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Adblock Plus Launches Adblock Browser: a Fork of Firefox For Android

Posted by Soulskill on from the unblocking-the-blocked-blocker dept.

An anonymous reader writes: Adblock Plus has launched Adblock Browser for Android. Currently in beta, the company's first browser was created by taking the open source Firefox for Android and including Adblock Plus out-of-the-box. The Firefox Sync functionality is disabled, as is the ability to use other addons. "Adblock Plus for Android got kicked out of Google Play along with other ad blocking apps in March 2013, because Google’s developer distribution agreement states apps cannot interfere with the functionality of other apps. Williams thus believes Adblock Browser “should be fine” as it only blocks ads that are shown as you browse the Web."

111 comments

  1. Thanks for taking the initiative! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Fantastic! Now I don't have to do this! I will definitely contribute.

  2. Resource Hog? by dhalsim2 · · Score: 1

    I'd love to have a browser that blocks ads, but I wonder if it's going to be a resource hog. I used to use Chrome, but had to ditch it because it would end up consuming 300 - 400 MB on my 4 GB phone (2 GB usable space). Now I use CM Browser and have never looked back. Fast, low resource utilization, and still very featureful.

    How is the Android Firefox browser on resources?

    1. Re:Resource Hog? by robmv · · Score: 4, Informative

      I use Firefox for Android on a daily basis and on a modern phone it runs fine, better that Chrome IMHO. Tried to use Adblock for a few days and it was insufferable. They will need to implement a better way to interact with Firefox code so it doesn't becomes a resource hog with thousands of regular expressions on memory. If they will ship the same extension, I don't see any advantage.

    2. Re:Resource Hog? by Skuto · · Score: 4, Informative

      The ironic thing is that there's a much better AdBlocking plugin for Firefox for Android: uBlock. It's much lighter on resources than AdBlock. You're better off installing the real Firefox and uBlock than this thing.

    3. Re:Resource Hog? by suutar · · Score: 1

      the only ublock I see on the play store is for phone calls. Did the plugin get removed in the same sweep as adblock, maybe?

    4. Re:Resource Hog? by suutar · · Score: 3, Informative

      oh, never mind, I see what you mean. Not through the play store, through firefox's plugin browser.

    5. Re:Resource Hog? by CauseBy · · Score: 1

      Agreed. I came here to ask where I can put a nickel into the pot for getting a uBlockBrowser App.

      Also, yes, lo! To all ye nerds who have not yet heard The Gospel, listen here! uBlock is the new AdBlock Plus because ABP sold out several years ago and, additionally, is implemented poorly. The new prophet is uBlock. Also, use Ghostery. Together, uBlock and Ghostery do what I want blockers to do, good luck with yourselves.

    6. Re:Resource Hog? by cheesybagel · · Score: 1

      I'm using Adblock Plus and Disconnect but I'll check uBlock out then.

    7. Re:Resource Hog? by CrashNBrn · · Score: 5, Informative

      uBlock Origin is the original uBlock by gorhill - which was forked from HTTPSwitchboard. Gorhill gave uBlock ownership of uBlock to another team (see uBlock FAQ) , but still maintains his "personal" version... which has over a million users -- compared to the supposed official version uBlock - which has less than 80,000 users.

      Interestingly enough, uMatrix - also by Gorhill is now available on Firefox, as well as Opera and Chrome.

      Oddly enough, uBlock for FireFox doesn't appear to be related to Gorhill nor to the official uBlock team.

    8. Re:Resource Hog? by nanoflower · · Score: 1

      I tried to use uBlock but found it more difficult to use than AdBlock or Adblock Plus. The problem is that I'll go into a site with all sites disabled and nothing gets displayed. So I'll have to enable sites one at a time to find out which one enables the display of the site. With ABP or AB it's a quick run through the listed sites to temporarily enable sites one at a time until the web site is properly displayed. That was much more difficult with uBlock.

    9. Re:Resource Hog? by Tumbleweed · · Score: 1

      uBlock isn't available for the _Android_ version, which is the problem. I use it on the desktop; I'd love to use it on Android as well.

    10. Re:Resource Hog? by Darinbob · · Score: 1

      The ADS are the resource hogs! I am highly suspicious that this is the reason why there is no decent browser for my android, it's painfully slow even though the same wifi is fast and responsive on a real computer. Alternately it could be JavaScript since there's also no NoScript add-on, but I don't even know if JavaScript can run on smartphones... I'd really like to just get a dumb phone again, there's nothing at all smart or useful about the new phones unless you like to do twitter or facebook.

    11. Re:Resource Hog? by Darinbob · · Score: 1

      Firefox is amazingly slow on my phone. I stopped using it, it's pointless to even try. I will walk from the lunch breakroom back to my desk in order to look stuff up on the web in order to save time.

    12. Re:Resource Hog? by kad77 · · Score: 1

      I've had uBlock (now the Origin build) installed on FF Android (fennec) for a couple months now. Install a current build from the Github page.

