By work computer, I mean one that you have very limited control over - can’t install anything, or add extensions, etc.

For example, there used to be a trick where you could run a Bing search of a YouTube URL and the results would include an embed of the video but with Bing’s own video player, and something about that made the ads not work. Which was great - ad free YouTube on a computer I can’t install ad blockers on!

That doesn’t seem to work anymore, but makes me wonder if there are things like that - just little roundabout tricks to make the experience less trash, on a rig where my options are limited to what’s already there.

Asking about any tricks, not just YouTube or ad related ones (but those too if you know any!).

Thanks all!

  • trd@feddit.nu
    0·
    2 months ago

    Don’t underestimate how much liberty you can get if you just install it via Microsoft store.

    • WasteWizard@lemmy.world
      0·
      2 months ago

      There’s portable Firefox (lots of apps actually) packages also, no install necessary in the first place. Bummer if they are only allowed to run pre-approved applications. In this case OP would have to live with the ads. Although I’d question why such a locked-down environment wouldn’t block ads via firewall in the first place.

      • corsicanguppy@lemmy.caEnglish
        0·
        2 months ago

        There’s portable Firefox (lots of apps actually) packages also, no install necessary in the first place.

        I’m sure we went through a phase at the day job where the (windows, ugh) machine was unable to execute apps not in the approved (unwritable) locations; local admins can execute a file saved specifically in C:\windows\tmp or so, just for installs. I’m not sure that’s still in-place after the 10->11 downgrade, but I wouldn’t be surprised. We’re pretty locked-down, and while we can request exemptions for work-derived stuff, we have a large agreement confirming we never use the work gear outside of work stuff so I haven’t needed to test the boundaries lately.

        I work remotely and there’s no such reg covering side-gig or home gear used for day-job stuff; can’t be, if you think about it. So I KVM the pretty monitors and comfy keyboard over to the work box in the 9-5 and leave it absolutely untouched outside of that. It’s even in its own DMZ because we’re a small section of a larger shitbag global exploitation company and they could demand some whackadoo spy shit on us without us knowing, until we find out and tell the union.

        So.

        1. you maybe can’t run third-party apps without a local admin account
        2. KVM switch. I use the one also available at https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DNS4RRY1 as HDMI is my floor tech level, but there are myriad variations to choose from.

        That’s it. Thank you for coming to my Ted Talk, and hit the merch table in the lobby.

      • nottelling@lemmy.worldEnglish
        0·
        2 months ago

        Because legit ads aren’t malware. The edge protection devices actually filter and monitor the ad traffic like any other Internet traffic, scanning for known or heuristic attacks.

        Blocking ads at the Enterprise is more expensive than it’s worth. When legit traffic is blocked, it makes work for the team, and avoiding that makes the filters too permissive to be useful.

        Portable apps will get you fired, don’t use them if you’re not authorized.