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Introducing the All-New AdBlock for Safari

AdBlock’s Blog

We know that AdBlock for Safari has gone mostly untouched by our team for a few years. And that’s just changed! We’re excited to announce that the all-new AdBlock for Safari app is officially here. It’s been completely revamped and there are many changes we hope our users will enjoy.

These changes include:

A More User-Friendly Interface with Dark Mode

AdBlock for Safari has had a major face lift. It’s modern and easier to navigate, and now offers a new feature called “Online Health.” Online Health allows you to see how healthy your internet connection is in terms of online security . With this tool, you’re able to have more control over your internet connection by assessing your health score. You can up this score by using both ad blocking and VPN features to ensure that your connection is encrypted, private, and safe from snoops.

The new interface also comes with dark mode, reducing the amount of light coming from your screen while allowing the app to remain visible. And it’s perfect for those users that prefer darker shades as they use their Mac.

Improved Ad Blocking Functionality

Along with a new look comes better ad blocking. AdBlock for Safari will now have more regular updates to its filter lists . This means we’ll be able to address any ads that circumvent our ad blocker more quickly, and be able to block more ads for our users overall.

And what’s even more exciting is that custom allow lists will now be part of basic ad blocking. That means they’re now free! With custom allow lists, you’ll be able to allow ads on specific sites of your choice, giving you more control over your browsing experience.

Integration with AdBlock VPN

You can now upgrade and manage AdBlock VPN right from the AdBlock for Safari mac app. And using AdBlock VPN will increase your Online Health score, giving you confirmation that your internet connection is well protected.

If you’re unsure of what a VPN is, it’s a great tool for your online security toolkit. VPNs (also called virtual private networks) allow you to connect to the internet privately. They create an encrypted connection, often referred to as a ‘tunnel,’ between your devices and the VPN servers. All of your internet traffic is routed through that secure tunnel, keeping your data encrypted and your personal information secure. This keeps your data safe from third party snoops and hackers.

With AdBlock VPN, you can:

• Browse the web anonymously. Your web traffic is routed through AdBlock VPN servers and each time you connect, your IP address is replaced with a new address from AdBlock VPN’s network of virtual locations, allowing you to hide your online identity .
• Access unblocked content. Need access to a website or content that’s blocked by location? Our VPN allows you to connect to the internet through different servers all over the world. This may allow you to avoid censorship in some regions, and access the content you want from wherever you are.
• Connect safely to public Wi-Fi. AdBlock VPN helps reduce the vulnerability associated with connecting to a public Wi-Fi hotspot by creating an encrypted connection between your device and the web, making it more difficult for anyone to track or monitor you without your consent.
• Connect up to six devices . Use up to six devices with AdBlock VPN, including Windows, MacOS, Android, and iOS devices. The AdBlock VPN interface makes it easy to connect, manage, and remove your devices.

We’re excited for you to give the new AdBlock for Safari a try! If you’re already a user, your app will automatically update as long as you’ve left the “Auto-update Apps” feature on in the app store. And if you’re not already a user, simply head to the Mac App store to download the app. We’re here for you if you have any questions or feedback at [email protected] .

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Written by AdBlock

AdBlock is the #1 extension for Chrome, and is also on Safari, Edge, Firefox & mobile. Block ads and more! Get help any time at https://help.getadblock.com .

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How To Use Adblock On Safari

• Software & Applications
• Browsers & Extensions

Introduction

Are you tired of being bombarded with intrusive ads while browsing the web on Safari? If so, you're not alone. The good news is that there's a solution to this common frustration: Adblock. This powerful browser extension is designed to enhance your browsing experience by effectively blocking unwanted advertisements, pop-ups, and other forms of online clutter.

Adblock is a game-changer for Safari users who seek a cleaner, more streamlined online experience. By preventing disruptive ads from cluttering your screen, Adblock allows you to focus on the content that matters most to you. Whether you're conducting research, reading articles, or simply enjoying your favorite websites, Adblock empowers you to do so without the distraction of irrelevant and often obtrusive advertisements.

In addition to decluttering your browsing experience, Adblock also contributes to a faster and more efficient web navigation. By eliminating resource-heavy ads, Adblock helps to optimize page loading times, allowing you to access the content you desire with greater speed and ease. This not only saves you time but also conserves your device's resources, leading to a smoother and more enjoyable browsing experience overall.

Furthermore, Adblock plays a crucial role in safeguarding your online security and privacy. By blocking potentially malicious ads and pop-ups, Adblock reduces the risk of inadvertently clicking on harmful content that could compromise your device or personal information. This added layer of protection gives you peace of mind as you explore the vast landscape of the internet.

