AdNauseam
AdNauseam is a browser extension designed to obfuscate browsing data and protect users from surveillance and tracking by advertising networks.
Cost / License
- Free
- Open Source
Application types
Platforms
- Online
- Google Chrome
- uBlock Origin
- Opera
- Mozilla Firefox
- Microsoft Edge
Features
Properties
- Privacy focused
- Lightweight
Features
- Obfuscation
- Autoclicking on ads
- Browser extension
- Block Trackers
- No Logs
- No Tracking
Tags
- auto-clicker
- anti-surveillance
- obfuscator
AdNauseam News & Activities
Recent News
Recent activities
- K0RR liked AdNauseam
aeksto added AdNauseam as alternative to De1984 Firewall
WontedTangent added AdNauseam as alternative to Clean View Filter- millaposhpalace liked AdNauseam
- K0RR updated AdNauseam
- Myrano updated AdNauseam
- ant_zmnt reviewed AdNauseam
I like it when advertisers lose money.
With that said: This extension is not quite as reliable as uBlock Origin, some ads sometimes slip by and in some occasions this addon will fail at blocking some web elements. Still a great choice for literally anyone who uses the internet
- ant_zmnt liked AdNauseam
UniqueGo added AdNauseam as alternative to Total Adblock
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What is AdNauseam?
As online advertising becomes ever more ubiquitous and unsanctioned, AdNauseam works to complete the cycle by automating Ad clicks universally and blindly on behalf of its users. Built atop uBlock Origin, AdNauseam quietly clicks on every blocked ad, registering a visit on ad networks' databases. As the collected data gathered shows an omnivorous click-stream, user tracking, targeting and surveillance become futile.
AdNauseam is a free browser extension designed to obfuscate browsing data and protect users from tracking by advertising networks. At the same time, AdNauseam serves as a means of amplifying users' discontent with advertising networks that disregard privacy and facilitate bulk surveillance agendas.
AdNauseam joins a broader class of technical systems that attempt to serve ethical, political, and expressive ends. In light of the industry's failure to self-regulate or otherwise address the excesses of network tracking, AdNauseam allows individual users to take matters into their own hands, fighting back against unilateral surveillance. Taken in this light, the software follows an approach similar to that of TrackMeNot, employing obfuscation as a strategy to shift the balance of power between the trackers and the tracked. For further information on this approach, please see this paper.
AdNauseam information
Developed by
Helen Nissenbaum, Daniel C. Howe, Mushon Zer-Aviv Licensing
Open Source (GPL-3.0) and Free product.Written in
Rating
Average rating of 4.7Alternatives
58 alternatives listedSupported Languages
- English
AlternativeTo Categories
Web Browsers, Security & PrivacyGitHub repository
- 6,052 Stars
- 219 Forks
- 224 Open Issues
- Updated
Comments and Reviews
Blocking ads does not stop users from being fingerprinted. In fact the tighter users lock down ads with privacy controls, the more unique the profile gets.
AdNauseam works by clicking random ads on pages you visit, creating a random pattern that helps hide users among everyone else. Further "obfuscation" can be enabled by also installing TMN TrackMeNot - a separate app that works with AdNauseam by creating extra searches that also help obscure users' own searches.
The TMN app includes an academic developer from the AN team.
Proof that these work is in the fact that Google has blocked AdNauseam from its app store.
tl;dr blocking ads is so 20th century - hiding in plain sight is the 21st century version!
I like it when advertisers lose money.
With that said: This extension is not quite as reliable as uBlock Origin, some ads sometimes slip by and in some occasions this addon will fail at blocking some web elements. Still a great choice for literally anyone who uses the internet
While being a fork of uBlock Origin, I don't believe that it does any better at blocking trackers than uBO besides make the clicks for you to mess with data brokers.
From dngray (team member) of Privacy Guides: "It either makes advertisers money, or they filter it out, or it makes you fingerprintable. "If it is clicking adverts then that is using bandwidth to make those requests, thus impacting page load speeds etc." https://discuss.privacyguides.net/t/adnauseam-browsing-data-obfuscator/16747
From what I've seen in the Firefox add-on version history between both, AdNauseam is often a few weeks behind uBO, meaning you could be left with unblocked threats for that amount of time. And since it's much less popular, it won't work if you're trying to blend in with a crowd, since you'll effectively stand out.
You're better off using
uBlock Origin for those reasons.
It clicks ads on sites, but hide them from end users. This would ruins companies' KPIs and burn their money.
Its uBlock Origin with enhanced features.
Improves security by obfuscating targeting systems, removes ads on web sites.
It's mostly like Ublock Origin, but instead of just blocking harmful ads, it allows you to protest.