (uBlock Origin's a good one), or at the very minimum use FlashBlock to block Adobe Flash players from loading automatically. For HTML5 video, check your browser's settings to see if it can be set to only play video content on click (also called Click to Play).

Don't forget to leave a note for the Webmaster informing them of how costly those video ads are!

[7e18n1 · Accepted solution]

Many ads can be blocked by using the browser extension Adblock Plus for Andriod, Chrome, Firefox, Internet Explorer, Opera and Safari. Internet Explorer has built-in Ad blocking through Tracking Protection or you can use the old way through the hosts file. iPhone ad blocking information.

Even with ad blocking, you need to be alert and ready to cut off video ads by turning off Wi-Fi or just closing the browser. Also, an attitude that auto-starting video ads are the best excuse not use the site, works too.

[richw46]

Thanks smith6612, several of us have notified the webmaster and the response is that we should purchase an ad-free account. I don't mind ads, but I do mind getting bombed with so many and with video playing every time you return to the main page. It also takes longer for the page to load.  The blocker on my home router works great, blocks most of the ads. Why not have that built into the Jet Pack?

7e18n1, thanks for the suggestions. Internet Explorer et al have anti-tracking but they don't block. I tried the Privacy settings and Security settings, they only block tracking, not ads.  The hosts file was a good suggestion (thanks for the tip). I'm 64-bit so I've edited the lmhosts file. Neither that nor the hosts file is working, the browsers seem to be ignoring them.

I guess I'll look for an ad blocker and see how that helps.

[7e18n1]

IE/TP: EasyList, EasyPrivacy, and Fanboy, have the word “adblock” in the URL and I can tell on the front page of several sites I use when I’ve disabled them because of the ads. I assume you read the (Hosts file) Special Instructions for Windows 7 and 8 users link. I updated a Windows 7 computer at work with the current hosts file a week ago and I didn’t notice anything different. I’ll have to look again, but I’m pretty sure it was working.

[richw46]

Looks like Ad Block Plus and Easy List are the answers.  I installed both and they seem to be working. I still get ads from the forum I'm visiting but they are the forum's own ads and aren't slowing down the display or using excessive amounts of data.

Thanks to both of you for your help!

7e18n1 smith6612

[7e18n1]

You’re welcome, glad you got it!

All ad blocking has it good and bad points. There’s a learning curve with it, if a website doesn’t come up or a function of a site doesn’t work as it should, disable ad blocking, restart the browser and try again.

With Tracking Protection, you can install all of them and Enable or Disable any 1, 2, or whatever at will. As for the Hosts file, be sure to install it using the included MVPS.bat file from an Admin command prompt. You might check the registry key listed at the hosts file link above to make sure the DataBasePath is correct.