How To Combine AdGuard/PiHole And Hotspot On A Raspberry Pi 2?

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Introduction

In today's digital age, online security and privacy have become a major concern. With the increasing number of online threats, it's essential to have a robust security system in place. One effective way to achieve this is by using a combination of AdGuard DNS and PiHole on a Raspberry Pi 2. Additionally, setting up a wireless hotspot on the Raspberry Pi can provide a convenient and secure way to access the internet. In this article, we will guide you through the process of combining AdGuard/PiHole and hotspot on a Raspberry Pi 2.

Prerequisites

Before we begin, make sure you have the following:

  • A Raspberry Pi 2 with the latest Raspberry Pi OS Lite 32-bit installed
  • A reliable internet connection via Ethernet
  • A USB Wi-Fi adapter (if your Raspberry Pi 2 doesn't have built-in Wi-Fi)
  • A power source for your Raspberry Pi 2

Setting Up AdGuard DNS

AdGuard DNS is a free, open-source DNS service that blocks ads, trackers, and malware. To set up AdGuard DNS on your Raspberry Pi 2, follow these steps:

Step 1: Install AdGuard DNS

First, update the package list and install the necessary packages:

sudo apt update
sudo apt install -y dnsmasq

Step 2: Configure AdGuard DNS

Create a new file called adguard.conf in the /etc/dnsmasq.d/ directory:

sudo nano /etc/dnsmasq.d/adguard.conf

Add the following lines to the file:

server=176.103.130.130#dns.adguard.com
server=176.103.130.131#dns.adguard.com

Save and close the file.

Step 3: Restart dnsmasq

Restart the dnsmasq service to apply the changes:

sudo service dnsmasq restart

Setting Up PiHole

PiHole is a free, open-source DNS sinkhole that blocks ads and trackers. To set up PiHole on your Raspberry Pi 2, follow these steps:

Step 1: Install PiHole

First, update the package list and install the necessary packages:

sudo apt update
sudo apt install -y pihole-FTL

Step 2: Configure PiHole

Create a new file called pihole.conf in the /etc/pihole/ directory:

sudo nano /etc/pihole/pihole.conf

Add the following lines to the file:

dns_server=127.0.0.1

Save and close the file.

Step 3: Restart PiHole

Restart the PiHole service to apply the changes:

sudo service pihole-FTL restart

Setting Up Hotspot

To set up a wireless hotspot on your Raspberry Pi 2, follow these steps:

Step 1: Install Hostapd

First, update the package list and install the necessary packages:

sudo apt update
sudo apt install -y hostapd
``### Step 2: Configure Hostapd

Create a new file called hostapd.conf in the /etc/hostapd/ directory:


sudo nano /etc/hostapd/hostapd.conf
</code></pre>
<p>Add the following lines to the file:</p>
<pre><code class="hljs">interface=wlan0
ssid=MyHotspot
hw_mode=g
channel=6
wpa_passphrase=MySecretPassword
wpa_key_mgmt=WPA-PSK
wpa_pairwise=TKIP
rsn_pairwise=CCMP
</code></pre>
<p>Save and close the file.</p>
<h3>Step 3: Restart Hostapd</h3>
<p>Restart the hostapd service to apply the changes:</p>
<pre><code class="hljs">sudo service hostapd restart
</code></pre>
<h2><strong>Configuring DNS</strong></h2>
<p>To configure the DNS settings for your hotspot, follow these steps:</p>
<h3>Step 1: Configure dnsmasq</h3>
<p>Create a new file called <code>dnsmasq.conf</code> in the <code>/etc/dnsmasq.d/</code> directory:</p>
<pre><code class="hljs">sudo nano /etc/dnsmasq.d/dnsmasq.conf
</code></pre>
<p>Add the following lines to the file:</p>
<pre><code class="hljs">interface=wlan0
dhcp-range=192.168.1.100,192.168.1.200,12h
dhcp-option=3,192.168.1.1
dhcp-option=6,192.168.1.1
</code></pre>
<p>Save and close the file.</p>
<h3>Step 2: Restart dnsmasq</h3>
<p>Restart the dnsmasq service to apply the changes:</p>
<pre><code class="hljs">sudo service dnsmasq restart
</code></pre>
<h2><strong>Testing the Setup</strong></h2>
<p>To test the setup, connect to your hotspot using a device and try to access a website. You should see that the website is blocked by AdGuard DNS and PiHole.</p>
<h2><strong>Conclusion</strong></h2>


