WireGuard VPN Protocol Powered by IPVanish
Setting up the WireGuard protocol is simple with IPVanish, but the process varies according to your operating system.
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Securely Access Your Favorite Online Services
As a virtual private network service, IPVanish shields your internet activity by using a tunneling protocol to connect you with remote servers around the world. This process also allows you to change your visible online location by altering your IP address. IPVanish offers over 2,200+ servers in more than + locations around the world, giving you ultimate online control in the face of undue censorship. To achieve the online freedom you desire and securely access your favorite sites and services, like Facebook and Kodi, simply establish a connection with one of these servers!
Ultimate Data Protection
All internet traffic is compiled into readable packets of data. Your connection to IPVanish translates those data packets into scrambled, unreadable code. This safeguards your personal information from the prying eyes of spies, ISPs, and cyber criminals.
IPVanish VPN connections are protected with AES 256-bit encryption – the same encryption standard utilized by the U.S. government and lauded by privacy advocates everywhere.
‘No Logs’ Means No Logs
While surveillance agencies and broadband providers might not care about preserving your privacy, IPVanish does. hat’s why we operate as a strict no-logs VPN provider, verified by an independent security audit.
As spelled out in our Privacy Policy, IPVanish never keeps any traffic records, connection logs, network activity, customer metadata, or details about how you use our VPN service. The only information we ask for is the information needed to activate accounts: an email address and a payment method.
No Outsourcing, No Problems
As the only true Top Tier VPN service provider, we at IPVanish own and operate our entire network, including the servers. This allows us to deliver premium service at a competitive price.
We never leave your security in someone else’s control. Because we don’t outsource our infrastructure, we’re able to deliver the safest VPN connections in the world. And without third parties slowing us down, the IPVanish network is lightning-quick.
Speed Without Sacrifice
You shouldn’t be forced to choose between a fast connection and a secure one. With IPVanish VPN, you won’t have to. You can enjoy all the benefits of VPN encryption while maximizing your bandwidth.
Because we maintain full operational control of our service, we’re able to deliver the fastest speeds of all VPN service providers. Our download speeds, upload speeds, and ping times are the best available.
Safe Worldwide Connections
The IPVanish network spans 2,200+ servers worldwide, stretching from Los Angeles to Tokyo and everywhere inbetween. We maintain a presence in over locations internationally, allowing us to provide safe, speedy, and stable VPN connections for everyone.
Encryption on Every Device
In order to provide easy-access encryption in all situations and settings, IPVanish has developed a full suite of VPN software. You can secure your connection using our award-winning Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android apps, or set up a manual configuration on a wide range of platforms.
To get started, choose your operating system below.
WireGuard VPN Protocol Powered by IPVanish
Smarter, faster, and more secure than any before, the WireGuard ® VPN protocol is a connection type for the modern era.
“[The] WireGuard option has electrified speeds”
“It’s now one of the fastest services we’ve tested”
“Fast enough for high-speed browsing and HD streaming”
“Placing it at the top of the list of the fastest VPNs”
What is WireGuard?
WireGuard is the latest advancement in VPN connection methods. An open-source security project designed to be a faster, safer, and more power-saving protocol than both OpenVPN and IKEv2, it’s quickly becoming the new industry-standard VPN connection type.
Not all virtual private networks offer WireGuard, but access to WireGuard is included with your IPVanish subscription. All users of the IPVanish VPN service have the ability to establish a WireGuard connection, provided they’re using a compatible operating system and device.
WireGuard VPN Protocol Benefits
The immediate improvement you’re most likely to notice with the WireGuard VPN protocol is faster connection speeds, but there are also technical advancements of this new protocol worth noting.
Security
With WireGuard, you’ll have powerful data protection. It’s an open-source, security-first protocol that uses modern cryptography implemented in a safer, more efficient way than other connection types.
Stability
WireGuard development emphasizes reliability. It stays connected in poor connection quality situations where other VPN protocols would falter, even switching from a mobile network to Wi-Fi.
Simplicity
A shorter code base is a major component of the WireGuard project. It lowers power consumption and creates a smaller attack surface, making it easier to audit for security vulnerabilities.
Speed
Engineering optimizations to both the code and cryptographic implementation have made WireGuard 3x faster than IKEv2 and 10x faster than OpenVPN.
How to Set Up a WireGuard VPN
Setting up the WireGuard protocol is simple with IPVanish, but the process varies according to your operating system.
To get started you’ll first need to sign up for an IPVanish subscription, and then download the IPVanish VPN app. WireGuard is compatible with many operating systems, from mobile devices to desktops, laptops, and even streaming devices. It’s available on our Windows VPN app, Android VPN app, Mac VPN app, iOS VPN app, and Fire TV VPN app.
Refer to the device-specific instructions below to configure WireGuard on your operating system.
Windows
- Open the IPVanish app on your Windows device, and log into your account.
- Make sure your VPN connection is inactive, then click the Settings menu icon on the left.
- Select the “CONNECTION” tab.
- Click the “Active Protocol” dropdown and select the “WireGuard” option.
