Blocking Ads - Windows Phone 8 General

I'm wondering. Is there any app like adfree/adblock to get rid on those pesky ads be it only on the browser or phone wide? Is it/will it be soon possible to edit the hostfile?

Such an app (either an ad-blocker or a HOSTS file editor) would require higher privileges than third-party apps are able to have. We're working on getting around the permissions limits, but so far, there's no promises we can make.

Related

Ad-Free Android since Official 2.2

Originally I was on stock 2.1 rooted with the official update and ad-free android was working fine. The other day I used kies mini to get the official 2.2 froyo update as per tmobile's instructions, then I re-rooted with super one click. All my root only apps are working fine and able to get SU permissions, including ad-free android. I run ad-free android like I always have and it just doesn't block any ads at all, neither in apps or on the web.
I've search the forums for days but can't make sense of any of the threads that seem related.
Hoping someone can put me on the right track.
So far I have tried:
1. Reverting, and redownloading/reapplying hosts. (Within ad-free android.)
2. Uninstalling, rebooting, and reinstalling.
And to summarize my state, I'm stock 2.2 with root and the only root apps I have are wifi tether, barnacle and ad-free android and they all report getting superuser permissions successfully.
It was doing this for me too. I would check for host updates but it would say they are the latest and still would not.block ads. A reinstall, update of hosts file and reboot worked for me though.
So I have to play devils advocate but why block the ad's. I realize that they can be annoying but after listening to droid cast and following some of the app dev's on twitter I can say that I no longer use them.
Biggest reason to not use an ad blocker is to support your dev's otherwise they go to the apple side to make more money.
But anyway like the other user said make sure you have the most up todate files. then It will work.
also tried:
3: settings/manage apps/clear data
-Uninstall, reboot, reinstall, redownload/apply hosts
-reboot, still ads
hazard99 said:
So I have to play devils advocate but why block the ad's. I realize that they can be annoying but after listening to droid cast and following some of the app dev's on twitter I can say that I no longer use them.
Biggest reason to not use an ad blocker is to support your dev's otherwise they go to the apple side to make more money.
But anyway like the other user said make sure you have the most up todate files. then It will work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I want to block ads on websites primarily, and also block ads in angry birds, which I've already paid for on iPod touch.
But ya I tried all that and it still doesn't block ads. It's very weird. It says it's all set and up to date, but no ads anywhere are blocked.
hazard99 said:
So I have to play devils advocate but why block the ad's. I realize that they can be annoying but after listening to droid cast and following some of the app dev's on twitter I can say that I no longer use them.
Biggest reason to not use an ad blocker is to support your dev's otherwise they go to the apple side to make more money.
But anyway like the other user said make sure you have the most up todate files. then It will work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep, I only care about ads on websites that are misplaced and horribly annoying (flash ad's come to mind). I don't mind having ad's in apps/games that are free.
I use adblock + flashblock on Firefox because of my reasons above, however I do let ad's on certain sites load to support the site owner (xda and teamwhiskey sites for example). I don't mind ad's like google adsense which aren't really annoying, but some sites just overkill on the ad's and force me to block them.
I think I figured it out, my /system directory was 100% full.
I used root uninstaller (free from market, by "android text") to remove telenav gps then reinstalled ad-free and now it's all good.
Hope it helps someone else.
This begs the question though as to why my /system is 100% full.

Annoying Ads Problem

Hi!
How do I permanently block or remove all the Ads in the apps without rooting my Galaxy S4?
Buy the paid-version of the app in question.
Turn off Internet connection.
I do not believe that is possible
there is an approach of building a custom host file that redirects adds into 127.0.0.1 but you need root for that
Other options I do not know, and most probably it's best to just buy the apps you want
DemonWareXT said:
I do not believe that is possible
there is an approach of building a custom host file that redirects adds into 127.0.0.1 but you need root for that
Other options I do not know, and most probably it's best to just buy the apps you want
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeh but there are some apps that you cannot buy. it that way.
ads in notifications and new link in the home page.
the ads in notification can be disabled,
is there a way to stop creating new advertistin icon on the "desktop"?
thanks
Even if you are rooted, it wont work now. Adaway used to work very well but as soon as it pulled out from playstore, it doesn't work for me. It doesn't block ad.
sohebq said:
Even if you are rooted, it wont work now. Adaway used to work very well but as soon as it pulled out from playstore, it doesn't work for me. It doesn't block ad.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It should still work actually, at least it does for me.
It however, does not work on apps that have the adds compiled in, or cached down.
For example, Astro File manager, without adaway, it display awful adds. With adaway it only displays adds for itself, because it already knows them.

