crypt0cler1cOct 14
Zack Whittaker

New, by me: If you're not using ad blockers, you should be! I wrote 2,000+ words on why you should use them and how to get started.

In this deep-dive blog, I explain why ad blockers are critical for your online security and privacy, what threats ad blockers can help defend against, and we'll look at some of the best ad blockers out there.

More: https://this.weekinsecurity.com/why-ad-blockers-are-a-top-security-and-privacy-defense-for-everyone/

You can also sign up for my weekly cybersecurity newsletter, out Sundays: https://this.weekinsecurity.com/

Why ad blockers are a top security and privacy defense for everyone

Ad blockers can help defend against some of the top hacks, scams, and surveillance today. Here are some of the best ad blockers that you can use.

~this week in security~
Oct 14 at 12:13pmWeb
Show threadskribe 🇺🇦 Oct 14
@zackwhittaker do the FBI still recommend them or has that changed with the new administration?
Show threadZack WhittakerOct 14
@skribe that's mentioned in the article!
Show threadskribe 🇺🇦 Oct 14
@zackwhittaker thanks
Show threadJari PennanenOct 14
@zackwhittaker You should, but YouTube is banning accounts for using those. I got a warning dialog ~1 year ago about adblockers, of course I didn't care, then one day I could not login to YouTube on any desktop browser. Now I can only access it loggedin from mobile.
Show threadKzad_BhatOct 14
@Ciantic @zackwhittaker I am seriously curious why so many honestly insist on logging in to use youtube? I do not get it. Anything that is gated there, imho, simply isnt worth it.
Show threadJari PennanenOct 14

@Kzad_Bhat @zackwhittaker For me it is easy, I can't anymore! I've been meaning to build some alternative way to 'follow' channels, but haven't had time, I just use my own bookmarks now. Many people probably use subscribing like bookmarks.

Only other reason is that I've bought Star Wars from YouTube movies, and I can't watch it from desktop anymore, also reminder to never buy anything from YouTube as you get locked out of content.

Show threadKzad_BhatOct 14
@Ciantic yeah I learned that lesson the hard way waaaay back when™️ on the windows phone store.. had bought music for my smartphone and then they went bust. If it isnt physical I wont "buy" it as media.
Show threadPhillip Oct 15
@Ciantic @Kzad_Bhat @zackwhittaker Use RSS! YouTube channels each have their own RSS feed
Show threadKerplunkOct 14

@zackwhittaker
https://this.weekinsecurity.com/why-ad-blockers-are-a-top-security-and-privacy-defense-for-everyone/

I got
This article is for subscribers on the Astonishing admins tier only.

I, astonishingly admin Linux setups,

Use etc/hosts blocklists from below
https://github.com/StevenBlack/hosts

Use UngoogledChromium or LibreWolf.
if u believe in the plurb brave.

Use non logging private dns not
Google , cloudflare or other trackers

Use UBlock
Install from
https://github.com/gorhill/uBlock/releases

Not google tracker store
or its mozilla equivalent

= more privacy

or even Use Tails

Why ad blockers are a top security and privacy defense for everyone

Ad blockers can help defend against some of the top hacks, scams, and surveillance today. Here are some of the best ad blockers that you can use.

~this week in security~
Show thread"Wish the sun to stand still.." 🌞Oct 14
@zackwhittaker Great! Please also cover how FPI helps with privacy.
Show threadClare HooleyOct 14
@zackwhittaker you’re likely preaching to the converted here (I saw a poll where the numbers using ad blockers on the fedi were huge cf what I think this is standardly). However, use of the article limited as I’m just not going to convince multiple people of the type not to use ad blockers to subscribe.
Show threadskryOct 14

@clare_hooley @zackwhittaker Sadly, nobody I know who needs this info can (or would) pay for a professional level subscription in order to get this recommendation. I hope you will make important information for normal people like this accessible later or find a way to sell one article at a rate that makes sense for the people who need it.

Thank you

Show threadJer-Bear 😎🐻Oct 14
@zackwhittaker on Apple devices I would recommend the excellent Wipr 2 by @mipstian, it does a great job blocking ads and trackers in Safari. Apparently there’s an app in the works to block ads in other apps.
Show threadZack WhittakerOct 14
@jerbear @mipstian yep! that one is in there!
Show threadKaylee’s AppsOct 14
@zackwhittaker @jerbear nice, writers generally don’t cover ad blockers because of the obvious conflict of interest 😬 so thanks!
Show threadAli ShahOct 14
@zackwhittaker great piece! Curious, what’re your thoughts on something like iCloud private Relay turned on 24/7 or even VPNs?
Show threadZack WhittakerOct 14
@ashah thanks! iCloud Private Relay doesn't help to block ads, but as mentioned in the article, it is possible to put a Pi-hole in the cloud.
Show threadAli ShahOct 14
@zackwhittaker are there any benefits to using it then or is it just more of a nuisance then anything? I used to use it way back in the day but stopped due to increased captcha requests.
Show threadZack WhittakerOct 14
@ashah iCloud Private Relay offers some privacy protections, such as hiding your browsing activity from your internet provider! It's just not really designed for blocking ads, nor does it.
Show threadAli ShahOct 14
@zackwhittaker cheers, thank you!
Show threadGregatron5Oct 14

@zackwhittaker Any chance of putting this particular article outside the paywall so I can send it to friends and family?

Also, any thoughts on NextDNS?

Show threadJohn🥛Oct 14
@zackwhittaker my new "test" for Android is to see if si.com runs smoothly. Brave is the only one that can do it. Soooo many ads and trackers.
Show threadMontyOnTheRunOct 14

@zackwhittaker could this be considered an ad for ad blockers? Would an AdBlocker block your article?

JK we all should use it

Edit: s/AdBlock/adblockers

Show threadMontyOnTheRunOct 14
@zackwhittaker must also admit that I'm a bit disappointed that last.weekinsecurity.com doesn't point to the previous week articles 😅
Show threadZack WhittakerOct 14
@montyontherun 😂 not impossible to do!
Show threadShadSterlingOct 15
@zackwhittaker if only using ad blockers didn’t mean having to spend an hour figuring out which exceptions need to be granted to some site I can’t avoid using at least a few times a week and sometimes several times a day
Show threadZeph!Oct 15
@zackwhittaker it's true, I've seen a startup script maliciously installed on a PC that called out to a command domain get blocked by ublock origin. I'm quite sure the PC would have been completely owned otherwise.
Show threadKyle Memoir 🍉🐧Oct 15

@zackwhittaker

'When you see an ad, the ad sees you' says it all.