Image rights: Salavat Khanov.There’s no shortage of ad blockers available
for both macOS and iOS. However, 1Blocker
has gained fans thanks to the features that
allow you to customize it and to see what’s
been blocked.
New in version 3 is a tool that allows you to
point and click on an element on a web page
to block it — much easier than manually
creating a rule to block objects. Version 3 also
improves content blocking, updates rules
twice a week, allows you to see what
resources were blocked on a page, and adds
new customization tools.
1Blocker allows you to block much more
than just annoying adverts. You can use it to
block trackers and data collectors, cookie
notices, social media widgets, comments,
and “adult” sites.
Custom rules allow you to roll up your
sleeves and create your own rules for
blocking content, based on templates
provided in the app. So, for example, to block
frrnlhv#rq#d#vshflĽf#zhevlwh/#|rxġg#fkrrvh#
the Block Cookies template and then just add1Blocker
Protect yourself against tracking, ads and other pests
Free (IAPs) From Salavat Khanov, 1blocker.com
Needs macOS 10.15; 64–bit processor1BLOCKER
Highly customizable
Blocks more than just
adverts
Toolbar button makes it
quick to use
Cooke notice blocking
didn’t work well
GREATthe name of the site and give the rule a
name. When that rule is switched on, cookies
on that site will be blocked. There’s a White
List template so that you can add the names
of sites where you don’t want ads to be
blocked. And a Block Sites template allows
you to completely block websites you specify.
If you prefer, you can specify CSS elements
to be blocked and the sites on which the rule
should operate. No ad blocker is perfect, and
1Blocker is no exception — some things slip
through the net. However, to remove them
you need only click on the 1Blocker extension
in Safari’s toolbar, choose Hide Element, and
then click on the elements you want to
remove. The extension button also allows
you to whitelist the current site and to force
Safari to use the HTTPS version of the site.
1Blocker is free to download, though rules
updates, cookie blocking, and some other
features require a subscription.
In use, we found 1Blocker worked well.
There’s no doubt websites are much more
pleasurable to use, and faster, without
adverts. Though we’ll leave you to decide on
the ethics. The cookie notice blocker was
more miss than hit in our tests, but
otherwise, 1Blocker is excellent.
THE BOTTOM LINE. A highly–customizable
ad blocker that has a raft of extra features.
KENNY HEMPHILL1Blocker allows you to
block trackers, cookies
and entire websites, as
well as adverts.Rules are at the heart of 1Blocker. This one allows you to
Whitelist specific sites.
Reviews
48 FEB 2020 maclife.com