How To Leave Chrome Before The Feds Force Google To Sell It 

The U.S. Department of Justice is banging the war drum against Google’s horizontally integrated business model. Last week, DOJ officials asked the federal court to force Google to scalp Chrome from its business. Given that, it may be time for users to start looking for a new browser. If the DOJ’s request goes through (and many court battles are still to be fought), it would be the biggest upset in the tech world for the past 30 years. Feds want to force the $1.4 trillion company to break up its advertising from its search arms. Sure, it’s not the only game in town that has its cake and eats it, too (officials are also looking at Meta over separate antitrust allegations). Chrome is the most popular browser in the U.S., and not by a small margin. It’s also one of the most CPU-intensive browsers around. This has been a problem for so long that some laptops sell themselves on being able to run Chrome without depleting the battery. Chrome is also extremely customizable, and with built-in connectivity with your Google account, it becomes a shoo-in for most offices that rely on Workspace apps like Gmail or Docs. But with Google on the end of the DOJ’s antitrust fishing line, it seems there’s now a better reason to abandon ship than ever before. It’s probably for the best. Google has weathered plenty of criticism surrounding Chrome’s data harvesting practices. It’s made strides in recent years to offer users more control over how the browser and sites they visit track their data with Privacy Sandbox, but the damage may already be done. Whatever happens, it may be a good time to start thinking about migrating. If you’re used to Chrome, you’ll find that most browsers contain similar features, but they won’t be as beholden to your Google account as you might be used to. Which Default Browsers Could I Consider? Image: T. Schneider (Shutterstock) Microsoft’s Edge browser is already Chromium-based, and it doesn’t take much effort to switch your browser experience from Chrome. The downside is that it’s a Microsoft-brand product, and Windows makers have been overt in trying to keep you using the built-in browser on Windows PCs. This includes pop-up notifications when you dare try to download Chrome. Windows 11 is already too full of popups that you have to disable manually, so we don’t suspect Microsoft will stop its Edge promotion until somebody makes it stop. It has a few unique features, most recently the integrated Bing Chatbot (so don’t move to Edge if you’re tired of Google’s AI antics). The privacy tools are especially standout. You can target certain pages to prevent pop-up ads or tracking. You’ll find the import tools by clicking the three dots next to the Bing icon at the top right, then hit Settings, Profiles, and Import browser data. After that, find the browser you want to import, and you can choose to bring over your payment info, history, settings, and tabs. It will also try to find similar extensions to the ones you already use. As for other default browsers, Mac’s Safari is always a nice, simple browser with a few extra tricks, like the Reader mode, which lets you dismantle elements of a page you don’t like. Apple lets you authenticate with Facebook, Google, or an Apple account, so you can maintain your Google account as your main way of signing into various services. You won’t have access to Google Passwords. Instead, manually import your password file from Chrome to Safari. To import your passwords, bookmarks, and more from Chrome, go to Safari on Mac, choose File, then Import From. You should see your selection of browsers installed on your device, and you can hit which files you wish to keep imported from Chrome. And Now for Third-Party Browsers Photo: PixieMe (Shutterstock) Mozilla Firefox is one of the longest-running and most well-known third-party browsers beyond Chrome, and that’s mostly because it stood out as a safe haven beyond Internet Explorer before Chrome got big. Today, its benefit is that it’s an open-source option with built-in security features, such as ones that help users avoid internet trackers from clicking links. Firefox always has some interesting new features. For instance, the browser has worked to cut down on fake user reviews. There are a few more features to try but to get your Chrome data settled; you’ll need to go into the Menu bar at the top of Firefox. Then, hit the Firefox button and select Preferences or Settings. Then, in the General tab, hit the Import Data button. This will let you choose which Chrome profile you want to import. Firefox makes it pretty easy to find similar extensions if there’s anyone that you particularly rely on. It will also transport your payment methods. Opera is the fifth most popular browser. While you may not hear much about Opera, it’s still a decent browser. The Chromium-based Opera comes with a VPN and ad blocker pre-installed. It’s now available on all major operating systems—most recently iOS. Opera recently implemented an AI chatbot called Aria into the browser. How much mileage you get out of the ChatGPT-based chatbot will vary, but at the least, you can ignore it for the many other stellar features. You’ll be prompted to import your data from Chrome when installing Opera for the first time. Otherwise, you’ll want to click on the big red “O” logo at the top left of the screen, then hit Settings or Preferences (if you’re on macOS). You’ll find the import tool under Synchronization; then, click Import bookmarks and settings. There are plenty of other browsers as well. Brave and DuckDuckGo are both privacy-focused browsers that proclaim they block third-party trackers, tracking ads, and cookie popups. Switching from Chrome is far more simple than you may expect. So, why not use this opportunity to go browser shopping?


