DNS Request Interception for Mobile Ad Blocking
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for blocking advertisements on mobile computing devices, such as using blacklists and DNS interception, are inefficient and costly, particularly for iOS devices, as they consume power and incur data transmission costs, and may not effectively protect users from intrusive or harmful ads.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that intercepts DNS requests associated with advertisements, obtains a set of rules based on URLs and application information, and blocks the transmission of these requests when a blocking rule is identified, using a DNS proxy provider and hardware processors to improve user experience by preventing unwanted ad content from being downloaded and displayed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If DNS interception and blacklisting methods are used to block advertisements, then advertising blocking capability is improved, but power consumption increases and data transmission costs are incurred
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-fetching and caching DNS response data before actual advertising requests occur. The system proactively resolves DNS queries for known advertising domains and stores the results locally, so when advertising modules attempt to connect, the DNS resolution has already been performed and cached. This eliminates the need for real-time DNS interception and processing, significantly reducing power consumption while maintaining effective advertising blocking capability.
2Reliability
If VPN or proxy server methods are used to block advertisements on iOS devices, then advertising blocking capability is improved, but data transmission costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the extraction principle by isolating and handling only the DNS resolution component of advertising blocking, rather than routing all device traffic through VPN or proxy servers. The system extracts DNS queries related to advertising domains and resolves them separately using cached data, while leaving normal user traffic to flow directly through the network. This selective approach blocks advertisements effectively without incurring the data transmission costs associated with comprehensive VPN/proxy solutions.
3Reliability
If comprehensive DNS interception is performed to block all advertising, then advertising blocking capability is improved, but device functionality may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by implementing differentiated handling of DNS queries based on their source and destination. The system identifies advertising-related DNS queries through cached domain patterns and applies blocking only to those specific queries, while allowing all other DNS resolutions to proceed normally. This localized approach ensures that advertising blocking is applied precisely where needed without interfering with the normal functionality of applications and services that require internet access.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Disclosed herein are systems and methods for blocking information from being received on a computing device. In one example, an exemplary method comprises, intercepting a Domain Name System (DNS) request, the intercepted DNS request being associated with the information being blocked from the computing device, obtaining a set of rules for a transmission of the intercepted DNS request, determining, whether at least one rule of the obtained set of rules subscribes to a blocking of the transmission of the intercepted DNS request, and blocking the transmission of the intercepted DNS request when at least on rule of the set of rules subscribes to the blocking of the transmission of the intercepted DNS request, wherein the blocking of the transmission of the intercepted DNS request blocks the information from being received on the computing device.