Video / YouTube Ad Blocker and Scriptlets - Feedback thread

Youtube without ads! Great👍👍🚀

You guys rock 😁

But why the extra activation via Blocker>Video Ads Blocker? It should be the default 😎

Thanks!! 😀 👍 

I have activated the ublock filter. With me on the PC there is still advertising in Firefox and also in the Edge browser. HTTPS support is also enabled.

Does this work with a Fire TV stick?

Micha

Great new features. Ads get blocked well on youtube.

Not sure if anti-fingerprinting works.

It shows the same fingerprint after reloading the website all the time.

I checked on https://browserleaks.com/canvas

Posted by: @mcmoin

Not sure if anti-fingerprinting works. It shows the same fingerprint after reloading the website all the time.

There are many websites (like the one you mentioned) that show a proof of concept how fingerprinting works. No need to be concerned.

eBlocker is not trying to generally prevent fingerprinting as this would result in many many issues. For example „no sound“ if we disable the fingerprinting possibility of soundcards…

We rather tackle the dangerous fingerprinting that‘s really used on major websites. Like the Fingerprint2 library. The anti-fingerprint beta in 2.8 is our proof of concept to primarily fight this library used on a growing number of sites. There is more to come…

Hope this makes it more clear. 😉

Posted by: @micha

With me on the PC there is still advertising in Firefox and also in the Edge browser. HTTPS support is also enabled.

I fear eBlocker is not fully enabled for your PC yet. Have you followed the Setup Instructions closely?

Make sure the eBlocker Function Test (found in the Dashboard) shows green checkmarks only. Also try the eBlocker Doctor (in the settings) to reveal whats going wrong. Please open a new thread if you need help with the setup.

Unfortunately FireTVstick does not allow to install certificates to my knowledge. But you should be able to stream ad-free from your PC to the Firestick.

THX!

@random

"Moin" from Hennef !

Installed eOS 2.8.2 (update) on my Raspberry Pi4 (4GB) lately.
-so far, so good !

Although having uBlock Filters enabled it seems like that "Starting Videos" and "in-between-videos" are still shown (on all of my Pcs) !?

Certificate is always beautifully imported and installed, Functionality-Test only shows "green marks"..

Any advice for me ?

Best,

Steffko

@steffko Hm. Strange. 🤔

Do you have additional browser plugins installed (that disable JavaScript for instance)? If so, please try disabling all plugins or other „modifications“. Maybe even install a clean Firefox?

Which browser & version are you running? Please stick to this browser for the diagnosis, run the function test in this browser (again) and also the eBlocker Doctor (Settings>Doctor). Post results here please.

THX!

@random 

Hi & and thanks for coming back to me that quickly ! 😊 

Browser used is Firefox (64-Bit) 94.0.1 (latest version) with no other Browser Plugins installed !

Same results for Function(ality) test as already mentioned above, "Doctor" states overall condition as "positive", find stats included!

Best regards,

Steffko

@steffko Would you please share the Diagnosis Report (Settings>System>Diagnosis) to support at eBlocker.org.

THX!

@random 

Thank you so far ! 😉 

- Report has been generated and sent to Support !

Looking forward to hearing from you !

Best,

Steffko

@steffko I wonder if other devices (like an iPad, Tablet or such) show the same behavior. If you got other devices at hand, please double check.

THX!

Hi my results are look the same as Steffko where the dashboard looks good, followed the instructions and added it as a machine cert.

using Edge with no plugins and a Private window

I can also see that other Https pages are being intercepted and the cert delivered on those pages are from the eblocker device however youtube appears to not being intercepted and the cert for that site is Youtubes and not eblockers

I've also flicked my report to Diagnosis support to support to help

@johnw230873 @steffko I‘ve not yet checked the diagnosis, but I suspect you might have (https) whitelisted Google domains (by chance).

Quick check: Settings>HTTPS>Trusted Websites - type google in search field. If google domains appear, screenshot please. You need to remove all these (mostly via Trusted Apps)…

THX!

