New Update Need testers for the new V5.0 of uBol-stripped which has a new feature called Privacy Inspector

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Hi, I already posted some of uBol-stripped in other threads. Because it takes so long, I am not pulling back the fully functional version of uBol-stripped (v4.2.3) which is currently send in for review (which by itself is a major improvement over version 3.3.5 which is on Google webstore). Version 4.2.3. has a better and user friendly "aid" to create custom DNR rules.

V5.0 Release Candidate is available on github (not yet in the Chrome Webstore, because 4.2.3 is waiting for review).

So what is uBol-stripped: In simple words a stripped down version of uBO-lite, refactored for simplicity and added AdGuard code to give it AdGuard skills, while maintaining the permission less principle of uBO-lite. uBol-stripped is developed with privacy in mind, simplicity, user friendliness and reuse (Google's number 1 design principle, use what is already available, in stead of developing it yourself).

As I posted uBO-lite has strong bones, but also has less well programmed parts which are put on hastily to keep up with AdGuard Mv3. Althouh mr Hill is a brilliant programmer, but it is very hard to keep up with a team of skilled developers (AdGuard) That is why I use code from AdGuard to improve uBO-lite bones and create uBol-stripped. In Dutch "eer wie ere toekomt" (honor the ones who deserve it), the AdGuard team has been the innovative force in developing an Mv3 adblock extension with 99% of the Mv2 extension capabilities.

_________

WHAT FUNCTIONALITY DOES UBOL-STRIPPED OFFER?

After installation, add it to taskbar, clicking on the icon shows this popup.


1784785655646.png



Import ABP rules
This is basically the same as AdGuard's user rules, One centralized panel where you can copy AdBlockPlus format rules to import (uBO-lite has two panels, one for custom cosmetic rules and hidden behind advanced functions for DNR rules in YAML format). So uBol-stripped is as user friendly as AdGuard and it can process uBO and AdGuard Mv3 scriptlets, without needing user script permission!!!

Privacy Inspector
Most scriptlet's (pieces of JavaScript code used to achieve something which regular ABP rules can not) are to complex for PC users. This is really a missed opportunity, because both uBO and AG Mv3 have scriptlets which can do the same as some anti-fingerprint extensions offer (e.g. canvas blocker, webgl fingerprint blocker, webgpu fingerprint blocker, etc). Because I liked the idea of JShelter (providing fingerprint protection), but not their implementation (always on, with per website exceptions) i reverted the usage (from whitelist with excetions to blacklist), This has both performance and compatibility advantages and does not require fiddling with settings (like with JShelter). I used the existing uBO and AG-scriptlets to block privacy sensitive activity on specific websites (see below explained in detail). JShelter covers much more, but Privacy Inspector is much easier to use.

Create custom cosmetic rules
This is basically uBO-lite's element picker, with only a leading popup explaining how to use it (user friendliness is one of leading principles of uBol-stripped). It is a simple point and click tool to hide page elements and create cosmetic rule for it. UBO-lite's element picker is better (finer grained) than AdGuard's create manual block rules. The UBO-lie licker allows you select parts of HTML element (so it is easier to look for steady names like ad or banner).

Create custom DNR rules
This is also a new feature, just open the monitor, see what is allowed, pause and select a resource type and a pop-up appears to help you create a DNR rule (the popup is shamelessly taken from AdGuard's excellent show logs option). No need to know YAML format as with uBO-lite (available in uBO-lite after enabling developer's mode). See below for detailed explanation.

Manage custom rules
Shows which rules you created with Privacy Inspector, Create custom cosmetic and Create custom DNR tools. You can remove (delete) individual rules or remove all.

