Browsing the internet from a Mac using Safari is generally a smooth and enjoyable experience.However, intrusive ads can ruin any browsing session and diminish both your device's performance and privacy. Fortunately, there are simple and effective solutions to keep ads at bay, improving loading speed and your online security. Let's take a look. How to install ad blockers in Safari for Mac.
In this article, you'll learn how to install, configure, and get the most out of ad blockers in Safari for Mac., as well as tips, warnings, and tricks for managing pop-ups and personalizing your online experience from start to finish. If you want to forget about the bombardment of banners, pop-ups, and trackers, read on: here's the guide. final.
Why install an ad blocker in Safari for Mac?
Safari does not have an advanced ad blocker built in.Although there are options to manage pop-ups or limit certain tracking, advertising in the form of banners, automated videos, and pop-ups is still prevalent on most websites.
The installation of a ad blocker not only does it help make your browsing visually cleaner and less distracting, but improves page loading speed, reduces the traffic consumed and, what is even more important, protects against threats such as malware and phishing that can be hidden in online advertising.
Furthermore, Ads allow your online activity to be tracked through cookies and other methods, so blocking them adds an extra layer of privacy and security to your daily experience.
Finally, although the removal of advertising undoubtedly improves the daily life of any user, it is important to remember that Many websites are funded exclusively by advertising., so it's a good idea to configure blockers flexibly so as not to affect the websites we truly value or want to support.
Top Extensions: AdBlock and Other Alternatives
The best tool to block ads in Safari for Mac today is AdBlock.This free and highly popular extension (over 350 million downloads worldwide) allows you to remove all types of ads from millions of web pages, including the most annoying ones like banners, pop-ups, video and audio ads, and more.
AdBlock for Safari stands out for its ease of installation, efficiency and level of customization.With just a few clicks, you can adjust filters, whitelist sites, or even pause blocking if a website requests it.
In addition to AdBlock, there are other alternatives such as AdGuard (especially useful if you're looking for a more comprehensive solution to block trackers and ads at the system level) and security and privacy-focused browsers like AVG SecureBrowser o Avast Secure Browser, which come with anti-intrusive content protection as standard.
How to install and configure AdBlock in Safari for Mac
Installing AdBlock on your Mac is a quick and easy process., without the need for technical knowledge or complex configurations. Here's a step-by-step guide:
- Visit the official AdBlock website at https://getadblock.com and click “Get AdBlock for Safari.”
- You will be redirected to the Apple App Store. Download and install the application.
- Open Safari and go to Preferences (Safari menu > Preferences or ⌘ + ,).
- Enter the tab Extensions, locate AdBlock and activate it.
- Customize the extension- Click the AdBlock icon in the Safari toolbar to adjust specific options like filters, whitelists, or temporarily pause blocking.
Once installed, AdBlock will start filtering ads immediately.You can change your settings at any time, add websites to exceptions so you can continue seeing their ads, or, if you wish, easily disable it from the extension icon.
Keep in mind that, in addition to AdBlock, other extensions and apps like AdGuard allow for a similar level of customization, tailoring the experience to your needs.
Customization and advanced control in ad blockers
The key to getting the most out of any blocker in Safari lies in its configuration.. Not all pages are the same, nor are all ads necessarily harmful. Therefore, Personalization is essential:
- White lists: Add specific websites to the "whitelist" to allow their advertising. This is recommended for digital media or blogs that you want to continue supporting financially and that rely on advertising revenue.
- Filter UpdateBoth AdBlock and AdGuard manage filter catalogs and subscription lists that determine what is blocked and what is not. Keep your filters updated to prevent new advertising formats or trackers from escaping.
- Pause blockingMany websites detect the use of blockers and require you to disable them to access their content. Simply click the pause button on your extension to temporarily disable the blocker if you're interested in viewing the website.
Personalization is key so that the experience isn't frustrating and you can maintain a balance between convenience, privacy, and support for pages you regularly follow.
How to Install and Use Ad Blockers on iPhone and iPad
The arrival of iOS 15 and iPadOS 15 revolutionized the use of extensions on Apple mobile devices.You can now install ad blockers in Safari for iPhone and iPad, similar to how you would on a Mac:
- Download AdBlock from the App Store on your mobile device
- Sign in Settings and then safari.
- Go to the “Extensions” section and activate AdBlock.
- From Settings, find the AdBlock app to customize its options and whitelists.
You can now block ads in the Safari mobile browser, eliminating inconvenience and speeding up loading, while ensuring better privacy on your laptop or handheld device.
Remember that you can customize filters and exceptions directly from the AdBlock application., just like on Mac, to allow ads on selected websites and decide what is shown on your mobile or tablet.
