yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Android Apps and Games] androcraze:
You never said or implied anything negative towards me. No offence from you was taken.

Whether it's the hosts source project being dead, or the interval between host source updates, it's not an AdAway issue. AdAway does exactly what it's supposed to do: it ignores sources it can't download or parse, and keeps on moving. Users are free to do as they please in terms of what host source(s) they use.

DjDiabolik doesn't need to respond. I meant no offense, used no harshness in my initial response, didn't call names, and wasn't condescending. It's a moot point; this subject has been beat to death.
[Android Apps and Games] ipdev:
If you are using magisk, I would suggest copying your backup (or someone else's) to

/magisk/.core/hosts

then reboot.

NOT directly to /ect/hosts (Systemless ring any bells. :) )

I haven't been using SuperSU for awhile, so I'm not sure where the modified hosts file is placed.
[Android Apps and Games] jcmm11:
Assuming systemless it's /su/etc/

Permissions 644

Owner:group root:root
[Android Apps and Games] androcraze:
FYI:

This may explain the off-line hosts-file.net issues:

https://hphosts.blogspot.com/2017/06/info-server-issues.html

"Saturday, 3 June 2017

[INFO] Server issues

Just an FYI regarding recent issues involving vurldissect.co.uk, mysteryfcm.co.uk and a few others.

The vURL server is still being flooded, which is obviously slowing it down for those accessing sites housed on it. I'm still working to mitigate it.

Due to a recent move, the mysteryfcm.co.uk server is still down. Hoping to have this back online in the next day or two."
[Android Apps and Games] Rebel7022:
I'm using super su . How come web server won't start at boot and won't start on?
[Android Apps and Games] androcraze:
Users were running into issues with 2.8.0-2.8.2 SuperSU.

A search in this thread for "SuperSU" might give more than that.

It's not an AdAway issue.
[Android Apps and Games] peterlee928:
i did this as well

oddly

if i refresh to check for update

adaway says that everything is fully up to date

?
[Android Apps and Games] androcraze:
I'm guessing that AdAway will only update and over-write the existing hosts if it finds a newer file.

For the defaults, two have remained the same and the third is off-line. No new files = no updating the host file.
[Android Apps and Games] peterlee928:
hmm

im prob misunderstanding

but

the file that i replaced

is a host file

no?

notta biggie

more just curious

?
[Android Apps and Games] androcraze:
Yep. That's the hosts file.

Odd that some folks updated, and it wiped the older hosts data, but you're not seeing the same issue.

EDIT: the users losing the data were recovering from backups, so the above would make sense.

I wouldn't attempt to update unless hosts-file.net is back online.

AdAway must store and track the host source file timestamps and update based-on that.
[Android Apps and Games] patrickdrd:
it's working if you replace https with http
[Android Apps and Games] USBhost:
Thanks man!
[Android Apps and Games] ChazzMatt:
Then you don't understand the issue I just described.

You are in denial there is a problem when host files are being corrupted by one of the defaults in Adaway.

Maybe the discussion has moved on to better understanding since yesterday, but I am responding to this post and will read the thread further. I apologize if I'm responding to a post where you still don't understand and now you do.

It's not Adaway's "issue" (in that it's not the app's fault) but the "issue" is affecting Adaway adversely. You are coming off as somewhat patronizing.

I'll say it for the nth time. There was two pages describing the issue fairly clearly, if anyone took the time to read:

These people did lots of troubleshooting, you can tell they aren't noobs. They are reporting a valid issue. And that's only a few of the posts.

________________

---------- Post added at 04:08 AM ---------- Previous post was at 03:46 AM ----------

Yes, that is the issue. Not only offline but corrupted data overwrote hosts file.

And many people have Adaway set to auto update.
[Android Apps and Games] ChazzMatt:
Thank you.

---------- Post added at 06:04 AM ---------- Previous post was at 06:02 AM ----------

We have proof that is not true for many users. SOMETHING happened to over write the files.
[Android Apps and Games] dwgalaxys:
A Nwebie to hosts - how exactly do I change the hosts file to this one only (not existing hosts sources) https://raw.githubusercontent.com/stevenblack/hosts/master/hosts

and then which permissions to put on file (eg R-RW-R etc/?)

