Will ad-block prevent this from popping up and wreaking havoc on computers?
One of the functions of an ad blocker is to block JavaScript from blacklisted domains. If malware is being spread by malicious JavaScript from one of these domains, then the ad blocker will be protecting you.
E.g., my bank's website brings in JavaScript from several domains. One of these is the main domain of the bank itself and the others are from domains that the bank has, in effect, hired as subcontractors. These "subcontractors" are more likely to be compromised than the bank's domain; but since these subcontractors tend to serve ads, trackers and other forms of crapware, they tend to be on blacklists and will get blocked by ad blockers. Indeed, if I go to my bank's website with NoScript (my primary crap blocker) set to temporarily "allow all," then my secondary security extension (uBlock Origin, which is sort of an ad blocker) will block four of the bank's "subcontractors" because they are known, blacklisted sources of ads, web trackers and crapware.
In summary, ad blockers tend to protect you from notoriously dodgy subcontractors, but probably not from any malicious JavaScript that gets injected into the main domain of the web site.
Have just started using the Brave browser. It is the creation of the ex ceo of firefox who was forced to resign over political correctness. Great browser. Built in ad blocker.
Very fast. Great for mobile phones also. Highly recommend.
Get Ublock Origin and script safe plugins for chrome.