Managing Pop-Ups in Safari: Benefits, Risks, and Settings
Pop-ups are usually one of the most annoying types of ads., but they can also be useful in many contexts, such as downloads, forms, or validations. Safari includes a built-in blocker to manage both their appearance and their selective blocking.
How to Block Pop-Ups in Safari for Mac
Follow these steps to get rid of pop-ups on Mac computers:
- Open Safari.
- Click “Safari” in the top bar and select “Preferences” (or use the shortcut ⌘ + ,).
- Enter the tab Websites and select Pop-up windows in the left side menu.
- You'll find the option "When visiting other websites." Choose between Block, Allow o Block and notify according to your preferences.
Thus, Safari will block or allow pop-ups on all websites by default., although you can make exceptions for specific websites from the same panel, selecting the desired action for each individual domain.
Allow pop-ups on trusted sites
Not all pop-ups are malicious: sometimes, some pages require the display of useful pop-ups (forms, downloads, logins, offers, etc.). Allowing them on recognized websites is as simple as:
- Right-click on the address bar of the desired website. Select “Settings for this website.”
- In the pop-up menu, locate the option Pop-up windows and choose “Allow” only on that domain.
This way, you can access legitimate resources without being exposed to unnecessary or dangerous pop-ups on other pages.
How to Block Pop-Ups in Safari for iPhone and iPad
On mobile devices, controlling pop-ups is just as easy and straightforward:
- Open Settings and select “Safari”.
- Activate the “Block pop-up windows” option (slide the button to turn the lock on or off globally).
Please note that on iOS you cannot make exceptions for specific websites.If you need to view pop-ups at a specific time, you'll need to disable the blocker completely and remember to turn it back on after you're done.
Dangers and risks associated with ads and pop-ups in Safari
The incidence of malware and cyber threats through ads or pop-ups has grown significantly in recent years.Although Apple devices have a very good reputation for security, attacks via advertising (malvertising) and malicious pop-ups can also affect Safari, both on Mac and iOS.
Among the main dangers are:
- Accidental installation of adware or unwanted software through deceptive windows.
- Invasive advertising tracking through tracking and fingerprinting cookies.
- Exposure to bloatware, fake programs, and spam that overload the browser, slow it down and can violate your privacy.
- Phishing and personal data collection through invisible layers on top of the legitimate web.
Therefore, Blocking most ads and pop-ups is essential to reduce risks and browse with peace of mind, while always applying common sense and assessing which sites we trust or need extra functionality.
Native privacy and security features in Safari
In addition to blockers, Safari integrates its own tools to reinforce user privacy and protection.:
- Preventing cross-site trackingPrevents advertisers and third parties from tracking your web activity across different pages, improving privacy.
- Managing and generating secure passwordsSo you don't have to worry about remembering and saving your passwords.
- Protection against fraudulent sites and malwareSafari automatically alerts and blocks dangerous websites.
- Advanced security in cookie and cache management. Allows you to delete and control trackers stored on your Mac.
- Encryption and IP hiding options to avoid external tracking.
To activate and customize these features, go to Preferences > Privacy/Security in the Safari menu and select the options that best suit your browsing habits.
Risks and warnings when using ad blockers and extensions
Despite its advantages, the use of blockers and other extensions may have some implications to take into account.:
- Some websites prevent access if they detect active blockers.Platforms like YouTube have already started restricting content if you use AdBlock.
- Indiscriminate blocking can prevent access to discounts, forms and useful services..
- Abusing uncontrolled downloaded extensions can increase the risk of installing malicious software. or slow down your browser, so it is always preferable to use only popular and highly rated extensions (such as AdBlock or AdGuard) from official sources.
Keeping Safari updated and periodically reviewing installed extensions is crucial. to ensure your Mac remains secure, fast, and free from extra hassles.
What else can you do to browse without ads or risks?
In addition to installing blockers and configuring pop-up settings, there are other ways to improve browsing in Safari:
- Use alternative browsers such as Opera, Chrome, or the aforementioned privacy-focused browsers, which offer even more options and flexibility in ad blocking.
- Use Safari's incognito/private mode to avoid ad tracking or forced consent when visiting problematic websites.
- Make regular backups with Time Machine to avoid data loss in the event of any incident.
- Clear cache and cookies regularly to speed up the browser and remove traces of browsing.
If you notice unusual behavior in Safari, such as unexpected ads, slow performance, or strange redirects, always review your installed extensions and consider restoring the browser to its original state to maintain maximum security and speed.
Using pop-up blockers and managing them appropriately allows you to browse more comfortably, safely, and quickly in Safari for Mac, taking advantage of both official extensions and native browser features for an optimal experience.