Stepby step? Have seen adz in all apps(not browsers) since Sat app updates (sky news, trainline etc) and nver had a problem with Adaway up until this past weekend. Am running latest Nougat Superman ROm, with super SU (chainfire update) on galxy s7e

many many thanks for any tips...
[Android Apps and Games] Heathered:
[MENTION=3984204]dwgalaxys[/MENTION] Just download file from this link https://github.com/StevenBlack/hosts/raw/master/hosts.zip, unzip, and hosts file put in system/etc folder. After that, set permisson to rw-r--r--

Just in case restart your phone, and thats all. :)

---------- Post added at 01:56 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:48 PM ----------

Forget about AdAway app, all what you need is hosts file in system/etc. I already give a chance for StevenBlack hosts (you have direct link in my upper post), and it works very well. Recommended... :)
[Android Apps and Games] ktmom:
Open adaway -> 3-dot menu -> host sources

Uncheck the default sources you don't want. Hit the plus sign (top right). Paste the new source into the field and hit add. Make sure it's checked.

There are no permissions that have to be set. That's only if you are manually overwriting a host file on your device.
[Android Apps and Games] corkiejp:
Tried the above twice and the Adaway app couldn't connect to that source. Checked the spelling of the link as well.
[Android Apps and Games] ktmom:
If you paste that link into a browser, you'll see the file that would be downloaded. I know it works because I tested it before responding to you originally.
[Android Apps and Games] corkiejp:
The link opens fine in a browser and can see the hosts file. I opened it in a browser to get the full correct url. Just the adaway app doesn't connect to it.

Doesn't matter because I change the "https" to "http" of the broken source.

You also where responding to someone else, I just replied to one of your posts.
[Android Apps and Games] jcmm11:
Try this link instead. It's a mirror of the Steven Black link and is what I'm currently using.

http://sbc.io/hosts/hosts
[Android Apps and Games] ProfEngr:
The hosts.txt file linked earlier is working and I've unchecked the auto-update option. I'll do manual updates in the future as needed, but will keep the txt as a backup just in case.
[Android Apps and Games] peterlee928:
noob q

i did exactly as u said

when i check the host source

after a reboot

it says

local: not available

online: not available

wut might i be doing wrong?

much thx in advance :)
[Android Apps and Games] ktmom:
I doubt you did anything wrong. I get that too sometimes. If you can, look at the size of your system/etc/hosts file (that's where every app looks for it, regardless of systemless root solution). Then go ahead and "download and apply" in adaway. The file size with just that one source, as of today, should be 1.02mb.
[Android Apps and Games] peterlee928:
boom

1.02mb

just as u said :)

one addl q?

this host http://sbc.io/hosts/hosts

noted in a post abv

stated as a steven black mirror

is it duplicative/unnecessary

to have both this

and the one u recommended?

much thx again in advance :)
[Android Apps and Games] ktmom:
It would be duplicating exactly the link you are already using. So no, don't use both. Your file size will double slowing DNS with zero benefits.

<EDIT> don't forget to reboot after changing the hosts file (e.g. download and apply). That ensures caches are cleared and the new hosts file is being used.
[Android Apps and Games] NLBeev:
Here on my Nexus 6 permanently:

Local unavailable, Remote unavailable.

With a different link !

https://raw.githubusercontent.com/stevenblack/hosts/master/hosts

The default links of AdAway are showing dates after 'Local' and 'Remote'
[Android Apps and Games] jcmm11:
[MENTION=6089972]peterlee928[/MENTION] [MENTION=528201]NLBeev[/MENTION]

File size wouldn't double, since Adaway strips duplicates. However the mirror won't give you the "not available" message, which is why I started using it. The Steven Black file hadn't updated in about 2 months for me and kept showing that "not available" status. The mirror works just the way it should.
[Android Apps and Games] Ultramanoid:
I've updated from the direct GitHub link to Black's hosts file several times in the last two months, from Android and Linux, no issues generally. However, GitHub has its bad days, blame it on that. Or Amazon servers, from which they serve files too, tired of seeing constant complaints about it in Open GApps' thread...

So, same as has been said about the hosts files that was down, wait and give it a try the next day if needs be. That's all there is to it.
[Android Apps and Games] peterlee928:
[MENTION=806755]jcmm[/MENTION]11 [MENTION=6617276]ktmom[/MENTION]

really appreciate all the insights

:)

so one clarification

given discrepancies

file size doubling

and/or slowing dns

these are probs with both host files installed?

or not an issue?

again much thx! :)
[Android Apps and Games] NLBeev:
For several weeks now I am only using the souce of Steven. Steven updates frequently.

