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WireGuard VPN: what is it used for? Is it secure?

A hand touching a padlock draped in a ribbon labeled WireGuard next to motion lines on a teal background.

Published 2025, June 26 · 15 min read Updated 2025, December 19

WireGuard is a modern VPN (Virtual Private Network) protocol that has become the industry standard for secure, fast internet connections. Designed with simplicity and performance in mind, it offers exceptional speed while maintaining strong security with modern encryption.

But does WireGuard fundamentally change what a VPN can do? Does it offer more security than its predecessors? And does the choice of protocol impact you, the user, at all? Let’s take a look.

What is WireGuard VPN?

WireGuard is a streamlined VPN protocol designed specifically for speed, security, and simplicity. Unlike older protocols with complex codebases, WireGuard uses only about 4,000 lines of code, making it easier to audit for security vulnerabilities and simpler to implement across platforms.

WireGuard’s key features:

How does WireGuard work?

WireGuard creates secure point-to-point connections using a straightforward process:

WireGuard’s key security features

WireGuard is built around a modern, streamlined approach to VPN security, focusing on maximizing cryptographic strength, performance, and auditability. The following features make WireGuard one of the most secure VPN protocols available:

Modern cryptographic suite

WireGuard employs a tightly defined set of strong contemporary algorithms, such as Curve25519, ChaCha20, Poly1305, BLAKE2s, and HKDF.

By relying only on modern, well-tested encryption methods, WireGuard bypasses configuration pitfalls associated with older protocols. This ensures consistent, efficient, and future-resilient encryption.

Minimal attack surface

With roughly 4,000 lines of code, WireGuard has a dramatically smaller footprint than older VPN protocols.

A compact codebase reduces the number of potential vulnerabilities and makes formal audits more practical. By keeping things simple, WireGuard reduces the likelihood of hidden bugs and helps maintain the protocol’s security over time.

Perfect forward secrecy

WireGuard establishes temporary session keys during the handshake process, ensuring that encryption keys frequently rotate.

Due to this rotation, compromising a long-term key does not enable an attacker to decrypt past sessions.

No cipher agility

Unlike traditional VPN protocols, WireGuard does not allow users or providers to choose from multiple encryption algorithms.

This design removes the risk of misconfiguration and eliminates downgrade attacks entirely. A single, standardized cryptographic suite ensures consistent security across all deployments.

Silent-by-default operation

WireGuard remains completely silent when idle, sending no identifiable packets unless it has data to transmit.

This makes it harder for network observers to identify the protocol. The quiet design improves privacy, especially on restrictive or monitored networks.

DoS-resistant handshake

To prevent denial-of-service attacks, WireGuard uses a lightweight cookie mechanism that verifies client legitimacy before committing server resources.

This helps protect the server from fake connection requests and prevents them from accumulating and slowing things down. The mechanism is built directly into the protocol’s handshake flow.

Please note that, due to the added privacy and performance layers, Surfshark’s implementation of WireGuard may differ in this regard.

Ephemeral session state

VPN protocols automatically remove inactive peers from memory after short periods of inactivity. This minimizes persistent metadata and reduces exposure in the event of a device compromise.

WireGuard’s session state is far smaller than that of legacy VPN protocols. Its minimal memory footprint means less sensitive metadata lives in RAM, shortening the exposure window in case of device compromise.

Secure IP roaming

WireGuard lets clients change network interfaces or IP addresses — such as switching from Wi-Fi to mobile data — without renegotiating a new session.

Cryptographic identity remains constant, preventing leaks during transitions. This ensures secure and uninterrupted connectivity for mobile users.

Open-source and kernel integration

WireGuard’s fully open-source implementation enables public scrutiny, community validation, and rapid discovery of issues.

On Linux, the protocol runs in the kernel, providing fast, efficient, and securely isolated cryptographic operations. This results in lower-than-average processor usage and significantly higher throughput compared to equivalent software-based implementations.

Is WireGuard better than OpenVPN and IKEv2?

Before choosing a VPN protocol, it’s important to understand how different options compare. That said, although WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IKEv2/IPsec all come with their distinct strengths, for Surfshark users, WireGuard generally provides a better experience.

WireGuard vs. OpenVPN

	WireGuard	OpenVPN
Performance	Excellent speeds, low latency	Good speeds, higher latency
Efficiency	Lightweight code, efficient on all devices	Larger codebase, can be less efficient
Security	Modern cryptography (ChaCha20, Poly1305)	Strong encryption (AES), mature but complex

When WireGuard wins: WireGuard excels in speed, efficiency, and simplicity. Its streamlined design and modern cryptography deliver faster data transfers with lower latency, making it ideal for streaming, gaming, and general browsing. The setup process is straightforward, even for less technical users.

