Currently, when I need to focus, I use a separate device configured to block everything except 2-3 domains I really need to minimize distractions. What really makes Sinkzone interesting is the scheduling with focus mode which can be incredible useful. My current firewall, OpenSnitch only lets you toggle all rules at once, so Sinkzone could be useful for allowing just the focus domains.
I think a useful feature to consider is having different profiles which would essentially be collections of domains to allow. So you could have "focus", but also "work" or "kids" as well allowing for more flexibility.
As I previously mentioned, I'm currently using OpenSnitch [1] as a system-level firewall that has a similar allowlist-only functionality. While the popups to allow/reject a connection initially disturb your workflow, after a short period of usage, you end up with a small collection of rules and you'll pretty much only see them again when browsing new websites. The advantage over DNS-level blocking is that you also get to block per process and not just device (or network). Since it uses eBPF, processes can't get around it by using a different DNS server or something. I'm really missing profiles and scheduling though, so I hope you can build a viable alternative to switch to!
I like this tool a lot and think it's superior to my own automation tools to generate giant host file blocklists. So, I'll be looking into switching to sinkzone. That said, my understanding is that applications can still make direct connections where an application connects using an IP address (without looking it up via DNS). I guess I use firewalls for that but haven't gotten around to adjusting anything from the defaults. Also could use a reverse proxy but haven't taken the time to set one of those up yet either. Does anyone have recommendations for a 'second step' on the network security path? Setup a PF router?
I see it has a Windows installer. I might have to try that on my old Win7 Pro system.
I will likely move on to Win10 now that it is ending support later this year so I might try there too. Windows support is best consumed in small chunks so once they deep-six Win10 it will be ready for consumption since the only "updates" it is likely to get are those strictly related to protecting it from malware.
Years ago there was a software firewall called SyGate that allowed a user to block everything and then set allow rules as they needed so that the only applications that could get out were those explicitly allowed by the user. The internet was young and there were fewer bad actors so it was way ahead of its time on the consumer side. You could install the free version or pay for a premium version. It was bought out in the late 90's I think by Norton or one of those other big units (Symantec?) who used all the good parts in their own "improved" firewalls, for a lot of money though.
I like this idea of blocking everything except the things you know you need.
Will this work when I'm connected to the company vpn? We have a private DNS zone set up for our private network, and this would probably mess up my DNS config. It would be awesome if it worked though!
You can configure your upstream resolvers in the config, so I think Sinkzone can be placed in front of your VPN's resolver. I never tested this to be honest.
Hey Eszpee, Thanks for checking Sinkzone out. I'm thinking about building custom schedules in the next iteration, that would support some basic pomodoro style scheduling for sure.
This sounds awesome - I wish I could run it on my iphone, because otherwise it's not even gonna put a dent in my infinite capacity for slacking off....
I think the idea is that it blocks everything on your machine instead of causing the whole network to go offline as piholes are generally applied to the entire home network.
Your mileage might vary, but in my home, causing my smarthome plus my wife and children’s internet to go offline might cause a bigger distraction to my focus. Also you couldn’t use a pi-hole at work for instance.
I'm not familiar with this project, just checked their GitHub Readme and if I understand correctly they block what you want them to block. Sinkzone does the opposite, it allows what you want to allow, and blocks everything else.
Well, you can block everything using a wildcard blocking rule (for that, go to "Filters → DNS blocklists" and add this custom rule: ||*^ ) and then you can allow the domain (and subdomains, if needed, for instance "everything.ycombinator.com"; for that, go to "Filters → Allowlist" and add this: @@||ycombinator.com^ )
Currently, when I need to focus, I use a separate device configured to block everything except 2-3 domains I really need to minimize distractions. What really makes Sinkzone interesting is the scheduling with focus mode which can be incredible useful. My current firewall, OpenSnitch only lets you toggle all rules at once, so Sinkzone could be useful for allowing just the focus domains.
I think a useful feature to consider is having different profiles which would essentially be collections of domains to allow. So you could have "focus", but also "work" or "kids" as well allowing for more flexibility.
As I previously mentioned, I'm currently using OpenSnitch [1] as a system-level firewall that has a similar allowlist-only functionality. While the popups to allow/reject a connection initially disturb your workflow, after a short period of usage, you end up with a small collection of rules and you'll pretty much only see them again when browsing new websites. The advantage over DNS-level blocking is that you also get to block per process and not just device (or network). Since it uses eBPF, processes can't get around it by using a different DNS server or something. I'm really missing profiles and scheduling though, so I hope you can build a viable alternative to switch to!
[1]: https://github.com/evilsocket/opensnitch
Most of my ip blocking is by country or company. I have country, company-block, and company-allow lists in pf that are updated nightly.
I have found that once your dns list is sufficiently robust you rarely trigger an ip block. I have to add a new domain about once a month.
I will likely move on to Win10 now that it is ending support later this year so I might try there too. Windows support is best consumed in small chunks so once they deep-six Win10 it will be ready for consumption since the only "updates" it is likely to get are those strictly related to protecting it from malware.
Years ago there was a software firewall called SyGate that allowed a user to block everything and then set allow rules as they needed so that the only applications that could get out were those explicitly allowed by the user. The internet was young and there were fewer bad actors so it was way ahead of its time on the consumer side. You could install the free version or pay for a premium version. It was bought out in the late 90's I think by Norton or one of those other big units (Symantec?) who used all the good parts in their own "improved" firewalls, for a lot of money though.
I like this idea of blocking everything except the things you know you need.
https://github.com/tnodir/fort
https://safing.io/portmaster/
Improvement idea: Integrate with Apple Shortcuts, so the user could automate switching focus mode on and off, tied to changing Apple Focus mode.
I really like the inversion of block to allow I think it makes sense.
In my use-case I would allow different lists for different profiles
(on the other hand I have blacklisted domains that I block regardless of using work / private / family profiles)
Happen more than I'm willing to admit, so I guess I will give a try
My suggestion: Allow by ASN would be a clean (simple) way to get all of Google, etc., allowed at once.
[1] https://github.com/proxylity/examples/tree/main/dns-filter
Your mileage might vary, but in my home, causing my smarthome plus my wife and children’s internet to go offline might cause a bigger distraction to my focus. Also you couldn’t use a pi-hole at work for instance.
- TUI based configuration
- API endpoints
Blocks everything except example.org and example.com.
Works in AdGuard Home, AdGuard DNS or any other AG product with DNS filtering capabilities: https://adguard-dns.io/kb/general/dns-filtering-syntax/