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AdAway
AdAway has been around for as long as I can remember. It was always one of the first apps I installed whenever I had a rooted device. However, when it comes to 'non-rooted' I have mentioned multiple great options in the past. You have plenty of choices with RethinkDNS, AdGuard, NetGuard and the like.
AdAway is simple, and on a rooted device, it doesn't take your VPN slot away. Using a rooted device, the application updates your system hosts file that contains a list of mappings between host names and IP addresses. On non-rooted devices, AdAway uses the VPN slot just like any other firewall.
You can update and add your own blocklists and domains on the list, getting redirects to the local IP 127.0.0.1, which does nothing. There are options to run a local web server to respond to blocked host names and to direct requests to the IP address of your choosing instead.
AdAway is available on
F-DroidIt is fully open-source and simple to use. Unlike NetGuard, AdGuard, RethinkDNS and the like, you can't block apps or system apps from having access to the internet, which leaves you with an excellent ad blocker, but you can't really block access entirely to specific apps. On Root, AdAway does not use the VPN slot, which is way more powerful. If you go in the direction of rooting your Android device, AdAway with AFWall+ is the best solution out there.
Please remember, rooting a device might be the best option when it comes to privacy, but it also opens a bigger attack surface and other security treats. This is one reason why I've gone non-rooted for a few years.
As you might realize, seeing the posts about DNS and firewalls and perhaps combinations of both worlds, Android really does give you some great choices.
Bear in mind, with a firewall which takes the VPN slot you can't use a VPN at the same time, except when you go with a rooted device. AdGuard with AdGuardVPN has both options covered on a non-rooted device.
Android
The most used operating system on cellphones is Android. If you are coming to the site because of DeGoogle(ing), then Android what is a core of Google is a big problem. So to think, at least!Android ⁄
Believe it or not, even Android Launchers have 3rd party tracking in them. Here are some FOSS, free and open-source solutions
Android Launcher — AndroidAndroid ⁄
When it comes to mobile, the best approach to 'degoogling' is a Pixel phone with GrapheneOS on it. Full stop!
Samsung — AndroidAndroid ⁄
First things first, when people talk about replacing the OS on an Android phone, they think you need to be a geek to actually get it done! Not so with GrapheneOS. The installation is dead simple!
GrapheneOS — AndroidAndroid ⁄
When it comes to custom ROMs and privacy on a mobile phone, it is always GrapheneOS for me
CalyxOS — AndroidAndroid ⁄
More than a few people around me are waking up and realizing that the simple cellphone is the weakest link when it comes to privacy.
CalyxOS or GrapheneOS — AndroidAndroid ⁄
Every cellphone has its own pre-installed keyboard, and most vendors have great keyboards. Samsung, for example, has the Microsoft Swype keyboard pre-installed, but on top of that also has a Samsung owned keyboard that works pretty much like the Gboard from Google. Both of these are sending data, ...
Keyboards — AndroidDNS & blocking bad traffic
Most people are not aware what DNS is or what it does. The Domain Name System (DNS) is one of the foundations of the internet, yet most people outside of networking probably don’t realize they use it every day to do their jobs, check their email or waste time on their smartphones.DNS & blocking bad traffic ⁄
NextDNS is easy to set up and works on every device regardless, Linux, Mac, Windows, iOS or Android. And the best of all is that you can even make it work with your existing VPN.
NextDNS — DNS & blocking bad trafficDNS & blocking bad traffic ⁄
AdGuard Home is the next step up when it comes to blocking ads, trackers and all the other nasty BS what haunts the interwebs! We have nextDNS covered as a possible cloud solution, we have an in-house solution with Pi-hole and now we have a look at an open-source solution that I ...
AdGuard — DNS & blocking bad trafficDNS & blocking bad traffic ⁄
One beautiful solution for blocking traffic is the Pi-hole. The best way is to run it is on a Raspberry-Pi (too easy, right? hahahaha!).
Pi-hole — DNS & blocking bad trafficDNS & blocking bad traffic ⁄
On Android, you have the option to integrate DNS system-wide and combine it with a great firewall like NetGuard or AdGuard. This is for non-rooted devices, but you would have even better options for rooted devices. However, from a security perspective, I actually don't recommend rooting your device. ...
RethinkDNS — DNS & blocking bad trafficDNS & blocking bad traffic ⁄
DNSCloak is like NextDNS and is an app which runs as a VPN protocol (but only on iOS).
DNSCloak (iOS) — DNS & blocking bad trafficDNS & blocking bad traffic ⁄
I've made this point multiple times in decentralize.today that when it comes to privacy, I prefer a DNS with ad-blocking over a VPN. Perhaps you can combine both of them? We do have, on the other hand, the combination of a firewall/DNS setup like RethinkDNS, NextDNS and AdGuard, but many people just ...
DeCloudUs — DNS & blocking bad trafficDNS & blocking bad traffic ⁄
ControlD is a DNS solution which allows you to block services, domains, ads and trackers. Sound like NextDNS? Well, yes, many of the features on ControlD are very similar to NextDNS, but it has something pretty much unseen on any of the other DNS solutions, which is what makes it such an ...
ControlD — DNS & blocking bad trafficDNS & blocking bad traffic ⁄
You have three excellent options when it comes to open-source router software, I have added an 'out-of-the-box' seller, as it is a real gem and worth sharing.
Router and Mesh — DNS & blocking bad trafficDNS & blocking bad traffic ⁄
Adguard Simplified - English filter, Social media filter, Spyware filter, Mobile ads filter, EasyList and EasyPrivacy
DNS Filter Lists — DNS & blocking bad trafficPassword Manager
Bitwarden works with almost any device and browser you can mention: Windows, Mac, Linux; iOS and Android; Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge, and many more niche browsers.2FA - Authentication
A Password Manager is a must in today's world, but if you can protect yourself further with more than just a password, like two-factor (step) authentication (2FA), then do so. That said, do not use SMS based 2FAs, if you can avoid them.Secure Messengers
When it comes to messengers we have Meta (Facebook) with the largest hand in the cookie jar, WhatsApp and Messenger are sadly used by many people, some with excuses like everyone else uses it. When it comes to privacy, these are the worst choices you can make.Useful Links
This reference section is designed to provide you with links and resources available elsewhere on the internet centered on the subject of privacy. These include links into our social media network, other privacy sites plus bloggers, vloggers and podcasts that we follow and appreciate.
