Best Adblocker for Primarily Windows Devices - No Pfsense

geekcohen on 21/06/2024 - 08:30

What is everyone's go-to for adblocking?

Running Windows 11 and 10 machines.

I've found that Adblocker appears to crash my Chrome a lot. I've trialled AdGuard AdBlocker and like it so far.

I also would like the flexibility to be able to allow certain websites where the Adblocker would be disabled.

Any device synchronization would also be a bonus, although not essential.

I don't want to use Brave, I want to stick with Google Chrome.

Also, cannot go down a pfsense route as I have a Ubiquiti Dream Machine in place and do not want to change any of that.

Internet Ad Blocker

Comments

  • CodeXD on 21/06/2024 - 08:47
    +32

    ublock origin

    • fantombloo on 21/06/2024 - 08:51
      +1

      Anyone have any trouble with youtube lately with ublock origin? I got a "disable blocker" message the other day; reloaded and it all seemed fine thereafter, but feels like this might be coming to an end?

      • Clear on 21/06/2024 - 09:02
        +5

        I've had that couple of times over the last few years. I think both sides are trying to be proactive at times.

      • freedomj on 21/06/2024 - 09:04
        +2

        Nah afaik YouTube is too dependent on embed and device compatibility to ever push that game of cat n mouse too far

        Invidious based instances seem to always work, often more reliably than even Firefox with ad blockers installed

        I use FreeTube on Linux; unsure about other platforms

      • EightImmortals on 21/06/2024 - 10:09

        Yes been happening a lot lately but seems to have settled down over the last few days, for me anyway.

        But I also run noscript, adblock plus, ghostery and maybe a couple of other things.

        • bohn on 21/06/2024 - 10:10
          +4

          you should run ublock origin, not adblock plus. and ghostery is not necessary with ublock running.

          • EightImmortals on 21/06/2024 - 11:51

            @bohn: Cheers, yep have ublock origin going too, forgot that one. :)

      • BoltThrower on 21/06/2024 - 16:12

        Not since last year.
        Check your filters. I have disabled both Adguards and just running with Easylist. If that doesn't rectify things, I can go through the other settings in a PM.

        1/3
        EasyList
        87,014 used out of 87,058
        AdGuard – Ads
        AdGuard – Mobile Ads

    • 1 Sec on 21/06/2024 - 08:56
      +4

      I haven’t found anything better than UBO (https://ublockorigin.com/) and Bypass paywall (https://gitlab.com/username35/bypass-paywalls-clean-filters/…).

      I install these on every single computer I use.

      • whyisave on 21/06/2024 - 13:59

        Do you use both of them concurrently ?

        • nea ozb on 21/06/2024 - 14:12

          yes

    • bohn on 21/06/2024 - 10:29
      +1

      https://www.reddit.com/r/uBlockOrigin/comments/1d49ud1/manif…

      spose enjoy it while it lasts, eh (in chrome at least).

    • bazingaa on 21/06/2024 - 12:49
      +1

      I even use ublock origin in phone, even blocks youtube ads

  • o53djz7qTPY4der on 21/06/2024 - 09:00
    +3

    Use DNS blocking, e.g. AdGuard DNS, NextDNS or ControlD. You can set this up at router level and/or per device. For example, I have my router set up with AdGuard DNS and phones set with custom profiles so when use 5G they still use AdGuard DNS.

    I got my AdGuard DNS via a stacksocial AdGuard 5-yr VPN deal. It was like $28 for 5 years, well worth it. Next DNS is cheap as chips too.

    • bohn on 21/06/2024 - 09:05

      dns blocking is great, but you still want ublock origin to clean some of the pages up.

      I use adguardhome for dns blocking - it's free. Similar to pi-hole (also free).
      https://github.com/AdguardTeam/AdGuardHome

      • o53djz7qTPY4der on 21/06/2024 - 09:14

        Yeah, absolutely. However, on mobile devices it does a fairly good job without UBO. That said, I use Firefox with UBO on Android. Partner has an iPhone with custom Adguard profile set up. She rarely sees an ad in safari or in apps (exception being Meta apps).

        Re. AdGuard Home/PiHole versus AG's paid service. For me it was about not having to run a VPN on my mobile devices to use self-hosted DNS. For ~$5py I'm happy to pay.

