Is Adguard Safe?

Hello, so recently I was doing some research on Adguard and everyone is talking about how it's developed and owned by Russians, but that shouldn't matter should it? Adguard is a small company but I like using it, it slows down my browser a  bit but gets the job done. Does anyone know if there is any privacy concerns or malware or anything in Adguard? I've just been really paranoid about it.

Thank you!

If there was any malware in Adguard we would have heard it by now. Stuff like that usually doesn't go unnoticed for long. I've seen people share that same sentiment with Kaspersky as they are Russian based. A lot of unnecessary fear mongering going around that really is baseless.

I personally prefer using a browser extension like uBlock Origin, but I know a lot of people who use and like Adguard. Take a look at their privacy policy if you're concerned: https://adguard.com/en/privacy.html

If there was any malware in Adguard we would have heard it by now. Stuff like that usually doesn't go unnoticed for long. I've seen people share that same sentiment with Kaspersky as they are Russian based. A lot of unnecessary fear mongering going around that really is baseless.

 

I personally prefer using a browser extension like uBlock Origin, but I know a lot of people who use and like Adguard. Take a look at their privacy policy if you're concerned: https://adguard.com/en/privacy.html

Alright, I think I'm going to do that. Does uBlock Origin block malicious ads and stuff though like Adguard? Adguard is just a small company so I just don't know if I really trust it fully. Is there a good way to make sure adguard is completely uninstalled? I really like AdGuard and it does the job well but I'm just extremely paranoid.

Edited by MonkeyManofLife, 26 November 2019 - 10:23 PM.

Are you using the Adguard desktop app or browser extension? If you're using the desktop app and having problems, you could try just using the Adguard extension.

I've found uBlock Origin to be more customizeable and suitable for my needs, but from what I've read Adguard is system wide (if you're using the desktop app) and does cosmetic filtering better.

With uBlock Origin, it all depends on what filter lists and rules you add. I can provide a screenshot of my setup if you would like.

If you're running Adguard for Windows, an uninstall from the Apps & Features menu should be good enough.

If for some reason you have a problem, you can use their uninstall utility located here: https://kb.adguard.com/en/windows/installation#uninstall. The instructions for the utility are under the 'Advanced' category.

Are you using the Adguard desktop app or browser extension? If you're using the desktop app and having problems, you could try just using the Adguard extension.

 

I've found uBlock Origin to be more customizeable and suitable for my needs, but from what I've read Adguard is system wide (if you're using the desktop app) and does cosmetic filtering better.

 

With uBlock Origin, it all depends on what filter lists and rules you add. I can provide a screenshot of my setup if you would like.

 

If you're running Adguard for Windows, an uninstall from the Apps & Features menu should be good enough.

If for some reason you have a problem, you can use their uninstall utility located here: https://kb.adguard.com/en/windows/installation#uninstall. The instructions for the utility are under the 'Advanced' category.

 

 

I use the desktop app as well as the browser extension for with AdGuard. Does uBlock slow down your browsing at all, I noticed when disabling the desktop app and extension for AdGuard everything loaded instantly instead of a few seconds.

Also, uBlock does block all the malicious ads and everything that AdGuard would do right? 

Slowdowns all depend on how many filters/rules you add. This goes for both Adguard and uBlock Origin. The more filters you add, the more of a slowdown there may be.

As far as malicious ads, there are options in uBlock Origin to add filter lists that include malware domains. Also, Adguard filters are included under uBlock Origin settings that you can enable. You can even import your own filter lists from different sources.

Slowdowns all depend on how many filters/rules you add. This goes for both Adguard and uBlock Origin. The more filters you add, the more of a slowdown there may be.

 

As far as malicious ads, there are options in uBlock Origin to add filter lists that include malware domains. Also, Adguard filters are included under uBlock Origin settings that you can enable. You can even import your own filter lists from different sources.

I just have all the default settings for AdGuard - 4 filters and 120.4k rules, so is there any reason to use AdGuard instead of uBlock Origin if you can just add all the filters and other settings to uBlock Origin?

Edited by MonkeyManofLife, 27 November 2019 - 12:10 AM.

I don't remember the default settings uBlock Origin comes with.

Here's how I run uBlock Origin:

Settings: https://i.imgur.com/K53gCKs.png

Filter Lists (anything in blue is worth a look in my opinion): https://i.imgur.com/1yR51XE.png

My Filter (custom filter): https://i.imgur.com/1mJU7m6.png

HTTP://*^$third-party,~image,~stylesheet 

This one line blocks all third-party requests on HTTP sites. See point 1 in this thread for more information.

Filter lists imported:

• I don't care about cookies (get rid of cookie warnings): https://www.i-dont-care-about-cookies.eu/abp/
• Nano Defender integration (anti-adblock defuser) according to: https://jspenguin2017.github.io/uBlockProtector/#extra-installation-steps-for-ublock-origin
• StevenBlack Hosts: https://raw.githubusercontent.com/StevenBlack/hosts/master/hosts

so is there any reason to use AdGuard instead of uBlock Origin if you can just add all the filters and other settings to uBlock Origin?

To be honest, I'm not sure. I haven't used Adguard so I'm not the best person to ask. All I know is that Adguard provides system-wide ad blocking (uBlock Origin only covers the browser) which may be beneficial for some people. I'm not aware of anything else that gives Adguard the edge over uBlock Origin.

Also I want to add to my previous post, under the Filter Lists:

I would add the two filters I pointed out under the Malware Domains sections. I disabled that part because I use a different extension to cover malware.

Alright, I'll have to think about it and which to use.

Edited by MonkeyManofLife, 27 November 2019 - 12:29 AM.

FAQ: What is the difference between browser extension and Adguard for Windows desktop version?

Oh, so I shouldn't need to have the extension if I'm using the Windows app. :D

FAQ: What is the difference between browser extension and Adguard for Windows desktop version?

They fail to mention the most useful feature. The desktop version blocks the content before it is downloaded, the extension blocks it after. So it saves bandwidth, but also prevents unremovable malware from entering PC.

Edited by TairikuOkami, 07 December 2019 - 02:53 PM.