Tutorial on How to Block Ads on Android

Yesterday, the venerable adblocking company Adblock Plus (ABP) announced that Google had blocked their enormously popular app on the Google Play store. While Google can slam the door through their app store, Android's open nature means that users can still "sideload" the app.

While Internet ads can be truly irritating, there's a security argument to be made as well. Preventing ads from loading can help defend against the growing "malvertising" trend, where an ad is used to load malicious code on to victim's computers. There's also privacy concerns, where ad networks can sometimes track your movements online. ABP might not defend against all these issues, but it's a free and popular tool that many users rely on.

The Fine Art of Sideloading 
Sideloading simply means installing an app from your computer onto your Android device, circumventing the need for an app store. PC Mag reviewers do this all the time, and it's also popular within the Android community.

At SecurityWatch, we don't generally endorse sideloading as it requires Android users to change a default security setting and allow apps from any developer to be installed (more on this below). Malicious apps from third party app stores can be a serious problem (and even Google Play is not immune), so be sure you trust the app you're about to install. In this case, ABP is an established company and has a strong incentive to be trustworthy.

To install ABP's app, you'll need a computer connected to the Internet, a USB cable that will work with your phone, an Android device on which you wish to install ABP, and a file manager for your Android device. For a file manager, I recommend the ASTRO File Manager.

First, download the app from the developer. ABP has made this remarkably easy: simply click the large green button ontheir Android page.

Next, connect your Android device to your computer via its USB cable. Assuming you're running Windows on your computer, a window will appear on the screen asking what you want to do. Select "Open device to view files," and from here you'll be given a view of the storage options in your phone. If you have an SD card in the expansion slot it will show up here along with your phone's built-in storage.

Navigate to your computer's download folder and copy the ABP app. It should have an .apk extension, which is the standard format for Android apps. Now, right click on the ABP app and select "copy," then (still on your computer) navigate to your phone's download folder, right click again, and select paste. The .apk folder should now be in the folder.

Note that you can choose any folder to place the app, but make sure it's one you'll remember again. Also, if you'd like to skip all these steps, you can simply install an app management program like SnapPea, which can be used to manage apps on your phone over a WiFi network.

Next, activate your phone and tap your file manager. Navigate to the Downloads folder (or wherever you placed the .apk file. Depending on your device's settings, the .apk and it should begin installing.

If it doesn't, and you see a window which reads, "Install blocked: For security, your phone is set to block installation of applications not obtained in the Android Market," don't worry. You just have to make a few settings changes.

Just tap the settings button at the bottom of the window, scroll all the way down to the bottom of the menu that appears, check the bock next to "Unknown sources," and then tap "ok." Jump back to your file manager, tap the .apk again, and everything should be right as rain.

Since this is a security blog, I have to recommend that unless you plan on doing a lot of sideloading, go back and change your settings to keep unknown apps from installing on your device. To do so, open the Settings app, tap Security, scroll all the way down, and uncheck the box next to "Unknown sources."

Once ABP is installed, you may have to modify some settings on the app for it to function optimally. Recently, ABP claimed that Google had forced users to manually configure a proxy server in order to run their app. Fortunately, the company has provided explicit instructions on how to tweak your phone's settings so the adblocker can run.

Cause for Concern
 According to ABP, Google claims the company violated section 4.4 of their Developer Distribution Agreement. A cursory Google search for adblocking apps reveal that ABP is not alone. AdAway and Android Adblock are also no longer accessible, the former was apparently active as late as four days ago.

In a press release, ABP's co-founder Till Faida acknowledged the important role of advertising in Google's business model but emphasized that Google denies Android users choice by removing adblocking apps. “Understand that Adblock Plus does not automatically block all ads; we simply allow users the choice whether to block ads or whitelist them. We even encourage advertising that is done appropriately and conforms to an Acceptable Ads policy, which is debated and decided in an open public forum,” said Faida.

“By unilaterally removing these apps, Google is stepping all over the checks and balances that make the Internet democratic," continued Faida in the release. "People should be really alarmed by this move.” [Source]

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