    13. Re:Resource Hog? by CauseBy · · Score: 1

      If you care enough, you might want to check your memory and CPU usage before and after switching. I did so and my experience was consistent with claims that uBlock really uses a tiny fraction of the resources as ABP. Good luck!

      Also don't ignore my tip for Ghostery. That really is great, it is mostly for blocking inter-site trackers. I like it because it gives you a popup on every page showing what it's blocked. It gives me a warm feeling.

    14. Re:Resource Hog? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I went to the uBlock web page and hit the download button, and nothing happened. What's going on? : (

      Also, i'm using Adblock. ; )

  3. I don't get it by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    ...so, it's a less useful version of Firefox???

  4. pointless by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Informative

    Pointless. Firefox for Android with ABP extension installed....is that not the same, but better?

    1. Re:pointless by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I don't see why we need to roll a new browser for this. That's a whole heap of new software maintenance, verification and packaging to solve a handful of clicks/taps.

      Kinda like shipping a Windows SKU per default desktop background. OTT.

    2. Re:pointless by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Agreed. Just open Firefox for Android, tap Tools > Add-ons > Browse all Firefox Add-ons. Then find Adblock Plus and tap Add to Firefox. This is exactly the same process as the desktop browser. Why do we need to complicate things?

      Captcha: joystick

    3. Re:pointless by niceworkthere · · Score: 2

      Adblock Plus devs might as well be afraid that people opt for the better blockers, like Adblock Edge and particularly Block.

    4. Re:pointless by niceworkthere · · Score: 1

      "... particularly uBlock." Apparently /. dislikes Unicode, or even just Greek letters.

    5. Re:pointless by CauseBy · · Score: 1

      Apparently /. dislikes Unicode

      Flashback to 2004, man!

    6. Re:pointless by lgw · · Score: 1

      Adblock Plus devs might as well be afraid that people opt for the better blockers

      This was posted, and still no APK response? I hope he's not sick or something. /. wouldn't be the same w/o 400 posts about the merits of the hosts file whenever ad blocking is mentioned.

      --
      Socialism: a lie told by totalitarians and believed by fools.
    7. Re:pointless by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      It's not better for the app developer who will (somewhat ironically) make revenue from search.

    8. Re:pointless by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Shhhh.. APK is sleeping...

    9. Re:pointless by nasredin · · Score: 1

      One has to say AdBlock three times in one post to summon the beast.

    10. Re:pointless by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      "...And the world wondered after the beast saying 'who is like unto the beast, and who can make war with him'?" Revelation Chapter 13 verse 3 - no adblock or locally installed DNS system fans can, that's certain...

      APK

      P.S.=> :) ...

      ... apk

    11. Re:pointless by Blaskowicz · · Score: 1

      Apparently you dislike viewing the preview :)

    12. Re:pointless by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      > "... particularly uBlock." Apparently /. dislikes Unicode, or even just Greek letters.

      Go over to SoylentNews not only did they implement unicode on the original slash codebase, they are also fully SSL enabled. It is kind of messed up that even with all that beta hoohaw, Dice still couldn't do either.

  5. functionality blocking blocked? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Interesting

    Wonderful. An app that is specifically advertised to change the behaviour of another app and its whole purpose is to change the behaviour of another app is not allowed because it changes the behaviour of another app. So the only extensions that are allowed are those that add functionality but cannot make a change if it is possible to construe it in a way as to limit some other thing the app does. This is less than ideal Mr. Google.

    1. Re:functionality blocking blocked? by ArcadeMan · · Score: 4, Insightful

      I tried to read your comment three times. My head hurts. It reminds me of this xkcd.

      --
      Get free satoshi (Bitcoin) and Dogecoins
    2. Re:functionality blocking blocked? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      How many apps has an app blocking app blocked when an app blocking app blocked apps?

  6. Until... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    "Should be fine" ...until Google makes up another excuse.

    1. Re:Until... by rudy_wayne · · Score: 1

      Adblock Plus for Android got kicked out of Google Play along with other ad blocking apps in March 2013, because Google’s developer distribution agreement states apps cannot interfere with the functionality of other apps

      How is AdBlock interfering with the functionality of other apps? That makes no sense. Are people running apps whose function is to display ads?

      But, this is not surprising, since 98% of Google's revenue depends on advertising being as intrusive as possible,

    2. Re:Until... by lister+king+of+smeg · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Adblock Plus for Android got kicked out of Google Play along with other ad blocking apps in March 2013, because Google’s developer distribution agreement states apps cannot interfere with the functionality of other apps

      How is AdBlock interfering with the functionality of other apps? That makes no sense. Are people running apps whose function is to display ads?

      But, this is not surprising, since 98% of Google's revenue depends on advertising being as intrusive as possible,

      Yes that is the sole reason for almost any ad supported app. Whatever other functionality they have is simply the bait used to get you to view their ads. You are the product sold to the ad networks by the app developer and then resold to the whomever is placing the ad.

