Reflections on Ad Blocking Best Practices: A Comprehensive Approach

I recently came across an interesting discussion about ad blocking best practices, and it got me thinking about how we, as AdBlock for Mobile users, can ensure the most effective and consistent ad-free experience. It’s not just about installing an ad blocker; it’s about understanding the ecosystem and taking a layered approach.

The discussion highlighted the importance of choosing the right browser and combining it with the right tools and configurations. It’s a topic worth diving into, so let’s explore the key elements for robust ad blocking.

The Foundation: Browser Choice

The first point raised was the significance of browser choice. The original poster (OP) explicitly suggested avoiding Chrome, painting it as a potential vulnerability in the ad-blocking setup. While I wouldn’t go so far as to say avoid Chrome completely, the sentiment resonates with the understanding that some browsers are inherently more amenable to ad blocking than others. Chrome, being developed by a company that derives significant revenue from advertising, might not always prioritize user privacy and ad-blocking efforts.

Instead, consider browsers that are built with privacy and customization in mind. These browsers often provide native ad-blocking features or, more importantly, support extensions that offer granular control over content filtering. Let’s explore some alternative browser options:

Firefox: The Customizable Option

Firefox has long been a favorite among privacy-conscious users. Its open-source nature allows for community-driven development of powerful extensions like uBlock Origin, Privacy Badger, and NoScript. These extensions offer a high degree of customization and control over the content you see, blocking ads, trackers, and scripts that can compromise your privacy.

Pros:

• Open-source and highly customizable
• Extensive extension support
• Privacy-focused settings

Cons:

• Can be resource-intensive with many extensions
• Requires manual configuration for optimal blocking

My Take: Firefox is a solid choice for users who want a lot of control over their browsing experience. The extension ecosystem is unmatched, but it requires some effort to configure everything to your liking.

Brave Browser: The Privacy-First Choice

Brave Browser comes with built-in ad blocking and tracker blocking, eliminating the need for additional extensions out of the box. It also features Brave Rewards, which allows you to support content creators directly through a privacy-respecting ad replacement system. This is an interesting approach to rewarding content creators without subjecting users to intrusive ads.

Pros:

• Built-in ad and tracker blocking
• Brave Rewards for supporting creators
• Chromium-based for compatibility

Cons:

• Brave Rewards can be confusing for new users
• Less customizable than Firefox with extensions

My Take: Brave is a great option for users who want a hassle-free ad-blocking experience. The built-in features are effective, and the Brave Rewards system is an innovative way to support the web.

DuckDuckGo Browser: The Privacy-Centric Choice

DuckDuckGo Browser, available on mobile, prioritizes privacy above all else. It automatically blocks trackers, forces encryption where available, and provides a Privacy Grade rating for each website you visit. While it might not be as feature-rich as Firefox or Brave, it’s an excellent choice for users who want a simple, privacy-focused browsing experience.

Pros:

• Strong privacy focus
• Automatic tracker blocking
• Simple and easy to use

Cons:

• Limited customization options
• Fewer features compared to other browsers

My Take: DuckDuckGo is a great choice for users who prioritize privacy and want a simple, straightforward browsing experience. It's especially useful on mobile where privacy concerns are often heightened.

Layering Your Defenses: Extensions and Blocklists

Once you’ve chosen your browser, the next step is to enhance its ad-blocking capabilities with extensions and carefully curated blocklists. The OP mentioned a setup that hasn’t failed in years, which suggests a meticulous approach to configuration. Here’s what I think that entails:

uBlock Origin: The Gold Standard

uBlock Origin is widely regarded as one of the most effective and efficient ad blockers available. It uses minimal resources while blocking a vast array of ads, trackers, and malware domains. Its effectiveness comes from its ability to utilize multiple blocklists simultaneously.

Key Features:

• Low resource usage
• Support for multiple blocklists
• Customizable filtering rules

Recommended Blocklists:

• EasyList
• EasyPrivacy
• Peter Lowe’s Ad and tracking server list
• AdGuard Base filter
• Online Malicious URL Blocklist

My Take: uBlock Origin is a must-have extension for any serious ad blocker. Its combination of efficiency and customizability makes it a top choice.

Privacy Badger: The Tracker Blocker

Privacy Badger, developed by the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), automatically learns to block trackers by observing their behavior. It’s a complementary tool to uBlock Origin, focusing specifically on privacy-invasive trackers.

Key Features:

• Automatic tracker blocking
• Learns from behavior
• Developed by the EFF

My Take: Privacy Badger is a great addition to any ad-blocking setup, providing an extra layer of protection against trackers.

NoScript: The Script Blocker (Advanced)

NoScript takes a more aggressive approach by blocking all JavaScript by default. This can significantly improve security and privacy, but it can also break some websites. It requires careful configuration to allow scripts from trusted sources.

