this post was submitted on 11 Feb 2024
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I agree that pi-hole is an option here, but yeah, the reality is that most daily users don't even know what it is. At least, not yet.
Adblock Plus and it's betters became ubiquitous in large part because they were so incredibly easy to install. As easy as gramma accidentally installing yet another yahoo toolbar on accident. Like, too easy.
Pi-Hole isn't hard to install, and there are some fantastic guides to help users get it running with essentially zero prior knowledge. But in my opinion, I think until it gets closer to "push-button" easiness, pi-hole and systems like it will really be limited to the <5% of users motivated enough to go through the steps, who aren't mortified of logging into their router's admin page. I want us to get there faster, and we're a hell of a lot closer than 10 or even 5 years ago. But we're not quite there yet.
Edit-typo
Closest thing to "push-button", are probably VPNs with a built-in ad blocker... which might as well be a pihole. Not sure what % of people use those.
Another way is through DNS (eg. noads.libredns.gr).
This looks really cool! Any downsides/dangers to this? 🤔
The main downside is that there is a lot less customization of filters short of using a different DNS. There is also the potential for logging DNS (present with normal DNS servers as well). LibreOps claims they don't log requests, and personally I don't think they have much reason to lie, but there is still that element of trust. Many of the more well known DNS servers don't offer ad blocking DNS, so you'll most likely be switching to a different provider.
Thank you for the insights! 👍
NextDNS is another option that'll give you PiHole level control and customization. I will say PiHole is pretty easy to get up and running tho.