      --
      ---Saying gnome 3 is better than windows 8 not so much a compliment as it is damning with light praise.
    3. Re:Until... by CauseBy · · Score: 1

      Are people running apps whose function is to display ads?

      Um... yes of course they are? How else do you think the ads get onto the screen?

    4. Re:Until... by OhPlz · · Score: 2

      It's so true. I don't even bother trying a lot of apps because it's just more advertising. They're just hurting themselves. Google's own "news and weather" app is a great example. A good percentage of the sites they link to for news articles are not usable due to invasive ads.

  7. Awesome!! by EzInKy · · Score: 2

    Bandwidth sucking and privacy really needs to be addressed by these phone platforms. The default for anything "app" that requests data should be no and strict warnings provided before any user is shown the "I accept" button.

    --
    Time is what keeps everything from happening all at once.
    1. Re:Awesome!! by spire3661 · · Score: 1

      Its hard to believe that Microsoft might be the ones to turn to in the end. IM so sick of the 'mobile' web on iOS and Android. I LOVE my Windows 8 tablets because i get the INTERNET on it, not just the mobile web.

      --
      Good-bye
    2. Re:Awesome!! by MightyMartian · · Score: 1

      So you missed View In Desktop mode then?

      --
      The world's burning. Moped Jesus spotted on I50. Details at 11.
    3. Re:Awesome!! by spire3661 · · Score: 1

      Some sites refuse to let you view their site on mobile web browser even in desktop mode. Its 'install app or fuck you'.

      'Internet, not just web' includes more than WEB browsers....

      --
      Good-bye
    4. Re:Awesome!! by MightyMartian · · Score: 1

      I have yet to find a site that does that.

      --
      The world's burning. Moped Jesus spotted on I50. Details at 11.
    5. Re:Awesome!! by Bob+the+Super+Hamste · · Score: 1

      I just wish it was possible to set it to that always instead of having to do it all the damn time. There probably is I just don't like using smartphones enough to figure it out.

      --
      Time to offend someone
    6. Re:Awesome!! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Soundcloud is one such example, at least on Android.

    7. Re:Awesome!! by Scoth · · Score: 1

      I use SoundCloud from the browser fine, no problem. It does occasionally show a bar offering to install the app, but it works fine from the browser without even using Desktop mode.

    8. Re:Awesome!! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      You can also easily install a hosts file on a windows tablet.

  8. Teh G is NOT AMUSED! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    The chopping block has been placed under lights. Hello! Hooray! Let the show begin! I've been ready!

  9. Auto-play video ads by ArcadeMan · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Anyone know how to completely block auto-playing videos on Safari? And by completely, I mean prevent them from loading the video file at all. Those stupid things, that I'm never going to watch (fuck you, advertisers), are eating into my monthly cap.

    --
    Get free satoshi (Bitcoin) and Dogecoins
    1. Re:Auto-play video ads by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Use AdBlock?

      You can try using a firewall. That seems to work, though sometimes a couple of good sites get thrown out with the bad ones. Well worth it.

    2. Re:Auto-play video ads by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Informative

      I use Linux, so my initial response is to suggest using /etc/hosts. However, apparently macs put their /etc/hosts file in /private/etc/hosts. Just search for "how to edit /etc/hosts on mac"; that's how I found out the location. Anyway, just add entries like:

      127.0.0.1 ads.somesite.com
      127.0.0.1 videos.some-affiliate.org

      This works by lying to your computer about the DNS records for those websites. Any time a program tries to access one of those sites, the DNS lookup will come back as your local PC. If you don't have a web server, it won't show anything. Or if you install your own web server on your PC, you could have it set up to show funny videos of your cat instead of advertisements.

      p.s. Another option is to add firewall rules to block specific domains.

    3. Re:Auto-play video ads by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      ClickToPlugin should work: http://hoyois.github.io/safariextensions/clicktoplugin/ or this discussion probably has what you're looking to accomplish: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/6626603

    4. Re:Auto-play video ads by CauseBy · · Score: 2

      I'll say gently, maybe consider a different browser if you can't block what you don't like in the one you use.

    5. Re:Auto-play video ads by kamapuaa · · Score: 1

      Anyone know how to completely block auto-playing videos on Safari?

      Personally, I would Google "completely block auto-playing videos on Safari"

      --
      Slashdot: providing anti-social weirdos a soapbox, since 1997.
    6. Re:Auto-play video ads by ne0n · · Score: 2

      apt-get remove --purge safari

      Should do the trick. I can guarantee no autoplaying video adverts and other nuisances if you don't have the root problem installed.

      --
      $ :(){ :|:& };:
    7. Re:Auto-play video ads by ArcadeMan · · Score: 1

      All the solutions I have found seem to only stop the auto-playback but not the actual loading.

      --
      Get free satoshi (Bitcoin) and Dogecoins
    8. Re:Auto-play video ads by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      ClickToPlugin should work: http://hoyois.github.io/safariextensions/clicktoplugin/ or this discussion probably has what you're looking to accomplish: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/6626603

      +1 for ClickToPlugin. Whitelist a couple sites and annoying flash-related content is a thing of the past. In addition, use Ghostery (https://www.ghostery.com/). Between the two, I have never had an autoplay advertisement.

