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How Google Chrome’s ad blocker works

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Re: How Google Chrome’s ad blocker works

#221

Post by username223 »

kodablah wrote: post #90
falcolas wrote: post #80

Earlier quoted context omitted.

They don't want to block ads on sites, unless the site is on the other list. That is, if site foo.com and bar.com both serve ads, but foo.com is on the "blacklist", the ad blocking will be enabled on foo.com. However, ad blocking will remain disabled on bar.com. It's not Google's intention to block all ads on all sites - only ads on "bad" sites. If they can reduce the number of adblock installs by reducing the overal…

Ah, I see now, EasyList is selectively applied after first determining whether the site "deserves" it. That's an evil use of the hard work of EasyList maintainers IMO. I wonder if I can find a way to make Chrome think every site is "bad". If not, uBO still for me.

Yeah, this seems like it already is, or will soon become, solidly evil. If Google decides to flag your site, all of a sudden you don't get ad revenue from anyone. An AdWords sales-drone can then contact you to explain how you can remove yourself from Google's "naughty" list, e.g. by giving them more inventory, or giving their competitors less.

Re: How Google Chrome’s ad blocker works

#222

Post by aembleton »

fauigerzigerk wrote: post #124
mabbo wrote: post #89

I think there's good intentions by Google here. That said, let's talk about the worst-case scenario, the thing that Google could actually do that is entirely anti-competitive. Step 1: Google finds a large number of competitors who are doing pretty well playing by their rules. Google finds some trait they all have in common. Google then modifies their own ads to not have that trait. Step 2: Google declares the given t…

That's a valid concern, but it's also a very obvious one, and Google already being in the crosshairs of regulators will certainly be aware of it. They are clearly prepared to counter any such allegation in two ways. 1) It's not Google alone setting the standard. The "coalition for better ads" also includes Facebook, Microsoft and many others: https://www.betterads.org/members/ 2) The rules are few and reasonably simp…

Totally agree. I need uBlock just to remove elements or more often entire sidebars from websites that insist on having animated gifs right next to text that I'm trying to read.

I really can't concentrate with animation going on in in the corner.

Re: How Google Chrome’s ad blocker works

#223

Post by throwaway2048 »

switch007 wrote: post #152
abandonliberty wrote: post #114

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Google's intent is to protect their advertising revenue stream. That's not good or bad, it's just business. Definitely agree with you on the long term capability. There's just so much risk having your web interface owned by someone with a vested interest in what you see. In the meantime expect 3rd party attempts at gaming this functionality.

> That's not good or bad, it's just business. I think I missed some nuance. Is doing business is beyond reproach these days?

seems to be if you listen to some of the corporate appologists around HN, where if it isnt explicitly against the law, people have nothing to complain about (and often not even then..)

Re: How Google Chrome’s ad blocker works

#224

Post by mquander »

chacham15 wrote: post #213
JoshMnem wrote: post #212

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> People mostly install adblockers to block really annoying ads.* Many people use ad blockers because they want to block all ads. There are many reasons to block them, including malware, privacy, and brainwashing. If ads works to manipulate behavior (and they do, otherwise people wouldn't buy them), and you don't want to be manipulated, you shouldn't let professionals attempt to hijack your brain (whether those attem…

This is a very pessimistic view of the world. Not all ads are attempts to hijack your brain. For example, if you were already thinking about buying a specific keyboard and then saw an ad for that same keyboard with a 10% discount, that ad would have actually provided positive value to you. You save money for the thing that you already want. Not all ads are like that, but the example goes to show that there is a spect…

Assuming the premises of your scenario (that the ad didn't change anything about you to make you more likely to buy the keyboard, or adversely influence you in any other way), the display of this ad is a disaster for the advertiser. Advertisers will work as hard as they can to make that not happen.

Re: How Google Chrome’s ad blocker works

#225

Post by regexnerd »

Santosh83 wrote: post #49
lucasverra wrote: post #41

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Latest Firefox Quantum release available with faster, always-on privacy with opt-in Tracking Protection and new features[1]- 23 jan 2018 [1] https://blog.mozilla.org/blog/2018/01/23/latest-firefox-quan...

I'm aware of this, but it seems to be only basic tracker blocking and not even near as flexible and comprehensive as say uBlock. They need to expand this significantly to offer something equivalent to this Chrome initiative. At the very least, offer the ability to add custom blacklists and per domain rules.