I check the date in my browser with the link written in my previous post.

But mostly​ I just press 'Enabled' in AdAway, assuming Steven's file is updated.
[Android Apps and Games] Rebel7022:
If you can, could you tell me how to apply Stevens host
[Android Apps and Games] ktmom:
This post was jus several above yours. Use the https://raw.githubusercontent.com/stevenblack/hosts/master/hosts link

---------- Post added at 12:22 ---------- Previous post was at 12:16 ----------

You are very right. I just took the time to test it [emoji87]
[Android Apps and Games] Rebel7022:
So how do I apply those to adaway? it's just a big page of host
[Android Apps and Games] peterlee928:
much thx for the clarifications

reached my daily limit on thumbs up

will give them when i can

:)

much thx to all

on providing this wonderful app

and all the great support

:good::good::good:
[Android Apps and Games] ktmom:
Did you open Adaway and follow the steps (3-dot menu, ect) in the post I quoted?
[Android Apps and Games] Rebel7022:
Oh I just copy and paste that link to adaway..:laugh: Is it ok to use Steven host with adaway host or should i delete the host that came with adaway?
[Android Apps and Games] ktmom:
It's "ok" to use as many host sources as you wish. It comes with a price of increased hosts file size which slows DNS. I use only the one source, and I'm happy with the results. You need to determine if it's sufficient for your use or if other ad sources need to be blocked. This is a case of "less is more".

You don't have to delete a source. If it's not checked, it's not used by adaway to build the hosts file.
[Android Apps and Games] Rebel7022:
So will adaway let me know when Stevens host have updates? If not could you link me to the page I can check for updates, I looked but I got really confused
[Android Apps and Games] ktmom:
That link (raw.xxxx) should give you info on updates. Here's the thing, I install a "new" hosts file once per month or so when I clean flash the next ROM update. Other than that, I forget about it unless I'm have trouble with ads. IMHO, this is given way more effort than is really necessary.
[Android Apps and Games] dwgalaxys:
Hi KTmom, thans for reply but couldnt get your way working....
[Android Apps and Games] AndroidHtc101:
Will be back up and running in a few days the blog says.
[Android Apps and Games] Nergal di Cuthah:
Mind linking that?
[Android Apps and Games] DjDiabolik:
[MENTION=5119654]IronTechmonkey[/MENTION] about my previous question i try to make a better question:

On today i use the dev version build 8 feb 2017... it's a good version and apparently i use it on OnePlus One whit tugapowers and all works whitout any problems..... i have disabled the autocheck of update and i do a manually check about every a week or more.

Yesterday, before to make my "controversial" reply, i have try to check an update and i see that:

Mirror 1 -> adway.org/host.txt

Tha last update it's dated 31 gen 2017..... Do not you think it's too 'old' ?

Mirro 2 -> host-file.net/ad_servers.txt

I thinks this mirrors have some problems... i have try to look this mirror here:

http://www.isitdownrightnow.com/hosts-file.net.html

It's reported the site it's down apparently for 2hours and 18minutes........ i have read and apparently some other people report problems to reach this mirror right ?

About mirror 3 -> the 'yoyo' mirror

the last upgrade it's dated 23/05/2017... it's the most recent.........

After that.... you don't thinks it's not a bad idea add some default, if exist some good and tested, extra mirror on a 'future' version ?
[Android Apps and Games] androcraze:
You didn't make a controversial post. I missed the meaning of what you were talking about.

host-file.net has been down for a number of days now, and that's an exceptional occurrence; it's been the "go-to" hosts site for years, and I don't ever recall it being off-line for this long of a period. Many, many products use the site, and I'm fairly certain that things will probably get put in-place to mitigate the loss of access to those host files.

The problem with putting a litany of host sources as potential defaults for AdAway is that most users will try and activate ALL of them. The three that are there work well together, and adding more sources, even if unchecked, will create confusion.

The file from hosts-file.net contains the majority of the entries of AdAway uses for its defaults (over 48,000 of just over 50,000); it's the real workhorse of the three sources. The other two sources are targeting specific things that the hosts-file.net file DOESN'T (really, I checked; there's almost no overlap between the three files, and it's evident that AdAway and yoyo are "extensions" of hosts-file.net, not competitors).

A possible solution would be to have AdAway pull an archived version of the hosts-file.net source from a secure, alternative site; this would be in the event that an initial install of AdAway found the main site off-line, or an existing installed version "lost" the cached version. Not perfect, but better than nothing.