      Ghostly does a very good job of blocking ads/trackers, without being over-zealous. In addition, it will block certain things (e.g., the Facebook social plug-in, discuss, etc), but provide easy functionality to enable it on a full-time, per-site, or one-time basis. I only occasionally run into sites (mostly banks) that I need to whitelist in order to function 100%. It's a bit "chatty" by default (showing a popup of all the things that have been blocked), but that can be easily turned off.

    9. Re:Auto-play video ads by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I'll say gently, maybe consider a different browser if you can't block what you don't like in the one you use.

      Use the right plug-ins (e.g., ClickToPlugin and Ghostery, see above), and Safari is just fine on the blocking front. While its plug-in ecosystem may not be as expansive as those of Chrome and Firefox, its tight platform integration makes it a pleasure to use if you are "in" the Apple ecosystem. No need to ditch it over this.

    10. Re:Auto-play video ads by ArcadeMan · · Score: 1

      Whitelist a couple sites and annoying flash-related content is a thing of the past.

      I disabled Java and Flash, my problem is auto-loading and auto-playing HTML5 videos.

      --
      Get free satoshi (Bitcoin) and Dogecoins
    11. Re:Auto-play video ads by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Whitelist a couple sites and annoying flash-related content is a thing of the past.

      I disabled Java and Flash, my problem is auto-loading and auto-playing HTML5 videos.

      Yeah, they are not all flash. That's why the ClickToPlugin/Ghostery combo works well. Ghostery seems to get everything else.

    12. Re:Auto-play video ads by antdude · · Score: 1

      I wished Apple wasn't so strict in not providing addons to its iOS Safari like ad blocker. :(

      --
      Ant(Dude) @ Quality Foraged Links (AQFL.net) & The Ant Farm (antfarm.ma.cx / antfarm.home.dhs.org).
  10. Sweet! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    This sounds awesome. Up until now, I've been blocking adds using the hosts file and that method is somewhat inconsistent. I'm going to give this a shot for sure. I hope there is an option to turn ad blocking on and off for certain sites or patterns, though.

  11. Firefox on Android + uBlock is great by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Informative

    Just install the standard Firefox on Android and load the uBlock add-on. It works brilliantly.

    I used to be a devout Opera on Android user. While I miss some of the little touches (no pun intended) of Opera, I'm a Firefox convert.

    The only thing I use Chrome for now is that abomination that is Amazon Instant Videos.

    1. Re:Firefox on Android + uBlock is great by Darinbob · · Score: 1

      What's the default on Android? That was an utterly useless piece of crap. I assumed it was Chrome since it's Google... Firefox isn't much better though. So slow, no instruction manual (seriously, I can't figure out how to use it, how to customize it to get rid of accidentally added bookmarks, how to remove the default start page, etc). Then I have to pull out a magnifying glass to read any page that pops up anyway.

    2. Re:Firefox on Android + uBlock is great by GuB-42 · · Score: 1

      What's the default on Android? That was an utterly useless piece of crap. I assumed it was Chrome since it's Google...

      On modern Android, yes that's Chrome mobile. But before that it was just "android browser", Samsung also has its own browser so not all android phones use the same browser.
      Most of them are based on WebKit though.

  12. Eh... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Just download AdFree for android... it patches the HOST file and it works in apps and what not.

  13. Already using palemoon by drinkypoo · · Score: 1

    Why would we need another firefox-based browser designed for security? I thought that's what pale moon was. In the bargain you get 64-bit builds.

    --
    "You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
    1. Re:Already using palemoon by Skuto · · Score: 1

      Pale Moon designed for security? I just pissed my pants laughing.

      The cool aid is not only strong, it keeps revising history.

    2. Re:Already using palemoon by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      FFS, pale moon is NOT a security focused browser. I mean here is its pitch about security: Safe: forked from Firefox and regularly updated.
      If you think Pale moon has greater security than firefox you are a drooler.

    3. Re:Already using palemoon by drinkypoo · · Score: 1

      If you think Pale moon has greater security than firefox you are a drooler.

      It has a better adblock than regular firefox, which is all I meant. Less chance of malware hitting your system.

      --
      "You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
    4. Re:Already using palemoon by Lehk228 · · Score: 1

      you don't need ad blocking, you need script blocking. afaik noscript is still the only blocker that allows selective enabling of scripts from particular domains

      --
      Snowden and Manning are heroes.
    5. Re:Already using palemoon by drinkypoo · · Score: 1

      afaik noscript is still the only blocker that allows selective enabling of scripts from particular domains

      Adblock winds up blocking a lot of scripts, but yes, I use noscript as well since that's its primary purpose.

      --
      "You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
    6. Re:Already using palemoon by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      No, it doesn't. Firefox has several AdBlocks, Pale Moon has one that's equivalent to one of them (the one that people are moving away from). Seriously, guys, stop trying to pretend that Pale Moon is better because you're upset that Mozilla aren't keeping their old UI or whatever.

