Network-Level Ad Blocking with Pi-hole: Beginner’s Guide

Introduction

Want to block ads and trackers across your entire network without installing browser extensions? Pi-hole is a powerful DNS-level ad blocker that filters unwanted traffic before it even reaches your devices. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the steps to set up and run your own Pi-hole instance.

Who is this for?

• Privacy-conscious users
• Home network admins
• Beginners with a Raspberry Pi or small server

What you’ll get:

• A running Pi-hole instance
• Network-wide ad and tracker blocking
• Optional HTTPS and stats dashboard

Why Pi-hole?

Pi-hole filters requests before they reach ad servers, improving performance and privacy across all devices on your network.

Requirements

• Raspberry Pi or Linux server (1vCPU, 512MB+ RAM)
• Static IP recommended
• Basic networking knowledge
• Router with custom DNS support

Optional:

• Public domain (for remote access)
• NGINX reverse proxy + HTTPS

Step-by-Step Installation

1. Prepare Your System

Update system and install prerequisites:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

2. Install Pi-hole

Run the official install script:

curl -sSL https://install.pi-hole.net | bash

Follow the prompts in the terminal interface:

• Choose a static IP
• Select your upstream DNS provider
• Enable/disable telemetry and logs

Tip: Use Cloudflare (1.1.1.1) or Quad9 for privacy-friendly DNS.

3. Access the Dashboard

Once installation completes, access the web interface:

http://<your-ip>/admin

Use the password provided at the end of the install, or set your own:

pihole -a -p

Router Configuration

To enable network-wide blocking:

1. Login to your router’s admin panel
2. Find DHCP or LAN settings
3. Set the DNS server to the Pi-hole’s IP address
4. Reboot devices or renew their DHCP leases

Note: Some ISPs hardcode DNS via router firmware. If you can’t change DNS, use Pi-hole as DHCP server instead.

Enable HTTPS (Optional)

Use NGINX and Let’s Encrypt to secure your dashboard:

1. Set up a domain (e.g. pihole.yourdomain.com)
2. Install NGINX and Certbot
3. Configure reverse proxy and SSL

Sample NGINX config:

server {
    listen 80;
    server_name pihole.yourdomain.com;
    return 301 https://$host$request_uri;
}

server {
    listen 443 ssl;
    server_name pihole.yourdomain.com;

    ssl_certificate /etc/letsencrypt/live/yourdomain.com/fullchain.pem;
    ssl_certificate_key /etc/letsencrypt/live/yourdomain.com/privkey.pem;

    location / {
        proxy_pass http://localhost/admin;
        proxy_set_header Host $host;
        proxy_set_header X-Real-IP $remote_addr;
        proxy_set_header X-Forwarded-For $proxy_add_x_forwarded_for;
    }
}

Advanced Usage (Optional)

Add More Blocklists

Enhance filtering by adding curated lists:

• https://firebog.net/
• https://github.com/StevenBlack/hosts

In the dashboard:

Settings → Blocklists → Paste new URLs → Save & Update

Monitor Usage

Use built-in stats to track:

• Blocked queries
• Top clients
• Frequent domains

Run CLI commands:

pihole -c        # Console summary
pihole -t        # Real-time log

Whitelisting

Whitelist domains via Web UI or CLI:

pihole -w example.com

Comparison: Pi-hole vs AdGuard Home

Consider AdGuard Home if you want an easier setup or built-in DoH/DoT support. Pi-hole offers more community support and granular control.

FAQs

Q: Does Pi-hole work on mobile devices?
A: Yes, if your router is set correctly. All devices using your network will benefit automatically.

Q: Will it block YouTube ads?
A: Partially. DNS-level blockers can’t fully block YouTube ads, which are served from the same domains as content.

Q: Can I use Pi-hole as DHCP server?
A: Yes. This is useful if your router won’t let you set DNS servers.

Final Thoughts

With Pi-hole, you take control of your network’s privacy and reduce ads on every device – all without browser plugins. Whether you’re running a Pi or a server, the setup is quick and the benefits are immediate.

Privacy starts at your DNS. Block smart, browse faster.

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