I think once the host-file.net site is back on-line, the issue will have taken care-of itself for some time. Again, the site has been the backbone for many ad-blocking applications, across multiple platforms, for years. The fact that it's been off line for as long as it has is an issue much bigger than AdAway.
[Android Apps and Games] IronTechmonkey:
LOL, You've done nothing controversial :)... although some of the answers you seek are in the recent pages of the thread and you should be able to find them ;). That being said, here is 2-part answer:

1) As to the the age of the source files (the date stamp on them) IMO that is not to old. Also, even if a hosts file is updated the update probably involves the addition of a few hosts and the removal of a few hosts. In the context of a file that is hundreds to thousands of lines long those are minimal changes. One exception to this is when a hosts source makes a major change, for instance at one time a hosts source (I forget which) removed so many old entries that the file shrank from over 300,000 lines (yes three hundred thousand which is absurdly large) to about 50,000. I would not worry about the age of the hosts file. Also, if you find some ads not being blocked you can use the DNS logging feature and just blacklist them.

2) Yes, one of the sources (hosts-files.net) has been having problems so Adaway has not been able to download it (but this is not an Adaway issue). If you review the recent thread pages you can find more information about that, including a recent post by [MENTION=5211723]AndroidHtc101[/MENTION] referring to a blog,

---------- Post added at 09:42 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:39 PM ----------

You ninja-ed my slow typing arse :). As to hosts-files.net, I did not realize they were that significant in the world of hosts based ad blocking since in my minimal equation I only use adaway.org and some individual blacklisted items. Thanks for those details.
[Android Apps and Games] androcraze:
https://hphosts.blogspot.com/2017/06/info-server-issues.html
[Android Apps and Games] AndroidHtc101:
Let's be patient I'm sure it will be back soon.
[Android Apps and Games] Sheetzie03:
Thanks, had no idea all u really need is the correct host file in system/etc for ads to be blocked, without any other extra apps. If its that simple I'm surprised anyone would need to use an app, unless I'm missing something.
[Android Apps and Games] IronTechmonkey:
Missed indeed, the following and more can be done from within Adaway:

- Choice of different hosts file sources.

- Automatically update.

- Blacklist/whitelist

- "Log DNS Request" and items add to blacklistswhitelists.

- View contents of hosts file.

- "Scan for adware" (apps that bypass hosts file based blocking).

- Run webserver (answer requests to ad serves that require a response).

- Other things.

- Perhaps most important to your question: One of the best in-app FAQs and Problem descriptions around. Seriously, just reviewing the settings and FAQ would tell you all of this.
[Android Apps and Games] AndroidHtc101:
Changing to http worked
[Android Apps and Games] Sheetzie03:
Very helpful. Thanks
[Android Apps and Games] peterlee928:
[MENTION=6617276]ktmom[/MENTION] [MENTION=4487388]jcmm11[/MENTION]

thx again for all the 411

learned more abt adaway

over the paat day

than i ever knew

and yall were spot on

this stevens one

is much leaner

and just as

(if not more)

effective

than the 3 org hosts

thx again :good::good::good::)
[Android Apps and Games] abhi0502:
Whenever i apply adblock, applied host source is always seen 2/3 instead 3/3. Also some ads are not blocked on chrome after that. Any help?
[Android Apps and Games] AndroidHtc101:
Read back a few pages
[Android Apps and Games] peterlee928:
assume ur using

the 3 original host files?

if so

one of them is down

see prior posts

for background on the prob

and solution

frankly

i recommend

dumping those 3

and using the stevens host

(also detailed in prior posts)

much leaner

and just as

(if not more)

effective

cheers
[Android Apps and Games] Watanabe_You:
Just found this app and it works perfectly with Magisk, 0 ads seen.
[Android Apps and Games] ktmom:
Just to add one more thing to [MENTION=5119654]IronTechmonkey[/MENTION]'s excellent response;

Adaway works with systemless root to prevent people from overwriting the hosts file in system. Modifying the system file would break OTA on stock ROMs.
[Android Apps and Games] IonutGherman:
Which one?
[Android Apps and Games] Watanabe_You:
Adaway 3.2 of course.
[Android Apps and Games] IonutGherman:
Both WiFi and data connection?
[Android Apps and Games] Watanabe_You:
Wat? I don't have any problems with them.
[Android Apps and Games] IonutGherman:
Are you sure? Cause on data connection ads are not blocked. (my case I think)
[Android Apps and Games] Watanabe_You:
I just tried, ads are still blocked on data.
[Android Apps and Games] IonutGherman:
What ROM are you using on what phone?
[Android Apps and Games] ktmom:
The hosts file is used regardless of the data connection type. When a request for "internet" is made, first the hosts file is checked then, if no entry translates the name to a ip address then a request to the remote DNS server is made.

