this post was submitted on 16 Nov 2023
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[Edit: With guidance from Proton Support, I switched VPN protocols in the application's preferences menu (https://protonvpn.com/support/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: https://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?

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[–] alex_herrero@lemmy.world 6 points 10 months ago (1 children)

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@lemmy.ca 2 points 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago) (2 children)

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@lemmy.ca 3 points 10 months ago (1 children)

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@lemmy.ca 2 points 10 months ago

Thanking you :)

[–] Nelizea@lemmy.world 2 points 10 months ago (1 children)

What protocol were you connected with ?

[–] streetfestival@lemmy.ca 1 points 10 months ago (1 children)

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

[–] Nelizea@lemmy.world 2 points 10 months ago

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.

[–] EmperorHenry@infosec.pub 2 points 9 months ago (1 children)

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@lemmy.ca 2 points 9 months ago
[–] EmperorHenry@infosec.pub 2 points 10 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago) (1 children)

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@lemmy.ca 1 points 10 months ago (1 children)

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

[–] EmperorHenry@infosec.pub 3 points 10 months ago (2 children)

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

[–] streetfestival@lemmy.ca 2 points 10 months ago (1 children)
[–] EmperorHenry@infosec.pub 2 points 10 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago)

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

[–] mostly_linux@mastodon.social -1 points 10 months ago (1 children)

@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@infosec.pub 1 points 10 months ago

I know...I'm pretty sure I just advocated for Librewolf.