yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Android Apps and Games] textbook:
I REALLY want to use SABS....

But, when I read the Samsung Knox Privacy Policy... It basically says that Samsung is going to collect EVERYTHING I do.

Including running all of my traffic through a proxy or vpn so they can collect my web traffic too!

Is there any way to stop this?

EDIT: I tried SABS to test and it won't even activate.

My key does not start or end with KLM and I used the links provided in OP.

My phone is a Note 8 from T-Mobile.
[Android Apps and Games] bgdrls:
This is rootless AdBlocker, but I need root to change package name? Very logical

P. S. Can't use Android Studio
[Android Apps and Games] miklos08:
You dont need to have root. APK Editor works fine without root. You need to change the package name before you install it.
[Android Apps and Games] Mike B.:
You could certainly disable Knox, not use a Samsung device, or never connect to the Internet. You couldn't use SABS but then you wouldn't get any ads either. ;)

Note that your post, just like all your web traffic has already been through a number of servers, whether you have Knox or not. For example, your ISP "sees" EVERYTHING you do online, Google sees everything you transmit through Chrome, "Cloud Storage" is an euphemism for "stored on someone else's computer", etc.

Let's be realistic: there's no such thing as true online privacy. In fact "online privacy" is an oxymoron. By definition, any online data (i.e. sent or received by or through others) is not private, and private data (i.e. not shared with anyone or anything) can't be online.

The statement you mention from the Knox Policy is merely standard wording you'll find on most any product dealing with communications. Whether you wish to use the Internet, Samsung, Knox, SABS, or anything else is clearly up to you. Since you already posted here, maybe the only decision left to make is whether you want to gain a bit more control over your device by installing SABS.

---------- Post added at 07:48 AM ---------- Previous post was at 07:44 AM ----------

Yes, logical. If you were rooted, you could simply edit your /system/etc/hosts file and wouldn't need SABS. If you can't or won't use Android Studio, you can still use whatever tool you prefer, such as APK Editor PRO, to change the package name as you could for any other user application on an unrooted device.
[Android Apps and Games] textbook:
This was pretty much the most nothing comment I have read all month.... Just a condescending way of telling me "how the internet works" without any specific help of any kind.

A lack of understanding how well I can control Knox or this app in particular is not an indication of my understanding of the internet or information security sir. I might add that you have a really jaded view of things.

To anyone reading this that is genuinely helpful... I have followed all steps provided in the OP and my key does not start with KLM.... It is a genuine new key, but activating SABS continuously says activation failed.

I have created 3 keys now and they all fail.

Thank you for any real help.
[Android Apps and Games] Mike B.:
Knox is an intrinsic part of your Samsung firmware and includes, among other things, a firewall. Your question suggested that you didn't understand what happens to your data (with or without a local firewall). I probably should have simply answered you with a brief "NO" but others who read these posts may not be as well infomed as you are and could often use clarification.

If you get an "activation failed" error when trying to activate SABS, that simply means that you didn't follow one or more of the required steps to the letter. As discussed many times in this thread, the most common user errors are (1) failure to use a proper active 128-byte Legacy Knox Standard SDK Enterprise license key, and (2) improper patching of the package name (mostly for people using APK Editor PRO). You may want to try again, perhaps after a close look at the screenshots and video in the OP.
[Android Apps and Games] WorldIRC:
How do we block things like AdChoices and Taboola and RadiumOne and Google Ads. I'm only using mmotti right now based on earlier recommendations.
[Android Apps and Games] fogame:
Yep. That's what I'm running now. I've always had MOAB but this time is give it a go. So far seeing a tend with whats being blocked.
[Android Apps and Games] Gaurav k21:
Why it's not working on my Galaxy S6 ????

Please Reply ... SS attached below.
[Android Apps and Games] Mike B.:
Remember, you can only block domains and subdomains. That means that you need to identify the specific server(s) that push the unwanted ads to you. Indeed [MENTION=6150682]mmotti[/MENTION]'s package is a very good start and seems to cover most ads for most people, but keep in mind that some ads just can't be blocked in this manner. DO you still see the ads in question of you also temporarily enable the standard package? You could try using a packet monitor in order to examine where the ads originate but it's a bit complicated.