<h2><strong>Q: What is the purpose of using AdGuard DNS and PiHole together?</strong></h2>
<p>A: AdGuard DNS and PiHole are both DNS sinkholes that block ads, trackers, and malware. By using them together, you can create a robust security system that provides an additional layer of protection against online threats.</p>
<h2><strong>Q: How do I configure AdGuard DNS and PiHole to work together?</strong></h2>
<p>A: To configure AdGuard DNS and PiHole to work together, you need to set up AdGuard DNS as the primary DNS server and PiHole as the secondary DNS server. This will allow AdGuard DNS to block ads and trackers, while PiHole will block malware and other online threats.</p>
<h2><strong>Q: Can I use AdGuard DNS and PiHole on a Raspberry Pi 2 with a different operating system?</strong></h2>
<p>A: Yes, you can use AdGuard DNS and PiHole on a Raspberry Pi 2 with a different operating system, such as Raspbian or Ubuntu. However, you may need to modify the configuration files and scripts to work with the new operating system.</p>
<h2><strong>Q: How do I configure the hotspot on my Raspberry Pi 2?</strong></h2>
<p>A: To configure the hotspot on your Raspberry Pi 2, you need to set up hostapd and dnsmasq. You can do this by following the instructions in the previous article.</p>
<h2><strong>Q: Can I use a different Wi-Fi adapter with my Raspberry Pi 2?</strong></h2>
<p>A: Yes, you can use a different Wi-Fi adapter with your Raspberry Pi 2. However, you may need to modify the configuration files and scripts to work with the new Wi-Fi adapter.</p>
<h2><strong>Q: How do I troubleshoot issues with AdGuard DNS and PiHole?</strong></h2>
<p>A: To troubleshoot issues with AdGuard DNS and PiHole, you can check the logs and configuration files for errors. You can also try restarting the services and checking the DNS settings.</p>
<h2><strong>Q: Can I use AdGuard DNS and PiHole with other DNS services?</strong></h2>
<p>A: Yes, you can use AdGuard DNS and PiHole with other DNS services, such as Google Public DNS or Cloudflare DNS. However, you may need to modify the configuration files and scripts to work with the new DNS service.</p>
<h2><strong>Q: How do I update AdGuard DNS and PiHole?</strong></h2>
<p>A: To update AdGuard DNS and PiHole, you can follow the instructions on the official websites for each service. You can also use the package manager to update the packages.</p>
<h2><strong>Q: Can I use AdGuard DNS and PiHole on a network with multiple subnets?</strong></h2>
<p>A: Yes, you can use AdGuard DNS and PiHole on a network with multiple subnets. However, you may need to modify the configuration files and scripts to work with the new network configuration.</p>
<h2><strong>Q: How do I secure my hotspot with AdGuard DNS and PiHole?</strong></h2>
<p>A: To secure your hotspot with AdGuard DNS and PiHole, you can use a strong password and enable WPA2 encryption. You can also use a VPN to encrypt your internet traffic.</p>
<h2><strong>Q: Can I use AdGuard DNS and PiHole with a VPN?</strong></h2>
<p>A: Yes, you can use AdGuard DNS and PiHole with a VPN. However, you may need to modify the configuration files and scripts to work with the new VPN configuration.</p>
<h2><strong>Q: How do I monitor the performance of AdGuard DNS and PiHole?</strong></h2>
<p>A: To monitor the performance of AdGuard DNS and PiHole, you can use the logs and metrics provided by each service. You can also use tools such as Prometheus and Grafana to monitor the performance of your Raspberry Pi 2.</p>
<h2><strong>Conclusion</strong></h2>
<p>In this article, we have answered some of the most frequently asked questions about combining AdGuard DNS and PiHole with a hotspot on a Raspberry Pi 2. We hope that this article has been helpful in providing you with the information you need to set up and troubleshoot your Raspberry Pi 2 as a secure and private hotspot.</p>