Android
- Open the IPVanish app on your Android device, and log into your account.
- Make sure your VPN connection is inactive, then tap the hamburger icon in the top left corner.
- Next, tap the Settings menu icon, then tap on the “CONNECTION” tab.
- Select “WireGuard” from the “Protocol” list.
macOS
- Open the IPVanish app on your Mac device, and log into your account.
- Make sure your VPN connection is inactive, then click “IPVanish VPN” on the menu bar next to the Apple icon.
- Click “Preferences,” then click the “Active Protocol” menu.
- Select the “WireGuard” option from the list.
iOS
- Open the IPVanish app on your iPhone or iPad, and log into your account.
- Make sure your VPN connection is inactive, then tap the Settings tab on the bottom of the screen.
- Under “Connection”, select “WireGuard” next to “Protocol.”
Fire TV
- Open the IPVanish app on your Fire TV device, and log into your account.
- Make sure your VPN connection is inactive, then click the Settings cog on the right.
- Scroll through the menu and select the “VPN Protocol” option.
- Select the “WireGuard” option from the list.
WireGuard vs OpenVPN
For years now, OpenVPN has been considered the premier VPN protocol. But with the recent emergence of WireGuard, is that still the case?
Generally speaking, WireGuard is now the top choice for VPN protocols. But WireGuard and OpenVPN each have their own strengths. WireGuard is a better choice for users who prioritize speed and security, as well as those looking to establish mobile VPN connections. It’s also easier to audit, as its underlying code is much simpler and shorter than OpenVPN.
OpenVPN, however, is a great choice for privacy, especially because of its ability to bypass deep packet inspection. In many cases, WireGuard is the best bet, but ultimately, deciding which protocol to use often depends on the scenario. Check out our WireGuard vs OpenVPN comparison guide for a full breakdown of the pros and cons of each.
WireGuard VPN Protocol: Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is WireGuard better than OpenVPN, IKEv2, and other VPN protocols?
On a whole, yes, WireGuard is better than OpenVPN, IKEv2 and other protocols. Not only is it consistently faster than both protocols, WireGuard is less CPU-intensive than OpenVPN, and handles encryption better than IKEv2.
However, if your priority is online obfuscation and to counter deep-packet inspection, OpenVPN with Scramble enabled is better than WireGuard.
2. Why is WireGuard faster?
The WireGuard VPN protocol performs so much faster than other protocols because it was made more efficiently than previous connection types.
Where OpenVPN and IKEv2 each have more than 400,000 lines of code, WireGuard operates from a smaller code base of less than 4,000 lines. That translates to easier processing and faster connections. It also uses an optimized method of implementing encryption and runs within the Linux kernel, resulting in faster data transfers and longer battery life.
3. Which services can I use WireGuard with?
WireGuard can be used with any online service, application, or in daily web browsing, just as you would use any other VPN protocol.
4. When is the best time to use the WireGuard VPN protocol?
Its strong handling and high speed makes WireGuard a good choice for bandwidth-intensive traffic, on-the-go activity that changes across networks, and in times of poor internet connection quality.
5. Is WireGuard free?
WireGuard is available to IPVanish subscribers at no additional cost. Free VPN providers exploit the very same data you entrust them to protect.
6. How is WireGuard secured?
WireGuard uses the following encryption protocols and cryptographic primitives for cleaner, less resource-intensive security:
• ChaCha20 for symmetric encryption, authenticated with Poly1305, using RFC7539’s AEAD construction
• Curve25519 for ECDH
• BLAKE2s for hashing and keyed hashing, described in RFC7693
• SipHash24 for hashtable keys
• HKDF for key derivation, as described in RFC5869
• You can learn more about WireGuard’s state-of-the-art cryptography on the official WireGuard website.
7. Is WireGuard private?
The priority of WireGuard is to provide solid security that performs well under pressure, not internet traffic anonymity. While the very nature of a VPN offers a reasonable level of IP address privacy, WireGuard does not focus on obfuscation. This means that it does not counter deep-packet inspection, nor can it be used to get through the Great Firewall of China.
8. Is WireGuard safe for torrenting?
WireGuard is safe for torrenting and a good VPN protocol choice for bandwidth-intensive activity. We also recommend you enable a kill switch to ensure your real IP address is not leaked in the event of a potential VPN connection disruption.
VPN ports: everything you need to know
Many people who rely on a VPN app to secure their online activity will never have to become familiar with their VPN port settings. That’s because your VPN port is associated with your VPN protocol, and as a backend software process, it doesn’t depend on a user to select it.
But perhaps you need to configure your VPN with a firewall or router. In that case, it can be confusing to understand what ports are for and which to choose. This article explores what a VPN port is and the specific port numbers a VPN uses, along with which ports you should really try to avoid.
Before diving straight into such an esoteric topic as VPN ports, though, it helps to first understand what a port is.
What is a port?
In networking, a port is a virtual point in which a connection starts and stops. Port management is usually an automated and unseen process facilitated by the software on your device or its operating system.
