Ad-blocking is the process of preventing online advertisements from appearing on a website, social media platform, or mobile application. Synonyms for ad-blocking include ad-filtering, ad-blocking software, pop-up blocker, anti-ad software, ad-blocker, ad-stopper, and ad-killer. Ad-blocking has become increasingly popular due to concerns over online privacy and the annoyance factor of online advertisements. Some people find ad-blocking necessary to reduce distractions while browsing the internet, while others see it as a way to protect themselves from malicious ads. There are various ad-blocking tools available, including plugins for web browsers, apps for mobile devices, and desktop software.