BA.net and FoolDNS shares same ineffective adblocking DNS

Discussion in 'other software & services' started by J_L, Jun 25, 2015.

  1. J_L

    J_L Registered Member

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    Can't believe I just noticed this, but BA.net and FoolDNS shares the same primary server (87.118.111.215) and none of the listed addresses blocks ads!

    At first I thought it was a Windows 10 issue, but after replicating it on my iPad (which sorely needs adblocking w/o jailbreak), I can confirm that it's not my devices. Can anyone else replicate the problem?

    Thanks! And please provide any alternative DNS for my iPad running iOS 8.3. I'm using HostsMan for Windows Store adblocking at the moment.

    *Found this, at least it works: http://www.speedmeup.net/
     
    Last edited: Jun 25, 2015
  2. WildByDesign

    WildByDesign Registered Member

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    For adblocking of iOS devices on my network, the best solution that I was able to come up with was running OpenWrt on a spare router and configure it to have it's own DNS server for filtering advertisements and malware. This can be done inexpensively and efficiently. The router can even serve the 1x1 transparent image to replace ads. Alternatively, you could also run Privoxy on the router.
     
  3. J_L

    J_L Registered Member

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    I'd prefer having something more universal and device-specific. Which is why SpeedMeUp will do, for now...
     
  4. WildByDesign

    WildByDesign Registered Member

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    I have to admit, SpeedMeUp does look nice based on its web site. I hadn't heard of it before. But I wonder how they are able to offer this service for free. I'm curious and will possibly give that a try now as well.
     
  5. WildByDesign

    WildByDesign Registered Member

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    This doesn't work with HTTPS sites/ads apparently, according to their FAQ.
     
  6. Zero3K

    Zero3K Registered Member

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    Their twitter states that it does work with HTTPS sites.
     
  7. Nanobot

    Nanobot Registered Member

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    Neo Tokyo

    A List of DNS Service Providers
     
  8. haakon

    haakon Guest

    BA.net and FoolDNS began that sharing in April. I noticed their block failures recently and began to again rely on my per-app URL & IP specific blocks in NoRoot Firewall. But getting it right is extremely frustrating and lately it's become nearly impossible to even get it somewhat right. Ad blocking on tablets and smart phones... we're loosing the battle. :(

    Since early February I've been messing with those two sites' DNS and of the fourteen (!) IP addresses they've used, only five are pingable today.

    These three are still listed on their sites and don't block anything:
    87.118.111.215 BA.net & FoolDNS
    213.187.11.62 FoolDNS
    104.236.64.166 BA.net

    These were once listed but dropped off around April:
    162.243.154.60 BA.Net
    64.16.214.40 BA.net
    I haven't tested them for blocking, but they dropped off for a reason. So why bother?


    Thanks to Nanobot's link, I noticed what appears to be the new kid on the block:
    http://www.alternate-dns.com/
    198.101.242.72
    23.253.163.53

    Unlike those of BA.net and FoolDNS, which resolve to a potpourri of domains, both these resolve to ad-blocking-dns(1 & 2).alternate-dns.com.

    I plugged 'em into my Nexus 7 2013 (Android 4.4.4) and tho it's only been a few hours, they seem to do a bang up job of blocking. Ads in browsers are for all intents and purposes gone, but some free apps (games, weather) that normally are rampant with ads are considerably quieter.

    Though not 100%, alternate-dns seems right now to be the only game in DNS ad blocking. I hope they stick around and look forward to hopeful improvements in their block list.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jun 28, 2015
  9. subhrobhandari

    subhrobhandari Registered Member

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    Switched to Alternate DNS here in the router, let's see how it goes for a few days. If you guys are looking to block in-app ads in Android phone/tablet then try "LostNet NoRoot Firewall". Thats the only one free app which is effectively blocking ads in android without root. Check the old thread here.
     
  10. haakon

    haakon Guest

    GRC DNS Benchmark - very fast - Cox Cable - Southwest USA

    198.101.242. 72 | Min | Avg | Max |Std.Dev|Reliab%|
    ----------------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+
    - Cached Name | 0.035 | 0.036 | 0.038 | 0.001 | 100.0 |
    - Uncached Name | 0.039 | 0.084 | 0.276 | 0.064 | 100.0 |
    - DotCom Lookup | 0.039 | 0.041 | 0.045 | 0.001 | 100.0 |
    ---<-------->---+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+
    dns1.alternate-dns.com - changed since my lookup on June 28. Huh?
    RMH-14 - Rackspace Hosting,US


    23.253.163. 53 | Min | Avg | Max |Std.Dev|Reliab%|
    ----------------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+
    - Cached Name | 0.052 | 0.053 | 0.055 | 0.001 | 100.0 |
    - Uncached Name | 0.055 | 0.098 | 0.277 | 0.058 | 100.0 |
    - DotCom Lookup | 0.054 | 0.056 | 0.059 | 0.001 | 100.0 |
    ---<-------->---+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+
    ad-blocking-dns2.alternate-dns.com
    RACKSPACE - Rackspace Hosting,US
     
  11. jimpke

    jimpke Registered Member

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    Any update on how this works?
     
  12. subhrobhandari

    subhrobhandari Registered Member

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    It's working fine, so far I have noticed no outage. It's good for using with devices without adblocking capabilities. My main PC still connects via DNSCrypt but for other devices on WiFi, it's great.
     
  13. 93036

    93036 Registered Member

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    Sep 22, 2011
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    110
    Is the DNS still worthy on 2021?
     
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