I use RethinkDNS. I used it in 5 android phones. But sometimes it could not start itself when phone (OS) starts, or it starts very late, or it closes itself unexpectedly.
I don’t care if it is a bug of RethinkDNS or Android, but there are many people also face the same problem. I read them on different forums.
So If I have a adware-app name: ABC. ABC is blocked by RethinkDNS. Lets say, after six months RethinkDNS stopped unexpectedly, ABC directly will send to his own server all the data he stored in six months about me.
So is there any reason to use RethinkDNS? (just for privacy concern. Not discussing for others)
For example RethinkDNS will prevent to see my external IP to be seen by ABC at least in six months ? If yes, that is very good news for me!..
What forums are these? The answer is usually, as @Anon47486929 said, a VPN firewall like Rethink / NetGuard / InviZible / Tracker control must be run with both Always-on & Block connections without VPN turned ON. Graphene runs VPN apps as Always-on by default (iirc), for a reason.
There’s a few stability bugs in Rethink which we’ve since fixed and will land in a v055o, the upcoming version (due in days / weeks).
This problem isn’t specific to any single firewall. One solution I prefer is to use a service I don’t trust (like ABC) over the web instead of its app (if available). Otherwise, I disable such app when I am done with its use. Some use Shizuku / AppManager to “freeze” such apps. Others prefer installing such apps in a separate profile like the one managed by Private Spaces / Shelter / Island.
Android, at times, also kills Rethink, and these are out of our control. Some examples include:
Backup service
Low memory killer
Debug mode
Memory tagging extensions (currently, incompatible with the Golang runtime, which powers our network engine).
Only if you setup to route ABC over WireGuard / SOCKS5 proxy within Rethink.
“Always on vpn” was always enabled on my devices. but I still have this issue.
I think its impossible to catch the case. It is happening once in a six month. it really think about this long time, but I could not predict why its happening.
“to see my external IP to”… This sentence was random. There is no any background of it. I mean, I just asked if is there any advantage to use RethinkDNS in my case (for privacy).
I will post if I will see next time. I have high critical TODO issues for my self about privacy. They take long time. I can not directly answer your question, but I will post here next time I see people from other forums.
“control must be run with both Always-on & Block connections without VPN turned ON”
I am sure I dont install anything on my devices. I only make standard calls, chat from signal, and once a week I just google something from Mull browser.
“v055o, the upcoming version (due in days / weeks).”
i will try . Now I got factory reset on android and android also updated too… I will inform you with the news…
" over the web instead of its app (if available)."
I always do that. But Android has many malware apps as default. I cant solve this issue with Shelter or any other solution… If I disable malware apps, the system goes buggy.
This topic has diversions, but currently my life effected because of privacy preparations. They are taking really long time. So I start to protect my privacy only little bit, only with very simple and stable solutions.
“Android, at times, also kills Rethink”
I think so. Because if “always vpn active” is enabled by end user, even if VPN app has bugs, the android should block those connections. This is Android issue and they are making it intentionally (this is my personal opinion).
You misunderstand. Android’s implementation of Always-on & Block connections without VPN guarantee no traffic from installed apps will leak if the VPN app (here, Rethink) is down, no matter the reason.
I cant enable " *Block connections without VPN" because at least 1 app (maybe 1 feature only) will not be able work fully properly.
But I always enable “Always-on vpn”.
From their names only, I assume one of those configs should be enough to not stop rethinkDNS.
By the way, RethinkDNS has a feature but its beta yet. The feature to auto-start when OS starts. Its beta, that means at least once time I will forgot to check when I restart the phone. Its impossible to not forget in 3-4 years
Privacy is good, but it makes me thing on every action before doing it
I really love rethink App, I’ve been using it for years now and the DEV is always ready to answer any discussion (it’s almost omnipresent hahaha)
the only thing that worries me is the fact that using the list on the device and not via DNS there is a moment in which a domain, when the device starts, since the lists are loading, could “pass” and send the past telemetry
the loading of the lists also occurs when deactivating and activating the various profiles (work, private space) but I’m not sure
the DEV has already opened an issues on github
https:github.comcelzerorethink-appissues1802
(it’s not a complaint, I just want to clarify the issue for the user )
)