AdGuard v. Cloudflare

[TheLyppardMan]

I'm just wondering how AdGuard DNS compares with Cloudflare for security. For instance, is it as good at protecting the user from landing on malicious websites? Also, does it use DoT and if so, what does one need to put in the appropriate field on the WAN page of the router?

These are my current settings for Cloudflare:

 

[Tech9]

is it as good

Yes, and popular. How fast your closest server is - I don't know.

does it use DoT

DoT is supported. Configuration information on AdGuard page:

AdGuard DNS — ad-blocking DNS server

Create your ad-blocking DNS server that will protect your personal data, prevent tracking and allow you to control access to specific content on the Internet.

adguard-dns.io

 

[Spud]

I'm just wondering how AdGuard DNS compares with Cloudflare for security. For instance, is it as good at protecting the user from landing on malicious websites? Also, does it use DoT and if so, what does one need to put in the appropriate field on the WAN page of the router?

These are my current settings for Cloudflare:
View attachment 53644

If you go for AdGuard - specifically the ad-blocking DNSs - you’ll likely run into situations where some links just refuse to open, but you won’t be able to do anything about it.

I’d consider using AdGuard Home instead. It’s installable via the AMTM menu. AGH is fully configurable: you can set any DNS providers you like, then define exactly which blocking rules you want to apply. You can also block/allow a pretty big range of web services.

Fantastic software. I installed it on a free Oracle VPS before it was available via Merlin. Super quick and haven’t seen a pesky ad in a couple of years.

More info:

GitHub - jumpsmm7/Asuswrt-Merlin-AdGuardHome-Installer: The Official Installer of AdGuardHome for Asuswrt-Merlin

The Official Installer of AdGuardHome for Asuswrt-Merlin - jumpsmm7/Asuswrt-Merlin-AdGuardHome-Installer

github.com

 

[TheLyppardMan]

If you go for AdGuard - specifically the ad-blocking DNSs - you’ll likely run into situations where some links just refuse to open, but you won’t be able to do anything about it.

I’d consider using AdGuard Home instead. It’s installable via the AMTM menu. AGH is fully configurable: you can set any DNS providers you like, then define exactly which blocking rules you want to apply. You can also block/allow a pretty big range of web services.

Fantastic software. I installed it on a free Oracle VPS before it was available via Merlin. Super quick and haven’t seen a pesky ad in a couple of years.

More info:

GitHub - jumpsmm7/Asuswrt-Merlin-AdGuardHome-Installer: The Official Installer of AdGuardHome for Asuswrt-Merlin

The Official Installer of AdGuardHome for Asuswrt-Merlin - jumpsmm7/Asuswrt-Merlin-AdGuardHome-Installer

github.com

Thanks. I'll look into that tomorrow.

 

[bbunge]

There was a comparison a while back of filtering DNS services. As I recall, Cloudflare Security was low on the list. Quad9 did better but for me is not as reliable as Cloudflare Security. With that said I get very few blocks via AiProtect.
Use what works for you. When my Pi3 is freed up in a week I may go back to Pi-Hole with just the malware block list and 1.1.1.2 1.0.0.2.

 

[bbunge]

How do malware-blocking DNS providers compare?

I always wondered how the various DNS-based malicious website blockers compared. Finally someone tested a few of them against a list of known malicious domains: https://techblog.nexxwave.be/public-dns-malware-filters-tested/

www.snbforums.com

 

[Tech9]

CleanBrowsing is popular for adult and malware blocking. Used in schools and offices.

Free DNS Filtering | Block Online Porn with CleanBrowsing

Free DNS Filters by CleanBrowsing allow you to filter adult, pornography, obscene and other similar content from your internet.

cleanbrowsing.org

 

[TheLyppardMan]

If you go for AdGuard - specifically the ad-blocking DNSs - you’ll likely run into situations where some links just refuse to open, but you won’t be able to do anything about it.

I’d consider using AdGuard Home instead. It’s installable via the AMTM menu. AGH is fully configurable: you can set any DNS providers you like, then define exactly which blocking rules you want to apply. You can also block/allow a pretty big range of web services.

Fantastic software. I installed it on a free Oracle VPS before it was available via Merlin. Super quick and haven’t seen a pesky ad in a couple of years.

More info:

GitHub - jumpsmm7/Asuswrt-Merlin-AdGuardHome-Installer: The Official Installer of AdGuardHome for Asuswrt-Merlin

The Official Installer of AdGuardHome for Asuswrt-Merlin - jumpsmm7/Asuswrt-Merlin-AdGuardHome-Installer

github.com

Installation and configuration look very complicated from the posts I have seen on the main AdGuard threads. Is there a simple beginners' guide about how to set it up and also, how to return things to how they were before installation (in the event of a change of mind about using it)? Also, if I understand correctly, the 128GB Samsung flash drive that I currently have connected to my router would not be suitable for running AdGuard - is that correct?

 

[Spud]

Installation and configuration look very complicated from the posts I have seen on the main AdGuard threads. Is there a complete beginners' guide about how to set it up and also, how to return things to how they were before installation (in the event of a change of mind about using it)? Also, if I understand correctly, the 128GB Samsung flash drive that I currently have connected to my router would not be suitable for running AdGuard - is that correct?

I'm not well placed to advise since I installed AGH on a VPS, not Merlin. Perhaps somebody on the AGH thread could get you started.

 

[cptnoblivious]

Installation and configuration look very complicated from the posts I have seen on the main AdGuard threads. Is there a simple beginners' guide about how to set it up and also, how to return things to how they were before installation (in the event of a change of mind about using it)? Also, if I understand correctly, the 128GB Samsung flash drive that I currently have connected to my router would not be suitable for running AdGuard - is that correct?

You need to have some capabilities to setup and configure 2 things:
1. The adguardhome setup. Lots of how to guides and step by steps, google.
2. The client config. Once you have above adguard setup completed, you'll know the IP you need to put in your dhcp server.

If what I just wrote doesn't make sense, some more reading / learning maybe required before you try to set this up.

Just my $0.02