StopTheScript Is a Dickover Killer

Back in March I sung the praises of Jeff Johnson’s StopTheScript and StopTheMadness Safari extensions. I want to re-link to StopTheScript in particular. I wrote last week about ad-blocking content blockers, and I’ve gotten a slew of wonderful feedback from readers about that. (My thanks to everyone who whitelisted DF with their ad-blocker of choice, too.) One of the recurring issues that readers raised are sites that present “It looks like you’re running an ad-blocker...” dickovers. It’s classic whack-a-mole: (1) website shows annoying obtrusive ads; (2) you install a browser extension to hide those ads; (3) website tries to detect that you’re hiding their ads and prevent you from accessing their content until you turn it off. Fuck them. It’s your web browser. The detectors require JavaScript to do their thing. The entire purpose of StopTheScript is to disable JavaScript on a per-website basis. By itself, Safari only offers a global on/off switch for JavaScript (in the Security tab in its Settings window on Mac, or in Settings → Apps → Safari → Advanced on iOS). For me, and probably for you, it’s unfeasible to browse the entire web with JavaScript disabled. StopTheScript is the solution. When you run into a website where JavaScript is being used against you, just tap the StopTheScript button in Safari’s toolbar and then tap “Always Allow on This Website” — or, what I often do, tap “Allow for One Day” just to see if it helps. For these ad-blocker-detecting-dickovers, StopTheScript generally works like a charm. I just used it earlier today when I linked to the BMW/Spider-Man ad story at The Hollywood Reporter. Turned off JavaScript on THR’s website, reloaded the web page, and boom, their fucking dickover was gone. Turning off JavaScript on THR does have other side effects — it prevents the loading of thumbnail images in the sidebar list of “Most Popular” articles — screenshot. I see this as a positive side effect, not a negative. StopTheScript also works like a charm to disable the ad-blocker-detecting-dickover at Snopes, which I linked to for my Ulysses S. Grant post this week. If turning off JavaScript breaks a website, you can re-allow it. It’s easier on the Mac: Control-click on the StopTheScript toolbar button and choose “Manage Extension...” — this will jump you to the right place in Safari’s Settings. On iOS, you’ve (alas) got to trek into the Settings app (Settings → Apps → Safari → Extensions → StopTheScript) to revoke it for a particular website. StopTheScript is a $6 one-time purchase, including Mac, iPhone, and iPad. A veritable bargain.  ★