Mullvad Wireguard VPN Configuration and Management

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To start using Mullvad Wireguard, you'll need to configure the VPN on your device, which can be done through the Mullvad app or manually by editing the configuration file.

The Mullvad app provides a user-friendly interface for configuring Wireguard, making it easy to set up and manage your VPN connection.

The configuration file is stored in the Wireguard configuration directory, typically located at /etc/wireguard/wg0.conf on Linux systems or C:\Program Files\Wireguard\config on Windows systems.

Broaden your view: Wireguard Openwrt

Installation

To install Mullvad WireGuard, start by installing WireGuard. For Debian, use the following command. For other Linux distributions, follow the official WireGuard installation instructions.

For Ubuntu, you can install WireGuard using the following method. If you're using a Debian release older than Bullseye, first enable backports and install openresolv and wireguard.

Fedora 32 and newer users can install WireGuard using kernel 5.6 or newer. The installation process is straightforward.

If you're having trouble installing WireGuard, make sure to check the official installation instructions for your Linux distribution.

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To verify the authenticity of the Mullvad configuration script, you can download the signature file. You can view the documentation for this with man wg-quick.

You can also use the Mullvad app for Linux, which uses the WireGuard protocol by default. Simply connect to the app to start using Mullvad WireGuard.

Alternatively, you can download the WireGuard app for Android from Google Play or directly from the WireGuard website.

Configuration

To set up Mullvad WireGuard, you'll need to download the configuration script from the Mullvad GitHub. If you want to verify its authenticity, you can also download the signature file.

The script will ask you to enter your Mullvad account number, so make sure to enter only the numbers without any spaces.

You can run the script again to download the configuration files for any new servers since you last ran the script, but be aware that running WireGuard on multiple devices requires a new WireGuard key for each device.

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You can also generate a configuration file using Mullvad's WireGuard configuration file generator, which allows you to select a server location and enable a kill switch.

To generate a configuration file, visit the generator and select your server location, such as Malmö, Sweden (se-mma-wg-001). Save the downloaded file in your Downloads folder and then move it to the /etc/wireguard folder.

Make sure to have the correct permissions so only root can read the files.

Run Configuration Script

Running the configuration script is a straightforward process. It will ask you to enter your Mullvad account number, so make sure to enter only the numbers without any spaces.

The script will then download the WireGuard configuration files into the folder /etc/wireguard. If you run the script again, it will download the configuration files again using the same WireGuard key (device) as in the existing files.

This way, you can download files for any new servers since you last ran the script. It's also a good idea to create a new WireGuard key for each device you want to use, to avoid connectivity issues.

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Here are the steps to follow:

  • Download the mullvad-wg.sh configuration script from the Mullvad GitHub.
  • Run the script and enter your Mullvad account number without any spaces.
  • The script will download the WireGuard configuration files into the /etc/wireguard folder.

Make sure to run the script only once for each device you want to use, to avoid connectivity issues.

MtU

MTU is a setting that can make or break your WireGuard connection. If your connection doesn't work properly, especially with the https:// protocol, you'll want to take a closer look at this setting.

Setting the MTU under the [Interface] section in the WireGuard configuration file is crucial. You'll need to set it to 1280 for it to work correctly.

A lower MTU setting can cause issues with your connection, so make sure to set it to the recommended 1280.

Assignments and Routing

To configure assignments and routing, you must add a NAT entry. Go to Firewall ‣ NAT ‣ Outbound and add a rule, making sure rule generation is set to manual or hybrid.

You'll need to select Wireguard as the Interface, and set the Source to your LAN network. Then, set Translation / target to interface address.

Assigning interfaces also gives you the opportunity to add gateways to them. This can be useful for balancing traffic via different VPN providers or setting up more complex routing scenarios.

For further information on selective routing, check out the how-to on WireGuard Selective Routing to External VPN Endpoint.

Verify Connection

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To verify your Mullvad-WireGuard connection, check if you are connected to Mullvad. If it doesn't work, make sure you still have time on your Mullvad account.

You can use our Connection check to verify that you don't have any DNS leaks, and also check that you get a handshake using the wg command.