In the following sections, we'll delve into the process of installing Adblock on Safari, configuring its settings to suit your preferences, whitelisting specific websites, and managing filters to further customize your ad-blocking experience. With Adblock at your disposal, you can take control of your online environment and enjoy a more seamless, secure, and ad-free browsing experience on Safari.

Installing Adblock on Safari

Installing Adblock on Safari is a straightforward process that empowers you to take control of your browsing experience by effectively blocking unwanted ads. Follow these simple steps to equip your Safari browser with this powerful ad-blocking extension:

Open Safari Extension Gallery : Begin by launching your Safari browser and navigating to the Safari Extension Gallery. This can be accessed by clicking on the "Safari" menu at the top-left corner of your screen and selecting "Safari Extensions."

Search for Adblock : Once you're in the Safari Extension Gallery, use the search bar to look for "Adblock." This will display the Adblock extension, allowing you to proceed with the installation process.

Install Adblock : Click on the Adblock extension to view its details and description. After reviewing the information, click the "Install Now" button to initiate the installation process. Safari will prompt you to confirm the installation, so go ahead and click "Install" to proceed.

Complete Installation : Once the installation is complete, you'll receive a notification confirming that Adblock has been successfully added to your Safari browser. At this point, the Adblock icon should appear in your browser's toolbar, indicating that the extension is now active and ready to enhance your browsing experience.

Restart Safari (if necessary) : In some cases, Safari may require a restart for the Adblock extension to become fully functional. If prompted to do so, simply close and reopen your Safari browser to ensure that Adblock is properly integrated and ready to block unwanted ads.

By following these steps, you can seamlessly integrate Adblock into your Safari browser, effectively shielding yourself from the disruptive and often intrusive nature of online advertisements. With Adblock in place, you can look forward to a cleaner, more streamlined browsing experience that prioritizes the content you value most, while minimizing distractions and optimizing page loading times.

Once Adblock is successfully installed, you can proceed to configure its settings, whitelist specific websites, and manage filters to further customize your ad-blocking experience according to your preferences. With Adblock as your ally, you can navigate the web with greater ease, speed, and peace of mind, knowing that unwanted ads are effectively kept at bay.

Configuring Adblock settings

Configuring Adblock settings allows you to tailor the ad-blocking experience to align with your browsing preferences. Once Adblock is successfully installed on your Safari browser, you can customize its settings to optimize your online experience. Here's a detailed guide on how to configure Adblock settings to suit your needs:

Accessing Adblock Settings

To begin configuring Adblock settings, start by clicking on the Adblock icon located in the Safari toolbar. This will open the Adblock menu, providing access to various configuration options and preferences. Alternatively, you can access Adblock settings by navigating to the Safari Extensions preferences and selecting Adblock from the list of installed extensions.

General Settings

Within the Adblock settings menu, you'll find a range of options to customize the ad-blocking experience. One of the key settings to consider is the ability to enable or disable Adblock on specific websites. This feature allows you to whitelist or blacklist individual websites, granting you control over where ad-blocking is applied. Additionally, you can explore options to customize the appearance and behavior of the Adblock icon in the Safari toolbar, ensuring that it aligns with your preferred browsing environment.

Filter Lists

Adblock offers filter lists that serve as a foundation for blocking ads across the web. These lists are regularly updated to enhance ad-blocking efficiency and accuracy. In the settings menu, you can manage these filter lists, enabling you to subscribe to additional lists or disable existing ones based on your specific requirements. By fine-tuning the filter lists, you can optimize Adblock's ad-blocking capabilities to better align with your browsing habits and preferences.

Advanced Settings

For users seeking a more advanced level of customization, Adblock provides access to additional settings that allow for a deeper level of control. These advanced settings may include options to configure specific ad-blocking rules, customize element hiding, or adjust the level of ad-blocking strictness. By delving into these advanced settings, you can tailor Adblock to deliver a highly personalized ad-blocking experience that aligns with your unique browsing needs.

Automatic Updates

Adblock ensures that its filter lists and core functionality remain up to date by offering automatic updates. Within the settings menu, you can verify that automatic updates are enabled, ensuring that Adblock consistently delivers optimal ad-blocking performance without requiring manual intervention.

By navigating through the Adblock settings and customizing them to your preferences, you can harness the full potential of this powerful ad-blocking extension. Whether you're looking to fine-tune the ad-blocking experience, manage filter lists, or explore advanced customization options, Adblock's settings empower you to create a browsing environment that aligns with your individual preferences and priorities.

