Self-hosting Pi-hole for network-wide ad and tracker blocking works by acting as a DNS sinkhole that intercepts ad requests for every device on your home network simultaneously.
Browser ad blockers stop at the browser. Pi-hole stops ads and trackers for every device on your home network at once, from your phone and laptop to the smart TV and the kids' tablets, by working one level deeper. It sits between your devices and the internet as a DNS sinkhole, quietly refusing to look up the domains that serve ads and tracking. Set it up on a Raspberry Pi or any small machine and the whole house gets cleaner browsing with nothing to install on each device.
Pi-hole runs on any Raspberry Pi or mini PC and acts as a local DNS server. When a device asks for an ad or tracker domain, Pi-hole returns a dead address instead of the real one, so the ad never loads. Point your router's DHCP at the Pi-hole and every connected device is protected. Setup takes 15 to 20 minutes.
Every time a device loads a page, it asks a DNS server to translate domain names into IP addresses. Pi-hole inserts itself as that DNS server. Before answering, it checks the requested domain against blocklists. If the domain is clean, Pi-hole fetches the real IP and hands it back. If the domain is a known ad or tracker, Pi-hole returns a non-routable address such as 0.0.0.0, so the connection simply goes nowhere and the ad never appears. Because this happens at the network layer, it catches ads in mobile apps, on smart TVs and in places no browser extension can reach.
Pi-hole barely sips resources, so almost any small machine works. A Raspberry Pi 4 with 2GB or more is the sweet spot for a busy household, a Pi 3B+ is fine for a typical home, and a Pi Zero 2 W handles a small network on a tiny budget. A Pi 5 has performance to spare. If you would rather run it on something with more headroom, perhaps alongside other services, the compact x86 boxes in the mini PC range at Evetech make capable always-on hosts that draw little power.
Once it is set up, Pi-hole mostly looks after itself. The overhead is small enough to leave it on permanently, and the dashboard shows exactly what is being blocked so you can whitelist anything that breaks. Add a couple of reputable blocklists for stronger coverage, but avoid piling on too many, which can block legitimate sites. For a resilient home setup, run Pi-hole on a machine you keep on anyway, and many of the popular always-on options sit in the best-selling PCs.
Yes, once your router points all devices to Pi-hole for DNS. It works at the network level, so it covers phones, tablets, smart TVs, consoles and apps, not just browsers, with nothing to install on each device.
Any Raspberry Pi works, from a Pi Zero 2 W for small networks up to a Pi 5. A Pi 4 with 2GB or more suits a busy home well. A low-power mini PC is a strong alternative if you want to run other services too.
No. Pi-hole answers blocked lookups instantly with a dead address and caches clean ones, which can actually make browsing feel snappier. Its resource use is tiny, so it leaves your connection speed untouched.
Occasionally a legitimate site relies on a blocked domain. When that happens, the dashboard shows you what was blocked and you whitelist it in a couple of clicks. Keeping to reputable blocklists minimises this.
No, and that is the point. You set Pi-hole as the DNS server once, in your router's DHCP settings, and every device that joins the network is covered automatically.
Want clean, ad-free browsing across your whole home? Pick up a Raspberry Pi or a low-power host from the mini PC range at Evetech and have Pi-hole guarding your network tonight.
Yes, once your router points all devices to Pi-hole for DNS. It works at the network level, so it covers phones, tablets, smart TVs, consoles and apps, not just browsers, with nothing to install on each device.
Any Raspberry Pi works, from a Pi Zero 2 W for small networks up to a Pi 5. A Pi 4 with 2GB or more suits a busy home well. A low-power mini PC is a strong alternative if you want to run other services too.
No. Pi-hole answers blocked lookups instantly with a dead address and caches clean ones, which can actually make browsing feel snappier. Its resource use is tiny, so it leaves your connection speed untouched.