    7. Re:Already using palemoon by LoneTech · · Score: 1

      Actually, since RequestPolicy stopped working in my Iceweasel, I installed Policeman. It provides a neat UI for selecting precisely which sites can load what from where, including options like loading styles but not scripts. I believe NoScript is necessary to block firsthand scripts, however.

  14. Ask? by jklovanc · · Score: 1

    Williams thus believes Adblock Browser “should be fine” as it only blocks ads that are shown as you browse the Web.

    Williams could not ask Google if it was fine?

  15. y0U f@1L 17 by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    APK told me I just need to edit the HOSTS file on my phone.

  16. Extension? F-Droid? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Making a crippled version of firefox mobile just so that people can use ad-block seems like overkill.

    Why not release the adblock extension with Firefox mobile support?

    Or, if they really want to release an app, why not release it on F-Droid just put the apk on their site and point people that way?

    Sure, having it on the google play store is "easier" to install, etc, but the kind of people that would install an ad blocker are (presumably) smart enough to install an apk from external sources (and probably understand the security implications).

    1. Re:Extension? F-Droid? by CauseBy · · Score: 1

      Don't be so sure. I'd estimate 50% of people are smart enough to use an ad blocker, but only 10% know what the heck an APK is or what to do with it. Do you think my numbers are way off? I have F-Droid installed on my rooted Android phone but I still go to Play Store when I want an app.

    2. Re:Extension? F-Droid? by Blaskowicz · · Score: 1

      Can you delete or just hide the Google Play store? I'm asking this as a buddy will get a new phone and he would likely be interested in only ever installing F-droid apps (gmail is about the only hard requirement on google, with google plus but isn't that one a website anyway).

    3. Re:Extension? F-Droid? by CauseBy · · Score: 1

      If you root your device then you should be able to do anything. I have uninstalled a bunch of apps that couldn't be uninstalled before rooting. I've never tried to uninstall Play Store but my guess is yes you could do it. The Play Store ironically has several apps that will remove 'sticky' apps from rooted devices, but you should be able to find them on F-Droid and whatnot. Good luck!

      My opinion is that Android is about three times more useful once you root it; in fact, it's almost stupid without rooting.

  17. Very Nice, by pecosdave · · Score: 1

    got rid of the stupid overlay advertisement Slashdot puts on my phone that keeps me from ever being able to read the very bottom of anything....

    --
    The preceding post was not a Slashvertisement.
  18. Privacy????? by frovingslosh · · Score: 0

    I can understand and even support ad blocking for two reasons, Avoiding wasting data (particularly on annoying video ads) and Protecting Privacy (not sure why every site that I visit seems to need to contact Facebook, particularly since I'm not a Facebook member and never will be. The HOSTS file seems to be a big help with this on my desktop, but I don't seem to have access to one on my non-rooted Android devices.

    So, with one of the concerns being Privacy, why in hell does the Adblock site say: "Join the Adblock Browser Beta Google+ community here (make sure you’re looged into G+ first!)" before letting me download????? I have no use for Google+ or any other failed attempt by Google to play social media games, or any other social media product (see the thoughts on Facebook above). Why the hell does a software app that pretends to promote the individual's right to opt-out of things demand that I be part of Google+ before I can download it????? Not going to happen and I've lost all faith in them.

    --
    I'm an American. I love this country and the freedoms that we used to have.
  19. HEY! WATCH IT WITH THAT KIND OF TALK! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    I'm pretty sure you're infringing on numerous APK patents, trademarks and copyrights, bucko...

  20. Error in summary by MSG · · Score: 2

    The Firefox Sync functionality is disabled, as is the ability to use other addons

    The article says that they added support for other add-ons (exactly how is unclear), not that they disabled them.

  21. Re:Hosts = requires rooting by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Except that using the hosts file on Android requires rooting (and is in fact the preferred solution on that platform) while this is an alternative for people who aren't tech heads.

  22. AdBlock plus still available by Trogre · · Score: 1

    Luckily AdBlock Plus is installable from the F-Droid repository, which is a lot more trustworthy than the dross-laden Play Store.

    --
    "Nine times out of ten, starting a fire is not the best way to solve the problem." - my wife
  23. ublock works on Android firefox by staalmannen · · Score: 1

    I have not tried ABP but lots of firefox extensions do work on Android so it seems like a useless project to make an "Adblock browser". Those who have a little bit of knowlege (and root) most likely already have adaway from f-droid installed making it even less useful

  24. Re:Hosts = less resource use vs. Adblock variants by radarskiy · · Score: 1

    1-10, 12 and the first half of 13 are the same thing, which an ad blocker does but with finer granularity than just the host name and with patterns instead of explicit entries.

    11 isn't actually affected by host files entries on *your* end.

    15 is a design choice by the writer of the ad blocker. Some have text-based configs and some don't.

