blocking ads using Opera's filter.ini
Tuesday, 9. March 2004, 09:39:41
This morning I have been trying out Opera's URL filter to block ads & so far it has been working really well. I am using 7.5p2, apparently 7.23 had a problem with javascripot making some sites hang.
To set up URL filtering add this line to your Opera6.ini file, (this will be located in your profile directory):
URL Filter File=filter.ini
EDIT: This line needs to be inserted after the section header [Adv User Prefs] - see comments.
Then open up your text editor of choice & copy & paste the following:
; filter.ini
; This file is part of the Opera browser.
[prefs]
prioritize excludelist=1
[include]
*
[exclude]
http://ad.*
http://ads.*
http://adserv*
http://*/adserver/*
http://banner*
http://count*
http://*.doubleclick.net/*
http://*.hitbox.net/*
http://*.ivwbox.de/*
http://*.tradedoubler.*
http://*/ads/*
http://*/Ads/*
http://*/banners/*
; my additions
http://rd.yahoo.com/*
http://*.yimg.com/*
http://*.speedera.net/*
http://www.theregister.co.uk/media/*
http://a.as-eu.falkag.net/*
http://*.tribalfusion.com/*
http://rcm.amazon.com/*
http://*/phpadsnew/*
Save the file as 'filter.ini' in the same directory as your opera.exe. Restart Opera & have a look around the web. You should notice that things have speeded up a bit!
The sites listed after the '; my additions' line block ads on Yahoo! Groups sites & <www.theregister.co.uk>. I haven't really put a great deal of effort into seeking & destroying ads but as time goes by I will be adding new filters as & when I come across an advert. I will probably post an enhanced filter.ini again after a few months.
Please note that the line 'http://*.yimg.com/*' removes almost all images from Yahoo! sites which may not be what you want...
To set up URL filtering add this line to your Opera6.ini file, (this will be located in your profile directory):
URL Filter File=filter.ini
EDIT: This line needs to be inserted after the section header [Adv User Prefs] - see comments.
Then open up your text editor of choice & copy & paste the following:
; filter.ini
; This file is part of the Opera browser.
[prefs]
prioritize excludelist=1
[include]
*
[exclude]
http://ad.*
http://ads.*
http://adserv*
http://*/adserver/*
http://banner*
http://count*
http://*.doubleclick.net/*
http://*.hitbox.net/*
http://*.ivwbox.de/*
http://*.tradedoubler.*
http://*/ads/*
http://*/Ads/*
http://*/banners/*
; my additions
http://rd.yahoo.com/*
http://*.yimg.com/*
http://*.speedera.net/*
http://www.theregister.co.uk/media/*
http://a.as-eu.falkag.net/*
http://*.tribalfusion.com/*
http://rcm.amazon.com/*
http://*/phpadsnew/*
Save the file as 'filter.ini' in the same directory as your opera.exe. Restart Opera & have a look around the web. You should notice that things have speeded up a bit!
The sites listed after the '; my additions' line block ads on Yahoo! Groups sites & <www.theregister.co.uk>. I haven't really put a great deal of effort into seeking & destroying ads but as time goes by I will be adding new filters as & when I come across an advert. I will probably post an enhanced filter.ini again after a few months.
Please note that the line 'http://*.yimg.com/*' removes almost all images from Yahoo! sites which may not be what you want...
WIDGETIZE
headless horseman # 9. March 2004, 09:39
I can't find anything but 7.23.
orinoco # 9. March 2004, 09:39
The most up to date version is 7.5p2. The P stands for preview - this is a prerelease version for testing purposes only, you use it at your own risk, dataloss due to unforseen bugs may occur.
That said I have always used every beta & preview as my default browser & never had any problems.
Lars-Andreas Kvisle # 9. March 2004, 09:39
I've addedd 'URL Filter File=filter.ini' to the end of ...LarsApplication DataOperaOpera75profileopera6.ini and made a filter.ini according to your instructions and placed it in C:Program FilesOpera75
Can you spot the error?
orinoco # 9. March 2004, 09:39
Opera6.ini is divided into sections divided up by [titles in square brackets]. I think maybe the line has to be placed in the correct section.
Try placing the 'URL Filter File=filter.ini' line after this section header:
[Adv User Prefs]
Also after editing then saving opera6.ini you need to close & restart Opera for any changes to take effect.
Give that a try & let me know, if that works for you I'll edit my post to be more clear.
Lars-Andreas Kvisle # 9. March 2004, 09:39
Everything I've tried so far loads swiftly!