A ZDNet write-up describes how a hobbyist uses a low-cost ESP32-S3 microcontroller board to block web advertisements. The author says they choose the ESP32-S3 as a cheaper alternative to increasingly expensive Raspberry Pi devices, and reports that the setup takes only minutes. The approach centers on programming the ESP32-S3 to interfere with web ad delivery by handling network traffic in a way that prevents ads from loading in a browser. The article frames the project as a quick, accessible proof-of-concept, emphasizing cost and simplicity rather than new hardware capabilities. While the piece focuses on the practical steps the maker took to get ad blocking working, it does not present results from formal testing across different websites or describe broad policy or security implications. Overall, the report highlights that inexpensive microcontroller hardware can be configured to perform ad-blocking functions typically associated with more expensive single-board computers, at least for the use case demonstrated by the author.