Filter (block) lists
uBol-stripped has three default filter lists: Kees1958 most used EU-US advertising and tracker networks (yeah that is me :- ), AdGuard's URL tracking parameters removal filter list and AdGuard base filter. Warning: all rules not applying on extended EU-zone or 5 Eyes countries are silently droppes as are generic cosmetic filters (for performance reasons). The good news is that it processes all AdGuard's scriptlet set (which is more advanced than uBO-lite and cobers nearly 3 times as many domains).

uBol-stripped has AG's specific anti-adblock filter (again generic are dropped as are ant--adblock rules for country code's not in extended EU-zone and 5 Eyes countries) and automatically ads language filters (like AdGuard Mv3) for (again warning) only extended EU-zone langauge filters from AdGuard (prefered) or Easylist.

Allow List
uBO-lite has a filter modes list which you can see after enabling developer mode, but I prefer the clean and simple implementation of AdGuard (yes it is exactly the same as AG's allow list). just copy and paste your whitelist into it and you are done.

Security & Privacy
This is also a new option (not in uBO-lite or AG Mv3). When you confirm that you understand that these rules might break websites, you can enable security and privacy rules which are applied on all websites (when not on allow list). These options have a low to very low website breakage risk and have built-in allowlist to lower the breakage risk (also see details below).


DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF NEW FEATURES

Privacy Inspector

Surf to fingerprint.com to get an idea of what it does and select the Privacy Inspector on the popup.

1784788929191.png


Privacy shows a list of privacy sensitive activity, which uBO and AG Mv3 have scriptlets for to block it. Just press pause and select
1784789325878.png


and it will create a custom rule
1784789372750.png




Create custom DNR-rule
Works more or les the same, only in stead of showing scriptlets in the header to view, it shows DNR resource types
1784789588965.png


The workflow is the same, pause and select and a popup-will appear (left simple, right the familiar AG create block rule panel of AG log)
1784789844155.png

The left one creates a domain blockrule, the right one an URL-filter. Why the difference? Although Google's build-in adblocker processes DNR rules super efficient, domain rules take a tiny fraction less processing (and when your goal is to match uBO-lite in efficiency, every inch performance squeezed out of the code counts).

Security and Privacy
This is simple, just allow them the website breakage risk is low

1784790121883.png


Please report issues in this thread
 
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Hi, I already posted some of uBol-stripped in other threads. Because it takes so long, I am not pulling back the fully functional version of uBol-stripped (v4.2.3) which is currently send in for review (which by itself is a major improvement over version 3.3.5 which is on Google webstore). Version 4.2.3. has a better and user friendly "aid" to create custom DNR rules.

V5.0 Release Candidate is available on github (not yet in the Chrome Webstore, because 4.2.3 is waiting for review).

So what is uBol-stripped: In simple words a stripped down version of uBO-lite, refactored for simplicity and added AdGuard code to give it AdGuard skills, while maintaining the permission less principle of uBO-lite. uBol-stripped is developed with privacy in mind, simplicity, user friendliness and reuse (Google's number 1 design principle, use what is already available, in stead of developing it yourself).

As I posted uBO-lite has strong bones, but also has less well programmed parts which are put on hastily to keep up with AdGuard Mv3. Althouh mr Hill is a brilliant programmer, but it is very hard to keep up with a team of developers (AdGuard) That is why I use code from AdGuard to improve uBO-lite bones and create uBol-stripped.

_________

WHAT FUNCTIONALITY DOES UBOL-STRIPPED OFFER?

After installation, add it to taskbar, clicking on the icon shows this popup.


View attachment 298966


Import ABP rules
This is basically the same as AdGuard's user rules, One centralized panel where you can copy AdBlockPlus format rules to import (uBO-lite has two panels, one for custom cosmetic rules and hidden behind advanced functions for DNR rules in YAML format). So uBol-stripped is as user friendly as AdGuard and it can process uBO and AdGuard Mv3 scriptlets, without needing user script permission!!!

