If you want to keep your online activities secret, you might use a thing called a virtual private network, or VPN. This works kind of like a secret tunnel that scrambles the info you send and receive on the internet, keeping you safe from spying eyes. A good tool for this is Surfshark WireGuard VPN – it hides where in the world your computer is, and keeps you safe from bad people trying to steal your info, or even from your internet provider snooping around.
OpenVPN is an old, reliable option for doing this. But now, there’s a new player in town: WireGuard! So, what’s the deal with this WireGuard thing? Well, on Surfshark WireGuard VPN, it promises to work even better, faster, and safer. It’s what Surfshark WireGuard is now using together with OpenVPN. This blog post is here to break it all down for you.
What is WireGuard?
In 2018, the world saw the introduction of WireGuard, a new, freely available VPN protocol. Jason Donenfeld, the creative mind behind it, dreamed up a solution that outperformed predecessors like OpenVPN or IPSec, in terms of speed, simplicity, and security.
- What makes WireGuard unique? Well, imagine super-fast connectivity thanks to its powerful features.
- It uses the latest, greatest cryptography – think Curve25519, think ChaCha20 – for unbeatable encryption.
- Unlike the hefty 100,000 line codebase of OpenVPN, WireGuard clocks in at a trim 4000 lines. This translates to smoother performance. One more thing! It’s user-friendly.
- No need for certificates as OpenVPN requires, meaning it’s a breeze to set up.
So, choose WireGuard for speedy, secure, and streamlined VPN experience. All due to advanced cryptography and minimal overhead.
How Does WireGuard Work?
WireGuard establishes encrypted VPN tunnels using public/private key pairs.
- Every gadget produces unique public and private keys. When the public key is shared, the private key stays on the device.
- In addition, the VPN server shares its public key and generates a public/private key pair.
- To establish a connection, the device encrypts the shared secret and uses the server’s public key.
- The server decrypts the shared secret with its private key. Both sides now have this secret crypto key.
- The secret key encrypts all communications through the secure WireGuard tunnel.
- WireGuard’s crypto key routing technique enables rapid throughput and encryption speeds.
So WireGuard sets up encrypted VPN tunnels using public/private keys. This removes the complexities of certificates while improving connection speeds.
How Surfshark Uses WireGuard
Surfshark started deploying WireGuard throughout its server network in 2020. It offers these benefits.
- Faster speeds – Up to 2x faster connections, especially over long distances.
- Lower battery usage – More efficient encryption reduces battery drain on mobile.
- Multihop – Surfshark allows chaining WireGuard connections for added security.
- Kill switch – Prevents internet access if the VPN disconnects.
- NoLeaks – Surfshark’s technology blocks identifying leaks.
- AES-256 encryption – Military-grade encryption alongside WireGuard tunnel.
While Surfshark is shifting to WireGuard, it still supports OpenVPN connections as well. Users can choose either protocol.
Surfshark OpenVPN vs. WireGuard
How do the two protocols compare for Surfshark users?
Criteria | OpenVPN | WireGuard |
---|---|---|
Speed | Slower speeds | Faster, improved throughput |
Battery usage | More battery drain | Lower battery usage |
Security | Highly secure | Equally secure |
Multihop | Yes | Yes |
Leak protection | Yes | Yes |
Ease of use | Certificate setup | Simpler key setup |
For most users, WireGuard is better than OpenVPN due to its speed and efficiency advantages. However, you may need OpenVPN to bypass firewalls because it uses TCP.
Setting Up Surfshark WireGuard
Enabling WireGuard is easy on any Surfshark platform.
Desktop
- Install Surfshark app and log in.
- Go to Settings > Protocol.
- Select “WireGuard” from the dropdown menu.
- Click save.
Mobile
- Download Surfshark app and log in.
- Tap the Settings icon.
- Tap “Protocol” and select “WireGuard”.
- Tap “Done” to save.
The app will now automatically use WireGuard when connecting to servers.
Surfshark WireGuard Server Locations
As of 2022, Surfshark offers WireGuard on all of its 3200+ servers in 65 countries.
Major WireGuard locations include:
- USA (New York, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, etc.)
- United Kingdom (London, Manchester, and Glasgow)
- Canada (Toronto, Montréal, and Vancouver)
- Australia (Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane)
- Europe (France, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy, Spain, etc.)
- Asia (Singapore, Japan, Hong Kong)
You can connect to any server and switch locations as needed.
Benefits of Surfshark WireGuard
Choosing WireGuard connections with Surfshark provides these benefits:
- Faster speeds – Improves throughput for streaming, gaming, and torrenting.
- Enhanced privacy – Minimal potential for metadata leakage.
- Improved dependability – Connections are more stable on crowded networks.
- Increased battery life – Lowers battery drain on mobile devices.
- Easy multi-hop-chain WireGuard connections for added security.
- Bypass restrictions – Access blocked streaming content worldwide.
So WireGuard improves Surfshark’s already robust privacy and access features.
Getting Started With Surfshark WireGuard
Follow these steps to start using WireGuard with Surfshark:
- Sign Up – Purchase a Surfshark subscription from their website.
- Install Apps – Download Surfshark for your devices – Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, etc.
- Log In – Input your credentials in the app to log into your account.
- Enable WireGuard – Go to Settings > Protocol and select “WireGuard”.
And that’s it! Connect to the VPN and WireGuard will automatically be used to encrypt your traffic.
Is Surfshark WireGuard Right For You?
Surfshark WireGuard is a great choice if you.
- Want faster VPN speeds for streaming, browsing, etc.
- Need enhanced security on public WiFi hotspots.
- Need to bypass geographical restrictions when accessing online content.
- Want to conserve battery life while using smartphones or tablets?
- Looking for a simple, hassle-free setup process for VPNs.
- Prefer modern VPN protocols like WireGuard over older options.
With WireGuard, Surfshark VPN is more secure and efficient. Try it now!
Conclusion
WireGuard is a faster, more efficient, and easier-to-use VPN protocol compared to OpenVPN. Surfshark has integrated WireGuard into its servers, offering users improved security, reduced power usage, and better performance. To activate WireGuard, simply enable it in Surfshark’s settings. For most users, WireGuard is the best choice to enhance Surfshark’s privacy features. Experience faster speeds with Surfshark WireGuard today!
For more information visit Nowandlive!