Hi all!

I've got a little tutorial here that I didn't see anywhere in the forums. By following along for your platform (Windows or Linux) you will effectively stomp out ads with the help of a lightweight proxy server known as Privoxy. Privoxy is a small download that your web browser forwards its HTTP connections through, which uses user-configurable lists of rules to scrub away all sorts of dirt that is often found on the web. This dirt includes ads, junk pop-ups, tracking images, and most any cruft you can shake a regex at. Privoxy carries on the legacy of the defunct Junkbuster software of the '90s.

First, download and install Privoxy for your platform:
  • Windows - Grab the latest version of "privoxy_setup" from Soruceforge. When the download is complete, install it.
  • Linux (Debian-based) - At a terminal, type:
    Code:
    sudo apt-get install privoxy
  • Linux (RedHat-based) - At a terminal, type:
    Code:
    sudo yum install privoxy
Now that it's installed, let's fire it up and configure it to run on boot:
  • Windows - Open the "Start Menu" and locate the "Privoxy" shortcut in the "All Programs" list. Launch it, then return to the "Start Menu" and drag-and-drop the "Privoxy" shortcut to the "Startup" folder.
  • Linux (Debian-based) - At a terminal, type:
    Code:
    sudo service privoxy start
  • Linux (RedHat-based) - At a terminal, type:
    Code:
    sudo /etc/init.d/privoxy start
sudo chkconfig privoxy on
Third, we need to configure your system to use Privoxy for HTTP requests:
  • Windows
    • Open a "Run" dialog. On Windows Vista/7 this is done simply by opening the "Start Menu". Enter:
      Code:
      inetcpl.cpl
    • In the "Internet Options" dialog, choose the "Connections" tab, then click the "LAN settings" button. In this dialog, make sure the boxes labeled "Automatically detect settings" and "Use automatic configuration script" are unchecked, and that the boxes labeled "Use a proxy server for your LAN" and "Bypass proxy server for local connections" are checked.
    • Now, under "Proxy server," click the "Advanced" button. Type "localhost" in the "Proxy address to use" column next to "HTTP." Enter "8118" in the corresponding "Port" box.
  • Linux (Gnome/GTK) - At a terminal, type:
    Code:
    gsettings set org.gnome.system.proxy.http host localhost
gsettings set org.gnome.system.proxy.http port 8118
  • Linux (Other) - Please see your web browser configuration to forward HTTP requests to localhost:8118. Alternately, you may choose to configure the environment variable, "http_proxy" with the "env" command or by exporting it from /etc/profile.
Finally, visit http://p.p in your favorite browser. If successful, you should see your Privoxy configuration page. If something went wrong, check your browser's configuration to ensure that it uses your system proxy settings.

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Questions? Comments? Corrections? Let me know!

Also, if anyone wants to contribute screenshots for Windows, or specific instructions for non-GTK Linux setups, I'll gladly update this tutorial with them!



Enjoy,
-nbob