Privacy Inspector
Most scriptlet's (pieces of JavaScript code used to achieve something which regular ABP rules can not) are to complex for PC users. This is really a missed opportunity, because both uBO and AG Mv3 have scriptlets which can do the same as some anti-fingerprint extensions offer (e.g. canvas blocker, webgl fingerprint blocker, webgpu fingerprint blocker, etc). Because I liked the idea of JShelter (providing fingerprint protection), but not their implementation (always on, with per website exceptions) i reverted the usage (from whitelist with excetions to blacklist), This has both performance and compatibility advantages and does not require fiddling with settings (like with JShelter). I used the existing uBO and AG-scriptlets to block privacy sensitive activity on specific websites (see below explained in detail). JShelter covers much more, but Privacy Inspector is much easier to use.

Create custom cosmetic rules
This is basically uBO-lite's element picker, with only a leading popup explaining how to use it (user friendliness is one of leading principles of uBol-stripped). It is a simple point and click tool to hide page elements and create cosmetic rule for it.

Create custom DNR rules
This is also a new feature, just open the monitor, see what is allowed, pause and select a resource type and a pop-up appears to help you create a DNR rule (the popup is shamelessly taken from AdGuard's excellent show logs option). No need to know YAML format as with uBO-lite (available in uBO-lite after enabling developer's mode). See below for detailed explanation.

Manage custom rules
Shows which rules you created with Privacy Inspector, Create custom cosmetic and Create custom DNR tools. You can remove (delete) individual rules or remove all.

Filter (block) lists
uBol-stripped has three default filter lists: Kees1958 most used EU-US advertising and tracker networks (yeah that is me :- ), AdGuard's URL tracking parameters removal filter list and AdGuard base filter. Warning: all rules not applying on extended EU-zone or 5 Eyes countries are silently droppes as are generic cosmetic filters (for performance reasons). The good news is that it processes all AdGuard's scriptlet set (which is more advanced than uBO-lite and cobers nearly 3 times as many domains).

uBol-stripped has AG's specific anti-adblock filter (again generic are dropped as are ant--adblock rules for country code's not in extended EU-zone and 5 Eyes countries) and automatically ads language filters (like AdGuard Mv3) for (again warning) only extended EU-zone langauge filters from AdGuard (prefered) or Easylist.

Allow List
uBO-lite has a filtering modes list which you can see after enabling developer mode, but I prefer the clean and simple implementation of AdGuard (yes it exactly the same as AG's allow list). just copy and paste your whitelist into it and you are done.

Security & Privacy
This is also a new option (not in uBO-lite or AG Mv3). When you confirm that you understand that these rules might break websites, you can enable security and privacy rules which are applied on all websites (when not on allow list). These options have a low to very low website breakage risk and have built-in allowlist to lower the breakage risk (also see details below).


DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF NEW FEATURES

Privacy Inspector

Surf to fingerprint.com to get an idea of what it does and select the Privacy Inspector on the popup.

View attachment 298967

Privacy shows a list of privacy sensitive activity, which uBO and AG Mv3 have scriptlets for to block it. Just press pause and select
View attachment 298968

and it will create a custom rule
View attachment 298969



Create custom DNR-rule
Works more or les the same, only in stead of showing scriptlets in the header to view, it shows DNR resource types
View attachment 298970

The workflow is the same, pause and select and a popup-will appear (left simple, right the familiar AG create block rule panel of AG log)
View attachment 298972
The left one creates a domain blockrule, the right one an URL-filter. Why the difference? Although Google's build-in adblocker processes DNR rules super efficient, domain rules take a tiny fraction less processing (and when your goal is to match uBO-lite in efficiency, every inch performance squeezed out of the code counts).

Security and Privacy
This is simple, just allow them the website breakage risk is low

View attachment 298973

Please report issues in this thread
Thanks for sharing the release candidate.

For anyone testing uBol-stripped 5.0 RC, keep in mind that it is pre-release software and has not yet been published to the Chrome Web Store. Downloading the archive directly from GitHub requires users to verify that they are using the intended repository and release, and to review the extension’s requested permissions before installation.

Useful information to include when reporting an issue:

  • Browser name and exact version
  • Operating system
  • uBol-stripped version and installation method
  • The affected website and a concise description of the problem
  • Relevant custom DNR rules or settings
  • Console or extension error messages, if available
  • Whether disabling other content-blocking extensions changes the result

Because this is a release candidate, users should retain a backup of their configuration and avoid relying on it as their only security or privacy control until testing is complete. Any downloaded archive or release artifact should also be checked against the project’s published hashes or release information when available.

