Horrific read!
Yet another reason why I use F-Droid and RethinkDNS with “Block newly installed apps by default” in the universal firewall rules enabled.
Only the absolute neccessary apps that I can’t live without (like my Swedish bank’s app) will be installed from Play Store.
Additionally, you can set Android to use an ad-blocking DNS server without apps. In Settings > Network & Internet > DNS, select “Private DNS” and set the hostname to a custom server, like base.dns.mullvad.net (Mullvad’s DNS server is free to the public, does not require a VPN subscription).
The per-app controls sound neat! I might give that a try. Google killed the ability to restrict apps’ network access years ago, specifically so ads would always work. I’ve never tried a local VPN as a workaround.
OMG I could use a VPN and Firewall at the same time with RethinkDNS app? 😲
I mean I know the app existed, but I didn’t know it could do that. I was about to comment a “Android only allows a VPN or Firewall not both” comment, but checked the app to make sure I’m right, then I see the VPN option in there and I’m like: Why the fuck haven’t anyone told me anything about it
Fucking horrifying but great read. I was using ad blockers before but now I have +1 (top reason IG) reason to use them even more. Fuck ads companies
Fucking hell this is terrifying.
White list firewall
