Protecting yourself from In-Browser Miners

AndreTen said:

Thanks Trashzone to revive this thread.
Want to remind anybody who uses this list, that host_browsers file wasn't updated for whole month, but hosts list (the one with over 12000 entries was updated several times. It is complete list, also for malware serving sites, but have no idea, what was updated.
zerodot1.gitlab.io/CoinBlockerLists/hosts
# Last modified: 2018-12-012 16:10

Hi,
From someone on ocn

iamjanco said:

Just checked that link I provided in that thread back in March and it's a dead end now. Here's the updated link:

hosts · master · ZeroDot1 / CoinBlockerLists · GitLab

Github was bought out Microsoft and it looks like they changed the root domain to gitlab.com from github.com. Guess I better check my Git clients as well. Haven't had a need to use them in a while.

Added: also updated that link in the referenced thread.

Caledon Ken said:

Like chasing ghosts in the wires.

That's going to update my previous reference of "It's a whack-a-mole game" on this issue...

In certain cases, there might be some justification for relying on the host file blocking, but...

Most, if not all A/Vs block coin miner sites and some of the browser, like Opera has "No Coin" built-in to the browser. Maybe it's just me, but A/V and browser updates probably have more timely updates than host files. Not to mention the A/V's behavioral based evaluation, that can eliminate "chasing ghosts in the wire"....

I have found extremely great luck with an application and program called AdGuard. I purchased a lifetime subscription to this program/application because eventually I want to get an unlocked Android and it will work well, I think (and from what I have been reading), with not going through all those ads when you want to read something of interest.

For insight purposes, it works as a massive filter, on the same plane as the HOST file does. From what I read it does not track your web movements, it prevents others from tracking you by you creating your own or by utilizing others custom scripting files and implementing them before you actually surf the web through your browser, I use Firefox Quantum and it made my webpage load times much faster because when you block the ads it also removes the website placeholders -- leaving only the meat-and-potatoes behind. Also, it comes with a Parental Security Mode for users with kids. Which I do not use, but I like the fact that it has a "universal" browser lock for websites that parents do not want their child migrating to.

This program can be found within the Auslogics' Suite of tools. (Their driver updater is awesome. )


From my understanding about how the HOST file works, (after reading a little more here about the functionality of what the HOST file can actually accomplish for me and my computer) AdGuard works on a little grander scale.

AdGuard also has filters for those coin mining sites as well. I think adding the address to the HOST file and using AdGuard will work even better. Yes?

Cheers!

That is a massive list, indeed. Thank you for the update.


However, I got questions:

First, what is the difference between utilizing the unique localhost address of 127.0.0.1 and/or using 0.0.0.0 within the hosts file? I would think 127.0.0.1 would be a smarter use than 0.0.0.0, no?

Second, I use AdGuard (which is a highly effective ad blocker and malware security tool program), is there a way to incorporate this list into a script that can be used within AdGuard, and is it better to modify the hosts file or use a script? I mean I do not want to end up with a 5MB HOSTS file, if a script for AdGuard can essentially do the same thing. I mean AdGuard does run at computer startup and strips away unwarrented ads and protects against other issues even before launching your web browser.



Cheers!



Edit:

(BTW, they just modified this HOSTS file again, as of yesterday, 8 JAN 2019 (I am guessing it was yesterday, maybe the author forgot to change to the new year's year within the header), even though it says 2018 for the year... I am going on the fact that it says January 8th within the header info. )