---------- Post added at 08:34 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:28 AM ----------

One possibility is that your license is expired or invalid. The format seems correct, but make sure it's a128-byte Legacy Knox Standard SDK Enterprise license key that has not been revoked. If in doubt, revoke your current key and get a fresh one. Is your S6 unrooted and running a recent stock Samsung Android with Knox enabled? How did you create your SABS.apk?
[Android Apps and Games] WorldIRC:
With standard enabled, it doesn't appear to make a difference.
[Android Apps and Games] Mike B.:
It's difficult to guess which specific ads in which apps are giving you trouble. Do you have an example that would be easy to duplicate here? If it's on a web site, you could try to view that site's source (maybe easier on a computer than on a phone) and look for the server name, but if the ads are served directly or the domain called by IP instead of by name, there's nothing SABS can do.
[Android Apps and Games] WorldIRC:
I am friends with the admin on one of the sites I visit in Chrome. I will ask him if he can share the domains with me that their ads are pushed from.
[Android Apps and Games] Mike B.:
Depending on your Chrome version and settings, you might be inadvertently bypassing local DNS resolution (related to the Port 53 discussions on here and the "Block Port 53" SABS option). Just for fun, see if you get different results with another browser (WITHOUT any kind of "data saver" option)
[Android Apps and Games] WorldIRC:
You're right. The Samsung browser has no ads on the sites.

What would I do in this case?
[Android Apps and Games] Mike B.:
You could switch to a different browser (I don't use Chrome here), try the "Block Port 53" workaround in SABS, or disable Chrome's "Async DNS" (under DNS in chrome://net-internals), Clear Cache (same place), then restart Chrome. Since you have "IRC" in your name, I assume you're not afraid of Chrome flags! ;)
[Android Apps and Games] friscoboi:
Impossible. If you have The right Key AND renamed Package name, it will Work.
[Android Apps and Games] WorldIRC:
Port 53 block was already enabled in SABS. I can't find the option to "disable" the Async DNS, it just tells me its enabled. I see all the ad servers when I am on the DNS page though in net-internals.

Edit: I found the option in chrome://flags - I will disable it there.

Edit: That worked!
[Android Apps and Games] Mike B.:
Oops, sorry, I forgot you had to go to chrome://flags first. I don't use Chrome and this old man's memory isn't perfect. Note that there's no guarantee that Chrome will always respect that setting, but it's just yet another proxy in disguise. At least you won this round, eh? (see, I can even speak Canuck! ;) )
[Android Apps and Games] WorldIRC:
Always appreciated!
[Android Apps and Games] mmotti:
Some more commits added to the SABS repo. More small functional changes rather than anything interesting, but updates none the less.
[Android Apps and Games] Mike B.:
Even in 540, you still include the default packages?? I thought you were going to point to the new repo, at least for your list, and simply add your little delete routine for people who don't want to type the URL.
[Android Apps and Games] mmotti:
The standard packages are still included at this time.

I can't make bigger changes like that without at least consulting with [MENTION=6183103]NeedleGames[/MENTION].

I still think we should provide a standard package that's enabled by default on new installs as this should be enough for most users.

We really should only be using a single host file though. And said host file should be small and updated fairly frequently (if at least to respond to issue).

There is no requirement for users to keep a standard list enabled, however I suspect only advanced users will opt to use custom host files.
[Android Apps and Games] Mike B.:
Should I volunteer my 74-line domains list or does it need to have at least a few thousand entries to make users feel better? ;)

I'm not sure why a reasonable input file would need constant updating since ad servers are typically very temporary (can't update the file fast enough) or semi permanent (no need to update). Last week, I tried using a 4-year hosts file (5K) from one of my old devices' AdAway and amazingly it blocked almost all ads after a full day's use.

BTW, I'm still waiting for replies to my challenge...
[Android Apps and Games] erdokovyz:
I've been following the installation steps, got my license key, changed the package name with a computer but on step 14 the app does not start: I only get a popup saying that SABS has stopped. If I tap on its icon then the messages says "SABS keeps stopping". What am I missing?