    16 is a comparison, so it depends on what metric you are using.

    So only the second half of 13 and 14 are features that a host file could provide but an ad blocker could not.

  25. Re:App that apps other apps gets apped! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    So you must be 3 years old, which explains why you have so much fun with these fart apps!

  26. AlmostAllAdBlocked+ = inferior & 'souled-out' by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Can adblock & its variants do 16 things hosts do for speed, security, & reliability:

    1.) Protect vs. malicious sites/servers (beyond malicious ads)
    2.) Protect vs. fastflux botnets + stop communique to C&C servers
    3.) Protect vs. dynamic dns botnets + stop communique to C&C servers
    4.) Protect vs. DGA botnets + stop communique to C&C servers
    5.) Protect vs. downed DNS (adds reliability)
    6.) Protect vs. DNS redirect poisoned dns
    7.) Protect vs. trackers
    8.) Protect vs. spam
    9.) Protect vs. phish
    10.) Protect vs. bandwidth caps
    11.) Get you past a dnsbl
    12.) Keep you off dns request logs
    13.) Speed up websurfing by adblocks & hardcoded fav. sites
    14.) Work on ANY webbound app (like stand-alone email programs) multiplatform.
    15.) Give you easily texteditor controlled data for the above
    16.) Do all that & block ads (better than addons) more efficiently in cpu cycles + memory usage

    * ANSWER ="NO" to each above on AdBlock or its forked variants doing it as well or at all!

    APK

    P.S.=> AdBlock &/or it's forked variants do FAR less than hosts do & FAR less efficiently - hosts by way of comparison do MORE w/ less + Hosts start w/ the IP stack before REDUNDANT inefficient addons BEGIN to operate (as 1st resolver queried):

    AdBlock's 4++gb & 100% CPU usage flooring inefficiency -> https://blog.mozilla.org/nneth... + ClarityRay defeats it + it 'souled-out' & is crippled by default paid off to not do its job http://techcrunch.com/2013/07/... & ABP too http://finance.yahoo.com/news/...

    AdBlock & its variants add complexity/room for breakdown/exploit + from a slower mode of operations (usermode = more messagepassing overheads vs. hosts in kernelmode).

    For the BEST hosts file?

    APK Hosts File Engine 9.0++ SR-2 32/64-bit -> http://start64.com/index.php?o...

    MalwareBytes' hpHosts Admin (MalwareBytes employee) hosts & recommends it -> http://hosts-file.net/?s=Downl... & MalwareBytes = BEST antivirus http://www.av-test.org/en/news...

    ... apk

  27. AdBlock & its variants = Inferior vs. hosts by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Can adblock & its variants do 16 things hosts do for speed, security, & reliability:

    1.) Protect vs. malicious sites/servers (beyond malicious ads)
    2.) Protect vs. fastflux botnets + stop communique to C&C servers
    3.) Protect vs. dynamic dns botnets + stop communique to C&C servers
    4.) Protect vs. DGA botnets + stop communique to C&C servers
    5.) Protect vs. downed DNS (adds reliability)
    6.) Protect vs. DNS redirect poisoned dns
    7.) Protect vs. trackers
    8.) Protect vs. spam
    9.) Protect vs. phish
    10.) Protect vs. bandwidth caps
    11.) Get you past a dnsbl
    12.) Keep you off dns request logs
    13.) Speed up websurfing by adblocks & hardcoded fav. sites
    14.) Work on ANY webbound app (like stand-alone email programs) multiplatform.
    15.) Give you easily texteditor controlled data for the above
    16.) Do all that & block ads (better than addons) more efficiently in cpu cycles + memory usage

    * ANSWER ="NO" to each above on AdBlock or its forked variants doing it as well or at all!

    APK

    P.S.=> AdBlock &/or it's forked variants do FAR less than hosts do & FAR less efficiently - hosts by way of comparison do MORE w/ less + Hosts start w/ the IP stack before REDUNDANT inefficient addons BEGIN to operate (as 1st resolver queried):

    AdBlock's 4++gb & 100% CPU usage flooring inefficiency -> https://blog.mozilla.org/nneth... + ClarityRay defeats it + it 'souled-out' & is crippled by default paid off to not do its job http://techcrunch.com/2013/07/... & ABP too http://finance.yahoo.com/news/...

    AdBlock & its variants add complexity/room for breakdown/exploit + from a slower mode of operations (usermode = more messagepassing overheads vs. hosts in kernelmode).

    For the BEST hosts file?

    APK Hosts File Engine 9.0++ SR-2 32/64-bit -> http://start64.com/index.php?o...

    MalwareBytes' hpHosts Admin (MalwareBytes employee) hosts & recommends it -> http://hosts-file.net/?s=Downl... & MalwareBytes = BEST antivirus http://www.av-test.org/en/news...

