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

Opolork · 20 Dec 2021, 08:10

Hi.

I notice a lot of ads showing in my UT web browser.

In Debian, I've a long list of entries in the /etc/hosts (ref: https://vitux.com/linux-hosts-file).

Would doing the same in UT be ok? Or is there a better way?

Thanks.

Pulsar33 · 20 Dec 2021, 08:29

Yes, you can. You need to remount / as RW so be careful

sudo mount -o remount,rw /
cd /etc
sudo mv hosts hosts_org
sudo cp your_hosts_file .

Then reboot

As you surely know, your new hosts file must begin with the content of the original one

BR
Pulsar33

AppLee · 20 Dec 2021, 08:42

@opolork
In addition the Pulsar33's answer you can use uAdBlock (from the Open Store) it does the same IIRC.
Also when you'll update the OS you might lose your hosts file and have to redo the procedure.

The easy way if good enough for you is tu use uAdBlock.

Keneda · 20 Dec 2021, 10:06

@pulsar33 said in Is it possible to block ads via hosts file on UT?:

sudo mount -o remount,rw /

sudo mount -o remount,ro / in the end also

Pulsar33 · 20 Dec 2021, 10:32

@keneda I prefer rebooting (as said) which remounts ro and starts properly
BR
Pulsar33

nero355 · 20 Dec 2021, 13:35

@opolork

Run Pi-Hole on your home network.
When not at home connect via PiVPN (which supports both OpenVPN and WireGuard and is Pi-Hole aware during the installation!) to your home network in order to have adblocking on your phone

Opolork · 20 Dec 2021, 14:30

@nero355 said in Is it possible to block ads via hosts file on UT?:

Pi-Hole

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

Opolork · 20 Dec 2021, 14:49

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

uAdBlock

Hi AL.

I just check and uAdBlock was already installed. I opened it and a popup window said no update available. I went past than and say "Last updated: 7 Apr 2020".

I'm on v2.6.2 and the settings have 'Check for updates on app start' enabled.

Does the settings 'remain in r/w status' need to be on?

Thanks.

AppLee · 20 Dec 2021, 15:01

@opolork I don't remember,
But I think it can be turned off.
What is important is to select the proper blacklist(s) and to update them once in a while.
Also I noticed a couple of time the app crashed silently, but a reboot fixed it for months.

Opolork · 20 Dec 2021, 15:15

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

@opolork I don't remember,
But I think it can be turned off.
What is important is to select the proper blacklist(s) and to update them once in a while.
Also I noticed a couple of time the app crashed silently, but a reboot fixed it for months.

I checked all the blocked lists, it's now updated to today.

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!