HOW TO: Figure out domain(s) to whitelist on a broken website

pixelserv-tls has the ability to log full URLs that are helpful in diagnosing a broken website caused by adblock. This HOW-TO will go through the steps to find the 'wrongly blocked' domain(s) that cause missing resources, and hence a website cannot function properly e.g. menu items no response, videos not able to playback and etc.

Step 1. Turn on log LEVEL 4

From command line, issue curl http://your_pixelserv_ip/log=4 or enter the same URL in your browser's address bar. Use servstats page to confirm the log is elevated to LEVEL 4.

Step 2. Open developer tool in browsers

Developer tool let you inspect elements on a webpage. Open Developer Tools for Chrome/Firefox or Web Inspector for Safari.

Step 3. Inspect page elements around broken 'block'

Reload the webpage. Right Click your mouse on the webpage. Select "Inspect". Move your mouse and Left Click to select the broken element. This will lead you to the developer tool window. Usually the 'block' of broken feature is highlighted. A 'block' is usually a DIV these days that may include further nested DIVs.

Step 4. Glimpse resource URLs inside the broken element.

Look for resource URLs inside the broken 'block'. Javascript are good candidates. A missing library is usually the culprit. So look for resource URLs ending in file extension *.js. Now compare against pixelserv-tls logging inside /tmp/syslog.log for ASUSWRT or /var/log/messages for standard Linux systems. A quick compare shall lead to discovery of the 'wrongly blocked' domain(s).

Step 5. Whitelist the domain(s) and test.

Pick out the domain(s) from resource URLs that you suspect causing missing resources. Whitelist the domain(s) in your adblock script. Test. Once done, remember to turn log LEVEl back to default.