950F, Android 8.0.0, Knox 3.0
[Android Apps and Games] Mike B.:
Step 14 in the OP is "SABS app will appear on your phone. Open it and follow instructions on the screen.". Do you see the new SABS appearing on your phone screen at all and if not, do you see any message in the Android Studio bottom status line? Which icon do you tap on? Are you sure you don't already have another copy of SABS on your phone?
[Android Apps and Games] orbitalcomp:
IMHO, your host file should eventually become renamed as the standard host file that's included with SABS installs, [MENTION=6150682]mmotti[/MENTION].

I know the two files used to be very close in number of domains blocked, but they're further apart now. Is that simply because yours takes advantage of more wildcards than the file from [MENTION=6183103]NeedleGames[/MENTION]?
[Android Apps and Games] mmotti:
They were indeed very close. I have looked at lot further at wildcards (perhaps too many, in some cases) and have too much time on my hands at the moment.

It could be for a number of reasons, including how we each generate them. I believe the main reason to be [MENTION=6183103]NeedleGames[/MENTION] hectic schedule at present.

It would be a straight forward change to remove one and rename it standard, but I'm only a contributor so I can't make those kinds of decisions lol :)

---------- Post added at 09:16 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:12 PM ----------

I think a few thousand might set some minds at ease ;)

Updating in terms of removing troublesome entries and wildcards. I've removed several already and there may even be some more that could come out. Analytics.* is a classic example as apparently it breaks twitter links (whitelisting analytics.twitter.com fixes this).

We are already seeing some issues with the standard SABS host file being a little behind on updates.

Obviously when we get a feel for the correct use of wildcards, updates will be few and far between.
[Android Apps and Games] Ricey:
I'm getting the error "App not installed" when I try to update via APK Editor Pro, anyone know how to fix this?
[Android Apps and Games] Mike B.:
Trying to update what from what? If you already have a copy of SABS installed and you try to overwrite it with a copy bearing the same package name but a different signature, it won't work. If that's the case, one simple approach would be to first uninstall the old apk, then install the new one.
[Android Apps and Games] jrcbandit:
So if you disable blocking in apps, do you need to disable/re-enable SABS for it to take effect? Any specific apps I should be whitelisting other than some of the Google ones suggested?

How do you enable google ad services again for stuff you find in google searches? I tried white listing domains and apparently you can't use wildcards so I added the following: googleadservices.com, www.googleadservices.com, ad.doubleclick.net, clickserve.dartsearch.net, and www.dartsearch.net . But that did nothing when I tried a google search and clicked on one of the ad-based results.
[Android Apps and Games] datawrhsdoc:
None of those are running, and I renamed the package with a unique name following the 3.9.4 character format in APK Editor Pro and used a proper key for activation. Running non-root stock.

No error messages.
[Android Apps and Games] Spike96:
I have a question - does this adblocker allow you to click search result advertisements after Googling something?

My current adblocker will give me an error if I click Google advertisements, seriously considering ditching it for this if it's fixed in SABS.
[Android Apps and Games] Mike B.:
So, SABS runs, accepted your key, but NOTHING happens when you hit" TURN ON", it doesn't even say "ENABLING..."? What does it do, if anyhting?

Exactly where and how did you get the SABS.apk which you patched with APK Editor PRO? What does the "About" screen say under "Check for updates" and "Copy package name"? Have you tried unisntalling the old SABS, getting a fresh copy and going through APK Editor PRO again (possibly with a package name that only replaces the middle 9 letters)? Thre's a user error in there somewhere but I don't have any good guess so far.
[Android Apps and Games] karunattu:
I have not 8. Do i need still instal or its already installed?
[Android Apps and Games] Mike B.:
It all depends on which domains you are blacklisting. The safest approach would be to start with [MENTION=7539469]mmoti[/MENTION]'s package for now. There is no overriding reason to disable blocking in some apps unless you have a specific problem. The few suggested Google apps are just that, suggestions, mostly for users of the standard package (I don't disable them here ). Of fcourse, you could disable blocking for your browser but that seems a bit drastic.

