DNS/VPN question

d9780

Are they saying I stand out more using my VPN and I should not use it? ( See below)

If so, is this DNS going to hide my IP address?
Is it already configured or do I need to go into settings and enable DNS like on a regular android OS?

A VPN provides a network layered on top of the underlying networks and the OS uses the VPN-provided DNS servers for everything beyond resolving the IP address of the VPN and performing network connectivity checks on each of the underlying networks in addition to the VPN itself.

Using the network-provided DNS servers is the best way to blend in with other users. Network and web sites can fingerprint and track users based on a non-default DNS configuration. Our recommendation for general purpose usage is to use the network-provided DNS servers.

tango

d9780

It means that its better to use the DNS provided by your VPN provider. That way you are blending in with most of the other VPN subscribers on that service, whereas if you used a VPN provider like Mullvad for example and you then used a "non Mullvad DNS" you would stand out a lot more. Hope that answers it for you.

d9780

tango
Thanks allot! So best to use the VPN and not mess w the DNS settings on my end at all right?

[deleted]

I have a post about this recommendation but I'm thinking about rewriting it with more detail and stuff. You can find it here: https://discuss.privacyguides.net/t/using-encrypted-dns-with-a-vpn/12299

tango

Just to add there are other well respected VPN providers like Proton VPN and IVPN, didnt mean to just highlight Mullvad.

zynex

You should use the VPN DNS, else you will have a DNS leak which mainly means your ISP will know what DNS-lookup you device makes. The DNS itself won't hide anything, it's just a lookup service. I think it would be difficult to fingerprint anyone purely on what DNS they are using, loot of people uses CloudFlare and Google DNS i.e.

The thing is that (at least in EU) the ISP's are mandatory to save surf data for (I think) 6 months. Using the DNS provided by your VPN provider circumvent that.

tango

d9780

No probs and yes thats correct

d9780

If I could pick your brain a bit more, how do I get it on the devices besides the one I downloaded it to?

Another words, if it needs to be on all the devices that have my Google drive how would I make that happen without purchasing 5 or 6 times?

tango

d9780

It depends which vpn service you are using as some allow more devices than others. You will need to pay for a subscription so if you check between Proton, Mullvad and IVPN to see which suits your needs the best. I wouldnt recommend any other vpn service and i doubt many others on here would either.

zynex

tango I can recommend ovpn.se also, been using them for many years now. They are, as Mullvad, based here in Sweden. They also been "tested" in court here in Sweden, and they won because they don't have any logs att all to give out (https://www.ovpn.com/en/blog/ovpn-wins-court-order).

d9780

Thanks Tango. I mispoke. I actually meant how do I add cryptometer to multiple devices alto files without paying multiple times?/Also, does it really not work for google drive?