I use Mozilla Firefox + Noscript and Adblock add ons.
Guess what, with a little setup, I have no banners whatsoever...
Initially I allow nothing and disable java.
Then by visiting the websites I frequent, I can give them "permission" or unblock them and then set filters that eliminate the annoying banners. Usually these work through google or similar advertising companies and can be blocked independently of the primary page.
Adblock has pre-compiled filters which one can use which are continuously being updated with the addresses of new content. When using these filters you never get to see the banners, period. If an unknown one comes through, right click on it to add it to the filter. reload the page and it is gone.
Besides anything else, this allows web pages to load a lot faster without all this junk being downloaded. I'm paying for my bandwidth, so I should get to decide what is allowed through my communications pipeline.
Mozilla Firefox can be used on most operating systems.
Of course, I use Linux and not windows OS, since with windows ads and malware have more than one way to make it onto your display and I got tired of that game and the costly and resource robbing antivirus software. My current laptop was purchased in late 2009, has never had AV software and has not had a single windows type issue either... Linux is not for everyone, but I'd recommend everyone gives it a try. Most versions now can be booted off a CD rom or DVD with no impact on the normal OS, to get an idea what it is like to work with.
The image below is what the forum looks like without ads.