You don't need to guess which domains to whitelist. Visit the site that give you trouble (Google searches?), them look at what your browser blocked under the SABS "RECENT ACTIVITY" tab, then try whitelisting those domains one at a time until you find the culprit(s). Careful, unblocking some of those ad servers may unleash a lot more ads than you'd like but the choice is yours.

---------- Post added at 05:50 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:47 PM ----------

I'm sorry, but I do not understand your question.

---------- Post added at 05:55 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:50 PM ----------

SABS only blocks what you tell it to block by your selection of providers. Most people find that using [MENTION=6150682]mmotti[/MENTION]'s package only is best for them. I think you are referring to the same Google "sponsored" ads discussed above in this post, and the same approach applies. Here, when I use the default mmotti package I see those (dreaded!) ads and can click on them without errors but which ads are served from which servers somewhat depends on location and Google account settings so we might see very different data.
[Android Apps and Games] karunattu:
I have Note8. Do i need to install this ?
[Android Apps and Games] Mike B.:
this = SABS? It's entirely up to you. SABS is a very convenient way to block annoying ads without wasting battery power or slowing down your phone. Since it's FREE, there's no harm in trying it, then you can decide if it's useful to you. Note that it's not a quick "download + install". You MUST follow several steps carefully as described in this thread's first post.
[Android Apps and Games] iLoveMuffinz:
I keep getting the license activation error, and I've checked everything and I still can't get it to activate. Tried restarts, and different package names.
[Android Apps and Games] jdubya42:
Im in the same boat. I figured it had to do with me using an S9 on the most updated firmware. I really don't understand what else to do.
[Android Apps and Games] Mike B.:
I'm sure that's not what you want to hear, but the only certainty is that you're doing SOMETHING wrong. Are you using official final unrooted Samsung software on your S8+ (I checked your other XDA posts)? Where did you get your SABS.apk and how did you patch/compile it with a unique package name following the 3+9 letters+4 pattern? Are you absolutely positive that you are using an active 128-byte Legacy Knox Standard SDK Enterprise license key? Do you have another Knox-based app (AdHell, SABS, Disconnect PRO, etc.) still installed? A bad key would be my first guess and that's easy enough to test by revoking your current key and getting a fresh one (of the right type). If all fails, uninstall everything SABS, start all over again, assuming nothing and simply following all the instructions to the letter.

Some user switching to a new S9 have reported that their old key needed to be revoked and a new one created. Easy enough to try. Othewisee, basically the same answer as above! ;)
[Android Apps and Games] mmotti:
The whitelist code probably needs a bit of work. You should be able to use wildcards regardless of what the text says.

Did you disable / enable blocking after adding the whitelist entries? You still need to do that if you haven't built your own from the latest commits.
[Android Apps and Games] jdubya42:
I had never even heard of this app until yesterday. I got my S9 (coming from an S8) this past friday. The firmware is stock, I've never installed or used any other software that deals with Knox. I followed the OP to the T. Got my fresh 128 but code. I've never received another one before. Downloaded android studio for the first time ever. Followed the instructions and used random 3.9.4 characters. It loaded on my phone. I put the key in and it won't activate.

EDIT: My phone has Knox version 3.1. Does this have anything to do with it? The key website says a legacy key is for versions before 3.0.
[Android Apps and Games] hunafaa:
Installed SABs on my Note8 International version without any hitches. I uninstalled Blokada before installing iand configuring SABS. I checked the Recent Activity log and it's blocking ads in all of the apps I currently use that insert ads.

Thanks!!!:good:
[Android Apps and Games] Mike B.:
Thank you for confirming that SABS can be installed successfully and painlessly as long as the user follows the correct steps!

FYI, Blokada is a different kind of animal. It's basically a VPN with a nice fancy UI. On the plus side, it's open source and free, but it must remain active and use battery and CPU at all times (potentially slightly slowing down data), unlike SABS which simply configures the existing Knox firewall built into our Samsung devices then uses no additional resource and can even be closed until the device is rebooted. Clearly, in this thread of Samsung users, we are slightly biaised! ;)

---------- Post added at 08:20 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:13 PM ----------

SABS already uses the latest available Knox SDK and other S9 users have no such trouble. Are you absolutely positive that your key is a 128-byte Legacy Knox Standard SDK Enterprise license key? All parts are essential: Legacy, Standard and Enterprise! The screenshots in the OP might help you verify that you got the right one.