@random Cheers, I have had a look and there was a rule in the whitelisted Applications.
As I had already factory reset my device before the last test I thought I would do it again to maybe help out others.

So I factory reset eblocker and without any other modifications apart from the 2.8 update, I turned on the Https and ran the wizard. After the wizard had ran I then checked the whitelisted Applications and notice the rule was already there, I disabled the rule and ran youtube in a private window.

At first it didn't work then I remembered that I needed to add it to the new fingerprint rule, once added this time YouTube used the new certificate and add were blocked.

Hence automatic rule that was added that I needed to manually disable as well

Thanks for the solution.

Posted by: @johnw230873

Thanks for the solution.

Thank you for testing and sharing the solution. Good job 👍

To sum up, typical solutions in case you are still seeing ads:

1. Follow the instruction to enable the uBlock filters. Make sure eBlocker HTTPS is correctly activated on the device. Function Test in Dashboard must show all green checkmarks. 
2. Do not use an app but rather use a regular browser to view videos. JavaScript may not be disabled in the browser.
3. Make sure to deactivate the Trusted App „Google“ (Settings>HTTPS>Trusted Apps) because it might get activated accidentally (we are aware of this issue). Double check the eBlocker icon is shown on the video site.

Hope this helps 😉 @Micha @Steffko

Hello eBlocker Team,

it seems to work so far for me, but I'm still in testing mode.

Following problems -> see attached pictures:

Without the trusted app "google", all my google devices (Smartphone, google drive, google authentification) doesn't work at all. Isn't it possible to update this rule in a way, that doesn't impact all the other google services I use?

Thank you all

Posted by: @jogi

Isn't it possible to update this rule in a way, that doesn't impact all the other google services I use?

Yes, but this needs testing - and here we are in a Google-free zone, so your help is appreciated.

To help, please enable the Google Trusted App again. Then, remove (one by one) the following domains from the app. (Just select the app details by clicking on the right arrow and there you can click the edit button to remove single domains).

After each removal please check if ads in Youtube get blocked (and your beloved Google services work still 😉). You want to do this test in a "private mode" browser session, that you close after each test. This is to make sure there are no side effects from previous tests taking place.

Hello,
thank you for the tutorial.
At least the app updates and Google Newsfeed are working again.
Hopefully jogi will find a solution 🙂
Best thanks.

Many greetings

@random:

It seems to work for me now by reducing the exception filter for Google as a trusted app by the following exceptions:

@jogi Thanks very much for your help!

@bpr @benne I‘d suggest to remove these Domains from the „Google“ Trusted App and rather add a new Trusted App „YouTube / Googlevideo“ (default off). This would avoid future issues with YouTube and leave Google services working, while it‘s backward compatible.👍

THX! 

@benne 

Hello Benne,

thank you for your comments.

I have read the instructions to activate the ublock filter.

In the dashboard everything is green in the functional test.

The eBlocker doctor also shows no restrictions.

First I opened Youtube in my browser (Edge 64 bit).
On the top left I can't see the icon of the Eblocker.

Also I have disabled the trusted apps for Google.

Now when I watch a Youtube video it still shows an ad video.

Also I have read the comments in this thread by @random.

Have then re-enabled Google in Trusted Apps and deleted the specified urls.

When I open an inPrivate window on Edge and watch a Youtube video, that video is without ads. (Here I am not logged into Google)
Also appears here with me in the upper left corner the Eblocker icon.

If I open Youtube in a regular window (here I am logged in with Google) then comes back advertising.
Here the Eblocker symbol does not appear.

Strange.

I suspect that this phenomenon is related to my Google login ??!
Can anyone of the professionals here confirm this ?

If I then stream the YouTube video from the InPrivate session to my TV then I get ads again (on the TV when I'm logged in to YouTube (Google)).

