Proton VPN - No longer blocking malware, ads, and trackers? [FIXED]

[Edit: With guidance from Proton Support, I switched VPN protocols in the application’s preferences menu (protonvpn.com/…/how-to-change-vpn-protocols/), from IKEv2 to Smart, and afterwards I started seeing ads and trackers (etc.) blocked on the application’s GUI again. I’ll post any other relevant info I learn of here.]

Original post:
cross-posted from: lemmy.ca/post/9468390

I use Proton VPN. I have a paid account. I like to use the NetShield feature to block malware, ads, and trackers. Typically, when I view ad- and tracker-bloated websites, Proton VPN records how many ads and trackers it’s blocked during my current VPN session.

About 2 weeks ago, I noticed that despite NetShield being on with the above settings, it no longer appeared to be blocking any ads or trackers per the print out on the GUI. I updated the program, and it’s now up-to-date, but that hasn’t fixed my issue.

Is anyone else experiencing this? What’s going on, has Proton VPN stopped blocking those things or is the print out not working?

EmperorHenry,
@EmperorHenry@infosec.pub avatar

Hey OP! I edited what I said before. Adguard for desktop would be great as an extra layer of protection for the adblocking and malware blocking proton gives you.

streetfestival,
@streetfestival@lemmy.ca avatar

Thanks :)!

EmperorHenry, (edited )
@EmperorHenry@infosec.pub avatar

I’ve noticed that the ad-blocking in most VPNs can’t stop most advertisements from loading. Edit…However, I’ve been using the adblocking in proton for a long time now and even when I did a trial run without adguard installed, I noticed that zero ads loaded in windows and the count of how many things got blocked was really high in a matter of minutes every time I made a new connection to one of proton’s servers…edit end

I’d recommend adding adguard for desktop to your setup. There’s a lifetime license available $80 USD for 3 devices on the lifetime plan…

Maybe even start using brave browser with brave’s adblocking and fingerprint blocking set to aggressive as well as adguard for desktop.

streetfestival,
@streetfestival@lemmy.ca avatar

Thanks for your suggestions!! I currently use the Duck Duck Go extension with Firefox

EmperorHenry,
@EmperorHenry@infosec.pub avatar

If you prefer firefox based browsers, go with librewolf and turn on the letterboxing feature.

streetfestival,
@streetfestival@lemmy.ca avatar

Thanks for the idea!

EmperorHenry, (edited )
@EmperorHenry@infosec.pub avatar

AdNauseam is better than ublock. Use its strict blocking if the regular blocking doesn’t work.

mostly_linux,

@EmperorHenry @streetfestival @Firefox is a horrible browser if you want to block ads and protect your privacy. It’s funded by Google. Try Librewolf instead.

EmperorHenry,
@EmperorHenry@infosec.pub avatar

I know…I’m pretty sure I just advocated for Librewolf.

alex_herrero,

Hi, can’t reproduce on my end. What OS and app version are you using? Did you report it from the app, or got a ticket number with support?

streetfestival,
@streetfestival@lemmy.ca avatar

Thanks for your response! My version info is below. I sent an email to Proton support around the time I made this post. (This is speculation, but given how many upvotes the post has in a low-traffic community, maybe I’m not the only one experiencing this.) I will share here what I learn from Proton support
Mac OS 11.3.1.
Proton VPN 3.3.4

anonymoose,
@anonymoose@lemmy.ca avatar

Just as an FYI, I saw this post and upvoted it, despite not having run into this issue, so others might have done the same. I like to encourage visibility of posts like this so people get answers and I think it’s good for Lemmy.

Best of luck!

streetfestival,
@streetfestival@lemmy.ca avatar

Thanking you :)

Nelizea,

What protocol were you connected with ?

streetfestival,
@streetfestival@lemmy.ca avatar

IKEv2, I think. I’m not super familiar with this stuff though

Nelizea,

That is the issue. IKEv2 has technical limitations that don’t allow the control of such statistics. Try OpenVPN or WireGuard, that should be working.

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