In any case, congratulations for making the plunge and using Android Studio. Once you fix your immediate little glitch, you'll be able to quickly compile your very own SABS based on the very latest commits!
[Android Apps and Games] jdubya42:
Well, go ahead and say you told me so. Revoking my key and getting a new one did the trick. Obviously I "swear that's exactly what I did the first time", but I must be wrong about that. Glad it's working now.
[Android Apps and Games] datawrhsdoc:
I downloaded the 0.0.9 APK from your link at the beginning of the thread, generated Samsung Enterprise key as specified, renamed the package to com.r1d1cul35.sabs via package name in resources..arsc in APK Editor Pro, and installed the renamed APK in APK Editor Pro's tmp directory. Upon initial launch of SABS, I enabled Admin, pasted in the Knox key which starts with 20DF, sumbitted the Knox key, and activated the license. All of these activities were successful, returning the appropriate result. "About" says I have the latest version.

When I hit the "TURN ON" button it changes state to "Enabling SABS", the "Enabling SABS" toast message appears, and immediately I get the bottom bar message saying the "SABS is off. TURN ON". I've gone through the uninstall, repatch, reinstall process several times. Same result.
[Android Apps and Games] kre5en:
whats wrong with samsung site? is it just me or it always times out and won't load.
[Android Apps and Games] ScorelessPine:
Finally got this to work after a couple hours of trying and re-issuing the knox key, etc. First had an issue where ads were still being played in Chrome and Imgur, but I got it to work again after stopping and restarting the ad blocking. Good app, really useful, glad to not deal with Twitch and Youtube ads anymore on my phone.

Speaking of, though, on the Youtube app's home tab, the "suggested video" ads still show up even after starting the blocker, is that type of ad even blockable through this solution or no?
[Android Apps and Games] smaw51:
It's not just you, I've got the same issue.

With S9, same issue others are getting, been trying to revoke and generate new key for some time now.

Finally got it to work after revoking and generating new key
[Android Apps and Games] Mike B.:
I won't say it, I'll just think it! ;)

Congratulations on making it work, and enjoy SABS!

---------- Post added at 08:53 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:52 PM ----------

Works fine for me.

---------- Post added at 08:55 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:53 PM ----------

Have you tried a different browser/dvice or switching from data to WiFi (or vice versa)?
[Android Apps and Games] tommyg562000:
Probably has something to do with the lifehacker article that was posted today.
[Android Apps and Games] ScorelessPine:
Exactly, thats where I learned of this and I spent more time trying to connect to the website than I did with anything else in the installation instructions.
[Android Apps and Games] Mike B.:
Glad to hear you got it working. I don't use the YouTube app and can't readily check, but the ad you mention is probably served directly without going through local DNS and therefore can't be blocked by anything that relies on DNS, including SABS or hosts-based tools.
[Android Apps and Games] :
Worked fine on G610M, there are any site blockers or dns changers that work like this, no root, no vpn?
[Android Apps and Games] ScorelessPine:
Right, that's what I suspected. The only difference between those ads and regular videos are the little yellow "AD" tag that YouTube puts at the beginning of the video's title, so I figured it was done some other way, or it's possibly served to the app as a regular video, in which case it wouldn't really be possible to block.
[Android Apps and Games] iLoveMuffinz:
Turns out all I had to do was generate a new key. Thanks for answering anyway, I'm sure this may help other people!
[Android Apps and Games] gaston_garcia:
Conformed working on a Note 8 with original Oreo installed.

Thank you
[Android Apps and Games] kre5en:
followed the instructions but now stuck on activating or activation fail. not sure if it's a wrong key (doesn't start with KLM) or just that the knox/samsung website for me is currently wonky.

I can't even generate a new key because the website times out :(
[Android Apps and Games] gho5t82:
After a struggle with the Samsung site to generate my key I finally revoked my old one for blokada and got a new for sabs. Rebooted. So far so good. Will give it the proper test tomorrow during daily use.