Extras

The sweet little things. Click something that interests you!

Cool Networking Tips

Adblock your entire Network

If you have access to your routers control panel, keep reading: You can change its default DNS to something that blocks ads and malware usally found under Internet -> Credentials -> DNS, though this may vary. Here are the addresses of the DNS i recommend: Dnsforge

Reboot your router and there you go, now all the devices that are connected to your network can have a sanitary internet experience despite not having any adblockers installed. This is particulary useful for embedded devices like SmartTV and FireTV that don't really let you tinker with them, or when your parent suddenly installs another unprotected browser.

Want a DNS that lets you set your own rules? Try NextDNS - Cool guide - Attention: Their free plan is limited to 300000 queries per month. If you exceed this you will see ads and badware. In contrast, dnsforge is limited to 70 queries per 10 seconds which i find more forgiving.

Want a DNS server that sits right next to your router without limits at all? Try Pi-hole

No Router Access?

No problem: You can use another DNS on your end devices too.

Android

Works with all Wi-Fi connections and mobile data!

If you're on Android 8 or older i recommend AdAway.

iOS

This only works per-Wi-Fi unfortunately.

Use your Home Network from Anywhere

Wireguard

Asus Routers

Fritzbox Routers (GERMAN)

If your router supports Wireguard, and you have stuff like NAS at home, come grab a beverage and sit down. Wireguard is your own and personal VPN tunnel that connects your phone or laptop to your home network, no matter what public wifi/mobile data you're on. It's as if you are at home: You can use your NAS and anything else sitting on your home network worldwide without having to open ports and exposing them to the internet.

Caution: Only use QR code if you can and delete every single config file when everything is said and done. You do NOT want to get them on wrong hands.

Cool uBlock Origin filter lists

Usally, uBlock Origin's default configuration is all you need. If you stumble on bad stuff still, this is for you.

Read the wiki

Before we begin, i recommend to read the official wiki first.

Find out what any of the popup UI means

How to open the dashboard and what the settings do

What this guide is all about: Filter lists

uBO's FAQ on Reddit

Try the built-in lists

Click uBO's red shield icon on your toolbar, then the 3 gears icon to open the dashboard. On the "Filter lists" tab you will see a assortment of lists for you to enable as you see fit. Here are some recommendations: image

If you visit websites that don't speak English: Enable the lists under "Regions, languages" that fits your needs.

Try some custom lists

Still getting badware? Are you sure you've enabled the built-in lists? In that rare case i recommend so called custom block lists. Click uBO's red shield icon on your toolbar, then the 3 gears icon to open the dashboard. On the very bottom of "Filter lists" tab you will see "Import..." that let's you paste URLs containing such lists.

StevenBlack's hosts

https://raw.githubusercontent.com/StevenBlack/hosts/master/hosts

This is a collection of reputable and up to date filter lists that blocks virtually everything.

Denny's hosts

https://denny.ichi.city/hosts

Is virtually not enough for you? Me neither. On this filter list of mine i add bad stuff as i come across them.

Beware: Since i'm new to this, there is NO guarantee that i won't break stuff on your end. In that case i'd super appreciate your input !

Tips

If you have trouble sanitizing embedded devices like FireTV that doesn't let you install uBlock Origin, and you happen to have access to your routers control panel, try DNS blocking.

Chromium's Manifest V3

If you use a Chromium based browser such as Chrome, you will find that they disable V2 extensions like uBlock Origin without your consent to allegedly protect your security, until you run into a malicious ad that pulverizes your computer. So, what are the options?

  1. uBlock Origin Lite - A less effective uBlock Origin for Chrome and Chromium. Does a great job in blocking YouTube ads providing you change the filtering mode:

    1. Open uBOL's popup panel by clicking on its icon in your browser's toolbar.

    2. Click on the cogwheel icon to access the dashboard.

    3. Choose Complete.

  2. Brave - A different browser that stays in the Chromium ecosystem and continues to support select V2 extensions like uBlock Origin. Here's how you install uBO on Brave:

    1. Click the burger menu on the top right, then Settings

    2. Extensions -> Manifest V2 Extensions: enable uBlock Origin ( if Manifest V2 Extensions doesn't appear: enable this flag: brave://flags/#brave-extensions-manifest-v2 )
    3. (Optional) Shields: disable Trackers & ad blocking
    4. A new puzzle icon appeared on the top right. You can customize uBO from there.

    Also: Thorium - MV2 will remain - Thorium is another excellent Chromium based browser that comes with uBlock Origin.

  3. FireFox - A different browser with a different ecosystem that won't drop Manifest V2 anytime soon.

What is the best option here? This is hard to say. As for Brave and Thorium (B), it depends on how difficult restoring MV2 support is on a technical level and how much effort would be required to maintain it and keep it fully functional. Also: You can't count on the author of uBO to deliver updates for it when Chromium's MV2 is officially defunct.

If you really want my opinion: Any Chromium browser with uBO Lite (A) for stuff that needs Chromium to work, Firefox (C) for anything else. These are the 2 things I'm positive will work for the foreseeable future and having multiple browsers installed for different needs isn't a bad idea.

Notes to self

https://github.com/yokoffing/filterlists - a great uBlock guide - you should check it out!

https://firebog.net/ - they list interesting filter lists

https://dnsforge.de/ - should watch out for the filter lists they use, thats how i came across StevenBlack

Cool Advice

I don't know what I'm doing. Use what works best for you.

These are all just recommendations and it's up to you to find out what works best for you, and there is so much more cool stuff hidden on the internet. If you stumble on something you find useful, feel free to share it with me. Thanks!