Ad-Free Browsing And Apps On Android: The Complete Guide 

Advertisements serve as a crucial source of revenue for numerous websites and application developers, facilitating the provision of complimentary content and services. However, obtrusive advertisements have the potential to disrupt the user experience, impede device performance, and deplete battery life. Fortunately, Android devices provide many options to restrict or eliminate advertisements. This blog offers a comprehensive guide outlining straightforward procedures to effectively manage and reduce advertisements on your Android smartphone or tablet. Effective Ways to Block Ads on Android Devices Block Ads in Google Chrome Google Chrome, one of the most popular Android browsers, includes built-in tools to block pop-ups and intrusive ads. Follow these steps to activate ad-blocking features in Chrome: Open Chrome, tap the three-dot menu and select Settings. Navigate to Site settings > Pop-ups and redirects, and toggle off this feature. Go back to Site settings, open Intrusive ads, and disable the option. If Chrome doesn’t meet your expectations, try browsers like Samsung Internet or Firefox, which support ad-blocker extensions. For a more seamless experience, consider the Brave browser, which blocks ads by default. Stop Chrome Notifications Constant website notifications can be as irritating as ads. Prevent unwanted notifications by: Long-pressing the Chrome app icon and tapping the i button. Opening Notifications > Notification categories. Reviewing the list under Sites and disabling alerts for websites you don’t need. This will help keep your notification center clutter-free. Disable Ads on the Home Screen Some apps misuse permissions to display intrusive ads directly on your home screen. To identify and block these apps: When an ad appears, look for the app name on the screen. Long-press the app icon, tap App info, and go to Appear on top. Toggle off the permission. Uninstall the app if it isn’t essential. Turn Off Lock Screen Ads Certain devices, like Samsung and Xiaomi, include wallpaper services that display ads on the lock screen. Disable them by: Opening Settings > Wallpaper and style > Change wallpapers. Selecting Wallpaper services and choosing the None option. This will remove lock screen ads and give you a cleaner experience. Use a DNS Service to Block Ads A DNS service blocks ads at the network level, preventing them from appearing in apps and on websites. To use a DNS service: Go to Settings > Connections > More connection settings > Private DNS. Choose Private DNS provider hostname and enter: dns.Adguard-dns.Com (blocks ads). family.Adguard-dns.Com (blocks ads and adult content). Tap Save to activate. DNS-based ad-blocking can leave blank spaces where ads would usually appear. While this is effective, some websites may not function correctly. Upgrade to Premium Subscriptions Many apps and streaming platforms, such as YouTube and Spotify, offer paid subscriptions that eliminate ads entirely. Subscribing not only enhances your experience but also supports developers to keep improving their apps. Avoid Suspicious Apps Be cautious about the apps you install on your Android device. To minimize ad-related problems: Avoid apps with low ratings or poor reviews. Use Google Play Protect to detect harmful apps. Don’t download unnecessary apps like flashlight tools or third-party launchers. Managing Ads on Android Tablets Blocking ads on tablets works the same way as on phones. Since tablets are often used by children, monitor their activities and prevent them from downloading apps that could cause unwanted ads or performance issues. Why Ads Matter Prior to implementing a complete ad-blocking solution, it is important to consider the function that advertisements serve in maintaining the accessibility of numerous applications and services at no cost. Advertisements assist developers in financing their projects and provide complimentary access to platforms such as Google Search, news websites, and social media. The complete elimination of advertisements may result in the imposition of subscription fees for these services. Although advertisements are an essential component of the digital ecosystem, they should not disrupt your overall experience. By adhering to the above methods, you can significantly reduce interruptions and engage with your Android device in a distraction-free manner. Whether one opts to disable pop-ups in Chrome, utilize a DNS service, or transition to an ad-free browser, there exists a solution tailored to meet individual requirements.


How To Block Pop-ups On A Samsung Galaxy S10 In Its Default Browser Or Google Chrome, Or From Apps 

You can block pop-ups on a Samsung Galaxy S10 in both Google Chrome and the Samsung Internet browser. The feature is on by default, but if pop-up blocking has been disabled on your Galaxy S10, you can re-enable it in the Settings menu of both browser apps. Some apps can create pop-ups as well, so you should delete unneeded apps from your S10, especially if they're sending you pop-ups.  You can't block every pop-up ad in the world — even with advanced ad blocking software, some get through. But it is possible to prevent pop-up ads from appearing on your Galaxy S10. The pop-up blockers are turned on by default. But if the pop-up blockers in your Galaxy S10's web browsers have been turned off for some reason, here's how to re-enable blocking for more convenient web browsing.  How to block pop-ups on a Samsung Galaxy S10 in Google Chrome 1. Start the Chrome app. 2. Tap the three vertical dots at the top right of the screen, and then tap "Settings" in the drop-down menu.  Open the Settings menu to re-enable the pop-up blocker. Dave Johnson/Business Insider 3. Tap "Site settings." 4. Look for "Pop-ups and redirects." It should say "Blocked." If it does not, tap it and then turn off pop-ups by swiping the button to the left. This can be a little confusing — the feature is turning off pop-ups, not turning on a pop-up blocker, so be sure the button is in the off position to block pop-ups.  5. On the Site settings page, also ensure that "Ads" are turned off. It should say "Blocked on some sites."  Make sure that you've blocked pop-ups and ads. Dave Johnson/Business Insider How to block pop-ups on a Samsung Galaxy S10 in the Samsung Internet browser 1. Start the Internet app. 2. Tap the three horizontal lines in the bottom right corner of the screen.  3. In the pop-up window, tap "Settings." 4. Tap "Sites and downloads." 5. Turn on "Block pop-ups" by swiping the button to the right.  Ensure that "Block pop-ups" is turned on. Dave Johnson/Business Insider How to block pop-ups that come from apps on your Galaxy S10 In addition, it's possible for malicious apps to open unwanted pop-up ads on your phone. Unfortunately, there's no specific pop-up blocker for apps like this. You should only install reputable apps from the Google Play or Galaxy Store, and delete apps that are questionable or unwanted.  To see how to delete unwanted apps, read the article, "How to delete apps on your Samsung Galaxy, or disable apps that can't be removed." Dave Johnson Freelance Writer Insider Inc. Receives a commission when you buy through our links.