I’m new to VPN. My use of Adguard and Adguard VPN (paid versions) was almost compelled by finding myself not wanting to use the computer for research and information gathering because the ads, the pop-up videos, the intrusions of all kinds had become truly negative experiences. I discovered Adguard and Adguard VPN, purchased but may not know what I’m doing. Fast Fios isp, desktop and laptop computers. Android phone. Generally use Chrome browser (with AdGuard extension).
I am very frequently disconnected from the VPN for no apparent reason. I’m in the States and have tried VPN connections from several large cities.
During Zoom meetings, usually with one other person who might be on a phone, an ipad, a desktop or laptop, our connection frequently isn’t stable. This is much more frequent since I’ve been using Adguard VPN; sometimes I disconnect and the instability appears to clear.
Tonight I was on a site where I was to click, a new url would open and I would be able to download a pdf chart. I clicked…nothing happened. I disconnected from AdGuard VPN and the pdf download was suddenly available. This was a health insurance site.
I love reading XDA Developers on my phone as a Gmail. Although AG VPN is running I still get one video ad after another - sometimes two at once! Shouldn’t these be blocked?
I’ve kept the default settings because I feel I don’t understand enough to start meddling. But the way I’m using it isn’t working.
Can someone help me understand what I’m failing to do and how I might find more information as to how to proceed to get value from a VPN?
Thanks very much.
I wouldn’t use VPN unless you specifically need to change locations, honestly (and you can set it to work only on particular sites too). The adblocking component is separate from it. Check your ad filters, which are you using? Also, did you change DNS?
Hello! In this situation, it’s challenging to pinpoint the cause without access to the app logs and information on your current settings. Please contact our support team through the in-app feedback system and provide a detailed description of the issue.
Hello - Thanks very much for your help. Info from my Win 10 desktop with wired FIOS.
I changed the DNS in my FIOS router to xx.xx.14.49 and xx.xx.14.59. I changed Windows to the same ipv4s and added “advanced” of 1.1.1.1 and 8.8.8.8. Also changed ipv6s in Windows xx:xx:x:x:x:x:ded:ff and … dad:ff. I also added “advanced” of 2606:4700:1.1 and similar for 8:8.
I believe I kept the default ad filters and I’d like to learn how to ad sites such as XDA. My filters in AdGuard are:
0 user rules
AdGuard Base Filter updated 11.3, German filter, Spanish/Portuguese filter.
“Select DNS server from the list” https://d.adguard-dns.com/dns-query/686c2c38I don’t know what this is?
Automatically detect userscripts
AdGuard Extra updated 10/28
AdGuard Popup Blocker update 10/27 Are video ads considered pop-ups? They are not being blocked if they are.
Enable traffic filtering
Use WFP network driver
Filter HTTPS
Filter websites with EV certificates
Kill Switch
Auto-update
Launch AdGuard VPN at Windows startup - I gather I should change this? I’ve been running the VPN on my phone as well. Should I turn this off as well?
Thanks for any suggestions and/or explanations that will help me figure out what I’m doing
Aside from base and language filters, I would also advise to use Popup, Cookies, Annoyances and experimental ones. They are all available in filter menu.
At extensions, only leave Adguard Extra.
If you have already setup DNS through router, there is no need to run Adguard on desktop. I’d suggest resetting both to auto defaults and using desktop version for further customisation. To be honest, Adguard is so powerful you can just leave filtering on with default DNS. Launch Adguard at startup and turn its DNS filter on (DNS choice: system default).
Go into your browser of choice and install Adguard Browser Assistant, add it to context menu. When on the website you want, right click and choose it for further options, like whitelisting and such.
For VPN: only used the extension and not the desktop version, but it also has blacklisting and whitelisting lists (click on extension icon - settings). There you can edit the sites you need it on for.
