WireGuard Explained: How It Works and What to Look For
WireGuard creates authenticated encrypted tunnels for IP packets.
Published by Protocol Explorer · Reviewed
How WireGuard works
Peers exchange handshake messages to establish session keys and then send protected transport packets. Public keys identify peers and allowed IPs guide routing and access.
What to look for in an exchange
Differentiate outer UDP and IP headers from the encrypted inner packet. A tunnel endpoint and its peer are not necessarily the final application hosts.
Follow an example step by step
- Identify the two peers and the outer UDP addresses and ports.
- Follow handshake initiation and response before protected transport packets appear.
- At an authorized endpoint, compare the inner IP packet with the encrypted outer transport packet.
Common interpretation mistake
Public keys identify peers; allowed IP configuration controls which addresses are routed and accepted for each peer.
Key point to remember
Without endpoint keys, a network capture does not reveal the protected inner payload.
Explore the protocol
The WireGuard overview is free without an account. Its full interactive lesson is included in Protocol Explorer Pro, a one-time $4.99 purchase; an account is required to buy Pro and restore the licence across devices.
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Specification
Read the primary specification for WireGuard for the authoritative protocol details. The interactive scenario is a simplified teaching model, not a capture of your network.
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