Apk copy/extracting/backing up protection

I hope that this is not the wrong place for my post.
I am trying to protect an apk from being copied/extracted/backed up off the phone and installed later, on another phone.
I have to mention that the app is not (and will not be) for sale on PlayStore or on any web store, being sold along with the phone. This is why I can not use apk protection offered by GooglePlay, which is anyway cracked at his time.
But I want to take advantages on this situation: every single phone will pass trough my hands (I will install myself the app) before hitting users. How can I use this advantage in order to protect my app?
At this time my app is not visible in Running Apps drawer, is having a default Android icon and the name is disguised in something pretty innocent. GUI access by dialing a code. No worries, is not malware but only a security app regarding GSM connection security.
Also, is running as a system app, which make it invisible for apps like Astro file manager, thus impossible to copy/back up by such file manager apps. Unfortunately there are a bunch of system app managers, that can convert a system app on user app, and then copying the apk file is easy.
I know that security sucks big time when it comes about Android OS, but I am determined to find a way to protect my app.
I know also that even a licensing scheme based on IMEI, WiFi MAC or Bluetooth MAC addresses can be bypassed by some skilled crackers. This values can be spoofed or even null.
I have tried apk encryption. Doesn't work: some apps supposed to encrypt other Android apps are actually encrypting only app libraries, not the apk file itself. By encrypting apk file, the app obviously will not work.
Code obfuscation is not an option as long the app can be duplicated off the phone and installed later on another phone.
The last idea that I had: pulling some app resources (like drawables) from a server. What do you think?
At this time I'm in a dead end. I have no more ideas how to protect my app. That's why I need your help. Can you give me please some feasible ideas, based on your huge experience?
Thank you very much for your time.
theres a thread
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2279813
where we're discussing about methods to protect apps from piracy u can post it there
Sent from my GT-S5302 using Tapatalk 2
Thanks
Thx a lot sak-venom1997.

Why do people prefer AdAway to AdBlock Plus?

