Please be aware, these instructions are for Microsoft's Windows XP (maybe Vista, too) users. Linux (Ubuntu, Fedora, etc) users will need to find another solution (I suggest reading up on hosts.deny).

One of the most distracting and often frustrating issues most web surfers deal with are web page advertisements. Pop ups, flashing banners, unusually loud audio commercials, all sorts of trickery and tactics go into web based advertising, but there is a highly effective, yet simple, solution to end all the madness.

The title isn't lying, there's absolutely no need to download any type of software - no tools, no utilities, no scanners, no watchers, no monitors, no toolbars, they're all junk! This process should take a novice user less than five minutes to implement. This little tip is so easy; you'll end up applying the technique to any computer you use frequently. Not only that, there's an excellent chance your friends and family will want to know why your Internet is so fast, clean, and enjoyable! With that said, let's get started.

First, open the Windows' hosts file, which is typically stored here, "C:WindowsSystem32driversetchosts" in your favorite text editor. Notepad will probably work best if you're unsure. Try and avoid using Microsoft's Word or WordPad, a clear and simple Notepad usually does the trick.

With the hosts file open, open the link to the text file below in your web browser (typically Internet Explorer or Firefox): http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.txt

Copy the entire contents of that list into your hosts file, save the changes, and close the text editor. Restart your browser and visit some of your favorite web sites; you should notice several dramatic differences in a number of areas.

With your new hosts file configuration, you'll never see contextual ads, pop up ads, malware, spyware, adware, flash banners, audio ads, web site statistical software (you're invisible!), and just about anything else with potential to take away from the pleasures of surfing the Internet. Web pages often pull information from external sources (advertising servers), which can slow down a page's loading time. Well not anymore. Since your computer won't respond to over 16,000 advertising, malware, and spyware companies, you're free to surf the web worry free. Surfing the Internet will become quick, fun, and reliable again.

If there's a particular company or companies you'd like to see ads from, just open your hosts file and add a # sign at the beginning of the company's line. Save the changes and reload the page.

IC endorses Guy Patterson who is a veteran computer enthusiast that shares similar tips on his Computer Technology and Security Web Site. With daily updates, and the opportunity to receive those updates right in your inbox, there's no telling what you'll learn tomorrow