Something like the DNS requests feature in the Adaway app for android. I know there is wireshark but thats too bulky, it logs everything and all I want is to track which domains a program (chrome for example) connects too so I can block the tracking with a hosts file like someone did with Edge.
https://www.reddit.c...acking_in_microsoft/
Thanks in advance.
-ibay770
While computers are pretty fast nowadays, the parsing of a large HOST file isn't that much of a deal as it once was. But still, if you can prevent having such a file, do so. It is better to have a (separate) computer running a DNS server, where you put the entries that you would fill your HOST file up with.
Then you point any and every device in your house to use that DNS server instead of what you have setup now.
Much easier on the resources in each device, more efficient as a wholesome solution too.
For example, I have an OPNSense router. This is a firewall with a DNS server built-in. A 10+ year old PC I had lying around was used for that software. I added an Intel NIC with 4 Ethernet ports to this computer, because I get internet via 2 different providers (and technologies), so I use 3 of those ports.
This computer barely gets out of its 'idle' state, doing all the routing, firewalling and DNS'ing. Setting it up was involved, as I needed to address many situational quirks in the network. The software itself is easy enough. Once it was setup, it barely needs any maintenance, besides physically cleaning it every 6 months or so.
All devices in my network use this router, my internal DNS server is set as default option and I reduced the amount of maintaining blocklists to one single device, the router. When you see how little maintenance work this is (after setting it up once), you'll wonder why you yourself went without for so long.