Spent this weekend putting all my root goodness back on my G4 -- thanks again to all the devs who worked on this. I didn't realize how much I missed being rooted until I was again!
I had been running AdBlock Plus on my previous phone, galaxy S4, and never thought much about it, but in the course of reading various threads while waiting for root on the G4, it seems like most people mention AdAway as the preferred ad blocking tool. I gave it a shot, and it seemed to be far inferior to AdBlock. So I feel like I must be doing something wrong and was hoping for some discussion on this.
AdAway works by changing the hosts file to block known ad sources. For me this caused several problems. Web pages still load slowly (perhaps because of timeouts associated with trying to access a non-responding server?). There are still large areas on the screen with broken link icons where the ads used to be, which is pretty ugly. I tried using the AdAway local server, to provide a response to the spoofed/blocked domains, it didn't seem to make much difference. Finally, using the default config, many commercial web sites are just blocked entirely, which is a non starter.
My understanding is that AdBlock instead creates a proxy. With AdBlock web pages load MUCH faster than with AdAway, even when running the local server. It also removes the content entirely, instead of just blocking, so the output is a lot prettier.
The difference in web browsing experience was stark for me. AdBlock was the clear winner. So I'm trying to understand why so many people seem to prefer adaway. I would rather use a more light-weight solution if it works as well, but it just didn't seem to for me. Am I missing something?
I prefer AdFree, http://adfree.bigtincan.com/.
jamtre said:
Spent this weekend putting all my root goodness back on my G4 -- thanks again to all the devs who worked on this. I didn't realize how much I missed being rooted until I was again!
I had been running AdBlock Plus on my previous phone, galaxy S4, and never thought much about it, but in the course of reading various threads while waiting for root on the G4, it seems like most people mention AdAway as the preferred ad blocking tool. I gave it a shot, and it seemed to be far inferior to AdBlock. So I feel like I must be doing something wrong and was hoping for some discussion on this.
AdAway works by changing the hosts file to block known ad sources. For me this caused several problems. Web pages still load slowly (perhaps because of timeouts associated with trying to access a non-responding server?). There are still large areas on the screen with broken link icons where the ads used to be, which is pretty ugly. I tried using the AdAway local server, to provide a response to the spoofed/blocked domains, it didn't seem to make much difference. Finally, using the default config, many commercial web sites are just blocked entirely, which is a non starter.
My understanding is that AdBlock instead creates a proxy. With AdBlock web pages load MUCH faster than with AdAway, even when running the local server. It also removes the content entirely, instead of just blocking, so the output is a lot prettier.
The difference in web browsing experience was stark for me. AdBlock was the clear winner. So I'm trying to understand why so many people seem to prefer adaway. I would rather use a more light-weight solution if it works as well, but it just didn't seem to for me. Am I missing something?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just a thought, but AdBlock Plus has to be running 24/7 in the background, so some people may notice or think it takes a hit on battery and system resources. I am running AdBlock Plus now as well, but I downloaded AdFree after the user above recommended it, I'll give it a go.
geoff5093 said:
Just a thought, but AdBlock Plus has to be running 24/7 in the background, so some people may notice or think it takes a hit on battery and system resources. I am running AdBlock Plus now as well, but I downloaded AdFree after the user above recommended it, I'll give it a go.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'll try AdFree too, hadn't seen it before. But it seems to work the same way as AdAway does so I'm not expecting much difference...
I used to use adaway but it broke my Pandora app, and after switching to adblock plus it hasn't crashed
Sent from my LG-H811 using Tapatalk
Some people don't like ABP's "Approved Advertisers" (or whatever they call it), where some ads aren't blocked by default. I know my boss complains about it, but it doesn't typically bother me. That may be the reason some people prefer AdAway (or some other similar host blocker).
I noticed that with Adblock Plus, anytime I tried to go to Android Central i'd get a Error 400 and couldn't open the site. With Adaway it loads fine, minus the godawful scrolling ads.
I used to use AdBlock Plus but I remember there was a reason I switched over to AdBlock instead. I think they were blocking all ads, even those you should just leave alone to support sites you enjoy or something along those lines. Since switching to AdBlock I'm never bothered with ads and enable ads for sites I respect.
I've never really had any of those issues with Adaway. I haven't used ABP in a while but the last time I did (and to the best of my knowledge out still works this way) it was just a proxy, which newer versions of Android wouldn't let the app configure itself. I could never get it working without being really slow and clunky and I couldn't figure out how to use it on a data connection at all. I'm away from wifi a lot so something that doesn't work at all half the time and works poorly the other half was useless to me.
Zorque said:
I've never really had any of those issues with Adaway. I haven't used ABP in a while but the last time I did (and to the best of my knowledge out still works this way) it was just a proxy, which newer versions of Android wouldn't let the app configure itself. I could never get it working without being really slow and clunky and I couldn't figure out how to use it on a data connection at all. I'm away from wifi a lot so something that doesn't work at all half the time and works poorly the other half was useless to me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's only if you aren't rooted. There is no manual config if you are. You need to be rooted for adaway no matter what so seems fair to compare root mode of ABP only.
I have been using adfree since before they pulled all ad blocking apps from the play store. Adfree doesn't slow anything down or leave broken links in web pages. Pages load fast like they should plus it blocks ads and popups in apps also which is great cause I have been going almost postal on some of these ads popping up when I close some apps. I guess I'm OCD about that.
Yea I noticed that when using Adblock Plus, my links on SlickDeals.net won't work. They get a redirect error and just fail.
Going through a Proxy is dangerous too since any and all traffic goes through them, so be careful when entering login/credit card information. You are also creating a bottleneck where all traffic must go through, so if the Proxy is overloaded or offline, so is your connection unless you change your local routing (I guess by uninstalling the app).
For me it is a back and forth issue. I prefer NOT to use a Proxy. This is a work related phone so I do not want to have any 3rd party company playing Man-in-the-middle with my data traffic.
Personally I like to just block apps on my device. Yes it causes longer page loading times while crap sits there and times out... but at least my data is safe and the page is easier to navigate once the ads are gone.
I just downloaded AdFree from the official website but it requires Root (I haven't rooted yet). I think all Ad blocking apps require root.
Many sites on slickdeals redirect through viglink.com or similar for revenue. All you have to do is whitelist those [*.viglink.com] and it will begin to redirect just fine
player911 said:
Yea I noticed that when using Adblock Plus, my links on SlickDeals.net won't work. They get a redirect error and just fail.
Going through a Proxy is dangerous too since any and all traffic goes through them, so be careful when entering login/credit card information. You are also creating a bottleneck where all traffic must go through, so if the Proxy is overloaded or offline, so is your connection unless you change your local routing (I guess by uninstalling the app).
For me it is a back and forth issue. I prefer NOT to use a Proxy. This is a work related phone so I do not want to have any 3rd party company playing Man-in-the-middle with my data traffic.
Personally I like to just block apps on my device. Yes it causes longer page loading times while crap sits there and times out... but at least my data is safe and the page is easier to navigate once the ads are gone.
I just downloaded AdFree from the official website but it requires Root (I haven't rooted yet). I think all Ad blocking apps require root.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but the proxy is on you own device. Not in any other server.
seb93 said:
Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but the proxy is on you own device. Not in any other server.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Either way adblock downloads the whole page ads and all then removes it. Adblock app has to be running in background to strip ads.
Adaway blocks access to the ad site altogether.
As for site formatting being wrong or not pretty would be the site page programmer programming certaib spaces in the page dedicated to thr ad that was supposed to show there.
I also like no ads in apps and youtube. Hence why I prefer adaway.
Parcing a large host file may require more resources..
In both you can whitelist if youre missing content you'd prefer to see.
clockcycle said:
Either way adblock downloads the whole page ads and all then removes it. Adblock app has to be running in background to strip ads.
Adaway blocks access to the ad site altogether.
As for site formatting being wrong or not pretty would be the site page programmer programming certaib spaces in the page dedicated to thr ad that was supposed to show there.
I also like no ads in apps and youtube. Hence why I prefer adaway.
Parcing a large host file may require more resources..
In both you can whitelist if youre missing content you'd prefer to see.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was just saying that adblock is not "dangerous" because he thought the traffic goes through another server.
Envoyé de mon LG-H815 en utilisant Tapatalk
seb93 said:
Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but the proxy is on you own device. Not in any other server.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Correct. Proxying elsewhere can be very dangerous.
I think I can answer this question...ADP sucks (and I use it religiously in Chrome) when it comes to your phone.
It COMPLETELY broke MMS for me (on Cricket). I removed ADP, rebooted, and was good to go.
I've always Adfree as it is simple and lightweight only modifying the hosts file.
Adblock kills MMS for me. Cannot send or receive.

