[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?

  • alex_herrero@lemmy.worldMEnglish
    6·
    7 months ago

    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?

    • streetfestivalOPEnglish
      2·
      7 months ago

      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

      • Anony MooseEnglish
        3·
        7 months ago

        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!

        • streetfestivalOPEnglish
          1·
          7 months ago

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

          • Nelizea@lemmy.worldMEnglish
            2·
            7 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.pubEnglish
    2·
    7 months ago

    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.

  • EmperorHenry@infosec.pubEnglish
    2·
    7 months ago

    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.