    ... apk

  28. AdBlock & its variants = inferior vs. hosts by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Can adblock & its variants do 16 things hosts do for speed, security, & reliability:

    1.) Protect vs. malicious sites/servers (beyond malicious ads)
    2.) Protect vs. fastflux botnets + stop communique to C&C servers
    3.) Protect vs. dynamic dns botnets + stop communique to C&C servers
    4.) Protect vs. DGA botnets + stop communique to C&C servers
    5.) Protect vs. downed DNS (adds reliability)
    6.) Protect vs. DNS redirect poisoned dns
    7.) Protect vs. trackers
    8.) Protect vs. spam
    9.) Protect vs. phish
    10.) Protect vs. bandwidth caps
    11.) Get you past a dnsbl
    12.) Keep you off dns request logs
    13.) Speed up websurfing by adblocks & hardcoded fav. sites
    14.) Work on ANY webbound app (like stand-alone email programs) multiplatform.
    15.) Give you easily texteditor controlled data for the above
    16.) Do all that & block ads (better than addons) more efficiently in cpu cycles + memory usage

    * ANSWER ="NO" to each above on AdBlock or its forked variants doing it as well or at all!

    APK

    P.S.=> AdBlock &/or it's forked variants do FAR less than hosts do & FAR less efficiently - hosts by way of comparison do MORE w/ less + Hosts start w/ the IP stack before REDUNDANT inefficient addons BEGIN to operate (as 1st resolver queried):

    AdBlock's 4++gb & 100% CPU usage flooring inefficiency -> https://blog.mozilla.org/nneth... + ClarityRay defeats it + it 'souled-out' & is crippled by default paid off to not do its job http://techcrunch.com/2013/07/... & ABP too http://finance.yahoo.com/news/...

    AdBlock & its variants add complexity/room for breakdown/exploit + from a slower mode of operations (usermode = more messagepassing overheads vs. hosts in kernelmode).

    For the BEST hosts file?

    APK Hosts File Engine 9.0++ SR-2 32/64-bit -> http://start64.com/index.php?o...

    MalwareBytes' hpHosts Admin (MalwareBytes employee) hosts & recommends it -> http://hosts-file.net/?s=Downl... & MalwareBytes = BEST antivirus http://www.av-test.org/en/news...

    ... apk

  29. Corrections of your blatant mistakes by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    1-10/12-13 = different threats + adblock doesn't do dns related things @ all & cannot avoid DNS, only ads (hosts can though, avoiding tracking DNS does as well as blocklists AND BY AVOIDING DNS, especially remote dns, HOSTS DO RESOLVING FASTER LOCALLY).

    On 11 with DNS for instance: If/when I avoid using DNS since hosts are referenced first by using hardcoded favorite sites @ the top of my custom hosts file (for best speed especially vs. remote DNS), are you saying I am NOT AVOIDING A DNS BLOCK LIST (DNSBL)? Answer = yes I am, by COMPLETELY AVOIDING DNS IN THE FIRST PLACE (by hardcoding into hosts where I spend a good 95%++ of my time online in fact per my browser histories & router logs I used to make that list).

    16 is the metric of the completely VALID TEST that was done on AdBlock's overuse of CPU & RAM here (that you apparently conveniently skipped over) -> https://blog.mozilla.org/nneth...

    15 is about how EASY it is to edit hosts (entries are 2 item simple, blocking address (or favorite IP address) in front of a domain name) - TRY THAT EASE with AdBlock's regular expressions (NOT NEARLY AS SIMPLE especially for "the masses").

    APK

    P.S.=> You, sir, are either very dumb, or completely illiterate (or just shilling for a clearly inferior product in "Almost ALL Ads Blocked") & it's certain hosts DO NOT TAKE BRIBES TO NOT FULLY DO THE JOB THEY DO, & that makes "Almost ALL Ads Blocked" exactly that - crippled by default... apk

  30. Agreed but you need ADB too by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    See subject: "Rooted" phones = better. You forgot Android Debugging Bridge to pull hosts files over to the phone (it's very simple to use)...

    Then again, there's phone app addons like AdFree that do the job there too (mine works from Windows 32/64 bit to generate the file & I pull them over with ADB), but I don't use AdFree - I use plain old hosts I generate for my windows machines generated on them, push/pull over to phones using ADB.

    APK

    P.S.=> Onwards & UPWARDS - it just works... apk

  31. You "fail" too... apk by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    See here on ADB + rooting http://news.slashdot.org/comme... you just omit what I've told folks here time & again -> http://yro.slashdot.org/commen...

    * Others there whom I replied to omitted it as well, BUT, they do admit a 'rooted' phone is better/preferred...