Occasionally a legitimate site relies on a blocked domain. When that happens, the dashboard shows you what was blocked and you whitelist it in a couple of clicks. Keeping to reputable blocklists minimises this.
No, and that is the point. You set Pi-hole as the DNS server once, in your router's DHCP settings, and every device that joins the network is covered automatically.
USB DAC monitor detection problems are usually system-side, not the DAC itself. To fix monitor not detected on USB DAC setups in South Africa, check display input, GPU cabling, USB driver changes, and Windows detection order.
Read more
Balatro PC build under R20,000 gives SA gamers a planning target. Balance GPU, CPU, RAM, storage, cooling, and monitor goals without promising exact FPS, final requirements, or current part prices.
Read more
Expedition 33 at R25,000 needs a balanced SA build plan, not a one-part answer. Use the budget as a planning cap, then compare CPU, GPU, RAM, storage, cooling, case fit, and upgrade room before buying.
Read more
How to fix ghosting on OLED gaming monitor in South Africa starts with refresh rate, VRR, HDR, and cable checks. Use driver tests and warranty evidence only after settings confirm the panel is the issue for an SA gaming setup.
Read more
Recommended build for Honkai Star Rail at R100 000 should be a complete high-end system, not a single expensive part. SA buyers should align graphics, CPU, cooling, storage, case quality and display plans before locking in a dream build.
Read more
The Outlast Trials PC build planning should match the game, R40,000 target, and SA parts market. Check GPU tier, CPU balance, RAM, SSD space, cooling, and upgrade room before choosing parts.
Read more
A Steam disk write error needs a storage and file check before you buy another SSD. Restart the client, identify the affected library and verify game files where possible; preserve saves and stop repeated downloads if the drive shows wider faults.
MCHOSE ACE 75 pairs Hall Effect input with a 75% layout and dedicated Rapid Trigger controls. Its campaign terms matter as much as the switches: a US$2 reservation is not a keyboard purchase, and regional delivery benefits need checking.
Palit RTX 5060 Ti RiTONA is an 8GB card with a white dual-fan design and a character backplate. For a South African build, compare memory capacity and case fit first: Evetech's standard Palit 8GB and 16GB options were R8,999 and R12,999.
WhatsApp video-call data varies with resolution, motion, duration and network adaptation. On South African prepaid data, measure a short call with the phone counter, enable data saving and use stable fibre or WiFi for long sessions.
Microsoft has fixed a Defender notification bug that could report protection was off while it was active. Confirm the actual protection state, install the latest supported update and investigate any warning that remains instead of dismissing it.
A Steam disk write error needs a storage and file check before you buy another SSD. Restart the client, identify the affected library and verify game files where possible; preserve saves and stop repeated downloads if the drive shows wider faults.
Steamwebhelper not responding can be a client-rendering problem, not a broken gaming PC. Restart Steam, test its GPU acceleration setting and investigate background software before reinstalling anything or spending money on hardware.
Intel Arc 101.9030 driver adds support for FC 27, Silent Hill: Townfall and Aniimo. It is a non-WHQL release with hardware-specific fixes and known issues, so match your GPU and laptop support route before changing a stable setup.
Flyoobe 3.01 adds optional local PowerShell Setup Actions and live script output. Review each action and imported recipe before applying it, and keep a recovery route for a PC you depend on rather than treating every suggestion as a fix.
Ethernet stuck at 100Mbps can be a negotiated link limit rather than a slow fibre service. Check the wired link speed, try a known-good cable and suitable port, then test throughput after the local connection reaches its expected rate.
HDR screenshots washed out in another app can point to a capture or colour-handling mismatch. Compare the same file across viewers, make a controlled SDR capture and separate the exported image from the appearance of your actual monitor.
The GameSir Fortnite controller range pairs themed G8 Plus and X5 Lite hardware with digital bonus items. Pick the connection, phone fit and controls first, then compare the edition against locally priced GameSir alternatives.
