mirror of https://github.com/M66B/NetGuard.git
96 lines
5.0 KiB
Markdown
96 lines
5.0 KiB
Markdown
Ad Blocking with NetGuard
|
|
-------------------------
|
|
|
|
Instructions (you need to follow **all** the steps):
|
|
|
|
1. Download/install the latest NetGuard version [from GitHub](https://github.com/M66B/NetGuard/releases)
|
|
1. Enable the setting *'Filter traffic'* in the Advanced options (three dot menu > Settings > Advanced options > Filter traffic; default is disabled except always enabled in Android 5.0 and earlier)
|
|
1. Enable the setting *'Block domain names'* in the Advanced options (three dot menu > Settings > Advanced options > Block domain names; default is enabled)
|
|
1. Import or download [a hosts file](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hosts_(file)) using the NetGuard backup settings (three dot menu > Settings > Backup > Download hosts file)
|
|
1. Disable browser compression (in Chrome: three dot menu > Settings > Data Saver > Off)
|
|
1. Wait at least 10 minutes to let the Android DNS cache time out
|
|
1. Test to see if ad blocking works by opening [this page](http://www.netguard.me/test)
|
|
1. Enjoy ad blocking, but don't forget to support application developers and website authors in other ways
|
|
|
|
<br />
|
|
|
|
Troubleshooting:
|
|
|
|
Because of routing bugs, some devices/Android versions require:
|
|
|
|
* the advanced option *Manage system applications* to be enabled and/or
|
|
* two (not just one) custom DNS server addresses to be set in the advanced options
|
|
|
|
<br />
|
|
|
|
Note that:
|
|
|
|
* applications, like web browsers, may cache data, so you may need to clear caches
|
|
* applications, browsers mostly, that have a *"data saver"*-like feature that proxies requests through their servers (eg. Opera w/ Turbo, Opera Max, Puffin, Chrome w/ data saver, UC Browser, Yandex w/ Turbo, Apus Browser, KK Browser, Onavo Extend, Maxthon) will not have ads blocked as NetGuard cannot see those domain requests
|
|
* YouTube ads are not domain-based, and thus cannot be blocked with NetGuard
|
|
* NetGuard ignores the IP addresses in the hosts file, because it does not route blocked domains to localhost
|
|
* NetGuard does not concatenate hosts files, so you will have to use a source which does this for you or do it yourself
|
|
* When NetGuard imports the hosts file, it automatically discards any duplicates entries, so duplicate entries are not a problem and have no performance impact after the file is imported
|
|
* you can check the number of hosts (domains) imported by pulling the NetGuard notification down using two fingers if your version of Android supports that functionality
|
|
* wildcards are not supported due to performance and battery usage reasons
|
|
* **ad blocking is provided as-is**, see also [here](https://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=71805655&postcount=4668)
|
|
* **ad blocking is not available when NetGuard was installed from the Google Play store!** (disable automatic updates of NetGuard in the Play store application)
|
|
|
|
<br />
|
|
|
|
The NetGuard version from GitHub:
|
|
|
|
* is signed with the same signature as the version from the Google Play store, so any purchases will be restored
|
|
* will automatically notify you if there are updates available via GitHub (this can be switched off in NetGuard's settings)
|
|
|
|
<br />
|
|
|
|
Which hosts (ad servers) will be blocked depends on the hosts file being used.
|
|
NetGuard provides the [StevenBlack hosts file](https://github.com/StevenBlack/hosts) download with the following additions:
|
|
|
|
* reports.crashlytics.com
|
|
* settings.crashlytics.com
|
|
* e.crashlytics.com
|
|
* test.netguard.me
|
|
|
|
<br />
|
|
|
|
Automation:
|
|
|
|
You can automatically download a hosts file by sending this service intent with your favorite automation tool, like Tasker:
|
|
|
|
`eu.faircode.netguard.DOWNLOAD_HOSTS_FILE`
|
|
|
|
For example using [adb](https://developer.android.com/studio/command-line/adb.html) from the command line:
|
|
|
|
`adb shell am startservice -a eu.faircode.netguard.DOWNLOAD_HOSTS_FILE`
|
|
|
|
<br />
|
|
|
|
Apart from using a hosts file, you can block most in-app ads by blocking this address in the access list of Google Play services:
|
|
|
|
*googleads.g.doubleclick.net/443*
|
|
|
|
You'll need to enable filtering and (temporarily) logging for this (you can do this by using the *Configure* button; check both options)
|
|
and you'll need to wait until the address appears (you can speed this up by opening some apps with in-app ads).
|
|
Note that ads are likely being cached, so this may not take effect immediately.
|
|
|
|
<br />
|
|
|
|
An alternate way to block advertisements is by using special DNS servers, like these:
|
|
|
|
* [AdGuard DNS](https://adguard.com/en/adguard-dns/overview.html) - Free
|
|
* [Alternate DNS](https://alternate-dns.com/) - 14 day free trial
|
|
* [NoAd](https://noad.zone/) - Not working as of 2017 June 03
|
|
|
|
Be sure to read the privacy policies of these services as they might log your DNS requests.
|
|
|
|
You can set DNS server addresses for all connection types in NetGuard's *Advanced options*.
|
|
Note that when you set two DNS server addresses, the default (operating system/network provider) DNS servers will not be used anymore.
|
|
|
|
Feel free to let me know about other servers or request to add them in alphabetic order by doing a pull request.
|
|
|
|
<br />
|
|
|
|
**Please do not mention this feature in Google Play store comments, since Google does not allow ad blocking applications in the Google Play store.**
|