When OpenVPN might be better: OpenVPN’s rich ecosystem of plugins enables traffic obfuscation (masking VPN connections as regular traffic), making it valuable for bypassing network restrictions. OpenVPN also theoretically supports deeper customization, but Surfshark intentionally abstracts these complexities to keep the user experience smooth.

WireGuard vs. IKEv2/IPsec

	WireGuard	IKEv2/IPsec
Performance	Excellent speeds, low latency	Very good speeds, stable performance
Network handling	Maintains connection when switching networks	Excellent stability, quick reconnection (MOBIKE)
Setup	Simple configuration, user-friendly	Built-in support on most devices, but complex advanced setup

When WireGuard wins: WireGuard offers superior speed and simpler configuration. Its modern cryptographic algorithms and streamlined codebase result in lower latency and faster connections. WireGuard also handles network changes efficiently, maintaining stable connections without drops.

When IKEv2/IPsec might be better: IKEv2/IPsec provides built-in support on most modern devices, eliminating the need for additional software installation. This makes it particularly convenient for users who prefer a native, straightforward setup without third-party applications.

Which protocol should you choose?

Choose WireGuard for maximum speed, simplicity, and modern security. It’s the best option for most users seeking fast, reliable VPN connections.

Choose OpenVPN if you need advanced customization, traffic obfuscation for restrictive networks, or extensive plugin functionality.

Choose IKEv2/IPsec if you prioritize built-in platform support and prefer avoiding additional software installation.

The pros and cons of WireGuard VPN

While WireGuard offers a compelling mix of speed, security, and efficiency, it’s important to also consider its limitations and whether or not they might impact your specific needs:

WireGuard pros

WireGuard cons

Platform availability

As a standalone, WireGuard offers extensive platform compatibility:

How to set up WireGuard with Surfshark

As WireGuard is a fairly new protocol, not all VPN services support it. Luckily, Surfshark has got you covered: you can easily enjoy the benefits of WireGuard VPN, both with automatic in-app configuration and manual setup options.

Automatic setup (recommended)

Manual configuration

If you prefer a more hands-on approach or need to set up WireGuard on a device that doesn’t support the Surfshark app, you can opt for manual configuration. Here’s how to go about it:

Linux

Windows

macOS

iOS/iPadOS

Android

Conclusion — get to know WireGuard at your own speed

WireGuard has established itself as the preferred VPN protocol for most users. While OpenVPN and IKEv2/IPsec remain viable for specific use cases, WireGuard’s modern design and exceptional performance make it the best choice for streaming, gaming, and mobile use.

If you’re looking to combine the benefits of WireGuard with comprehensive privacy protection, choose a reliable VPN provider like Surfshark. Properly implementing the protocol ensures you get cutting-edge performance and airtight security at the same time.

FAQ

Is WireGuard a VPN?

WireGuard isn’t a VPN by itself — it’s a VPN protocol. It provides the secure, encrypted tunnel that VPN services use to protect your traffic. When combined with a VPN service, WireGuard helps keep your data private.

Is WireGuard free?

Yes, WireGuard is free and open-source. It’s been designed with the intention of being freely implemented and used by VPN developers or tech-savvy privacy enthusiasts.

Does WireGuard mask your IP?

WireGuard doesn’t mask your IP address on its own, as it’s mainly used as a VPN protocol for secure communication. To mask your IP, you need to connect to a VPN service using WireGuard, which then assigns you a different IP address from its server network.

Can WireGuard be hacked?

VPN services can be hacked, but it’s exceptionally challenging. The WireGuard protocol, combined with AES or ChaCha encryption, is almost impossible to decrypt using the most common hacking technique — brute force attacks.

Is WireGuard a good VPN protocol?

WireGuard is one of today’s safest, most secure VPN protocol options. Simplified design, modern cryptography, and superior default security settings make WireGuard stand out.

What port does WireGuard use?

WireGuard’s default port is 51820. Implementations can run on other ports if needed, but 51820 is the standard.

Does Surfshark work with WireGuard?

Yes — Surfshark supports the WireGuard protocol across all major platforms, both through its apps and via manual configuration. Using WireGuard with Surfshark provides a fast and secure connection, keeping your online activity private wherever you’re surfing from.

Why is WireGuard important?

WireGuard is important because it provides a fast, secure, and efficient VPN protocol that’s simpler and easier to audit than traditional VPN solutions. Its modern cryptographic design ensures robust privacy and security while maintaining great performance.

Is WireGuard a free VPN?

No, since WireGuard is not a VPN service — it’s a VPN protocol. Although it is open-source and free to use, it still requires pairing with a VPN provider’s infrastructure. Developers and VPN providers can build their own VPN services on top of it. Many commercial VPN services now offer WireGuard as a protocol option within their apps, but you need their subscription to use it.

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Article by Alek FurgalIf VPN’s a ball of yarn you need untangled, then he's your knitting grandma.

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