        • bohn on 21/06/2024 - 09:34

          actually on my android I also have Adguard Android , which I got a lifetime sub for about $7 (it was 349 russian rubles ;))

          That's been good for me.

          • neoleo on 22/06/2024 - 08:06

            @bohn: Same boat with lifetime adguard android for <$7 ;-) can be applied to my iPad too :P

    • geekcohen on 21/06/2024 - 09:16

      I had a look at Adguard DNS and saw the old OzB deal. Can you allow certain sites via that? or is it either on or off for all sites?

      • o53djz7qTPY4der on 21/06/2024 - 09:21
        +1

        It is very customisable. You can allow by site easily using the webUI. You can also set up profiles for different people (e.g. kids) or devices. These profiles can be fully customised. For example, I have an adults and a kids profile. Kids profile is fully locked down - everything is blocked except a small handful of sites.

        Every now and again you get something block that you want to use. Simply go into the query log, find the request and unblock it. It adds a rule to your profile and in the future it wont be blocked.

        • geekcohen on 21/06/2024 - 09:22

          I like the sound of this. I am going to trial it now. The less crap I need in Chrome, the better.

  • bohn on 21/06/2024 - 09:06
    +4

    Chrome is going to get worse in the future re ads. Google is going to keep trying to give us more and more. They are already inserting ads into youtube feeds.
    Firefox is the way to go.

    • geekcohen on 21/06/2024 - 09:24

      Chrome is going to get worse in the future re ads. Google is going to keep trying to give us more and more

      Just like inflation, it is kinda happening everywhere.

      They are already inserting ads into youtube feeds.

      I have YouTube premium, so I got rid of all of that.

      Firefox is the way to go.

      Whilst yes, it might be, I like a lot of the Chrome features + Add-ons. And I am in the web development space, so a lot of the market and users are Chrome, so I need to be using that.

      • o53djz7qTPY4der on 21/06/2024 - 09:26

        Yep, FF.

        I use Chrome on Linux but only as a container for "apps". E.g. I have a YT window, a gDrive window etc. I don't use Chrome to browse the WWW.

      • barge-in hunter on 21/06/2024 - 09:49
        +1

        I was about to jump on the Firefox advice bandwagon too - but completely understand why you need Chrome if you're in web development. The only recommendation I can make is to start reducing your reliance on Chrome, using it primarily for work related tasks - as distinct from your regular/everyday/private browsing.

        In short - it's an uphill battle as Google are moving their ad targeting services into the browser (kind of like a local CDP/publicly available behavioural profile, accessed from devices themselves).

        Along with their changes to the permission structures of extensions (essentially limiting or blocking them from modifying network calls - the basic way most ad-blockers currently work), we're moving to a world where Google ad products are more heavily embedded in what we do - and are not opt out.

        • bohn on 21/06/2024 - 10:14

          Chrome is going to get worse in the future re ads. Google is going to keep trying to give us more and more
          Just like inflation, it is kinda happening everywhere. @geekcohen

          In short - it's an uphill battle as Google are moving their ad targeting services into the browser(forbes.com) (kind of like a local CDP/publicly available behavioural profile, accessed from devices themselves).

          I thought as a dev, geekcohen might be more in-tune with the upcoming manifest v3 changes that will limit the adblocking abilities in chrome.
          https://developer.chrome.com/blog/resuming-the-transition-to…
          https://blog.chromium.org/2024/05/manifest-v2-phase-out-begi…

          I agree with your recommendation to only use chrome where necessary and firefox elsewhere.

  • RedHab on 21/06/2024 - 09:29

    You can install piHole as a DNS server. Won't help with Youtube ads, though.

    Most Linux-based routers allow you to install it too, but I don't know about yours.

    • bohn on 21/06/2024 - 10:20

      you don't need to install it on a router. You can install it on a raspberry pi, in a docker, etc.

      • pjetson on 21/06/2024 - 12:18
        +2

        I think RedHab was saying that tou don't need to install it on a Raspberry Pi if you can install it on your router.

        • bohn on 21/06/2024 - 12:44
          +1

          tbh I think for numerous reasons it's better not to have it installed on the router.

  • theoscat on 21/06/2024 - 10:35

    my udm pro has Adblock and you might want to check if Ubiquiti Dream Machine has that too.
    it's the new features available in Network

    • geekcohen on 21/06/2024 - 12:20

      Looks like it is done via Traffic Rules. Looks to be a pain to setup.