Much like the ports of a marina, the networking ports of your device are the access points that allow internet data to travel. Generally, as long as traffic is packaged appropriately with the proper identifying port number, it can quickly and efficiently get to its end destination.
What are port numbers?
Each port is assigned a unique number by the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) and is designated to handle the data of specific services. Your device uses this port number as a label to easily distinguish between types of traffic and direct it to the appropriate location. For example, web browsing typically uses port 443, while email typically uses port 25. Even though both forms of traffic will reach that same device over the same internet connection, the ports are different for each service.
Here are some of the most common networking port numbers:
| Port Number | Service/Process |
| 20 | File transfer (FTP) |
| 25 | Email transfer (SMTP) |
| 53 | Domain services (DNS) |
| 80 | Web browsing (HTTP) |
| 119 | Usenet (NNTP) |
| 443 | Web browsing (HTTPS) |
| 8333 | Bitcoin (P2P) |
What is a VPN port?
A VPN port is essentially any other networking port you automatically use from a standard ISP connection, but one that endures the additional benefits most associated with VPNs. For instance, one VPN port may support stronger data encryption, which fortifies your traffic data from outside invasions. Another VPN port may offer greater mobility support, enhancing the experience of using a VPN on your phone. These benefits coincide with the benefits associated with various VPN protocols.
What port does a VPN use?
There are multiple protocols used to establish a VPN connection and each protocol is associated with different port numbers. Therefore, the VPN port used depends entirely on the protocol that is selected for initiating a VPN connection.
Take a look at this list of the protocols and VPN ports that IPVanish supports:
| VPN protocol | VPN Port Number | Process |
| WireGuard (UDP) | 51820 | Incoming connections |
| WireGuard (TCP) | 443 | Outbound connections |
| OpenVPN (UDP) | 1194 | OpenVPN connections |
| OpenVPN (TCP) | 443 | OpenVPN connections |
| L2TP (UDP) | 500, 1701, 4500 | L2TP (IPSec control path) connections |
| IKEv2 (UDP) | 500 | IKEv2 (IPSec control path) connections |
| IPSec (UDP) | 500 | IPSec connections |
These VPN ports will inherently have more robust protective measures, ordered by security strength.
Other VPN providers may use different ports than the ones listed in the chart above to establish a connection over the internet. So, the port a VPN uses depends on the mix of VPN connection types and configurations that your VPN provider offers. And while it’s natural to want access to as many ports as possible, your security is adversely affected the more ports you use and keep open.
Unsafe VPN ports to avoid
Just as there are secure VPN ports, there are some ports that you should avoid, even if they’re provided by a VPN app. Free VPNs are known to cut corners and avoid costs, which can translate to protocol and VPN port combinations that are inferior with known flaws.
If your provider uses any of the following VPN ports, then consider investing in a premium VPN. These are the unsafe VPN ports with known vulnerabilities that a leading VPN provider would not support:
- TCP port 21
- TCP port 23
- TCP/UDP port 53
- TCP port 80
- TCP port 1080
- TCP port 4444
Premium VPN providers like IPVanish only use industry-standard VPN ports that are proven to be secure. But remember, there isn’t a single port that guarantees you 100% complete security.
Port 500 prioritizes mobility and speed
As the port for IKEv2, L2TP, and IPSec, port 500 is quite popular for establishing VPN connections; it’s also popular for establishing connections in web browsers and operating systems. However, this port’s ubiquity has allowed time to identify its flaws. UDP port 500 is connectionless, and while that translates to fast speed, it does not guarantee reliable communication. Still, despite its flaws, the average consumer will find themselves satisfied with the speed that UDP port 500 provides, especially on mobile devices.
What is port forwarding?
Much like the name describes, port forwarding is a process that forwards the internet data going from one specific port to another port.
Port forwarding allows internet traffic to go to a device more efficiently and quickly. So if you experience a poor connection while streaming videos from YouTube, for instance, port forwarding can help you optimize a better connection.
As a backend operation, port forwarding is an automated technique that’s enabled from the VPN settings of providers that support the functionality.
IPVanish is not compatible with port forwarding. Port forwarding requires certain VPN port numbers to remain open that IPVanish blocks so it can establish the most secure network connection possible.
Additional VPN port FAQs:
What is a VPN port?
A networking port that supports traffic tunneled through a VPN connection is called a VPN port. Your VPN establishes a virtual point-to-point tunnel that connects your device with the internet via a public connection. As a result, any data packets that your device transfers automatically have their contents encrypted and hidden from the outside world.
What is port 443 normally used for?
For most people, port 443 is the only port they’ve ever heard of. It’s considered the most common port because all secure browser connections (HTTPS) use port 443.
What UDP port is used for IKEv2 traffic from the VPN client to the server?
IPVanish supports IKEv2 (UDP) traffic over port 500. UDP port 500 is connectionless and offers enhanced mobile device support and speed between changing networks.
Which VPN protocol uses UDP port 1701?
The L2TP protocol uses UDP port 1701, along with ports 500 and 4500. Much like UDP port 500, UDP port 1701 is connectionless and does not guarantee confidentiality and authentication.
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