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by mtrn 2983 days ago
I am glad, I do not need to worry that much about these things, thanks to my /etc/hosts file[1].

[1] One of many versions: https://gist.github.com/thomasbilk/1506210/2d20f47bbcca75b2f...

2 comments

If the bits going through your router were the only way Facebook gathered data about you, that would make sense. But it's only one way. You don't even need to have a Facebook account to have a Facebook profile.
So how is Facebook filling up my profile with no input data? They might create a profile based on data my friends publish, but they won't be able to connect it with my IP or my identity.
There's a whole Google full of information on this.
I found none, that's why I'm asking. There is technologically no way to connect me (my browser/phone that sends no information to FB) and my "profile" made up by a few photos of me that my friends have uploaded.
I had tried to implement similar blocks through uBlock Origin and similar browser addons, but this seems to be the most robust method as I use multiple different browsers on my primary computer.

Also, editing a hosts file does nothing on FB's end (which is what this article/discussion covers).

You can use also a local DNS server for your whole home network. If you think it is too much work you can use something ready-made like pi-hole [1]. The nice part is that it will work also for your phone while you're on wifi.

[1] https://pi-hole.net