Today, I decided to look for a Flash blocking extension for the Chrome web browser. One of the web sites that I visit frequently had decided to add a very loud flash advertisement. I couldn’t turn it off or ignore it.

I went to the Chrome Extension Gallery and I found a very good flash blocking extension. It’s called FlashBlock.

Go here to install FlashBlock

How does it work?

Once installed, Flash animations will show as a grayed out icon in your browser window. To view them, just click on them once.

You’ll also see a little Flash icon up in the browser’s address bar. You can click on the little icon to add sites to a list of sites that you don’t want to block Flash on.

The Chrome web browser is now my default web browser. I made the decision based on speed and also on security. Take a look at Chinmoy’s post here about the Pwn2Own contest, in which Google Chrome was the only browser that was not hacked. Since Adobe Flash is a big source of security exploits, blocking all Flash by default is also a good security measure.

Are you using some other web browser?

• Firefox: FlashBlock addon
• Opera browser: Flashblock for Opera
• Internet Explorer: No addons but here’s a HowTo
• Safari Browser: There might be something here

You will be ready to surf faster and safer by using a Flash blocking addon. I’m guessing that you won’t miss Flash on most websites.

See also:

• Block JavaScript in Google Chrome
• AdBlock+ For Google Chrome
• Best Google Chrome Extensions | Chrome Extension Gallery