Issues that may expose browsing data, weaken filtering unexpectedly, or involve suspicious behavior should be investigated carefully and reported with supporting logs rather than treated as confirmed defects without verification.
 
Head to head comparison of uBO-lite element picker versus AdGuard manual ad blocker (why I choose for element picker in uBol-stripped).

The point and click (of uBO-lite) has advantages over prefabricated rules (of AG), read the text on the images

1784793353369.png





1784793419263.png
 
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I've not downloaded it yet (perhaps tonight). First impression based on the description here. The Privacy Inspector is a nice addition. But adding blocking rules in individual cases seems to me tedious and time consuming. I prefer the other way around, at default blocking and if necessary whitelisting. But I'm not left handed, so perhaps I don't see it well. ;)
The design of Create custom DNR rule is o.k. (for me). In that case there are already rules working at default. So it's everyone's personal taste to add custom rules.
 
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I've not downloaded it yet (perhaps tonight). First imperession based on the description here. The Privacy Inspector is a nice addition. But adding blocking rules in individual cases seems to me tedious and time consuming. I prefer the other way around, at default blocking and if necessary whitelisting. But I'm not left handed, so perhaps I don't see it well. ;)
The design of Create custom DNR rule is o.k. (for me). In that case there are already rules working at default. So it's everyone's personal taste to add custom rules.
Thank you for bringing it up, as the oldest certified digital marketeer of the netherlands, it provides an opportunity to explain about fingerprinting.

What you said (prefer to have it on and switch it off) is exactly the misunderstanding people have on fingerprinting. For customer tracking there are roughly five
different scenario's:

  1. Website you always log in to
    Because you log in, you basically agree with the terms and conditions of that website, so in terms of fingerprinting all is lost and all defenses. The only thing these websites are obliged to honor is legislation regarding sensitive data (they should protect it and may only disclose it for legal matters and teh terms you agreed to when accepting their privacy policy.
    ==> NO NEED FOR FINGERPRINTING PROTECTION (ONLY RISKS BREAKING WEBSITE FUNCTIONALITY)

  2. Websites you accosionally log in to, but visit more often
    Websites in this category are webshops and booking websites. Many of these websites apply yield management and dynamic pricing (often fixed prices because that is enforced by law, but try to seduce you with variable discounts). You may have experienced the messages like "only 2 available" or ¨last chance discount"
    ==> YOU WANT MILD ADBLOCKING (DO NOT WANT TO MISS DISCOUNTS) AND TRACKING PROTECTION UNTIL THE MOMENT YOU WANT TO BUY

  3. Websites you often visit but (nearly) never login to
    Websites in this category are news websites or theme based websites (soccer, formula 1, cricket, ectc). They always want to track you and push relevant ads in your face. Why? They often are paid by advertising and advertisers want high conversion rates
    ==> THESE ARE THE WEBSITED YOU WANT FULL PROCTION: ANTI-ADBLOCK, ADBLOCK, TRACKING AND FINGERPRINT PROTECTION

  4. Website you only occasionally visit
    These website are probably not in your taskbar but in a folder in the "other bookmarks" section. Because you don't login and time increments are relatively large they only build category profiles, because you (nearly) never buy, they don´t have valuable profiles to sell to vendors or advertising networks/ Usually your default filters handle these trackers fine, when they track mwhoa who cares? you are not in the buying profiles they only track you to prevent serving you high value ads, because no advertiser is interested in a by passer who does not buy (Kijken, kijken niet kopen = look but don´t buy)
    ==> NO NEED FOR FINGERPRINTING PROTECTION (YOU MIGHT EVEN BE BETTER OFF WHEN FINGERPRINTED)

