You can do this. But you need to use rethinkdns and download the configuration of the proton vpn wireguard server(s) you wanna reach. You can have internet blocked for individual apps, have some tunnel without VPN but DNS and firewall protection and some go through servers of proton (even per app to different servers). It’s a powerful tool. You won’t get the same protection as you would get with let’s say GrapheneOS but you are getting damn close to it if done right
this post was submitted on 14 Dec 2023
32 points (97.1% liked)
Privacy
31821 readers
128 users here now
A place to discuss privacy and freedom in the digital world.
Privacy has become a very important issue in modern society, with companies and governments constantly abusing their power, more and more people are waking up to the importance of digital privacy.
In this community everyone is welcome to post links and discuss topics related to privacy.
Some Rules
- Posting a link to a website containing tracking isn't great, if contents of the website are behind a paywall maybe copy them into the post
- Don't promote proprietary software
- Try to keep things on topic
- If you have a question, please try searching for previous discussions, maybe it has already been answered
- Reposts are fine, but should have at least a couple of weeks in between so that the post can reach a new audience
- Be nice :)
Related communities
Chat rooms
-
[Matrix/Element]Dead
much thanks to @gary_host_laptop for the logo design :)
founded 5 years ago
MODERATORS
Was going to say this. Rethinkdns is awesome
Interesting idea, a DNS filter won't do much for traffic pointed at a specific IP though. Curious how that would set the system wide DNS without being a root level app.
If you're interested in that level of control, it's time to look hard at GrapheneOS. "Internet" is a permission you can grant or deny for each app, under GrapheneOS.
~~But I'm not aware of a way to selectively direct phone traffic through Proton VPN, at the phone. Even on GrapheneOS.~~
~~Enough skill with an expensive router could do it, but only on your home network, or only while routing all of your phone traffic back to your home network via yet another VPN.~~
Edit: TIL, Proton VPN supports split tunneling. Sweet! Look under Settings - Advanced - Split Tunneling - then pick your apps to include/exclude.
Edit 2: TIL DivestOS also supports "Internet" as a per app Permission. Very cool.
DivestOS can also deny internet access, for the people who don't have a Pixel
DivestOS seems to give a nice balance between vanilla Android and Graphene. I really like it.
I've been suspecting I'd need GrapheneOS for a while now. Might finally be time to jump.
CalyxOS runs on a similar set of devices, is free, and does include a firewall app too. I still run Netguard, but that's mostly for ad-blocking.
You can route traffic through VPN on the phone, then just use split tunneling to exclude apps that should have regular network access without VPN. But you have to switch off "Block connections without VPN" in settings.
Oh hey, thanks! I never particularly wanted any of my apps to route around the VPN, but there the option it is under Advanced, when split tunneling is enabled. Could be handy. Thanks!
NP. Yeah I only routed Tor browser around the VPN in the past to not slow it down too much but I hardly use Tor anymore so VPN routes everything now.
The apps you want to block entirely, you can go into Android settings for each of them individually, and turn off all their Mobile Data & WiFi access options.
Apps that you want to allow outside Proton VPN, you can add to the Split Tunneling list in Proton VPN. But you have to turn off the Block Without VPN option.
It sounds like that'll get you what you want.
Yeah, I've seen this before but I just apparently don't have that option. All I have is "Mobile Data" which appears to leak a little despite being turned off...
Just a note: The app 'Rethink DNS and Firewall' can do this with any Wireguard VPN.
it seems like you merely need to disable the "Block connections without VPN".
Then in your android settings there should be a toggle to deny network access to certain apps in the android permission settings. so the apps that are split tunneled you can just deny or allow network
Do all versions of Android have this? I'm on Samsung Android 14 and I can't find this.
I don't have a Samsung but on my device:
Settings > Internet & Connectivity > VPN > Cogweel next to the VPN settings > There's the option
I haven't been able to find this setting. I've heard about it on other devices but mine doesn't seem to have it.
On my device: Settings > Internet & Connectivity > VPN > Cogweel next to the VPN settings > There's the option
Which setting exactly are you referring to?
It can't be used with ProtonVPN (I assume) but I use NoRoot Firewall for exactly this purpose. It works by setting up a VPN and letting you enable / disable network access for each app, including system apps. It can also block on just WiFi or just cell data or both or neither. It blocks all apps by default until you configure their access. You can also setup more advanced rules for all apps or just some apps. For instance, you can set it where an app can contact AppCompany.com but not Google.com
That's what NetGuard does
Yes +1 for Netguard , works like a charm