PI-HOLES AD BLOCKING SYSTEM USING RASPBERRY PI

This project presents the design and implementation of a network-wide ad-blocking system using Pihole on a Raspberry Pi. As online advertisements become increasingly invasive, users seek efficient solutions to block ads across devices without needing to configure each individually. Traditional ad-blocking methods rely on browser extensions, which are often limited to specific devices or browsers. Pi-hole, a DNS-based adblocking solution, provides an affordable, network-wide approach, making it ideal for home or small office environments. The project leverages the Raspberry Pi’s low cost, compact size, and energy efficiency to host Pihole as a dedicated DNS server that filters and blocks ad domains before they reach user devices. This abstract outlines the complete setup process, including hardware requirements (such as a power supply, microSD card, and network connection) and the software configuration necessary to run Pi-hole on a Linux-based operating system like Raspberry Pi OS. Configuration steps cover setting up Pi-hole to function as the primary DNS server, fine-tuning blocklists, and implementing features like remote access and user- friendly dashboards. To enhance performance and reliability, several optimization strategies are explored, including adjusting DNSquery caching, managing blocklists for specific ad types, and setting up automated updates. Security configurations, such as DNS over HTTPS (DoH) and fire wall settings, are integrated to ensure data privacy and protect against unauthorized network access. The results demonstrate that this Pi-hole based system can effectively block ads, reduce bandwidth usage, and provide a seamless browsing experience across all connected devices, making it a powerful yet cost-effective alternative to commercial ad- blocking solutions