  5. Websites you happen to pass by
    Your just a bystander, who pollutes their click rates and page time, so what when they track you, when you might return your fingerprint has disappeared in the summarized stats of bad visitors, don´t target
    ==> NO NEED FOR FINGERPRINTING PROTECTION (YOU MIGHT EVEN BE BETTER OFF WHEN FINGERPRINTED)



    SO ENABLING FINGERPRINTING FOR CATEGORY 3 IS PROBABLY LESS WORK THAN DISABLING OR DOWNSIZING IT FOR CATEGORIE 1 AND 2
 
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I have a question, with the new uBoL-stripped do I need a extension like APIVoid browser protection.
Well APIVoid Browser protection settings is devided over my three extensions, so depends, for your reference:

uBol-stripped = DDNS & Free hosting and Punycode (but you get extra Security & Privacy protections when you enable them in uBol-stripped)
Download Sentinel = download protection (but with Sentinel you get extra VT rating and heuristics, not a block))
3P-Matrix-lite = IP-address only + Non-standard ports (plus easier to use APIVoid ScriptStop with startup mode, easy on the fly switching and lock protection per website)

So the three of them make it redundant
 
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Well APIVoid Browser protection settings is devided over my three extensions, so depends, for your reference:

uBol-stripped = DDNS & Free hosting and Punycode = uBol-stripped (but you get extra Security & Privacy protections)
Download Sentinel = download protection (but with Sentinel you get extra VT rating and heuristics, not a block))
3P-Matrix-lite = IP-address only + Non-standard ports (plus easier to use APIVoid ScriptStop with startup mode, easy on the fly switching and lock protection per website)

So the three of them make it redundant


That is great to know, another extension I can remove. :)
 
What you said (prefer to have it on and switch it off) is exactly the misunderstanding people have on fingerprinting. For customer tracking there are roughly five
different scenario's:
Websites you often visit but (nearly) never login to
Websites in this category are news websites or theme based websites (soccer, formula 1, cricket, ectc). They always want to track you and push relevant ads in your face. Why? They often are paid by advertising and advertisers want high conversion rates
==> THESE ARE THE WEBSITED YOU WANT FULL PROCTION: ANTI-ADBLOCK, ADBLOCK, TRACKING AND FINGERPRINT PROTECTION
Not sure I'm a fan of this feature. While your explanation is very good, it assumes that users will take a "deep dive" into the rationale behind the functionality. I have my doubts about most users.

OTOH, tracking injection over History API is probably just as pervasive as fingerprinting and a feature to prevent this wouldn't require user interaction.
 
Not sure I'm a fan of this feature. While your explanation is very good, it assumes that users will take a "deep dive" into the rationale behind the functionality. I have my doubts about most users.

OTOH, tracking injection over History API is probably just as pervasive as fingerprinting and a feature to prevent this wouldn't require user interaction.
Most browsers are taking or planning measures against it (containers) and there are no ready to use resources for an adblocker.
 
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Not sure I'm a fan of this feature. While your explanation is very good, it assumes that users will take a "deep dive" into the rationale behind the functionality. I have my doubts about most users.
I agree. And if default anti-fingerprinting settings may be useless for many sites, mostly they don't harm. In other words, if it does no good, it does no harm either. Besides I believe that consistent blocking 3p scripts can prevent a lot of fingerprinting.
 
Not sure I'm a fan of this feature. While your explanation is very good, it assumes that users will take a "deep dive" into the rationale behind the functionality. I have my doubts about most users.

OTOH, tracking injection over History API is probably just as pervasive as fingerprinting and a feature to prevent this wouldn't require user interaction.
Just open it on you favourite visit but don't login websites and see how the website behaves. The proof of the pudding is in the eating.
 
I agree. And if default anti-fingerprinting settings may be useless for many sites, mostly they don't harm. In other words, if it does no good, it does no harm either. Besides I believe that consistent blocking 3p scripts can prevent much fingerprinting.
Well for websited you occasionally visit adblock and tracking is enough. When they fingerprint you, they know your are not interesting and push less ads. So you are better of being tracked.