Whitelisting websites

Whitelisting websites is a valuable feature offered by Adblock, allowing users to selectively exempt specific websites from ad-blocking. This functionality is particularly beneficial for individuals who wish to support their favorite content creators or ensure a seamless browsing experience on trusted websites. By whitelisting a website, users can ensure that the platform's ads are displayed, thereby contributing to the site's revenue while enjoying uninterrupted access to its content.

To whitelist a website on Adblock for Safari , users can follow these simple steps:

Access Adblock Settings : Begin by clicking on the Adblock icon in the Safari toolbar to access the Adblock menu. From there, navigate to the settings or preferences section, where you'll find the option to manage whitelisted websites.

Add the Website to the Whitelist : Within the Adblock settings, locate the section dedicated to whitelisting websites. Here, users can input the URL of the website they wish to whitelist and save the changes. This action effectively exempts the specified website from ad-blocking, allowing ads to be displayed when visiting the whitelisted domain.

Verify Whitelisted Websites : After adding a website to the whitelist, it's essential to verify that the changes have been successfully applied. Users can do this by visiting the whitelisted website and confirming that ads are being displayed as intended, indicating that the whitelisting process was successful.

By whitelisting trusted websites, users can actively support the platforms they value while ensuring a seamless and uninterrupted browsing experience. This feature empowers users to strike a balance between ad-blocking and supporting the content creators and websites they appreciate, ultimately contributing to a more sustainable and user-friendly online ecosystem.

Whitelisting websites on Adblock for Safari is a user-friendly and effective way to personalize the ad-blocking experience, allowing users to prioritize their favorite websites while still benefiting from an ad-free environment on other platforms. This level of control and customization underscores Adblock's commitment to empowering users to tailor their browsing experience according to their individual preferences and priorities.

Managing Adblock filters

Managing Adblock filters is a pivotal aspect of optimizing the ad-blocking experience to align with individual preferences and browsing habits. Adblock offers users the ability to fine-tune and customize the filters that dictate which ads are blocked across the web. By effectively managing Adblock filters, users can enhance the precision and efficiency of ad-blocking while ensuring a seamless and tailored browsing experience.

Accessing Filter Settings

To begin managing Adblock filters, users can access the filter settings within the Adblock extension menu. This interface provides a comprehensive overview of the active filter lists and allows users to make adjustments based on their specific requirements.

Subscribing to Additional Filter Lists

Adblock offers a range of filter lists that serve as the foundation for ad-blocking functionality. Users have the option to subscribe to additional filter lists, which can further enhance the accuracy and coverage of ad-blocking across various websites. By subscribing to specialized filter lists, users can target specific types of ads or improve ad-blocking performance on niche websites, ensuring a more comprehensive ad-free browsing experience.

Disabling or Enabling Filter Lists

In addition to subscribing to new filter lists, users can also disable or enable existing filter lists based on their preferences. This level of control allows users to tailor the ad-blocking experience to suit their individual browsing habits and priorities. For example, users may choose to disable certain filter lists on websites where they prefer to support ad revenue, while maintaining robust ad-blocking on other platforms.

Customizing Filter Rules

Adblock provides advanced users with the option to customize filter rules, offering a deeper level of control over the ad-blocking process. By creating and modifying filter rules, users can target specific ad elements or refine the ad-blocking criteria to better align with their preferences. This level of customization empowers users to fine-tune the ad-blocking experience according to their unique browsing needs.

Verifying Filter Updates

Regular updates to filter lists are essential for maintaining optimal ad-blocking performance. Adblock ensures that users are equipped with the latest filter list updates to enhance ad-blocking accuracy and coverage. By verifying that filter lists are regularly updated, users can rest assured that Adblock is consistently delivering an effective and up-to-date ad-blocking solution.

By actively managing Adblock filters, users can personalize the ad-blocking experience to suit their individual preferences, support their favorite websites, and ensure a seamless and uninterrupted browsing experience. This level of control and customization underscores Adblock's commitment to empowering users to tailor their browsing environment according to their unique needs and priorities.

In conclusion, integrating Adblock into your Safari browsing experience can significantly enhance the way you interact with the web. By effectively blocking intrusive ads, pop-ups, and other forms of online clutter, Adblock empowers you to focus on the content that matters most to you. The seamless installation process and user-friendly interface make it accessible to users of all levels of technical expertise.

Adblock not only declutters your browsing experience but also contributes to a faster and more efficient web navigation. By eliminating resource-heavy ads, Adblock optimizes page loading times, allowing you to access the content you desire with greater speed and ease. This not only saves you time but also conserves your device's resources, leading to a smoother and more enjoyable browsing experience overall.

