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Smart-TV blocklist for Pi-Hole

perflyst.github.io

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Re: Smart-TV blocklist for Pi-Hole

#101

Post by throw0101a »

eli wrote: post #81
syshum wrote: post #43

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Then you have to contend with DNS over HTTP, Thanks Firefox and Google.... DNS over HTTP has got to be the most ill thought out "privacy" feature that has done more to HARM privacy then it could ever help

That's a stretch given the context. A smart TV maker can put whatever they want in their own client software. They don't care what features Firefox and Google support.

Who do you think was pushing for the DNS-over-HTTPS standard?

   Authors' Addresses

   Paul Hoffman
   ICANN

   Email: paul.hoffman@icann.org


   Patrick McManus
   Mozilla

   Email: mcmanus@ducksong.com
* https://datatracker.ietf.org/doc/html/rfc8484

Re: Smart-TV blocklist for Pi-Hole

#102

Post by axjmc »

vlunkr wrote: post #90
jjulius wrote: post #52

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yes; PiHoles are used for far more than just blocking smart TVs. The difference between browsing the web at my house and browsing away from home is so stark that it's almost not worth browsing most sites if I'm not behind it.

I run a simple VPN at my house alongside pinhole. You can block ads anywhere that way.

I do the same. The same pi runs a wireguard server.

Re: Smart-TV blocklist for Pi-Hole

#103

Post by jim-jim-jim »

TeamXe wrote: post #32

For those who are still looking for dumb tvs these are the best ones available as far as I'm aware. Bought one last year and works as expected. https://www.sceptre.com/TV/4K-UHD-TV-category1category73.htm...

For any Australians reading, JB Hifi still has dumb Blaupunkt TVs. They're neither big nor 4k, but if you're weird like me and feel technology peaked in 2009, they're perfect.

Re: Smart-TV blocklist for Pi-Hole

#104

Post by karaterobot »

throwawayboise wrote: post #56

I'll be that guy: I sidestep the problem by not having a TV.

I don't have cable or satellite or streaming services, but I bought a dumb TV (the Sceptre listed elsewhere in this thread, in fact). It is definitely a better experience than watching movies on my laptop screen.

Re: Smart-TV blocklist for Pi-Hole

#105

Post by rahimnathwani »

encryptluks2 wrote: post #97
tra3 wrote: post #94

I just upgraded my ISP's router/modem and got rid of my old mikrotik. Turns out that the new router does not allow me to set custom DNS. The new system uses a weird management style -- a combination of on router settings ( https://10.0.0.1 whatever admin console) and an ISP portal. I can't set port forwarding unless I go to the ISP portal. I suppose it's to support the mobile app they are pushing. The lack of DNS cus…

That is why you should always avoid your ISP modem/router combos.

Some providers offer better pricing if you use their modem/router combo. For example, Xfinity plans come with a 1.2TB monthly data cap. So, you might have the following options:

A) $50/month with your own equipment and a data cap

B) $80/month for the same as (A), but unlimited data

C) $60/month for the same as (B), but higher bandwidth and using the ISP's equipment

Re: Smart-TV blocklist for Pi-Hole

#106

Post by throw0101a »

MerelyMortal wrote: post #83
markovbot wrote: post #75

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Is there something wrong with just buying a normal TV and not giving it your wifi password?

Just as long as you never have any guests that want to be helpful and connect it to the Internet either via your guest wifi or their own phone's hotspot so they can watch their Netflix or whatever on it.

Or you accidentally connect it to your streaming box (Apple TV, Roku) with an HDMI cable with Ethernet:

* https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HDMI#HDMI_Ethernet_and_Audio_R...

Re: Smart-TV blocklist for Pi-Hole

#107

Post by tra3 »

rahimnathwani wrote: post #99
tra3 wrote: post #94

I just upgraded my ISP's router/modem and got rid of my old mikrotik. Turns out that the new router does not allow me to set custom DNS. The new system uses a weird management style -- a combination of on router settings ( https://10.0.0.1 whatever admin console) and an ISP portal. I can't set port forwarding unless I go to the ISP portal. I suppose it's to support the mobile app they are pushing. The lack of DNS cus…

I'm assuming you're talking about Xfinity xFi. If so, you can just put it in bridge mode and use your own router. Your own router will need to use a different private address range (e.g. 192.168.1.x or 172.16.0.x) because then you'll still be able to connect to the xFi admin interface on 10.0.0.1 (e.g. if you decide to turn off bridge mode).

Shaw, but apparently they get it from Comcast.

I kinda like some of the features they offer in the mobile app. Would be a shame to lose it.

Re: Smart-TV blocklist for Pi-Hole

#108

Post by rahimnathwani »

tra3 wrote: post #107
rahimnathwani wrote: post #99

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm assuming you're talking about Xfinity xFi. If so, you can just put it in bridge mode and use your own router. Your own router will need to use a different private address range (e.g. 192.168.1.x or 172.16.0.x) because then you'll still be able to connect to the xFi admin interface on 10.0.0.1 (e.g. if you decide to turn off bridge mode).

Shaw, but apparently they get it from Comcast. I kinda like some of the features they offer in the mobile app. Would be a shame to lose it.

If it works for you, great.

Re: Smart-TV blocklist for Pi-Hole

#109

Post by paulcole »

alkonaut wrote: post #3

I just manually unchecked the cookie permissions for a couple of hundred different ad companies on my Samsung TV. Using my remote. Of course there was a button to accept all of them, but not reject them. How one of the worlds largest companies sells stuff that so blatantly violates the GDPR while web developers at tiny companies sweat over whether we can save an IP for five minutes is beyond me.

> while web developers at tiny companies sweat over whether we can save an IP for five minutes is beyond me

Maybe they shouldn’t? Either block European traffic or do whatever you want and figure it out later when you’re big enough to be on somebody’s radar.

Re: Smart-TV blocklist for Pi-Hole

#110

Post by paulcole »

LeoPanthera wrote: post #8
pigbearpig wrote: post #4

"#secure.netflix.com" "#api-global.netflix.com" "#appboot.netflix.com" These are commented out, but did someone really think the app would still work after blocking these? I get blocking ads, but I don't understand the mindset of someone who wants "smart" features but still wants to block everything.

1. It's actually very difficult to buy a non-smart TV. They usually cost more. 2. The comments also serve as a "no really, don't block these" reminder to enthusiastic contributors.

> It's actually very difficult to buy a non-smart TV. They usually cost more

So is it very difficult to buy a non-smart TV or do they just cost more?

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