The Ultimate Guide to Ad Blockers for Microsoft Edge in 2026

As a cyber security expert with over a decade of experience, I‘ve seen firsthand how online advertising has become a major vector for malware, tracking, and other threats. That‘s why ad blockers are an essential tool for anyone who wants to stay safe and secure while browsing the web.

In this in-depth guide, I‘ll share my picks for the best ad blockers for Microsoft Edge in 2024. Whether you‘re a casual web surfer or a power user, you‘ll find the perfect ad blocking solution for your needs.

But first, let‘s look at why ad blocking is so important from a security standpoint.

Why Use an Ad Blocker? A Cyber Security Perspective

Online ads aren‘t just annoying – they can also be downright dangerous. Here‘s why every Edge user should consider an ad blocker in 2024:

Ads Are a Major Malware Threat

Malicious actors often use online ads to spread malware. It‘s estimated that 1 in 100 ad impressions contain malware, according to research from GeoEdge. And with over 1.7 billion websites live in 2024, per Siteefy, that adds up to a staggering amount of malicious ads.

Cybercriminals use techniques like malvertising and drive-by downloads to infect your device with malware simply by loading an ad. An ad blocker prevents these malicious ads from ever reaching your screen, greatly reducing your malware risk.

Ads Threaten Your Privacy

Many online ads track your browsing behavior to build detailed user profiles for targeted advertising. This tracking is often invasive and happens without clear user consent.

For example, 79% of websites globally use trackers, according to Ghostery‘s 2020 Tracking the Trackers report. And the average website connects to over 10 third-party trackers.

Ad blockers stop this tracking dead in its tracks (pun intended), preserving your online privacy. By preventing tracking scripts from loading, ad blockers keep your browsing habits private.

Ads Slow You Down

Ads don‘t just clutter up your screen – they also slow down your browsing. All those ad scripts and trackers take time to load, leading to sluggish page speeds.

A 2021 report from SEO agency Portent found that website conversion rates drop by an average of 4.42% with each additional second of load time. And ads are a major culprit behind slow loading times.

By stripping out ads and trackers, ad blockers can significantly speed up your browsing. Pages will load faster, making for a smoother user experience.

Blocking Ads Improves Battery Life

If you browse the web on a laptop or mobile device, ad blockers can also extend your battery life. Those resource-intensive ads take a toll on battery life, especially if you have multiple tabs open.

In a 2018 study by Cliqz and Ghostery, mobile web pages loaded 34% faster and used 10% less battery life on average with an ad blocker enabled. For Edge users on the go, this battery savings can really add up.

As you can see, ad blockers provide crucial security and privacy protection in today‘s threat-filled online landscape. Now let‘s look at the top ad blocking solutions for Microsoft Edge in 2024.

The Best Ad Blockers for Microsoft Edge

I‘ve thoroughly tested and researched the top ad blockers available for Edge. Here are my top three picks for 2024:

Ad Blocker	Rating	Price	Blocks Malware	Blocks Trackers	# of Devices	VPN Included
NordVPN Threat Protection	4.8/5	$3.49/month	Yes	Yes	6	Yes
Surfshark CleanWeb	4.7/5	$2.49/month	Yes	Yes	Unlimited	Yes
ProtonVPN NetShield	4.6/5	$4.99/month	Yes	Yes	10	Yes

1. NordVPN Threat Protection: Best Overall

NordVPN is renowned for its powerful VPN, but it also offers the best overall ad blocking solution for Edge users in Threat Protection. This feature blocks ads, pop-ups, trackers, and malicious websites across all your apps, not just your browser. It‘s lightweight, easy to use, and provides world-class protection.

Key Features:

Blocks malware & phishing attempts
Obfuscates your IP for greater privacy
Built into NordVPN apps for one-click activation
Customizable block lists
Runs on diskless RAM servers for even better security

From a technical perspective, Threat Protection uses DNS filtering and IP blocking to prevent ads, trackers, and malware domains from loading. It maintains extensive block lists that are constantly updated to protect against new threats.

One standout feature is malicious file scanning. Threat Protection scans any file before you download it and blocks the transfer if malware is detected. This is a huge security advantage over ad blockers that only filter browser traffic.

Pricing starts at a very affordable $3.49/month, which includes both Threat Protection and NordVPN. You can protect up to 6 devices.

To set up Threat Protection:

Sign up for NordVPN
Download & install the NordVPN app
Click the shield icon to enable Threat Protection
Customize your blocking in the Threat Protection settings menu

I highly recommend NordVPN Threat Protection as the single best ad blocking solution for most Edge users in 2024. It offers unbeatable security, ease of use, and value.

2. Surfshark CleanWeb: Best for Multiple Devices

Surfshark‘s CleanWeb ad blocker shares many similarities with NordVPN Threat Protection. It blocks ads, pop-ups, trackers, and malware across your entire device, not just in Edge. And it‘s packaged with an excellent VPN for comprehensive security.

However, Surfshark has one key advantage – you can use it on an unlimited number of devices with a single subscription. This makes it ideal for families or individuals with many gadgets.

CleanWeb works by blocking requests to domains on Surfshark‘s extensive block list. This prevents browser requests to ad, tracking, and malware servers. CleanWeb also uses DNS filtering to block requests to malicious domains at the DNS level.

