Built-in Ad Blocker and uBlock Origin

promero

I used uBlock Origin a while to monitor how good the built-in ad blocker works. It appears, it doesn't filter out basics like Google Analytics, in spite of having the highest setting (block ads and trackers).

Doing the same at other browsers with built-in ad blocking (Brave) did not have the same effect; uBlock Origin did not recognise any tracker.

This makes me conclude that either

Vivaldi uses a different architecture that kicks-in after the extensions do
something is broken

Can you help?

Stardust

Do you use Built-in Ad Blocker and uBlock Origin at the same time?
I use uBlock Origin because it is much more powerful than internal. Built-in Ad Blocker is disabled.

Stardust

@promero said in Built-in Ad Blocker and uBlock Origin:

It appears, it doesn't filter out basics like Google Analytics, in spite of having the highest setting (block ads and trackers).

Maybe you don't have all the needed Tracker Blocking Sources and Ad Blocking Sources selected:

https://help.vivaldi.com/desktop/privacy/tracking-and-ad-blocking/

promero

@Stardust @guigirl thanks for your replies.
I am a big disciple of everything from gorhill - and couldn't imagine browsing without uBO or uM. And, I'm a big supporter of the FSF, but still use Vivaldi, because it's amazing.

And, I am a big fan of Vivaldi; actually used Opera until it became unusable and was giddy with excitement as Jon started Vivaldi.

But this is not the point. I wanted to understand the abilities of Vivaldi's built in ad and tracker blocker, as it is advertised. And while I get that it doesn't filter out exotic domains, something as basic as Google Analytics should always be blocked.

So my point is that of trust. Either, it is a question of architecture, or one of trust. In the latter case, I would be hugely disappointed.

I hope, someone from Vivaldi reads and replies to this.

Catweazle

@Gwen-Dragon , I use Vivaldi Blocker with uBlock filters, together with Trace (fingerprints, header and referer) , I think it's a good combination.

promero

@Gwen-Dragon gotcha. so one is troubling the other. that's what I wanted to know. Thanks & keep up the amazing work!

@Catweazle didn't know Trace. Thanks for recommending.

Catweazle

@promero , if you want more security, you can use 9.9.9.9 DNS and/or DNScrypt

Catweazle

@Gwen-Dragon , Vivaldi Blocker lacks the context menu for blocking elements that has uBO.

promero

Thank you, all. I keep on using my beloved uBlock Origin and uMatrix then, but it would be great if the built-in solution would soon be as good. That can only benefit users, and it makes Vivaldi even more attractive.

Catweazle

@promero , good, but uMatrix is Discontinued

The repository has been archived and the development has been stopped.

promero

@Catweazle I know I know - that's a major bummer. But its still functional, I never experienced any interference with uBlock Origin, and just plan to enjoy it while it lasts

promero

@guigirl thank you so much for encouragement and sharing your experiences. There seems to be light at the end of the tunnel, after all Joking aside, really thank you, I will look into dynamic filters of uBO more - haven't done so yet.

C2A

Hi all,

This is a very interesting topic but I do not really understand what the best solution is against trackers and ads.

I have been using uBlock Origin so far but has the Vivaldi's inner blocker improved after the recent updates?

My question is: do I have to use both or only one of them? (and which one?)

As for cookies, I use Ninja cookie which is mainly great and effective (even if it does not detect everything)

I noticed V's inner blocker have the same cookies blocking lists (Easylist Cookie list and I don't care about cookies) but Ninja Cookie seems to have more inner lists within.

Question is: do you think V's inner blocker alone is enough to replace both uBO and Ninja cookie?

Will I get exactly the same protection and performance including against coin mining for example?

C2A

This post is deleted!

C2A

@guigirl Thanks for your answer.

I had quite a bad impression of V's inner blocker when it was first released but I thought it had made enough improvement to use it instead of uBO.

I forgot to mention Malwarebytes Browser Guard: does anyone use it? Do I have to add it to uBO?

Stardust

@c2a said in Built-in Ad Blocker and uBlock Origin:

forgot to mention Malwarebytes Browser Guard:

What is that? Another addon or filter list for uBO?

C2A

@stardust No, it is a chrome extension. From the malwarebytes anti malware company

Stardust

@c2a

Note for all browsers
To benefit from uBlock Origin's higher efficiency, it's advised that you don't use other content blockers at the same time (such as Adblock Plus, AdBlock). uBlock Origin will do as well or better than most popular ad blockers. Other blockers can also prevent uBlock Origin's privacy or anti-blocker-defusing features from working properly.

https://github.com/gorhill/uBlock

code3

@c2a https://forum.vivaldi.net/post/457046

Vivaldi blocker unfortunately does not block access to sites when necessary, so it cannot function as a malware blocker at this time. Whether you use malware bytes is up to you, I am not familiar with it.

C2A

@stardust thanks for your post; it answers my doubt about combining uBO and V's inner blocker.

I am still wondering if someday V will be able to match or even do better than uBO.

In fact, I do not really notice a difference at use between both (maybe some ads not blocked by V but it also happens on Youtube with uBO) but I think that psychologically I feel "safer" with uBO.