Block YouTube Ads With PfSense: A Comprehensive Guide

Oct 23, 2025 by Jhon Lennon 54 views

Hey guys! Are you tired of those annoying YouTube ads interrupting your binge-watching sessions? Well, you're in luck! In this comprehensive guide, we'll walk you through the process of blocking YouTube ads using pfSense, a powerful open-source firewall and routing software. Get ready to say goodbye to those pesky interruptions and enjoy a seamless viewing experience.

Why Use pfSense for Ad Blocking?

pfSense is more than just a firewall; it's a complete network solution that gives you granular control over your network traffic. Using pfSense for ad blocking offers several advantages:

Network-Wide Protection: pfSense blocks ads for all devices on your network, including smart TVs, smartphones, and tablets. No need to install ad blockers on each device individually.
Centralized Management: Manage your ad-blocking rules from a single, easy-to-use interface. Update your blocklists and configure settings with just a few clicks.
Improved Performance: By blocking ads at the network level, pfSense reduces the amount of data that needs to be downloaded, leading to faster page loading times and improved browsing performance.
Enhanced Security: Many ads contain malicious code or track your online activity. Blocking ads with pfSense can help protect your network from these threats.

Setting up pfSense for ad blocking can seem daunting at first, but trust me, it's totally doable! We'll break down the process into simple, easy-to-follow steps, so even if you're not a networking guru, you'll be able to get it up and running in no time. By implementing this solution, you're not just getting rid of annoying ads; you're also enhancing your network's overall performance and security. Plus, think of all the time you'll save not having to skip those ads! It's a win-win situation. So, let's dive in and transform your pfSense box into a lean, mean, ad-blocking machine. You'll be amazed at how much cleaner and faster your internet experience becomes. Ready to take control of your network and say goodbye to those interruptions? Let's get started!

Prerequisites

Before we get started, make sure you have the following:

A pfSense firewall installed and configured on your network.
Access to the pfSense web interface.
A basic understanding of networking concepts.

Step-by-Step Guide to Blocking YouTube Ads with pfSense

Step 1: Install the pfBlockerNG Package

pfBlockerNG is a popular pfSense package that allows you to block ads, malware, and other unwanted content. To install pfBlockerNG, follow these steps:

Log in to the pfSense web interface.
Navigate to System > Package Manager > Available Packages.
Search for pfBlockerNG and click Install.
Confirm the installation by clicking Confirm.

Step 2: Configure pfBlockerNG

Once pfBlockerNG is installed, you need to configure it to block YouTube ads. Here's how:

Navigate to Firewall > pfBlockerNG.
Go to the General tab and enable pfBlockerNG by checking the Enable pfBlockerNG box.
Under the Update tab, configure the update settings. You can set the update frequency to daily or weekly, depending on your preferences.
Go to the DNSBL tab.
In the DNSBL Configuration section, add the following lists to block YouTube ads:
- Feeds:
  - https://raw.githubusercontent.com/StevenBlack/hosts/master/hosts
  - https://mirror1.malwaredomains.com/malwaredomainlist.txt
  - https://v.firebog.net/hosts/AdguardDNS.txt
- Format: Select auto for each feed.
- Description: Add a brief description for each feed.
Save the settings by clicking Save.

Step 3: Update pfBlockerNG

After configuring pfBlockerNG, you need to update it to download the latest blocklists. To do this, follow these steps:

Navigate to Firewall > pfBlockerNG.
Go to the Update tab.
Click the Update button to update the blocklists.

Step 4: Configure DNS Resolver

To ensure that pfBlockerNG works correctly, you need to configure the DNS Resolver to use the pfBlockerNG DNSBL. Here's how:

Navigate to Services > DNS Resolver.
In the General Settings section, make sure the Enable DNS Resolver box is checked.
Scroll down to the Custom Options section and add the following line:
```
server:include: /var/unbound/pfb_dnsbl.conf
```
Save the settings by clicking Save.
Restart the DNS Resolver by clicking the Restart button.

