Mullvad VPN questions

PodiumPilot

So I recently switched to Mullvad from Proton.

My problem is I am trying to use DNS content blockers with a VPN and Mullvad was the only one I was comfortable with after reading the FAQs on GrahpeneOS.

After starting the app, the VPN side of it appears to be working, but DNS content filtering doesn't do a thing. I've tried turning off the private DNS feature on the android side and restarting, and no changes.

Am I doing something wrong? Any ideas on how to fix this?

I've already got a message out to Mullvad with the same questions.

Xtreix

PodiumPilot Have you enabled ‘DNS content blockers’ in the Mullvad application settings ? Note that Vanadium already has filtering to block ads (it is planned to improve this), you can also use something like RethinkDNS for DNS-based filtering. DNS-based ads blocking has never worked very well and is easily circumvented.

Disabling private DNS in your operating system settings is useful against VPN leaks.

thmf

PodiumPilot I've tried turning off the private DNS feature on the android side and restarting, and no changes.

Also please see here:

If you're using a VPN, we recommended against having a Private DNS server configured. If you want to filter traffic while using a VPN, use a VPN service app able to do both such as RethinkDNS. Private DNS also interacts strangely with multiple profiles since each profile has their own VPN configuration but Private DNS is global. We strongly recommend fully disabling Private DNS when using a VPN on any secondary profile until it's overhauled.

PodiumPilot

Xtreix I do have that enabled. It doesn't seem to change anything.

I've tried using RethinkDNS as well, with the same content set to block and it doesn't block it no matter what I do.

PodiumPilot

thmf I saw that, and currently have that feature turned off.

PodiumPilot

Figured it out.

I use Firefox, and the setting for DNS over HTTPS was on. That was redirecting my DNS queries and bypassing any VPN DNS filters I had in place.

Once I turned off that setting, it worked like a charm.