PiHole Ad Blocker
Network-wide Ad Blocking With a Raspberry Pi
Overview
My journey into Linux and self-hosting started with a single goal: block every annoying ad in my house. PiHole is a DNS-based ad blocker that filters all network traffic—no browser extension needed!
Why I Built It
I hate ads. (Really, I do!) PiHole gave me control over my network and helped me learn Linux, DHCP, DNS, and Raspberry Pi basics in one fun package.
How It Works
- Runs on a Raspberry Pi 3B+
- Uses PiHole’s DNS filtering to block domains for all connected devices
- Web dashboard for stats, logs, and quick whitelist/blacklist edits
Key Lessons Learned
- Basic Linux terminal skills (installing, updating, troubleshooting)
- Home networking (DHCP, static IPs, router configs)
- “Breaking and fixing” as a method for learning tech fast