Configuring pfBlockerNG might seem like a lot, but each step is crucial for ensuring that your network is effectively blocking those annoying YouTube ads. Think of it as setting up a sophisticated shield around your network. The feeds we're adding are essentially lists of known ad servers and malicious domains. By including these in pfBlockerNG, you're telling your pfSense firewall to actively block any communication with these servers. This not only stops ads from loading but also adds an extra layer of security by preventing your devices from connecting to potentially harmful sites. The auto format setting is particularly useful because it allows pfBlockerNG to automatically detect the format of the feed, making the setup process smoother. Once you've saved these settings, updating pfBlockerNG is like giving your shield a fresh coat of paint, ensuring it's always up-to-date with the latest threats and ad servers. And don't forget about configuring the DNS Resolver! This step is what ties everything together, making sure that all DNS requests are filtered through pfBlockerNG's blocklists. By adding that custom option line, you're essentially telling your DNS Resolver to use the pfBlockerNG configuration file, which contains all the rules for blocking ads and malicious content. So, take your time, follow each step carefully, and you'll have a robust ad-blocking solution that protects your entire network. You're not just blocking ads; you're creating a cleaner, faster, and more secure online experience for everyone on your network. Keep going, you're doing great!

Step 5: Test Your Configuration

To verify that your configuration is working correctly, try watching a YouTube video. If the ads are blocked, you've successfully configured pfBlockerNG.

Alternative Method: Using a Custom Filter

If you're still seeing ads after following the steps above, you can try using a custom filter to block YouTube ads. Here's how:

Navigate to Firewall > pfBlockerNG.
Go to the IP tab.

In the Custom List section, add the following IP ranges:

0.0.0.0/8
10.0.0.0/8
100.64.0.0/10
127.0.0.0/8
169.254.0.0/16
172.16.0.0/12
192.0.0.0/24
192.0.2.0/24
192.168.0.0/16
198.18.0.0/15
198.51.100.0/24
203.0.113.0/24
224.0.0.0/4
240.0.0.0/4

Save the settings by clicking Save.
Update pfBlockerNG by going to the Update tab and clicking the Update button.

Using a custom filter with specific IP ranges can significantly enhance your ad-blocking efforts on YouTube. These IP ranges, which might look like a jumble of numbers, actually serve a very specific purpose. They include reserved IP addresses that are often used for internal networks or special purposes, and blocking them can help prevent your system from inadvertently connecting to ad servers or other unwanted destinations. Think of it as setting up a perimeter around your network that prevents unauthorized traffic from getting through. When you add these IP ranges to the custom list in pfBlockerNG, you're essentially telling your firewall to block any communication with these addresses. This can be particularly effective for blocking ads because many ad servers use these ranges to deliver content. After adding these IP ranges, it's crucial to save the settings and update pfBlockerNG. This ensures that the new rules are applied immediately and that your network is protected by the latest configuration. By implementing this strategy, you're taking a proactive approach to ad blocking, ensuring that your YouTube viewing experience remains uninterrupted and free from annoying commercials. So, don't hesitate to give it a try and see how it improves your overall online experience. You'll be surprised at how effective it can be!

Troubleshooting Tips

If you're experiencing issues with ad blocking, here are a few troubleshooting tips:

Make sure pfBlockerNG is enabled and running.
Check the pfBlockerNG logs for any errors.
Try clearing your browser cache and cookies.
Disable any other ad blockers or browser extensions that may be interfering with pfBlockerNG.
If ads are still showing, try adding more blocklists to pfBlockerNG.

Conclusion

Blocking YouTube ads with pfSense can be a bit tricky, but it's definitely worth the effort. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can enjoy a seamless viewing experience without those annoying interruptions. So go ahead and give it a try, and say goodbye to YouTube ads for good!