WireGuard is a modern VPN protocol that has gained popularity due to its simplicity, speed, and security. Designed to be easy to use and deploy, WireGuard provides a more efficient and straightforward alternative to traditional VPN protocols like OpenVPN and IKEv2. Here is your ultimate guide to WireGuard.
History of WireGuard
WireGuard was created by Jason A. Donenfeld and released at the tail end of 2016. It was originally developed for the Linux kernel. It took four years for it to be incorporated into Linux kernel version 5.6.
Understanding WireGuard
WireGuard operates at the network layer and is designed to be simple and highly performant. Unlike other VPN protocols, WireGuard has a minimal codebase, with only about 4,000 lines of code.
This simplicity makes it easier to audit and less prone to security vulnerabilities.
Technical details
WireGuard employs ChaCha20 for symmetric encryption, which is faster and more efficient than the AES encryption used by many other VPN protocols. For authentication, it uses Poly1305, and for key exchange, it utilises Curve25519. Additionally, WireGuard uses the BLAKE2s cryptographic hash function for hashing.
The protocol operates over UDP, which provides better performance compared to TCP for most VPN applications.
Performance
WireGuard is known for its speed and efficiency. Its streamlined design and lightweight codebase result in faster connections and lower latency compared to traditional VPN protocols like OpenVPN and IKEv2. The protocol’s integration with the Linux kernel further enhances performance by reducing overhead and improving packet handling.
Pros and cons of WireGuard
Pros
- High Security: Uses state-of-the-art cryptographic techniques
- Simplicity: Easy to configure and deploy
- Performance: Faster and more efficient than traditional VPN protocols
- Auditability: A small codebase makes it easier to audit for security vulnerabilities
- Kernel Integration: Native integration with the Linux kernel improves performance
Cons
- New Protocol: Still relatively new, so it may not be supported by all VPN providers.
- Feature Set: Limited features compared to more mature protocols like OpenVPN.
How to use WireGuard in the hide.me VPN app
hide.me VPN was one of the first VPN providers to support WireGuard, and it is easy to get started with our app!
- Download the hide.me VPN app for your device
- Install and open the app, and login with your account details
- Open “Settings”
- Under “Connection” tap on “Protocol”
- From the list choose WireGuard
- Connect to a server!
That’s all there is to using WireGuard with hide.me VPN.
Is WireGuard privacy-friendly?
Yes, WireGuard is privacy-friendly. It does not store logs of user activity and uses strong encryption to protect your data. The protocol’s design minimises data leakage and ensures that user information remains confidential.
Is WireGuard fast?
Yes, WireGuard is designed to be fast and efficient. Its minimal codebase and streamlined design result in lower latency and faster connections compared to traditional VPN protocols. The use of UDP also contributes to its high performance, as it avoids the overhead associated with TCP connections.
Is WireGuard more secure than other protocols?
WireGuard is considered highly secure due to its use of state-of-the-art cryptographic techniques and its minimal, easily auditable codebase.
The protocol uses modern encryption standards and has fewer potential attack surfaces compared to more complex protocols like OpenVPN. However, its security also depends on proper implementation and configuration.
What encryption does WireGuard use?
WireGuard uses ChaCha20 for symmetric encryption, which is known for its speed and security. It uses Poly1305 for data authentication, Curve25519 for key exchange, and BLAKE2s for hashing. These cryptographic choices are designed to provide strong security while maintaining high performance.
Quick and nimble
WireGuard is an excellent choice for those seeking a robust and straightforward VPN solution. That’s why we have supported WireGuard for a long time now.
If you have any questions about setting up WireGuard on your device, please feel free to contact our 24/7 support team at support@hide.me or via live chat on our website.
We love bringing you this content and hope it helps keep you safe and secure online. Feel free to share it with your friends, too.
Here at hide.me we are all about internet freedom, and we are happy to be in a position to bring that to everyone. That is why we give you a 30-day money-back guarantee on our Premium plan. No questions asked and no logs recorded.
If you have any questions, please feel to contact our 24/7 support team either at support@hide.me or via live chat.
