dns-sinkhole/README.md

# [DNS sinkhole](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DNS_sinkhole)

Generate domain sinkhole (blacklist) files for [DNSCrypt](https://github.com/jedisct1/dnscrypt-proxy) and [pdnsd](http://members.home.nl/p.a.rombouts/pdnsd/) DNS servers. Comparable to Pi-Hole, but uses more simple structure without too much overhead. Generated blacklist files can be added to existing DNS server installations.

![](images/sample.png)

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# Usage

Add blacklists and whitelists as you wish into [the python script](data/dns-sinkhole_gen.py). Once done, run the script with Python 3. The script generates necessary files for you to adapt to your DNS servers.

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# Developer's notice

## Benefits:

Useful for blocking ads, tracking & telemetry on:

- single device with a DNS server

- on a full network segment if a centralized DNS server is used (multiple devices)

- applies to IoT devices (+ SmartTVs etc.) if traffic is routed via a centralized DNS server applying this sinkhole/blacklist policy

**NOTE (Tor users):** These lists do not work with SOCKS5/HTTP Tor connections, as DNS resolution is done on the Tor exit nodes, not by your DNS server(s).

### Tested on

```
Arch Linux (x86_64):           DNSCrypt server, pdnsd server
Android (mobile phone, ARMv7): DNSCrypt server
```

## About used list formats

### pdnsd

Although pdnsd offers `neg` feature, it is not very reliable with large DNS blocklists. However, custom `rr` (Resource Record) entries have been tested with a list of over 240 000 blacklisted domains, and it works as expected.

### DNSCrypt

Although DNSCrypt offers blacklist feature, it is not very reliable with large DNS blocklists. However, cloaking list has been tested with a list of over 240 000 blacklisted domains, and it works as expected.

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## Basic principle/idea

### Single device

![](images/dns-sinkhole_phone.png)

### Multiple devices

![](images/dns-sinkhole_network.png)

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# License

This repository uses MIT license. See [LICENSE](LICENSE) file for details.