Using Mullvad VPN and which settings to use?

Questions
1

I’m fairly new to Mullvad and there are various settings to select in the Android/iOS apps after selecting the servers. Which ones are recommended for use? DAITA, multihop, and Shadowsocks are what I selected at the moment. Anything else to consider?

Is it possible to use the Mullvad SOCKS5 proxy in Android/iOS to minimize the number of CAPTCHAS that I get when trying to use Google?

When using this tool from Mullvad, I keep failing the leak DNS portion of the connection test. I only pass the using Mullvad VPN and no WebRTC leak portions. It sounds like there is a potential privacy/security issue. How do I resolve this?

2

In your phone settings at Network > DNS do you have a private dns entered there? If it’s anything but one of Mullvad’s servers you will have a dns leak.

3

Under Network and Internet in my Google Pixel, automatic is selected under Private DNS. I never changed anything upon downloading Mullvad.

So what are the implications so far? Does that mean even though I’m connected to Mullvad, my internet activity can be tracked such as which sites I go to and what I am searching?

4

I suggest entering one of these blocklists to settings > network and internet > DNS from GitHub - mullvad/dns-blocklists: Lists and configuration for our DNS blocking service

I always used extended.dns.mullvad.net when I was a Mullvad customer.

I was getting a leak as well when tested with https://www.dnsleaktest.com/. Turns out it was my browser, Ironfox, doing the leak. I had turned on Max Protection at DNS Over Https in Ironfox’s settings. I changed it to Off and ran the DNS test again.

1 Like
5

I have DAITA, multihop, quantum resistance, and all DNS filters activated. Keep in mind that DAITA will increase your data usage.

6

Is data usage even a concern these days? Where do you live? I have unlimited data on my fiber optic connection at home. For cellular, I have 100GB of premium data before my connection is throttled.

Is there a reason why you have all the DNS filters applied? I’m not sure why I would want gambling, adult content, and social media in, not that I use them, but just curious why it should be enabled.

7

In some European countries, mobile data is still expensive compared to the rest of the world.

I just have everything enabled because I don’t need any of those sites, and if I accidentally click on a link, it’s most likely already filtered.

1 Like
8

I’m really surprised. That wasn’t the impression that I got when I was in the UK and France. Thought the rest of the EU would be similar. Data is relatively cheap in North America. My T-Mobile plan gives me 100GB of data at 5G speed before it’s throttled.

9

It depends on the country for certain as an example in the country I reside, the data packages start at 5gb for ~$40. You can get unlimited with unthrottled speed up to 200gb for ~$85. I typically have wi-fi everywhere I go though (with good speeds) and never concern myself with data using the 5gb plan (although it has come close on occasion).

When in the USA with At&t I as going through data fast enough unlimited was basically a must have. But was a more affordable rate at the time I lived there.