Does AiProtection really work?

[Tech9]

I'm using paid AdGuard app

AdGuard is DNS blocker. Not a replacement for AiProtection.

 

[Terepin]

AdGuard app. It blocks a lot of stuff, including what AiProtection blocks:

 

[Tech9]

Mostly DNS filtering, this app doesn't work for all devices on your network and you don't have to pay for what it does. Browsers with built-in Safe Browsing + uBlock Origin extension do the same thing.

 

[Terepin]

Why do you keep focusing on DNS filtering? The app does much more than then that. Also, it does so for everything on my PC is it filters all internet communication, not just in browser.

 

[Tech9]

Bacause you asked a question and this is how AdGuard app works. If you don't believe it and paying for it makes you feel better - I'm okay.

 

[Tech9]

I don't have an Asus router running at the moment, but I'm pretty sure AiProtection does this as well:

...something AdGuard app on a single device most likely has no idea about and doesn't do network-wide.

 

[Terepin]

Bacause you asked a question and this is how AdGuard app works. If you don't believe it and paying for it makes you feel better - I'm okay.

DNS filtering is only one component and I'm currently not even using any kind of DNS filtering because it's redundant:

There is only so much a browser extension can do, and only within the browser and nowhere else. With the app I am protected from literally anywhere on my PC. And the same goes for my phone since I have it there as well.

 

[Terepin]

I don't have an Asus router running at the moment, but I'm pretty sure AiProtection does this as well:

View attachment 66607

...something AdGuard app on a single device most likely has no idea about and doesn't do network-wide.

Depends on what a network protocol weakness is. The description on the screenshot is so vague it can mean anything.

 

[kuchkovsky]

AdGuard app. It blocks a lot of stuff, including what AiProtection blocks

No, those are completely different things. AdGuard is a great app, but it doesn't perform IDS/IPS using signatures. It focuses on HTTP/HTTPS filtering, while AiProtection is more like a network-level antivirus. These two complement each other.

 

[Terepin]

No, those are completely different things. AdGuard is a great app, but it doesn't perform IDS/IPS using signatures. It focuses on HTTP/HTTPS filtering, while AiProtection is more like a network-level antivirus. These two complement each other.

Ah, I see now. Thanks for clarification.

 

[kuchkovsky]

Bacause you asked a question and this is how AdGuard app works.

It's not a DNS blocker like AdGuard Home. The app installs a third-party certificate and basically performs a MiTM interception to filter HTTPS traffic in any app, except those that use SSL pinning. Still, it's completely different from what AiProtection does.

 

[Tech9]

to filter HTTPS traffic

The reason behind this is explained here:

What is HTTPS filtering | AdGuard Knowledge Base

What is HTTPS?

adguard.com

...and it's mainly blocking ads. Because SSL proxy breaks things - they have exclusions list. Because the main target is adds, something you actually see - mostly Browsers, online Games. AdGuard DNS, AdGuard Home, Pi-hole, Diversion on Asuswrt-Merlin supported Asus routers, uBlock origin - free. Safe Browsing engine, inclided in most modern browsers - free.

 

[Terepin]

Comparison to standalone apps | AdGuard Knowledge Base

This article is about the AdGuard Browser Extension, which safeguards only your browser. To protect your entire device, download the AdGuard app

adguard.com

tl;dr It does more and better. Besides, I have a permanent family license, so no subscription. And on my phone it blocks ads in every app, not just in web browser.

 

[Tech9]

Whatever makes you happy. Keep AiProtection enabled as explained above for eventual extra network-wide protection.

 

[bbunge]

Comparison to standalone apps | AdGuard Knowledge Base

This article is about the AdGuard Browser Extension, which safeguards only your browser. To protect your entire device, download the AdGuard app

adguard.com

tl;dr It does more and better. Besides, I have a permanent family license, so no subscription. And on my phone it blocks ads in every app, not just in web browser.

I have doubts about AdGuard. There seems to be a lot of hype about their products and I wouldn't doubt that their apps phone home more often than most users would like. I would bet their app puts a lot of overhead on a system. In all fairness I have tested their free DNS filtering service and while it seemed to work OK I was not impressed. Managing apps on all my clients would also be a pain. They are also a small company with limited resources compared to others.
I know that the AiProtection does work. I used to manage a small not-for-profit network, equipped with an Asus router, and the AiProtection was always blocking folks sloppy browsing habits. At home the AiProtection catches perps trying to hack into my web server.
Some do not like big brother looking over their shoulder but I would rather have a global company, like Trend Micro, looking out for me than a tiny outfit like AdGuard.
AiProtection is not my only line of defense as I currently have dual Pi-Holes, with DoT, running and U Block Origin on Firefox, which is the only web browser in use in my house. I also talk to my family about being safe on line.

 

[ColinTaylor]

AiProtection not AiProtect .

 

[Tech9]

I have a permanent family license

Modern day scare tactics:

AdGuard is a Russian company with headquarters recently relocated to Cyprus for disguise purposes. Most of the development is done in Moscow very certainly under Committee for State Security direct supervision following strictly Politburo guidelines for global data collection and analysis. This is the company you have voluntarily given permission to decrypt your HTTPS traffic and because the software would appear too suspicious if provided for free - you are paying for it. Your money are most likely used for ammunitions manufacturing, but the type is unknown. May range from 5.45mm cartridges for assault rifles to intercontinental ballistic missiles with nuclear payload.

 

[NoLight]

With AiProtection + 1.1.1.2 DoT + Firefox/Ublock Origin, I've never had anything nefarious happen on my network (As far as i know).

AiProtection did immediately detect and block some used VoIP box that a housemate connected to the network that had some botnet malware which was trying to probe everything.

 

[bbunge]

Modern day scare tactics:

AdGuard is a Russian company with headquarters recently relocated to Cyprus for disguise purposes. Most of the development is done in Moscow very certainly under Committee for State Security direct supervision following strictly Politburo guidelines for global data collection and analysis. This is the company you have voluntarily given permission to decrypt your HTTPS traffic and because the software would appear too suspicious if provided for free - you are paying for it. Your money are most likely used for ammunitions manufacturing, but the type is unknown. May range from 5.45mm cartridges for assault rifles to intercontinental ballistic missiles with nuclear payload.

Ah ha! I thought I smelled a rat!

 

[Terepin]

Whatever makes you happy. Keep AiProtection enabled as explained above for eventual extra network-wide protection.

Indeed.