Thanks for reading and have a nice Saturday

Greetings

--
Andreas

@andreashamburg

If the icon is not present, the domain is probably whitelisted. Check the dashboard „Allowed Domains“ and Settings>HTTPS>Trusted Websites. Search for the domain shown in the URL when logged in with Google.

I don’t use Google, so I can‘t check myself, sorry. To value your privacy it‘s also a good idea to not login unless strictly necessary. Here I‘d simply refrain to login - as an alternative solution.😉

Good luck!

Posted by: @benne

If the icon is not present, the domain is probably whitelisted.

Also Google may set a different CSP (Content Security Policy) after login. Can‘t verify either due to Google free zone here.

But @andreashamburg you should be aware that each login reveals your identity. So a profile with all your watched content can be build tied to your login. Using eBlocker is like using a mask to stay anonymous while holding up your address (your login) on a big sign. Hm.

Consider not to login and get videos ad-free rather than compromising your privacy for an ad-filled experience. 🧐 That‘s my advise here.

THX!

@jogi

Hi jogi,

thanks for your contribution.
Unfortunately, this does not work the Youtube app on all mobile devices.
The loading time in the app is very long and when the videos start, it's only for a few seconds.
Apparently both is not possible ;-(

Thank you and many greetings

P.S. Of course, it sounds totally reasonable not to register with your profile.
But since I support some youtubers with small subscriptions, that's not really feasible for me.

@qp1808 The domains @jogi found are to keep Google services working, while youtube ads get blocked using a browser. It would have been a rare side effect if the youtube app would also work. 

And for contributing to a youtuber it‘s recommended to disable eBlocker and watch the adverts. Otherwise your visit may not be credited. So just hit eBlocker pause and watch ads 👍

THX!

Thanks to @jogi's input, we've now split the Google Trusted App into two parts and separated all YouTube domains in a separate Trusted App. See here: https://eblocker.org/community/announcements/changed-the-google-trusted-app-new-youtube-trusted-app/

So now one can leave Google Trusted App enabled (not enabling the YouTube Trusted App) to enjoying ad-free videos (in the browser) and continue using Google services.

If you had modified the Google Trusted App (as discussed above) you can set it back to default standard now.

THX for the feedback and support everyone!

Hello!

Despite activated uBlock filter I still see the ads on Youtube. Test with Edge, Firefox or Chrome.

What else could I do about it?

THX in advance for your help!

Posted by: @antontir0l

What else could I do about it?

Have you read completely thru this thread? If not, I'd suggest to do so - and act accordingly. 👍 

Are you seeing the eBlocker Icon on YouTube? If not, please follow the HTTPS certificate installation closely and make sure YouTube is not set as "trusted" in Settings>HTTPS>Trusted Websites. Please note: Unless you see the Icon, ads can not be blocked.

THX!

re,

I already think that I have read everything ...
Certificate is successfully installed

Controlbar can be seen on Youtube

It is "officially" blocked advertising

Trustworthy Apps: Youtube is not enabled

But it can still be seen? 

I do not understand

Posted by: @antontir0l

But it can still be seen? 

I do not understand

It looks the same for me, but I think that's because I'm actively logged into the Google account.

I have also tried it with an incognito window and there came not once Youtube advertising.

In my humble opinion, it can only have to do with the account binding.

Greetz

--

Andreas

Posted by: @andreashamburg

Posted by: @antontir0l

But it can still be seen? 

I do not understand

It looks the same for me, but I think that's because I'm actively logged into the Google account.

I have also tried it with an incognito window and there came not once Youtube advertising.

In my humble opinion, it can only have to do with the account binding.

Greetz

--

Andreas

re Andreas!

Unfortunately I am not connected with my Google account ... In the incognito window I also have advertising ... that's crazy lol

@antontir0l Please open a new thread for your particular issue as this is probably not related to the video ad-blocking feature but rather a general eBlocker setup question. Please make sure to provide all infos requested in the read me with the new thread.

THX!