All this does is dump unwanted host names to the local host ip address, effectively blocking the ad.

I also add local ip adresses (my local network) so I can get straight to websites on my developer machine.
[Android Apps and Games] Watanabe_You:
Extended AOSP on Redmi Note 4
[Android Apps and Games] Chaplan:
If your carrier has a Proxy set up on the APN there is no way to block adds. Only way is to turn off the proxy.

But you might need it for traffic management or something else.

You can check your APN for a proxy entry.
[Android Apps and Games] IonutGherman:
I removed the proxy now from APN. But still getting ads on mobile data...
[Android Apps and Games] cle_m_ent:
Maybe you have the same problem as me.

Go to settings and control systemless Host.

reddit.com/r/AndroidQuestions/comments/5xb4xc/how_do_i_install_systemless_adaway_with_magisk_v11/
[Android Apps and Games] dingdong3000:
Ads are still coming through with instagram even blacklisting graph.instragram.com in adaway. Anyone know how to eliminate them?
[Android Apps and Games] cognitivedissonance:
Thanks for this. I'm going to switch over to just Steven Black's list for simplicity. Of note, when I did this, I first removed blocking (presumably reverting the hosts file to its original state,) rebooted, applied only Steven's list and then rebooted again. I haven't fully tested yet, but I did notice that the download and application of this single file was noticeably faster than the download and application of the 3 default hosts files.

Anyway, thanks!
[Android Apps and Games] Axaion:
Not sure why, but seems very hit and miss, I even get ads on xda now
[Android Apps and Games] ktmom:
Maybe you're affected by the servers being down when you did an update to the hosts file. Read back several pages, this problem created loads of drama the last several days.

Check the size of your /system/ect/hosts file. If not between 1.02mb and 1.7+mb, you've probably lost some entries.
[Android Apps and Games] yettie10ff:
I've been noticing a lot of new ads in the last day or two. Chrome proxy/data saver off. Adaway hosts updated.

For example - just long clicked on a displayed ad and it doesn't even bring up the URL menu like normal. I have to select "open image in new tab" and then I can see "www.facebook.com/adnw_creative?...." so I suppose I need to add www.facebook.com manually to adaway blacklists. I can get by not accessing facebook web on my mobile.
[Android Apps and Games] ktmom:
I'm not having trouble. The only source I'm running is Steven Black's (link in post below your post).
[Android Apps and Games] yettie10ff:
For whatever reason using https://raw.githubusercontent.com/stevenblack/hosts/master/hosts and changing it to http instead of https didn't work for me. Says "local: n/a online: n/a" whereas using http://sbc.io/hosts/hosts works perfect.

So what's the deal with original adaway hosts? They are broken somehow or just for people like me that have updated recently?

---------- Post added at 04:56 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:54 PM ----------

Slightly Off topic - but why wouldn't large publishers like ESPN, NYtimes, etc just serve ads from their own domains? Wouldn't that prevent adaway from blocking them? Unless of course the entire domain gets blocked, but then readers of those publications would have no choice but to white-list.

Am I missing something?
[Android Apps and Games] peterlee928:
see prior posts

for details

on org adaway hosts

cheers
[Android Apps and Games] Axaion:
Nope, I was using stevenblack and the http one

Seems not using systemless helped though, running magisk
[Android Apps and Games] JAYNO20:
I'm using http://sbc.io/hosts/hosts to auto update in Adaway. Seems to be working fine so far. I use MagiskSU and I've noticed under /system/etc my hosts file is updated and under /magisk/.core it is also updated. But I am also seeing a hosts file under /data/ that is NOT updated. I am only wondering if this folder is even supposed to have a hosts file or if adaway tried to create one at some point.

EDIT:

Never mind, I answered my own question. Answer is YES it was created and it wasn't supposed to be there. Everything is working perfectly.
[Android Apps and Games] ktmom:
Did you have systemless hosts checked in adaway? When using magisk, you use magisk manager to select systemless hosts. The option should be grayed out in a adaway.