      The DNS solution via Adguard is currently working.

      • theoscat on 21/06/2024 - 16:28

        yes, indeed I am using AdGuard Home now on my Pi which is a lot easier to manage.
        Used to use Pi-hole but I like the Adguard UI more.

    • Sal in SA on 21/06/2024 - 12:45

      Pretty basic though - it is still a away from really being worth it.
      Pi-hole either on pi - or in a docker or VM on a machine is far better. - Access to complete control of custom lists - exceptions etc. much much better control vs UDM - and also have UDM Pro, it does do IDS duties though.

  • pharkurnell on 21/06/2024 - 10:36
    +1

    Reading some replies, I now know why people are going 64g ram….

    • Mechz on 22/06/2024 - 00:15

      I just set up Pihole on a VDI that I put DietPi Linux onto.

      Only has an Atom and 4GB RAM / 4GB SSD.

      Runs great, and sips less power than my router.

  • FoxJump on 21/06/2024 - 11:49
    +1

    I use a gl.inet router as my main router. It provides wireguard vpn service to access my home stuff from anywhere, AND also does adguard home for all devices at home - AND even direct VPN clients.

    • geekcohen on 21/06/2024 - 12:19

      Cool, I am running Ubiquiti as my main router. It also provides a VPN service to access my stuff from home anywhere. Whilst no built in Adguard, it does a very good job and controls all my APs. So thanks for the reply, but not helpful.

      • FoxJump on 21/06/2024 - 13:30

        note, i set up adguard home on a computer at home and pointer my router dnsing to it, and some smart devices at home stopped being reachable.

        my pre glinet router is a deco xe75pro
        so there be dragons possibly if trying that

        • geekcohen on 21/06/2024 - 13:55

          My Smart Devices appear to be okay at this stage with Adguard configured to my Dream Machine.

          • FoxJump on 21/06/2024 - 14:01

            @geekcohen: lucky!
            2/3 of my tplink tapo devices stopped being reachable for me :(

            dammit tplink

  • Sal in SA on 21/06/2024 - 12:42

    Pi-hole as VM.

    • bohn on 21/06/2024 - 13:03

      no browser addon at all for cleanup?

      • Sal in SA on 21/06/2024 - 13:09
        +2

        No, like to keep endpoints clean and consistent - run about 5-6 pcs - few laptops and small devices etc and minimal individual management is a goal :)

        • bohn on 21/06/2024 - 13:58

          yeh i run adguardhome in a docker
          not sure i can imagine not running ublock tho :)

  • bazingaa on 21/06/2024 - 12:47

    ublock-origin

    • bohn on 21/06/2024 - 12:57
      +1

      while it lasts.. (in chrome)

      • bazingaa on 21/06/2024 - 12:59
        +2

        I don't use chrome

      • neoleo on 22/06/2024 - 07:54

        Adguard DNS or NextDNS, etc. as the gatekeeper to block most ads, even without browser extension or when manifest V3 has been applied to the masses.

        Firefox will still keep manifest V2 even after Chrome use manifest V3. So, Firefox with ublock origin (manifest V2)

        I also use adguard app in my android phone and NextDNS.

  • masterqur on 21/06/2024 - 14:40

    Does any adblock still work for YouTube?

    • neoleo on 22/06/2024 - 07:49

      Use Firefox browser with ublock origin or Brave browser with adblocker already built-in. YouTube can still run in the background with these browsers while doing something else or using other apps.

  • core101 on 21/06/2024 - 15:03

    Adguardhome on the UDM Pro.

    Test it with https://d3ward.github.io/toolz/adblock.html

    uBlock Origin to block html page elements, javascript, etc.

    • Mechz on 22/06/2024 - 00:20

      I prefer Adnauseam.

  • FostWare on 21/06/2024 - 15:47

    UDM and NextDNS (nextdns.io) for upstream DNS server, or the AdGuardHome if you have the UDM Pro

  • [Deactivated] on 22/06/2024 - 17:28
    -1

    Safari plus $3 Wipr app. Both, iOS and MacOS.
    Even better than Firefox, which started sliding down pushing unsafe defaults on users.
    For Apple users, of course, so offtopic, technically.

  • skillet on 26/06/2024 - 08:36
    -1

    Brave browser, runs on multiplatform.

Login or Join to leave a comment
Login Join