This list is used to block unwanted content in Opera, denying access to specific URLs based on simple wildcards. Its goal is speed, so we try to make the list as small as possible, yet blocking the greatest number possible of unwanted URLs. Any redundancy will be considered a bug and fixed. The list encompasses all types of annoyances and questionable web sites (advertising networks, adult web sites, gamble, malware, etc.). Perfect for safe browsing at work, for instance. If you want to contribute and make this list more thorough and optimized, please send your URLs and suggestions to contact@adblocklist.com - Please bear in mind that the current list is nowhere as thorough as Fanboy's so if your computer is beefy, you can use his, it has definitely more URLs listed. The adblock list is a good addition to AdSweep, as it saves bandwidth, while AdSweep hides advertisement placeholders.
Download the adblock list into your Opera directory. To find out what your Opera directory is, open Opera, type opera:about in your location bar and hit "Enter". It'll be listed on the "About" page. Mine is C:\Users\Charles\AppData\Roaming\Opera\Opera.
What about Chrome? Firefox? Safari? (etc.) - Opera uses Content Blocking, a feature that blocks unwanted URLs. Chrome and Safari don't offer yet content policy like Firefox does, but you can still use HostMan to block unwanted hosts system-wide. And Firefox has Adblock Plus, which is an advanced ad blocker.
To receive updates, download and install GetRight (there's a free version), click "Tools > Daily Downloads > Add...".
Click "OK", and click the "Go All" button to test the update system. Then, click the "OK" button to close the dialog window. GetRight will update your adblock list as scheduled.
If you're a power user, and if you prefer a more light-weight application with no GUI, Gill suggested to use wget instead. Download and install the "Complete package, except sources", install wget to the default location, create a Scheduled Task which will run:
"C:\Program Files\GnuWin32\bin\wget.exe" -N -P "C:\Path_To_Your_Opera_Directory" http://www.adblocklist.com/urlfilter.ini
Make sure you change to your Opera path accordingly. This job will download the urlfilter.ini file and place it in your Opera folder. It will only download and overwrite the urlfilter.ini file if the version on the server is newer than the version in the Opera folder.
If you use Linux or Unix, you can also schedule updates using a Cron job. For assistance, please ask on the Linux Question forum or on the FreeBSD forum.
If you like this Adblock list, AND if you need web hosting, please consider Dreamhost. I have tried several web hosting companies and overall, I like Dreamhost a lot. When you sign up at Dreamhost using this link, they will reward me financially at no additional cost for you. Thanks in advance!
If you have some time, you can send me URLs that you think should be blocked (with or without wildcards).
Last, but not least, you are welcome to participate financially. I know you can't donate everywhere, but having a faster and safer web is cool to have. If you like the idea and would like to help your way, here's my Paypal account for donations: contact@adblocklist.com - Thank you.