Palo Alto , California ( CNN ) -- Depending whom you ask , Chad Russell and Charles Butkus ' invention is either a step forward for the Internet -- or a death knell for free content . Their AdTrap device intercepts online advertisements before they reach any devices that access your Internet connection , allowing you to surf the Web -- even stream videos -- without those annoying ads . Their inspiration ? A conversation about the early days of the Internet . `` It was page , text and pictures -- and that 's it , '' said Russell , 31 . In other words , there were zero ads . So , Russell and Butkus set out to recreate the past and they came up with AdTrap . The company 's motto is , `` The Internet is yours again . '' While there are countless software and browser plug-ins that block online advertisements -- many of them free -- they are limited to the individual device or the specific browser . AdTrap , a white rectangular box that resembles a wireless router and costs $ 139 , intercepts the ads before they reach the laptop , tablet or mobile phone . Interest and enthusiasm for Russell and Butkus ' idea translated into $ 200,000 , raised through a 30-day Kickstarter crowdsourcing campaign earlier this year . The funds are being used by parent company Bluepoint Security , a mobile antivirus software firm , to manufacture the AdTrap units . `` I think it speaks to the mindset of people right now of their experience on the Internet , '' Russell said . AdTrap devices started shipping in August , so it 's still a little early to get a thorough review of the product . At the company 's modest Palo Alto headquarters , I tested one of the units , which take only a few minutes to set up . Compared to the various software ad-blockers , Russell said a hardware solution is more effective because it works on every device connected to your network . The unit sits between the modem and router and it works reasonably well . It was nice to go to YouTube and other websites , click on a video and have it play instantly , ad free . There are a couple of sites like Hulu , for instance where AdTrap does n't work , but Russell said they 're working on some solutions . For many users , it 's a huge victory over those annoying advertisements that sometimes follow you around the Web or make you wait 30 seconds before you can watch a video . `` At some point , it 's gotten a bit much , '' Russell said , referring to online ads . But these ads also allow websites , including CNN.com , to offer content without charge , and ad-blocking devices like AdTrap could put that business model at risk . That could spell potential legal trouble for entrepreneurs like Russell and Butkus . They 've already retained a Silicon Valley law firm in case things get thorny with advertisers . `` We 're not trying to be against all advertisers , '' said Julie Russell , Chad Russell 's mother , who handles finances for AdTrap . `` We 're trying to make the user have an experience when the Internet first came out and there was n't so much interference . ''
AdTrap is hardware that blocks Internet ads before they reach your devices . Most ad blockers are software that has to be installed on each device . Excitement about the invention led to $ 200,000 raised on a Kickstarter campaign . The company has retained an attorney in case advertisers sue .