The ability to configure Adblock settings, whitelist specific websites, and manage filters further enhances the level of control and customization available to users. Whether you're looking to fine-tune the ad-blocking experience, support your favorite websites, or tailor the ad-blocking criteria to align with your unique browsing habits, Adblock offers the flexibility and functionality to accommodate your needs.

In essence, Adblock for Safari empowers you to take control of your online environment, ensuring a more seamless, secure, and ad-free browsing experience. By leveraging the capabilities of Adblock, you can navigate the web with greater ease, speed, and peace of mind, knowing that unwanted ads are effectively kept at bay. With its user-centric approach and powerful ad-blocking capabilities, Adblock stands as a valuable asset for Safari users seeking to elevate their browsing experience.

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AdBlock for Safari 4+

Block ads. browse better‪.‬, adblock inc..

• 4.5 • 4.7K Ratings
• Offers In-App Purchases

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Description.

AdBlock has been downloaded more than 350 million times and is used by more than 65 million people worldwide. Now, AdBlock has created a powerful ad blocker that’s available as a Mac app. AdBlock for Safari is a powerful and simple-to-use ad blocker. It stops annoying pop-ups, removes autoplay video ads, and blocks obnoxious audio ads. It also gives you control over which ads you see and what websites you support. You can tell AdBlock to stop working on certain websites, allow ads on sites you want to support, and get easy access to a comprehensive library of customer support information to help you get the most out of your AdBlock app. It’s easy to install and free to use. Give it a try! KEY FEATURES Block ads on the websites you visit, including Facebook, YouTube, and millions of others sites. This protects you from annoying and intrusive ads that distract you from the stories you are trying to read Speed up your browsing by filtering out unwanted content with Apple’s powerful Content Blocking API. Enjoy a modern and easy to use interface with dark mode. Access AdBlock VPN straight from the AdBlock for Safari app when you use both products. CONTROL OVER HOW AND WHERE YOU SEE ADS One-click Pause allows you to stop AdBlock if a website prompts you to turn off your ad blocker. Create custom allow lists to allow ads on specific sites of your choice, giving you more control over your browsing experience. This previously paid-for feature is now free! Allow non-intrusive ads like Google search ads that aren’t annoying and help you find the items you’re looking for. Get access to a library of hundreds of knowledge base articles that help you understand how ad blocking works, how to get the most out of AdBlock, and provides answers to commonly asked questions. Email AdBlock’s help desk to get quick answers to problems you are facing. We value your feedback and look forward to making the AdBlock Mac app the best ad blocker in Apple’s app store. If you have any questions or feedback, please reach out to our team at [email protected] or leave us a review here in the app store.

Version 2.1.5

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Ratings and Reviews

4.7K Ratings

Have been using for several years now. Super simple to use, takes up virtually no space and you never get any annoying ads, great product. If you're fed up with ads, this will change your life!

Still getting adds, these hard to remove!!!

I'm still getting ads, which defy all attempts to remove from iPhone. The very small icon is not very noticable until the ad 9s displayed, then you can't delete it! I've switched my phone on and off multple times to no avail, it is still there......... I get them on my laptop too and find this really annoys me. Why do you still allow these through? Are you profiting hugely from them? I do not want GAMBLING Ads parti9cularly! Ina getting upnto anhundred junk mails every night, for gambling, Elon stuff, naughty women, foreign language junk McAffee etc., etc. I Block them daily, report them daily, so why is this happening? They are all adds!!!!!!!

Great but effects emails

So far so good but when I opened my gmail, all I could see was the subject line, the body of all the emails were all gone. After panicking abnd deleting large files I still couldn't see the body of the emails. A forum mentioned some app installations can effect emails. I opened Simply the app and pressed 'pause'and the body of the emails returned. I pause when using gmails or other applications. I only 'play' when using sites that are often interrupted with ads.

App Privacy

The developer, Adblock Inc. , indicated that the app’s privacy practices may include handling of data as described below. For more information, see the developer’s privacy policy .

Data Linked to You

The following data may be collected and linked to your identity:

• Identifiers

Data Not Linked to You

The following data may be collected but it is not linked to your identity:

• Contact Info

Privacy practices may vary based on, for example, the features you use or your age. Learn More

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Apple's 'incredibly private' Safari is not so private in Europe

Infosec eggheads find igiant left eu ios 17 users open to being tracked around the web.

Apple's grudging accommodation of European antitrust rules by allowing third-party app stores on iPhones has left users of its Safari browser exposed to potential web activity tracking.

