Ghostery Lite?

Discussion in 'all things UNIX' started by Daveski17, May 8, 2019.

  1. Daveski17

    Daveski17 Registered Member

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    Does anyone use Ghostery Lite on Safari?

    Screenshot 2019-05-08 at 21.12.22.png

    Ghostery seems to have changed its business model of late. I haven't used it since before the Evidon acquisition. I already have ABP, would there be any advantage to using Ghostery Lite as well?

    Just curios ...
     
  2. Rasheed187

    Rasheed187 Registered Member

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    I wonder why they call it the Lite version?
     
  3. guest

    guest Guest

    Customization is a little bit limited:
     
  4. ProTruckDriver

    ProTruckDriver Registered Member

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    I don't use the Safari Browser as my main browser, I use Chrome. I gave Ghostery Lite a try on Safari and didn't like it. To me Safari is like IE and Microsoft. For testing Adware Browsers Add-ons I usually go to AOL website and AOL Email website, the leader in showing ads. I haven't found a good ad blocker for Safari yet, even AdGuard Browser Extension has restrictions on Safari. I guess there is way too many restrictions Apple put on Safari. I'll stick to Chrome / Firefox using AdGuard as an ad blocker, doing an excellent job on my Mac. ;)
     
  5. Daveski17

    Daveski17 Registered Member

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    Seems tailored to Safari.

    https://www.ghostery.com/lite/

    Screenshot 2019-05-11 at 21.10.27.png

    I only have ABP at the moment.

    Screenshot 2019-05-11 at 21.10.58.png
     
  6. Daveski17

    Daveski17 Registered Member

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    I used Ghostery a long time ago. I have an odd feeling I've ran it on Safari for Windows in the past. ABP doesn't do a bad job on Safari, but it isn't uBO. Safari's like most WebKit based browsers; it can be a tad on the quirky side. I'm not holding my breath for an official Safari uBO version. Anyway, I have Firefox and Chrome, what more could I want? lol
     
  7. AutoCascade

    AutoCascade Registered Member

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    That may just be Ghostery's new ext based on Macs new content blocking api which is limited to 50k filters also rewritten specifically to the Mac where previously extensions shared code on the three major browsers. Really a double hoop for Mac devs to jump through. Extensions have to be rewritten for Mac and rewritten to a new api with no code shared with existing browser extensions.

    Most content blockers on Mac are rewriting their extensions or have abandoned their extensions with the changes to Safari 12. The ones that are rewriting are creating multiple extensions to replace the one to get around the new content blocking api limitations. Some devs don't want to create an entirely new extension written solely for mac so they have abandoned the platform. Pretty sure ublockO is dead but that adblock plus has resurrected that name for one of its own rewritten extension.

    I believe Wipr has three extensions now and 1Blocker is still working on their 5 extension package, '1Blocker X' for Safari.

    Still haven't gotten my mac mini yet but I've been tracking this issue. Google has floated changing Chrome's content blocking api but recently said they wouldn't be changing it to the extent they originally stated and had taken devs concerns into account.

    Ghostery presented a study showing that adblockers sped up loading web pages (which we all know to be true) debunking Google's claim that changes were necessary to keep these extensions from slowing down browsing.

    https://whotracks.me/blog/adblockers_performance_study.html

    Firefox has remained mute on this but given Google has kind of backed away at least at this point there is some real hope there.

    Adguard the paid system app (free on beta?) and pihole are options as well.
     
  8. Daveski17

    Daveski17 Registered Member

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    ABP is pretty good on Safari. Not uBO good, but pretty good.
     
  9. Rasheed187

    Rasheed187 Registered Member

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    Weird, why would they make a less advanced version for Safari.
     
  10. ProTruckDriver

    ProTruckDriver Registered Member

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    Probably all the restrictions Apple has put on their OS and Safari browser extensions. Finding browser extensions for Safari can be a PITA.
     
  11. Daveski17

    Daveski17 Registered Member

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    All in the name of security no doubt. ;)

    Which is why I only have ABP.
     
  12. Rasheed187

    Rasheed187 Registered Member

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    OK, I see. Didn't know about that, so it's probably best to use another browser.
     
  13. Daveski17

    Daveski17 Registered Member

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    There's nothing really wrong with Safari, it just needs uBO lol.
     
  14. Daveski17

    Daveski17 Registered Member

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    I've been finally trialling Ghostery Lite as the Ghostery people seemed to think that there were no known conflicts with ABP.

    1.jpg

    It's certainly removed ads from certain sites ABP won't and even now removes some persistent adverts in GMX Mail.

    2.jpg

    The icon is neatly discreet in the Safari GUI.

    Screenshot 2019-05-27 at 16.28.12.png

    I cannot detect any slow down in page loading.

    4.jpg

    I'm staying with the default settings at the moment.
     
  15. AutoCascade

    AutoCascade Registered Member

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    I think slowdowns would come into play from apps that aren't being updated for the new rules and are attempting to do things they can't anymore basically wasting browser time. Eventually those older apps won't install anymore if indeed that's not the case already. Dave can you still even download UBO?

    Frankly I don't get the argument that the old extensions either slowed down browsing or were security risks since I've always looked at them as being security positive and speeding up browsing but coming from Apple at least there is possible legitimacy since they aren't ad $$ driven.

    The only way to have a comprehensive solution on Safari now are multiple extensions designed to work together to get around restrictions or an OS based app.
     
  16. Daveski17

    Daveski17 Registered Member

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    I think there's a uBlock app in the repo but it isn't a Safari extension. I doubt the older apps would install anyway. I might not need ABP eventually but they seem to work together. Ghostery Lite is unobtrusive and appears to work in the background.
     
  17. Daveski17

    Daveski17 Registered Member

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    I'm guessing it's a fork of uBlock Origin.

    Screenshot 2019-05-28 at 10.39.26.png
     
  18. Azure Phoenix

    Azure Phoenix Registered Member

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    Last edited: May 28, 2019
  19. Daveski17

    Daveski17 Registered Member

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  20. AutoCascade

    AutoCascade Registered Member

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    My understanding is that adblock bought that domain from the person who forked ublock way back when before ublockOrigin and now they are the ones behind ublock on Safari.

    Kind of a creepy back door way to do business imo.
     
  21. Daveski17

    Daveski17 Registered Member

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    Adblock as in ABP?
     
  22. AutoCascade

    AutoCascade Registered Member

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  23. Daveski17

    Daveski17 Registered Member

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