Hi at all 🙂 

Maybe someone of you uses the "Auto Trust App" in eBlocker or he/she doesn't remember it?

If this funktion is enabled, you will never see an eblocker icon at the youtube website, because it became an automatic trusted website by this funktion.

In German the eBlocker guys wrote the following:

Experimentelles Feature: Auto Trust App

Zur Verbesserung der HTTPS-Kompatibilität mit Apps testen wir derzeit einen neuen Ansatz: Die Auto Trust App. Diese erkennt Fehler beim Aufbau von HTTPS-Verbindungen und setzt die Domains, bei denen Verbindungsfehler aufgetreten sind automatisch als Trusted App. Dieses Feature befindet sich im Experimentierstadium für die weitere Entwicklung und ist noch nicht für den produktiven Einsatz gedacht.

Wir empfehlen ausdrücklich dieses Feature nur einzuschalten, wenn Du Software-Entwickler bist und genau weißt, was Du tust.

Um das Feature einzuschalten müssen drei Voraussetzungen gegeben sein:

1. Die Aufzeichnung von HTTPS-Verbindungsfehlern muss aktiviert sein (Settings> HTTPS> HTTPS Verbindungsfehler)
2. Für alle Geräte mit Apps muss die HTTPS-Fehleranalyse aktiviert sein (Settings> Geräte> “Gerät wählen” – dann unter HTTPS die Fehleranalyse aktivieren)
3. Die Auto Trust App einschalten (Settings> HTTPS> Vertrauenswürdige Apps> Auto Trust App aktivieren)

Achtung: Die Auto Trust App wird Domains freischalten, die eventuell Tracker oder andere schädliche Inhalte enthalten können. Dies ist bekannt und das aktuelles Experimentierstadium dient genau dazu, derartige Probleme zu beseitigen. Bitte schalte dieses Feature nicht ein, wenn Du vollständig geschützt sein möchtest.

So please disable the auto trust app in eBlocker:

Settings->HTTPS->Trusted Apps->deactivate Auto Trust App

Delete any Content (urls) in this app!

Delete your Browser Cache and maybe restart your computer.

After this, you should see the eBlocker icon at the youtube website.

I hope everyone understand what I try to explain here...

For sure Random or Bene are able to explain it more detailed in english?

Check this and try it.

Good luck

@jogi : Thanks very much for your feedback.

To sum up your finding: if Auto Trust App is enabled, some Youtube domains might get whitelisted - thus the video ad-blocker can not kick in on those domains. 

The technical reason: If the Youtube App (natively on an OS) is used, the Auto Trust App correctly detects that a whitelist for YouTube domains is necessary (otherwise the native App would’t work). 

@mainzelM : We might need the possibility to maintain a „ATA unwanted“ list…(🤪) or we build in some logic „if video ad-blocker enabled, delete all youtube domains automatically. Or even generally „don’t add domains matching uBlock filterlist“? Other ideas?

@jogi : I would suspect that you can just delete all youtube domains from ATA - while refraining of using a Youtube App (native in OS) afterwards. Then enabled ATA will probably not interfere with the uBlock Filters. This should solve the issue temporarily.

Hi Benne,
I have disabled the "Auto Trust App" feature on my end. It should only show a possible solution.
URLs can be deleted from the "Auto Trust App" without any problems (at least for me).
The Android app works fine for me (without ads) with a few changes in the exception lists -> see other thread.

eBlocker does not interpret the !#include directive at the end of the "uBlock filters" list:
!#include filters-2020.txt
!#include filters-2021.txt
!#include filters-2022.txt

@wunder That's correct and well known.

Background: eBlocker Scriptlet support is beta and there are a few directives we do not support at the moment. You will also notice that we are not using the full uBlock list but a derivative that includes rules for the implemented PoC (Video Ad & Fingerprint blocking) only. For the same reason, there are no user defined blocker lists supporting Scriptlet rules, yet. 

THX!