Rootless ad blocking

Work told me I'm not allowed to be rooted anymore. I was rooted for adblocking only. Is there a rootless ad blocker that actually works?
I highly recommend against using rootless ad blockers. What they do is run your data connection through a VPN server which performs the ad blocking. Since all your data is running through someone else's server, your private information may be compromised if you transmit anything sensitive (bank accounts, SSNs, etc.).
That really sucks about your work requirement. How specific are they on no root? Can you root, install an ad blocking host file (manually or with something like adaway) then unroot without wiping your phone? That would be what I would try.
postal302 said:
I highly recommend against using rootless ad blockers. What they do is run your data connection through a VPN server which performs the ad blocking. Since all your data is running through someone else's server, your private information may be compromised if you transmit anything sensitive (bank accounts, SSNs, etc.).
That really sucks about your work requirement. How specific are they on no root? Can you root, install an ad blocking host file (manually or with something like adaway) then unroot without wiping your phone? That would be what I would try.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No root at all and they have spyware to check for root.:crying: Is there at least a good browser + plug in that works?
460cidpower said:
No root at all and they have spyware to check for root.:crying: Is there at least a good browser + plug in that works?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Here's an older article about three ad blocking browsers.
Also Adblock Browser in Google Play is from the makers of Ad Block Plus.
postal302 said:
Here's an older article about three ad blocking browsers.
Also Adblock Browser in Google Play is from the makers of Ad Block Plus.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you use these vpn add blockers just make sure to white list apps you dont want to use vpn server then your private data is not going through it. Like whitelist google play for sure any apps you purchase stuff with. Phone and messaging apps. And remember you can usually just toggle the adblocking off if your in doubt. I recommend DNS66 ad blocking it has this feature to whitelist apps and dns servers and its free. But like the OP says beware your stuff is being rerouted. So understand how and what they do before you install and run them. Just get use to turning the adblocker on only when needed
postal302 said:
That really sucks about your work requirement. How specific are they on no root? Can you root, install an ad blocking host file (manually or with something like adaway) then unroot without wiping your phone? That would be what I would try.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can't root, modify, then unroot without tripping DM-Verity. Any modifications to the system will trip DM-Verity.
460cidpower said:
No root at all and they have spyware to check for root.:crying: Is there at least a good browser + plug in that works?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I use an Adblock Plus extension with Samsung internet browser, works very well. Though I have to unblock some websites since they detect ad blockers.
I use the "Block This" app. It only creates a LOCAL VPN, so your data does not go through a different server, at least as I understand it. Been using it for several months, and really like it. Works as well as the rooted ad blockers I used to use. Blocks ads in apps and browsers.
Disconnect Pro appears to work, as long as you haven't disabled KNOX.
Disconnect Pro is pretty decent and free right now too...otherwise, it is about 25 dollars. Also, check out Adguard, they do local VPN, but does come at a slight battery price though. Trade off for not having root and avoiding ads....though they do help sites and apps continue to function.
460cidpower said:
No root at all and they have spyware to check for root.:crying: Is there at least a good browser + plug in that works?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try Brave browser, it's available from Google play

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