Mullvad VPN & Safing Portmaster

Issues & Assistance
1

Hello there,

first of im new to linux but i really want to try this arch based distro.
Im a windows 10 user since years, everybody knows how seriously bad microsofts spyware operating system is when it comes to personal data collection.
To prevent microsoft from colleting any data about me i’ve installed an opensource kernel level extension firewall named portmaster from safing.io
Officially the firewall supports windows, debian and fedora.
Same problem with my favorite vpn, mullvad.
How is the current status of mullvadvpn running on cachyos and has anyone using this distro tried to run portmaster on it?
How can i install portmaster and mullvadvpn on cachyos?
How does cachyos compare to other operatingsystem in terms of performance, especially gaming? Are there any graphical statistic comparisons/benchmarks?

1 Like
2

What did your preliminary research reveal?

3

While blocking tracking is always a good option, why do you think you need to block Microsoft telemetry on a Linux system?

4

It is best to first download the current image (Download — CachyOS) and create a usb stick with a live system https://wiki.cachyos.org/installation/installation_prepare/#creating-a-bootable-cachyos-usb-drive, or try Ventoy if you would test more Distros.
It is important to pay attention to what you want and what desktop environment you choose. It is best to take a look at Screenshots | CachyOS first to get an overview and take Desktop Environments | CachyOS into account so that it harmonizes with your hardware. In other words, the latest does not have to run effectively on old systems.

If it runs, you will find that mullvad can be installed via Octopi. Your first entry on Portmaster at Safing Portmaster - Free Download also tells you that it can be installed. It also lists Arch.

Good luck and have fun trying it out.

PS: https://wiki.cachyos.org/ is a powerrecource :wink:

1 Like
5

It’s in repos and should work.

There are a bunch of benchmarks made by Phoronix and there are plenty in YouTube.

6

Please check the VPN Compatibility list if you want to use it in conjunction with Portmaster. VPN Compatibility - Safing Docs.

Portmaster is available within the AUR as a binary so no compilation is needed.

I personally have been using ProtonVPN.

Some VPN’s act weirdly with the way Portmaster hooks into DNS using encryption

1 Like
7

No idea who told you i’m in need to block microsoft telemetry on a linux distro.

Portmaster has filterlists. These can be used to block google, microsoft, amazon, facebook and apple. As a result visiting a website or installing software that makes any connections to microsoft will be blocked automatically.
It’s not only telemetry being blocked, trackers, ads, malware.

8

Thanks^^

You’re right safing really lists arch on their website!
Strange enough clicking on the download button doesn’t list arch.
The arch download however just redirects to the AUR with an outdated version of partmaster, but i guess this is how things work on arch-aur. It’s up to individuals to care or not care.

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9

Which repos are there to be used with cachyos? Which are recommended?
Which one do i use to get mullvadvpn?
Thank you.

10

Damn that doesn’t look to good but i would still like to try.Thanks.

11

You can install from the AUR.

12

I see, you linking me to the wiki is probably my best bet to find help as it doesn’t appear much can be expected in the forums here. Thank you for all the links!

13

Have a look here: