Is it possible to block ads via hosts file on UT?

Opolork · 20 Dec 2021, 15:47

Does uAdBlock rewrite the whole /etc/hosts file everytime it updates it or does it only change it's own entries? In other words - do custom entries someone would make in /etc/hosts be overwritten every time uAdBlock does its stuff?

AppLee · 20 Dec 2021, 15:49

@opolork
I don't know about that.
Maybe you can make some tests if nobody knows...

Good question though

Opolork · 20 Dec 2021, 16:12

Is it possible to access the /etc/hosts from my PC? I find editing on a smartphone to be too cumbersome. I'd like to open them the hosts file on a text editor on my PC (Debian 11) and do a few edits.

AppLee · 20 Dec 2021, 16:21

@opolork
You can do it using ADB or SSH...

Opolork · 20 Dec 2021, 17:58

@applee Which is easier? Do you know a basic/quick method?

Fuseteam · 20 Dec 2021, 18:49

@opolork do keep in mind that the hosts file is readonly for a reason. any changes will be lost after an ota update, uAdBlock know how to restore it changes, but it might become tedious for you to restore your changes

Opolork · 20 Dec 2021, 19:16

@fuseteam Ok, it'd be best to let uAdBlock maange it so. Thank you.

AppLee · 21 Dec 2021, 08:17

@opolork

Both are really simple.
For ADB (which I do not use) you can type a single command like this adb shell sh after connecting your device with USB cable.

SSH allows you to avoid the cable and use the wifi instead.
But you need to configure it first using UT Tweak Tool.
I don't remember if it's required, but I will advise to push a public key to your device so you won't have to enter a passphrase.
To connect with SSH you just type ssh phablet@<ip_address>...

domubpkm · 21 Dec 2021, 14:49

uAdBlock blocks at the DNS level and unfortunately some lists cannot act and be installed at this level. This means that uAdBlock, although useful, is becoming less and less effective as time goes by, unfortunately, given the evolution of technologies for installing crap on computers...

nero355 · 21 Dec 2021, 18:37

@opolork said in Is it possible to block ads via hosts file on UT? [Resolved]:

That seems a bit too complex and involved for my liking.

I am using it now for about 5 years or so and it's AWESOME!!!

I can recommend running Pi-Hole + Unbound to pretty much EVERYONE who has a spare Raspberry Pi laying around!

@domubpkm said in Is it possible to block ads via hosts file on UT? [Resolved]:

uAdBlock blocks at the DNS level and unfortunately some lists cannot act and be installed at this level. This means that uAdBlock, although useful, is becoming less and less effective as time goes by, unfortunately, given the evolution of technologies for installing crap on computers...

Things like DNS over HTTPS and ads beeing hosted on the same server as the content (YouTube for example!) are becoming a much bigger issue IMHO :pouting_face:

But fortunately you can still block a lot of stuff via DNS so I am very happy with that method on my home network!

Opolork · 24 Dec 2021, 10:48

@applee said in Is it possible to block ads via hosts file on UT? [Resolved]:

For ADB (which I do not use) you can type a single command like this adb shell sh after connecting your device with USB cable.

Hi AL.

So I just need to install the adb package on my PC?

Is the adb shell sh run from my PC?

Opolork · 24 Dec 2021, 15:36

@nero355 Hi Nero. Thanks but I'll stick to the simpler method for now.

Merry Xmas!

AppLee · 24 Dec 2021, 18:23

@opolork
Yes you should open a console and type it on your computer with the device attached to it.

Opolork · 24 Dec 2021, 18:28

@applee Ok, cheers, AL.

Merry Xmas!

Opolork · 25 Dec 2021, 14:26

@applee said in Is it possible to block ads via hosts file on UT? [Resolved]:

For ADB (which I do not use) you can type a single command like this adb shell sh after connecting your device with USB cable.

I got this:

adb shell sh

error: no devices/emulators found

nero355 · 25 Dec 2021, 15:51

@opolork
Did you Enable Developer Mode and USB Debugging ?!

Opolork · 25 Dec 2021, 17:20

@nero355 Hi. Dev mode is enabled. I don't see any option to enable USB debugging.

Edit: I did a reboot and was then able to run adb shell sh to connect to the phone from my PC. The shell doesn't seem to have tab auto complete. Also when I opened a text file on the phone, I couldn't save any changes I made in nano (Ctrl-x did nothing).

nero355 · 27 Dec 2021, 16:50

@opolork
Which file were you editing ??

Perhaps because the system needs to be remounted in write mode in order to edit certain files ?

Opolork · 27 Dec 2021, 17:08

@nero355 I was trying to edit the hosts file. How do I remount it in write mode?

nero355 · 27 Dec 2021, 17:45

@opolork said in Is it possible to block ads via hosts file on UT? [Resolved]:

How do I remount it in write mode?

The easiest way :

Install UT Tweak Tool from the OpenStore
Choose "System" from the top left menu.
Choose "Make image writeable"
Pick any of the two other options!