    APK

    P.S.=> ADB, & "onwards + UPWARDS"... apk

  32. AdBlock = Inferior vs. hosts + 'Souled-Out' by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Can adblock variants or ghostery do 16 things hosts do for speed, security, & reliability:

    1.) Protect vs. malicious sites (beyond malicious ads)
    2.) Protect vs. fastflux botnets + stop communique to C&C servers
    3.) Protect vs. dynamic dns botnets + stop communique to C&C servers
    4.) Protect vs. DGA botnets + stop communique to C&C servers
    5.) Protect vs. downed DNS (reliability)
    6.) Protect vs. DNS redirect poisoned dns
    7.) Protect vs. trackers
    8.) Protect vs. spam
    9.) Protect vs. phishing
    10.) Protect vs. bandwidth caps
    11.) Get you by a dnsbl
    12.) Keep you off dns request logs
    13.) Speed up surfing by adblocks & hardcoded fav. sites
    14.) Work on any webbound app (e.g. stand-alone email programs) multiplatform.
    15.) Give you easily texteditor controlled data for the above
    16.) Block ads more efficiently in cpu cycles + memory use vs. addons

    * ANSWER ="NO" to each on AdBlock or Ghostery doing all that let alone well!

    APK

    P.S.=> Addons do FAR less than hosts do & FAR less efficiently - hosts by way of comparison, do MORE w/ less + Hosts start w/ the IP stack before REDUNDANT inefficient addons BEGIN to operate (as 1st resolver queried):

    AdBlock's 4++gb & 100% CPU usage flooring inefficiency -> https://blog.mozilla.org/nneth... + ClarityRay defeats it + it 'souled-out' & is crippled by default paid off to not do its job http://techcrunch.com/2013/07/... & ABP too http://finance.yahoo.com/news/...

    Ghostery (Advertiser owned) - "Fox guards henhouse" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/G...

    Addons add complexity/room for breakdown/exploit + from a slower mode of operations (usermode = more messagepassing overheads vs. hosts in kernelmode).

    For the BEST hosts file?

    APK Hosts File Engine 9.0++ SR-2 32/64-bit -> http://start64.com/index.php?o...

    MalwareBytes' hpHosts Admin (MalwareBytes employee) hosts & recommends it -> http://hosts-file.net/?s=Downl... & MalwareBytes = BEST antivirus http://www.av-test.org/en/news...

    ... apk

  33. The "Lord of Hosts" wins again... apk by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    See subject: Just like the TRUE "The LORD of Hosts" https://answers.yahoo.com/ques... with rank after rank of protective power I can summon @ a word: Hosts!

    PERTINENT QUOTE/EXCERPT:

    "The image this title brings to mind is of a mighty military commander, one who can at a mere word summon rank upon rank of protective power" via custom hosts files use.

    ---

    * "And the world wondered after the beast saying 'Who is like unto the beast, & who is able to make war with him'?" - Revelations Chapter 13 verse 3-4

    I'm not "that guy" (far FROM it) but, it's certain no "Almost ALL Ads Blocked" & its variants, Ghostery, & other easily detected by native browser methods browser addons or even DNS servers locally installed fans can after this -> http://news.slashdot.org/comme...

    1 thing's also SURE on that note (to unjustified downmods of my posts): It's been YOUR "APKOLYPSE" (misspelling & pun DEFINITELY intended after the above + the fact that's "the best you got" & nothing more, period: lol!)...

    ---

    For the BEST hosts file?

    APK Hosts File Engine 9.0++ SR-2 32/64-bit -> http://start64.com/index.php?o...

    MalwareBytes' hpHosts Admin (MalwareBytes employee) hosts & recommends it -> http://hosts-file.net/?s=Downl... & MalwareBytes = BEST antivirus http://www.av-test.org/en/news...

    APK

    P.S.=> You have TRULY, massively failed - So, Thank-You (for making ME look GREAT & yourself by way of comparison? LMAO - well... "not so great")

    ... apk

  34. The "Lord of Hosts" wins again... apk by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    See subject: Just like the TRUE "LORD of Hosts" https://answers.yahoo.com/ques... with rank after rank of protective power I can summon @ a word: Hosts!

    PERTINENT QUOTE/EXCERPT:

    "The image this title brings to mind is of a mighty military commander, one who can at a mere word summon rank upon rank of protective power" via custom hosts files use.

    ---

    * "And the world wondered after the beast saying 'Who is like unto the beast, & who is able to make war with him'?" - Revelations Chapter 13 verse 3-4

    I'm not "that guy" (far FROM it) but, it's certain no "Almost ALL Ads Blocked" & its variants, Ghostery, & other easily detected by native browser methods browser addons or even DNS servers locally installed fans can after this -> http://news.slashdot.org/comme...

    1 thing's also SURE on that note (to unjustified downmods of my posts): It's been YOUR "APKOLYPSE" (misspelling & pun DEFINITELY intended after the above + the fact that's "the best you got" & nothing more, period: lol!)...

    ---

    For the BEST hosts file?

    APK Hosts File Engine 9.0++ SR-2 32/64-bit -> http://start64.com/index.php?o...

    MalwareBytes' hpHosts Admin (MalwareBytes employee) hosts & recommends it -> http://hosts-file.net/?s=Downl... & MalwareBytes = BEST antivirus http://www.av-test.org/en/news...

    APK

    P.S.=> You have TRULY, massively failed - So, Thank-You (for making ME look GREAT & yourself by way of comparison? LMAO - well... "not so great")

    ... apk