It is basic tracker blocking. You can and should be doing more.

I run a Pi-hole on a Raspberry Pi and highly recommend it. It's blocks ads, beacons, trackers all at the DNS level. The crap never even has a chance to come down to your PC because it's never called. Easy to set up, takes about 30 minutes from start to finish. I couple this with my finely-tuned Firefox with uBlock Origin, Dencentraleyes, Privacy Badger, Webmail Ad Block, and No Coin. This is defence in depth. I never see anything resembling ads, beacons, or trackers.

The Pi-hole is highly configurable. You can add lots of blacklists to the already very capable list that is on by default. In addition, you can watch, in real time, all the calls being made and tune as you see fit. I was shocked to learn that my router, as well as other software, was phoning home. I nixed this behaviour on the Pi-hole immediately. It's a real eye opener to see what the software and devices on your network do and to whom they talk. The Pi-hole blocks bad crap for all devices on your network. You can even set up a free VPN on your router and use it for your mobile devices whilst your away from home.

The Pi-hole has become an indispensable tool on my network and I really think every person who cares about security should employ one for no other reason that it truly allows you to monitor your traffic in an easy-to-follow set of charts and traffic logs that are configurable. Well worth the time and little money involved.

Re: How Google Chrome’s ad blocker works

#226

Post by kiriakasis »

bzbarsky wrote: post #163
drngdds wrote: post #103

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I feel like there's a simpler explanation that's still not 'good intentions': 1. Lots of people are using adblockers to block all ads, including Google's, and they don't like that. 2. People mostly install adblockers to block really annoying ads.* 3. By building in an adblocker that blocks annoying ads, people will stop installing full adblockers that also block Google's ads. *There are real issues with non-annoying…

There's another step here: Google encouraging paywalls for people who do have an adblocker installed. Paywalls that they themselves will service. See https://support.google.com/fundingchoices/answer/7362965?hl=... and its explicit mention in https://www.blog.google/topics/journalism-news/building-bett...

i read the link only in part, but this look reasonable. if you exclude ads and paywall how should they make money?

moreover when mozzilla made attempt to "non-tracking privacy-respectful ads" in the mr robot scandal everyone was at their throat.

how should site make money then?

Re: How Google Chrome’s ad blocker works

#227

Post by KallDrexx »

eli wrote: post #136
drngdds wrote: post #103

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I feel like there's a simpler explanation that's still not 'good intentions': 1. Lots of people are using adblockers to block all ads, including Google's, and they don't like that. 2. People mostly install adblockers to block really annoying ads.* 3. By building in an adblocker that blocks annoying ads, people will stop installing full adblockers that also block Google's ads. *There are real issues with non-annoying…

If people no longer feel the need to install a stronger ad blocker why is that bad?

I would be surprised if the chrome ad blocker will block Ads for Google's own properties like Youtube, and while most ads probably adhere to the advertising standards they have still be caught accidentally serving crypto-mining ads (https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2018/01/now-e...).

So to me it's bad because it's opening up people's computers to exploitation that even Google can't control.

Re: How Google Chrome’s ad blocker works

#228

Post by lamby »

JoshMnem wrote: post #212
drngdds wrote: post #103

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I feel like there's a simpler explanation that's still not 'good intentions': 1. Lots of people are using adblockers to block all ads, including Google's, and they don't like that. 2. People mostly install adblockers to block really annoying ads.* 3. By building in an adblocker that blocks annoying ads, people will stop installing full adblockers that also block Google's ads. *There are real issues with non-annoying…

> People mostly install adblockers to block really annoying ads.* Many people use ad blockers because they want to block all ads. There are many reasons to block them, including malware, privacy, and brainwashing. If ads works to manipulate behavior (and they do, otherwise people wouldn't buy them), and you don't want to be manipulated, you shouldn't let professionals attempt to hijack your brain (whether those attem…

I can't be sure, but I think a non-trivial reason why I block them is because they are frankly unspeakably ugly. :)

Re: How Google Chrome’s ad blocker works

#230

Post by Zizizizz »

SeriousM wrote: post #216

It's a nice writeup but to be honest, I'm so happy that I have my pi-hole setup so I don't care anymore :). For Android is an OSS app called dns66 (f-droid) which has the same functionality.

Couldn't you set up a VPN to that raspberry pi and use that to block ads on your phone too? I use Adaway but I don't have a pi hole
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