Filters

Filters, also called blocklists, prevent selected domains from resolving.

They can block many types of unwanted traffic, including:

  • Ads
  • Trackers
  • Malware
  • Phishing domains
  • Telemetry
  • Adult content
  • New or suspicious domains

Start small

The biggest beginner mistake is adding too many filters at once.

More filters does not automatically mean better protection. It often means:

  • More broken pages
  • More app problems
  • More false positives
  • More allowlist exceptions
  • Harder troubleshooting

Start with a small number of well-known filters and expand only when necessary.

Native Control D filters

Control D has native filtering options with different modes depending on the category.

Use the less aggressive mode when:

  • You are still learning the product
  • You want fewer compatibility issues
  • You are protecting multiple family devices
  • You want low-maintenance protection

Use stricter modes only when you are comfortable with the trade-offs.

Third-party filters

Third-party lists can provide useful coverage, but they should be used carefully.

A reputable list should have:

  • Clear purpose and scope
  • Active maintenance
  • A known false-positive strategy
  • Documentation for configuration
  • A method for reporting issues

The goal is not to enable every blocklist available. The goal is to pick a small set of strong filters that work well together.

Practical beginner setup

A reasonable starting configuration might be:

  • Malware protection
  • Phishing protection
  • One moderate ad and tracker filter
  • Optional lightweight third-party list if needed

Then test it for several days before making more changes.

Filters versus custom rules

Use filters when you want broad protection across many domains.

Use custom rules when you want to:

  • Allow one specific domain
  • Block one specific domain
  • Create a targeted exception
  • Manage a small group of rules more precisely

Filters are broad. Custom rules are surgical.