Few years ago I was looking for solution to block advertisements on my Android phone. There were few options, but most of them were - let’s say - not too easy to implement or not intuitive. Today we have a few Android applications which easily blocks ads not only in browser, but also in applications and games. For example AdGuard or AdLock. But this article will not be about ad blockers, at least not entirely.
Brave
During my research I found web browser called Brave. It’s got ad blocker build in. Brave is available on iOS, Windows, Linux and Android. This is open source project focused on privacy. Brave is also much faster than other browsers and helps not to download unwanted content, Brave blocks ads and trackers, so you don’t pay for them (in the context of mobile traffic).
Features
Shields
Ad blocking
Fingerprinting prevention
Cookie control
HTTPS upgrading
Block scripts
Per-site shield settings
Configurable global shield defaultsTabs & Windows
Private Windows
Pinned Tabs
Auto-unload
Drag and drop
Duplicate
Close Options
Find on page
Print pageAddress Bar
Add Bookmark
Autosuggest URLs
Search from address bar
Autosuggest search terms
Show/hide bookmarks toolbar
Show secure or insecure siteSecurity
Clear browsing data
Built-in password manager
Form autofill
Control content access to full-screen presentation
Control site access to autoplay media
Send “Do not track” with browsing requestsSearch
Choose default search engine
Use keyboard shortcuts for alternate search engines
Option to use DuckDuckGo for private window searchExtensions/Plugins
Brave Desktop now supports most of the Chrome extensions in the chrome web store
Almost everything you need without additional extensions.
Personally I am using Chromium/Chrome and sometimes Firefox. I tested a few other web browsers but never found any good as these two. I started using Brave on my smart phone and it made a big impression on me. So I gave it a chance on my laptop/desktop. It’s cool. This is why I wrote this article. Give a chance for Brave, it will not disappoint you.
You can download Brave here.
Brave Rewards
Brave also started something new on advertisement market. I completely understand this, since they contribute to the blocking of ads they want to show that everyone can support publishers in different way. Everyone who publishes on the Internet would like to make money on it, so everyone puts ads on websites. Some ads are intrusive, or there are too many of them. It’s annoying and resource-consuming (on mobile it’s also expensive).
Brave introduced their own system to contribute publishers.
How does it work?
Readers may choose a monthly contribution amount which is divided among the publisher sites they visit most. As Brave grows, so does your revenue. Here is the best part. Neither the readers nor the publisher need to do anything different. They just keep surfing and you just keep publishing.
Well, one small detail… you do need to collect your cash.
Get more information here: https://brave.com/creators/
Here you can register: https://creators.brave.com/
Your viewers who use the Brave Browser may have contributed money to you while surfing the web through Brave Rewards. Simply sign up as a verified content creator on Brave Rewards to start collecting your contributions.
My page, you are currently viewing takes part in it. So if you browse it from the Brave browser and you like the content of my site, then you can support me with a one-time donation or a monthly subscription. Support me or just feel free to test tips ;)
Basic Attention Token
All payments in Brave Rewards are organized by default, using Basic Attention Token (BAT) Blockchain-based digital advertising and you can also switch for other popular crypto-currencies and standard currencies (you have to add currency exchange fees to all transaction then).
If you want to get some free BATs, download and install Brave browser. Run it and hit triangle icon next to URL bar. Claim 20 free BAT’s (depends on current exchange rate it’s about 10 USD at the moment). You need to use Brave for a few days. From time to time you will get a chance to grab another free part of BAT’s. Collect them and share with your favorite publishers.
The whole project looks promising. I’m not sure if the project will gain popularity, but I keep my fingers crossed. The idea is cool, the implementation is good, the hardest will be to convince users to this solution.
The easiest way is to overwhelm people with commercials and earn money. It does not require action on their part.
As you do not have to buy anything or invest anything, take a moment and grab these free BATs and give a tip your favorite websites.