VPN with Ad-Blocker

Jimmy6584

There's any way to configure a VPN and an Ad-Blocker (like: Adguard), on the same profile?

treequell

Jimmy6584 Using private DNS with ad blocking.

cactus457

Jimmy6584 As far as I know you can't use a local ad-blocker app and a different VPN app together. Graphene further advises against using a local ad-blocker app for security reasons (see FAQ). However, you could use a VPN that includes ad-blocking.

User2288

Relaks what kind of ad blocking method does it use? Dns list on server side?

treequell this is not what he is asking for. Can this be combined with a vpn service?

@Jimmy6584
Mullvad, proton, ivpn and some other vpn providers offer in-built adblocking. They use their own dns filter list which blocks server side. But their list is not editable.

Mullvad offers some level of granularity as you have choices between different filter levels. But still its not individually customizable. Read mullvad's ad blocking information on their site and on github.

treequell

https://grapheneos.org/faq#ad-blocking-apps
https://grapheneos.org/usage#web-browsing

cactus457

I just came across the information that the local Adguard ad-blocker app works with their VPN app. But keep in mind that graphene OS advises against using these kinds of apps ;)

Relaks

I use Wireguard with Mullvad wireguard configuration files set up with ad and tracker blocking.

Relaks

User2288 what kind of ad blocking method does it use? Dns list on server side?

Correct.

OpenSource-Ghost

If you want to use AdGuard (in Proxy mode) and VPN, then you have to unlock bootloader and root, which defeats many security features of GOS. Your other alternatives are to use VPN + ad domain blocking via private DNS server (like dns.adguard-dns.com), but that prevents some VPN providers from re-directing your queries. For example, using NordVPN with AdGuard DNS prevents NordVPN clients from streaming Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video content, but if works fine if you use NordVPN + NordVPN DNS.

For browsing, you can use Uazo's Bromite build that includes EasyList ad-blocking filters - https://github.com/uazo/bromite-buildtools .

Some VPN providers offers ad-blocking DNS services, such as Mullvad's Ad-Blocking DNS and NordVPN CyberSec DNS.

Jimmy6584

So i've build Adguard Home and used it with private DNS in the setting.

OpenSource-Ghost

That's a bit much. If you're going to filter your home network queries with AdGuard Home, then there is no point in using AdGuard for Private DNS Server in Android Network settings, unless you also use VPN, in which case AdGuard Home would filter DNS queries outside of VPN tunnel and Private DNS Server in Android Network settings would filter inside VPN tunnel.

FYI, custom DNS inside VPN tunnel is a great way to get fingerprinted...