Key Features:

• Blocks all JavaScript by default
• Whitelist for trusted sources
• Enhanced security

My Take: NoScript is a powerful tool for advanced users who are willing to spend time configuring it. It’s not for everyone, but it can significantly improve security and privacy.

Beyond the Browser: System-Wide Ad Blocking

While browser-based ad blocking is essential, it only protects you within the browser itself. To achieve truly comprehensive ad blocking, you need to extend your defenses to the system level. This is where DNS-based ad blocking comes into play, which is what AdBlock for Mobile specializes in.

DNS-Based Ad Blocking: The Network-Level Solution

DNS-based ad blocking works by filtering out requests to known ad and tracker domains at the DNS level. This means that ads are blocked across all apps and browsers on your device, providing a system-wide solution.

How it Works:

1. Your device sends a DNS request to resolve a domain name (e.g., example.com) to an IP address.
2. Your DNS server checks the request against a list of blocked domains.
3. If the domain is blocked, the DNS server returns a null IP address, preventing the connection.
4. If the domain is not blocked, the DNS server returns the correct IP address, allowing the connection.

Benefits:

• System-wide protection
• Works in all apps and browsers
• No app installation required (for some methods)
• Reduced data usage

My Take: DNS-based ad blocking is an essential component of any comprehensive ad-blocking strategy. It provides a layer of protection that browser-based solutions can’t match.

AdBlock for Mobile: A Simple and Effective Solution

AdBlock for Mobile offers a simple and effective way to implement DNS-based ad blocking on your iOS or Android device. By configuring your device to use our DNS servers, you can block ads and trackers across all apps and browsers.

Key Features:

• Easy setup
• Comprehensive blocklists
• Regular updates
• Improved privacy

My Take: AdBlock for Mobile is a great choice for users who want a hassle-free way to implement DNS-based ad blocking. It’s easy to set up and provides comprehensive protection.

Alternative DNS Providers

While AdBlock for Mobile is our recommended solution, there are other DNS providers that offer ad blocking as well. Some popular options include:

• NextDNS: Highly customizable with detailed analytics.
• AdGuard DNS: Easy setup and good default blocklists.
• Quad9: Focuses on security and blocks malware domains.

My Take: Exploring different DNS providers can help you find the one that best suits your needs. Consider factors like customization, privacy, and performance when making your choice.

Mobile Considerations: Battery Life and Performance

Ad blocking can have a positive impact on battery life and performance by reducing the amount of data your device needs to download and process. However, some ad-blocking methods can be more resource-intensive than others.

Browser Extensions:

• Can consume significant resources, especially with multiple extensions.
• May slow down browsing speed.

DNS-Based Ad Blocking:

• Minimal impact on battery life and performance.
• Can actually improve browsing speed by blocking ads before they load.

VPN-Based Ad Blocking:

• Can consume more battery due to the overhead of routing traffic through a VPN server.
• May introduce latency and slow down browsing speed.

My Take: DNS-based ad blocking is generally the most efficient option for mobile devices, offering a good balance of protection and performance. Browser extensions can be useful, but it’s important to choose them carefully and avoid overloading your browser.

Staying Ahead of the Curve: Maintaining Your Setup

The ad-blocking landscape is constantly evolving, with advertisers developing new techniques to circumvent ad blockers. To maintain an effective ad-blocking setup, it’s important to stay informed and regularly update your tools and configurations.

Tips for Maintaining Your Setup:

• Keep your browser and extensions up to date.
• Regularly update your blocklists.
• Monitor your ad-blocking performance and adjust your settings as needed.
• Stay informed about new ad-blocking techniques and technologies.

My Take: Ad blocking is an ongoing process, not a one-time setup. By staying informed and proactive, you can ensure that your ad-blocking setup remains effective.

My Recommendations for Mobile Users

Based on my understanding and the discussion I read, here are my recommendations for mobile users looking to implement robust ad blocking:

For iOS Users:

1. Use AdBlock for Mobile: Configure your device to use our DNS servers for system-wide ad blocking.
2. Install a Safari Content Blocker: Supplement DNS-based blocking with a content blocker like 1Blocker or AdGuard for Safari.

For Android Users:

1. Use AdBlock for Mobile: Configure your device to use our DNS servers for system-wide ad blocking.
2. Choose a Privacy-Focused Browser: Use Brave Browser or Firefox with uBlock Origin for enhanced privacy and ad blocking within the browser.
3. Consider a Local VPN App: If you need more control, use Blokada or AdGuard for Android.

By combining these techniques, you can create a layered ad-blocking strategy that provides comprehensive protection across all apps and browsers on your mobile device.

Ultimately, the goal is to create a browsing experience that is free from distractions and respectful of your privacy. By taking a proactive approach to ad blocking, you can reclaim control over your online experience and enjoy a cleaner, faster, and more secure mobile web.