Don’t worry if you get content://cz.mobilesoft.appblock.fileprovider/cache/blank.html in your browser’s address bar or in the history, this is not a virus and it doesn’t mean that the link is broken. This address is provided by AppBlock, a widely-used Android app to restrain time spent on distracting web pages.
On each time AppBlock interferes with a restricted website, it automatically replaces that page with a locally stored, blank file and this is the address the file leaves behind. Below are some of the explanations for why it could appear, how it can be seen, and what you can do about it if you don’t want to see it.
What Is content://cz.mobilesoft.appblock.fileprovider/cache/blank.html
This string is a Content URI, it is just Android’s way of referencing a resource that’s managed by an app and not a regular file folder. Breaking it down:
| Part of the URI | What It Means |
| content:// | Informs Android that this is not being served from a website, but rather a provider of content in an app. |
| cz.mobilesoft.appblock.fileprovider | Recognizes AppBlock (MobileSoft’s creation) as its source. |
| /cache/blank.html | To a temporary blank page that is kept in the app’s cache. |
If you’re faced with an error when trying to visit a blocked site, AppBlock doesn’t cause you to look at an error, it displays this empty placeholder instead, from your device’s storage, and the swap takes place instantly.
Why Does It Appear?
This address is found in a couple of common situations:
- An attempt to access a disallowed site was made. If a domain is on the AppBlock restriction list, the AppBlock will return a blank page instead of the site.
- It’s in your web history. Each time that the redirect is successful, it will be added to your history log as a “visit” to the real site; even though you never actually visited the site.
- It appears when troubleshooting. This URI might be part of AppBlock’s normal background activity when the Application is being used or being investigated by someone else (e.g., when debugging an app problem).
None of these are issues with your cell phone, it’s simply what AppBlock does.
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How to Fix or Stop It From Appearing
If you don’t want to see this address when it appears, you can try a few different things depending on the degree of control you want to have.
- Adjust your blocklist. Open AppBlock, go to its settings and check which sites are blocked. Deleting or editing entries there will end the redirection of those particular domains.
- Pause blocking temporarily. A notification or quick settings toggle can also be used to temporarily disable restrictions, which is useful if you only need to access the app for a brief period of time, but don’t want to change any rules.
- Clear the App’s Cache. In your device go to Settings, Apps, ApplicationBlock and clear its cache. This will delete the temp file blank.html (which will be generated the next time a block is fired).
- Uninstall AppBlock. If the URI isn’t needed in any capacity anymore, you can uninstall the app, and it will no longer appear.
Instead, use the browser’s restrictions that are built into the browser. Others like to manage site limits in the browser, without using a third party app.
Is content://cz.mobilesoft.appblock.fileprovider/cache/blank.html Safe?
Yes. This is expected, and is not malware, spyware or something to be worried about, it’s legitimate behaviour from AppBlock. The address only shows up when a site you have decided to block is blocked, it is not a type of covert tracking of your normal web surfing. To summarize: If you see content://cz.mobilesoft.appblock.fileprovider/cache/blank.html, that means that the blocking rules are operating as expected.
Final Word
This content://cz.mobilesoft.appblock.fileprovider/cache/blank.html looks confusing but it’s typically a normal behavior of AppBlock on Android. It is a pointer to a local HTML file to replace blocked webpages without opening them.
This URI will appear if you are using AppBlock. In most cases, the problem can be resolved by clearing the app’s cache, updating the app or changing your blocking settings. In most cases, there is a low level of security risk, and it’s merely used to help the app block access to the website.
FAQs
1.Is this URI something that could harm the security of the system?
No, it refers to an empty local resource, not an external or malicious resource, that AppBlock created.
2.Why is it there in my browsing history?
Every time AppBlock blocks a blocked site the redirect is recorded as a visit, so even if you were not able to get to a real site, the blocked site is still in your history.
3.Do I need to manually delete the blank.html file?
Not really, AppBlock automatically manages app cache files, and can regenerate them when they are required once more.
4.Does this mean AppBlock tracks all my Web browsing?
No, AppBlock does not monitor your browsing outside of the sites you’ve selected to monitor.
5.How to block this email address forever?
When you uninstall AppBlock, it is completely uninstalled from your computer. If you’re not blocking for some reason.
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