Adguard over Wireguard vpn to block streaming advertisements?

[Mikii]

Hi all,

I’m looking for some advice or real-world experience using AdGuard Home together with an Wireguard VPN connection to block or filter advertisements on streaming TV services from the UK, Canada, and Australia.

Has anyone successfully managed this setup for this purpose?
I understand that not all streaming services handle ad blocking well, and some may refuse to play content if ads are filtered out. For instance, Paramount+ (USA) reportedly won’t work correctly if their ad domains are blocked.

If you’ve tested this configuration, I’d love to know:

• Which streaming platforms still function properly with AdGuard Home filtering enabled?
• Are there specific DNS lists or custom rules that work better for regional services?
• Any tips to balance ad filtering without breaking playback?

Thanks in advance for any insights!

 

[cptnoblivious]

Complex question. I'll answer some of the Adguard Home questions. For background, I use Adguard home (multiple servers) and tailscale with exit node routed through NordVPN, not exactly your setup.

First there is no such thing as a generic answer for streaming services, you need to look at them individually. Ex. I use Netflix which works fine generally but depends on the specific Nord IP of the Nord Exit node. Same for youtube (I use the freetube client), sometimes changing the Nord Endpoint is required, it's a dynamic environment.
Roku blocking was much perfect, but recently they introduced some in-app ads that can't be stopped (at least not with my current setup).

You'll need to experiment a bit.

These are the blocklists that work well for me, not all of them are for ad blocking of course:

Hope that helps

 

[Mikii]

Hi @cptnoblivious,

Thank you very much for your insight. If it was what I was expecting, I understand the solution needs to be constantly monitored and updated.

Do you have any experience with the use of AdGuard in combination with WireGuard? I do not even know if WireGuard connections are actually filtered via AdGuard or not.

Thanks.

​

 

[weaverinva]

Complex question. I'll answer some of the Adguard Home questions. For background, I use Adguard home (multiple servers) and tailscale with exit node routed through NordVPN, not exactly your setup.

First there is no such thing as a generic answer for streaming services, you need to look at them individually. Ex. I use Netflix which works fine generally but depends on the specific Nord IP of the Nord Exit node. Same for youtube (I use the freetube client), sometimes changing the Nord Endpoint is required, it's a dynamic environment.
Roku blocking was much perfect, but recently they introduced some in-app ads that can't be stopped (at least not with my current setup).

You'll need to experiment a bit.

These are the blocklists that work well for me, not all of them are for ad blocking of course:
View attachment 68274

Hope that helps

Hello @cptnoblivious
Would you be willing to expand upon your setup please? What do you mean by multiple servers?
Why do you use tailscale when Meshnet exists?
Do you find adguard home better than nextdns or controld?
Is there a reason you don't use Peter Lowe's lists? They seem pretty good via uBlock origin.

Also, any contrasting to using Adguard local app for filtering appreciated. Local app filtering seems strong.

Peace.

 

[cptnoblivious]

Hello @cptnoblivious
Would you be willing to expand upon your setup please? What do you mean by multiple servers?
Why do you use tailscale when Meshnet exists?
Do you find adguard home better than nextdns or controld?
Is there a reason you don't use Peter Lowe's lists? They seem pretty good via uBlock origin.

Also, any contrasting to using Adguard local app for filtering appreciated. Local app filtering seems strong.

Peace.

Multiple - I want 2 dns servers on my network at all times, in case one goes down / I'm doing maintenance. Simple really, assign both via DHCP
Tailscale - I don't have NordVPN on all systems. Nord gives you 10 simultaneous clients. Tailscale gives me more (100), plus, a lot of networks I've used block OVPN & wireguard, but not tailscale. Further, I've got some systems I don't bother to put tailscale on, using the -subnet switch and advertising routes.
I've not used nextdns or controld, so no comment, but doesn't NextDNS restrict the number of queries per month or something? Not what I want.
Peterlow's list - my uBlock lists are on top of the Adguard lists.
Local vs. non - I have clients where I can't set things locally. That's why network level is preferred, _for them_. I'm old and grouchy and prefer defense-in-depth. No reason not to have network level and browser level blocking. Administration wise, I back up my uBlock settings from a master system, then restore them on all new browsers on VMs, laptop rebuilds etc. Configure once, use many times. Don't want to do per-machine specific configurations or setup. Waste of time IMO.

Hope that answers some of your questions

 

[Zirescu]

I use ControlD and you can specify the location that the specific streaming Service is seeing. You can also set it up per each device behind the router, with additional configuration. ex. Living Room TV sees Canada, Bedroom TV sees US. Some caveats on this that streaming might be a little slower than what you normally would get as the content is going to come through a server further from your home.

As for blocking Ads displayed in the streaming service it'll depend. Prime & Netflix you're likely SOL as I've not been able to find a way to block those without breaking functionality. Ads on Global & Disney are blocked. CBC requires Google to function which then opens Ads back to Global.

You can combine Winscribe VPN with ControlD as well for some additional privacy functionality if you want or just use one or the other.