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submitted 3 days ago by blimpkit@lemmy.ml to c/privacy@lemmy.ml

I cant use mullvad and netguard same time, I am using mullvad for a year, and only turn it off when some local websites block vpn.

The guy on youtube said vpn is useleff on mobile, a firewall is better. I cant decide which one makes more sense, and why.

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[-] urushitan@kakera.kintsugi.moe 11 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago)

“VPN is useless on mobile, a firewall is better.”

What? A vpn tunnels your traffic to and from an external server so all your isp (or anyone else in the middle) sees is encrypted traffic to your vpn provider. A firewall blocks incoming connections to your device, either silently (black hole/ no response) or loudly (connection refused).

They are two different things, what exactly are you trying to do?

[-] Kirk@startrek.website 6 points 3 days ago

You're really going to argue with The Guy On YouTube??

[-] BottleBoardBakon@lemmy.ml 2 points 3 days ago

I am indeed also confused.

[-] adespoton@lemmy.ca 6 points 3 days ago

On mobile, firewalls are often created by creating a local virtual VPN that actually works as a firewall. As a result, you can only have one or the other enabled at a time.

If you’re on your own trusted network, a firewall is probably the better choice. If you’re on an untrusted network, using a VPN to a trusted network is a better choice, and usually you can set up a firewall somewhere along the VPN chain as well.

[-] surewhynotlem@lemmy.world 2 points 3 days ago

Why would you need a firewall on a trusted Network?

[-] blimpkit@lemmy.ml 3 points 3 days ago

To block apps like calculator or acrobat (example) that doesnt need to be connecting to the internet

[-] surewhynotlem@lemmy.world 1 points 3 days ago

Oooh, yeah. On android that's a local-vpn. I've had only minimal luck with those.

[-] ohshit604@lemmy.halstead.host 3 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago)

a VPN server has its own firewall.

[-] ISOmorph@feddit.org 3 points 3 days ago

Although it's a bit more of a hassle you can use RethinkDNS to wall of certain sites or apps and import your preferred VPN connections from Mullvad. So both can be done at the same time

[-] scott@lem.free.as 4 points 3 days ago

RethinkDNS even lets you run multiple VPNs at the same time and use routing to determine which traffic goes where.

[-] TrollAccount69@lemmy.ml 2 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago)

Mullvad with doh. You’re fine.

E: what device needs a third party firewall?

this post was submitted on 01 Sep 2026
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