If you are following the latest tech news, you’ve probably seen the WireGuard VPN protocol being introduced by VPN providers. Cybersecurity experts instantly praised the new addition as a much-needed upgrade. But what exactly is this new protocol, and what can it do for online privacy? Keep reading to find out more!
What is WireGuard?
VPNs use protocols like OpenVPN, SSTP, PPTP, SoftEther, and more. Their main purpose is to create an encrypted communication tunnel between a device and a chosen VPN server. Once that connection is established, a VPN protocol determines how the data is shared and encrypted. Essentially, a VPN protocol is in charge of privacy, speed, and security.
However, most protocols are a bit outdated, and some were introduced decades ago, so this latest version was welcomed with standing ovations. WireGuard VPN is the protocol for the future because it has robust security while improving the speed. Therefore, it is fast and perfect for data transfer.
Similarly to previous protocols, WireGuard VPN creates an encrypted connection between a client’s device and the server. The data shared between these two points is encrypted, meaning that third parties cannot access it unless they have encryption keys.
But what makes WireGuard stand out is the high performance. Data transmission is almost effortless, so the protocol is suitable for anyone looking for a faster connection to a VPN server. The new cryptographic protocols, such as ChaCha20 and Curve25519, can boost the overall cybersecurity of any device.
Open source: The benefits
WireGuard is an open-source protocol that ensures complete transparency and collaboration within the community interested in VPN and cybersecurity. Since any community member can inspect the code, the functionality and safety of the protocol should be at the highest level. Naturally, there are more benefits to using open-source protocols and software. Let’s go over some of them:
- Affordability: Open-source protocols and software don’t have any licensing fees. They are a suitable option for anyone working with a tight budget. VPN providers who use open-source protocols can invest funds in developing other helpful features.
- Transparency: Anyone interested in the open-source protocol or software can inspect the source code. By doing so, users can improve overall security. The perfect example is Linux, which is secure because it is open-source. Linux users are dedicated to improving the operating system, which has become one of the most reliable and safest in the world.
- Educational opportunities: Individuals who work on open-source software or protocols often do so because they want to learn and develop. They tinker with the code and often create brand-new features due to their personal growth and experience. Therefore, open-source is fundamental for education.
- Community: Open-source software and protocols have dedicated communities that bring together developers, online security experts, and anyone interested in coding. Their collaboration is crucial to further improvements of open source. Furthermore, these users are passionate about what they do and support each other as they tackle problems regarding the code.
Pros and cons of WireGuard
If you are planning to sign up for a VPN provider that uses WireGuard, it is advised to go over the advantages and disadvantages of this protocol. So, let’s begin!
The pros
Here are some of the benefits of WireGuard VPN:
Elevated security
Encryption is essential for elevating a client’s cybersecurity, but sometimes it can slow down the connection. Some protocols could sacrifice safety for a faster connection, but WireGuard has both. Users won’t encounter low latency or decreased performance while maintaining the highest level of online safety.
It’s open-source
WireGuard is open-source, so anyone can learn more about it and master the code. Combined with its simplicity, this protocol is perfect for VPN experts who want to learn more while fixing bugs and enhancing the performance of WireGuard. For example, OpenVPN, one of the most popular protocols, is also open-source.
Available on multiple platforms
WireGuard is compatible with multiple platforms, which makes this protocol incredibly versatile. You can use it on Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and even Linux. Your VPN connection will stay fast and secure across different devices.
Increased speed
Probably the biggest advantage of WireGuard for some users is its speed. Gamers often concerned about using a VPN because it could slow down their connection will be pleased to discover that this protocol won’t affect their response time. With WireGuard, the data exchange is smooth and quick.
Overall simplicity
Compared to other VPN protocols, WireGuard doesn’t have many lines of code, which is a huge advantage. VPN providers will be able to fix bugs and security problems quickly because of the straightforwardness of the protocol. So, if there are any security vulnerabilities, they can be resolved in no time.
The cons
Of course, we have to go over the disadvantages of the WireGuard protocol:
Not widely used at the moment
Some VPN providers embraced the new protocol immediately. NordVPN is one of them, as they created the NordLynx protocol based on WireGuard. But we have yet to see widespread acceptance of this protocol. So, if you are eager to try it out, choose your VPN provider carefully.
It’s still evolving
WireGuard is undoubtedly popular, but it is still new. It is growing as we speak, so some VPN providers might not be ready to implement this protocol. The fact that this protocol is still evolving could lead to minor security issues, so we might have to wait a bit longer until WireGuard VPN becomes the standard.