The block lists are maintained by Surfshark and updated regularly to ensure robust protection against the latest threats. CleanWeb also includes an anti-phishing feature that blocks fake websites designed to steal your data.

From the user‘s perspective, activating CleanWeb is a breeze. Simply toggle it on in the Surfshark app and it starts blocking ads and threats across all your apps. You can also customize your blocking by whitelisting specific apps or websites.

Surfshark subscriptions start at just $2.49/month, an incredible deal considering you get both CleanWeb and the VPN. And with unlimited device connections, a single subscription could cover your entire household‘s devices.

To start using CleanWeb:

Subscribe to Surfshark
Install the Surfshark app on your device(s)
Toggle on CleanWeb under the Features section
Customize blocking in CleanWeb settings if desired

I recommend Surfshark CleanWeb if you need ad blocking on many devices and appreciate the flexibility of a VPN bundled in. Its ease of use, reliable protection, and great value make it a strong contender.

3. ProtonVPN NetShield: Best for Advanced Users

ProtonVPN‘s NetShield is a powerful ad blocker best suited for more technical users who want maximum control and security. In addition to blocking ads and trackers, it offers advanced features like malicious file scanning and DNS filtering.

NetShield is built into ProtonVPN‘s apps, making it easy to activate device-wide ad blocking with a single click. The default settings block most ads, pop-ups, & trackers, but power users will appreciate the ability to customize their block lists.

One of NetShield‘s standout features is its configurable DNS filtering. Users can choose between two DNS filtering modes:

High: Blocks malware, ads, and trackers
Low: Blocks malware only

This allows advanced users to fine-tune their blocking based on their needs and comfort level. The Low setting may be preferable if you want to support websites reliant on ads, while High offers maximum protection.

I‘m also impressed by NetShield‘s malicious file scanning powered by AmsiScanBuffer. This allows NetShield to catch malicious payloads that other ad blockers might miss.

Like NordVPN and Surfshark, NetShield is bundled with a VPN. ProtonVPN is based in privacy-friendly Switzerland and offers advanced security features liked Secure Core servers.

ProtonVPN subscriptions with NetShield start at $4.99/month for 10 devices. While pricier than some competitors, it‘s a worthwhile investment for those who want the most advanced ad blocking and VPN technology.

To activate NetShield:

Sign up for a ProtonVPN Plus plan or higher
Open the ProtonVPN app and connect to a VPN server
Toggle on NetShield in the app settings
Select your desired DNS filtering mode

I recommend ProtonVPN NetShield for advanced users and enterprises who need the highest degree of control over their ad blocking and security. Its powerful features and customization options are unmatched.

The Future of Ad Blocking

As we look ahead to 2024 and beyond, the ad blocking landscape will undoubtedly evolve. Here are my predictions as a cyber security expert:

Continued Uptick in Ad Blocker Adoption: With online threats proliferating, more and more users will turn to ad blockers for protection. I expect ad blocker usage to keep rising through 2024.
AI-Powered Ad Blocking: Machine learning will increasingly be used to detect & block new threats in real-time. Expect to see more ad blockers leveraging AI to stay ahead of cybercriminals.
Ongoing Cat-and-Mouse Game: Advertisers and ad networks will keep developing new ways to circumvent blockers, like server-side ad insertion. Ad blocker devs will need to adapt quickly to new techniques.
Potential Regulation: There may be attempts to regulate ad blocking, especially as it cuts into ad industry profits. But given ad blocking‘s importance for user security, I doubt regulators will get very far.
Consolidation: I anticipate further consolidation in the ad blocking space as larger security firms acquire popular tools. NordVPN‘s recent merger with Surfshark is likely a sign of things to come.

Whatever the future holds, one thing is clear: ad blockers will remain an indispensable part of any comprehensive online security setup. By preventing malware and tracking, they fill a crucial gap in browser security.

Blocking Ads Is Just One Piece of the Security Puzzle

In closing, I want to emphasize that ad blockers are just one tool in a cyber security expert‘s arsenal. They‘re highly effective at stopping malicious ads and trackers, but they don‘t provide complete protection on their own.

For maximum security and privacy, I recommend combining an ad blocker with other essential tools:

VPN: A VPN encrypts your internet traffic and hides your IP address, protecting your data from snoops and hackers. It‘s the perfect complement to an ad blocker.
Antivirus: Antivirus software scans your device for malware that may have slipped through and removes any threats. Look for an AV with real-time protection.
Password Manager: Using strong, unique passwords is crucial for account security. A password manager generates and stores complex passwords securely.
Multi-Factor Authentication: Enable two-factor authentication wherever offered to prevent unauthorized access to your accounts. Consider getting a hardware security key for added protection.

By using an ad blocker in conjunction with these other security measures, you‘ll be well-equipped to stay safe from the myriad of threats on today‘s internet. Remain vigilant and proactive about your cybersecurity, and you can browse the web with confidence.

Did you find this guide helpful? Have a favorite ad blocker I didn‘t mention? Let me know in the comments! Stay safe out there, fellow Edge users.

The Ultimate Guide to Ad Blockers for Microsoft Edge in 2026