Developers Talal Haj Bakry and Tommy Mysk looked into the way Apple implemented the installation process for third-party software marketplaces on iOS with Safari, and concluded Cupertino's approach is particularly shoddy.

tl;dr: The way Apple has added support for third-party app stores lets any website, when visited by Safari on iOS at least, to ping a chosen approved software marketplace with a unique per-user identifier. That means as users move from website to website, or use a website, these sites can quietly disclose that activity to a non-Apple app store – revealing the sort of things individual netizens find interesting. That info can be used for targeted app promotions, ads, and so on. This appears to apply to iOS 17.4 users in the EU. Whether anyone will exploit this in the wild remains to be seen – but the potential is there.

"Our testing shows that Apple delivered this feature with catastrophic security and privacy flaws," wrote Bakry and Mysk in an advisory published over the weekend.

Apple – which advertises Safari as " incredibly private " – evidently has undermined privacy among European Union Safari users through a marketplace-kit: URI scheme that potentially allows approved third-party app stores to follow those users around the web.

A URI scheme is a way of determining how a particular network request gets handled. A website offering an alternative software marketplace can include a button that, when tapped in Safari, launches a marketplace-kit: request that is handled by a MarketplaceKit process on the EU user's iPhone. This process, built into iOS 17.4 by Apple, then reaches out to the back-end servers of the approved marketplace to complete the installation of that store's app on the phone.

The trouble is, any site can trigger a marketplace-kit: request. On EU iOS 17.4 devices, that will cause a unique per-user identifier to be fired off by Safari to an approved marketplace's servers, leaking the fact that the user was just visiting that site. This happens even if Safari is in private browsing mode. The marketplace's servers can reject the request, which can also include a custom payload, passing more info about the user to the alternative store. This is all illustrated in the video below.

Youtube Video

In addition to Apple's Safari, two other iOS browsers currently support third-party app stores in Europe: Brave and Ecosia.

Apple doesn't allow third-party app stores in most parts of the world, citing purported privacy and security concerns – and presumably interest in sustaining its ability to collect commissions for software sales.

But Apple has been designated as a "gatekeeper" under Europe's Digital Markets Act (DMA) for iOS, the App Store, Safari, and just recently iPadOS .

That designation means the iBiz has been ordered to open its gated community so that European customers can choose third-party app stores and web-based app distribution – also known as side-loading .

But wait, there's more

According to Bakry and Mysk, Apple's URI scheme has three significant failings. First, they say, it fails to check the origin of the website, meaning the aforementioned cross-site tracking is possible.

Second, Apple's MarketplaceKit – its API for third-party stores – doesn't validate the JSON Web Tokens (JWT) passed as input parameters via incoming requests. "Worse, it blindly relayed the invalid JWT token when calling the /oauth/token endpoint," observed Bakry and Mysk. "This opens the door to various injection attacks to target either the MarketplaceKit process or the marketplace back-end."

And third, Apple isn't using certificate pinning , which leaves the door open for meddling by an intermediary ( MITM ) during the MarketplaceKit communication exchange. Bakry and Mysk claim they were able to overwrite the servers involved in this process with their own endpoints.

The limiting factor of this attack is that a marketplace must first be approved by Apple before it can undertake this sort of tracking. At present, not many marketplaces have won approval. We're aware of the B2B Mobivention App marketplace , AltStore , and Setapp . Epic Games has also planned an iOS store . A few other marketplaces will work after an iThing jailbreak, but they’re unlikely to attract many consumers.

The two security researchers argue that scam apps regularly find their way through Apple's review process, meaning rogue app stores could be allowed through. And they claim the privacy problems arise from Apple wanting to track third-party store usage.

"The flaw of exposing users in the EU to tracking is the result of Apple insisting on inserting itself between marketplaces and their users," asserted Bakry and Mysk. "This is why Apple needs to pass an identifier to the marketplaces so they can identify installs and perhaps better calculate the due Core Technology Fee (CTF) ."

They urge iOS users in Europe to use Brave rather than Safari because Brave's implementation checks the origin of the website against the URL to prevent cross-site tracking.

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• Apple Private Wi-Fi hasn't worked for the past three years

Back when Apple planned not to support Home Screen web apps in Europe – a gambit later abandoned after developer complaints and regulatory pressure – the iGiant justified its position by arguing the amount of work required "was not practical to undertake given the other demands of the DMA." By not making the extra effort to implement third-party app stores securely, Apple has arguably turned its security and privacy concerns into a self-fulfilling prophecy.

In its remarks [PDF] on complying with the DMA, Apple declared, "In the EU, every user's security, privacy, and safety will depend in part on two questions. First, are alternative marketplaces and payment processors capable of protecting users? And, second, are they interested in doing so?"

There's also the question of whether Apple is capable of protecting users – and whether it's interested in doing so.

Apple did not respond to a request for comment. ®

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