Peter Lowe makes a list of servers that provide adverts on the web so that you can block them using software. He recommends using the hosts file for your operating system. It works without any extra software and it’s free, but it’s a little inconvenient.

If you use Little Snitch like me, Peter provides the list in its rule group subscription format. Little Snitch can also update the list’s rules for you automatically.

The advantage of using either method is that the rules work system-wide. I use Firefox on occasion, but only have an ad blocker set up for Safari. Now I have adverts blocked in both places without extra effort.

I forgot about this when I first heard about it a couple of months ago. I set up a new Mac recently and started using this list, and I hope that it can adequately replace my ad blocking software.

The next logical step would be to set up a Pi-hole. I’m not opposed to the idea because it would allow me to drop ad blockers on my iPhone and iPad. It might make for a great project over the winter holidays.