Visiting our Connection check will give you a quick overview of your Mullvad-WireGuard connection status. This is a good time to check if your browser is leaking information and jeopardizing your privacy.

It's also a good idea to check if your browser is leaking information and therefore jeopardizing your privacy while on our Connection check.

If this caught your attention, see: Is Mullvad Browser Free

Advanced Features

Mullvad WireGuard is a powerful VPN solution that offers a range of advanced features to enhance your online security and performance.

The app supports multiple WireGuard configurations, allowing you to easily switch between different settings and optimize your connection for various tasks.

With Mullvad WireGuard, you can enable split tunneling to exclude specific apps or websites from the VPN, ensuring that sensitive data remains unencrypted.

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The app also features a built-in DNS leak protection system, which prevents your DNS queries from being sent over the internet without encryption.

Mullvad WireGuard's kill switch automatically disconnects your internet connection if the VPN drops, preventing any data from being sent over the unsecured connection.

The app's advanced logging system allows you to view detailed information about your VPN activity, including connection times and data transferred.

Mullvad WireGuard also supports multiple VPN protocols, including WireGuard, which provides a high level of security and performance.

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How It Works and Options

To connect to a Mullvad WireGuard server, you need to specify the entry and exit servers in the configuration file. The entry server is defined by the IP address or hostname that precedes the exit server's port.

The PublicKey you use must belong to the exit server. For example, if your exit server is nl-ams-wg-001, you would use its PublicKey, which is UrQiI9ISdPPzd4ARw1NHOPKKvKvxUhjwRjaI0JpJFgM=.

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The Endpoint port defines the exit server, so if you're using the port 3004, that's the one you'll specify. In the example, the Endpoint is 193.138.218.220:3004, which means you're connecting to the exit server via the entry server se-mma-wg-001.

You can allow all IP addresses to connect to the server by setting AllowedIPs to 0.0.0.0/0 or ::/0. This is what's done in the example, allowing all IP addresses to connect.

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Setup and Management

To set up Mullvad WireGuard, you'll need to run the configuration script, which will ask for your Mullvad account number and download the configuration files into the /etc/wireguard folder.

Make sure to enter only the numbers without any spaces, and if you run the script again, it will download the configuration files using the same WireGuard key as before. This allows you to download files for new servers without overwriting existing ones.

To run WireGuard on multiple devices, create a new WireGuard key for each device, as running the same key on multiple devices can cause connectivity issues.

Use Command-Line Interface

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To use the command-line interface for WireGuard, start by verifying your connection with the Connection check to ensure you don't have any DNS leaks.

You can also check that you're connected using the command "wg".

Setup Instance

Setting up a WireGuard instance is a crucial step in establishing a secure and private connection to the internet. To begin, go to the Instances tab and create a new instance, giving it a Name and setting a desired Listen Port.

You'll need to be aware that you can only use the Listen Port once, so if you have multiple server instances, choose a different port for each one. In the field Tunnel Address, insert an unused private IP address and subnet mask, which will be required later.

Hit Save and open your instance again to write down your public key, as you'll need it to get the rest of the configuration from the Mullvad API servers. Now, change to your OPNsense CLI via SSH or Console and execute the curl string below, replacing YOURACCOUNTNUMBER with your own ID and YOURPUBLICKEY with the one in your Instances.

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Here are the two alternative curl commands you can use:

  • For Mullvad's standard API: `curl -X POST https://api.mullvad.net/wireguard/config/standard -H 'Content-Type: application/json' -d '{"account_number": "YOURACCOUNTNUMBER", "public_key": "YOURPUBLICKEY"}'`
  • For Mullvad's other API: `curl -X POST https://api.mullvad.net/wireguard/config/other -H 'Content-Type: application/json' -d '{"account_number": "YOURACCOUNTNUMBER", "public_key": "YOURPUBLICKEY"}'`

What you receive is what WireGuard calls Allowed IP for your WireGuard Instance. Edit your instance again and remove the value of Tunnel Address that you used when setting it up and change it to the one received from the command above.

Local Network Sharing

Local network sharing can be a problem if you've enabled the kill switch in your WireGuard configuration. This is because the kill switch blocks all internet traffic by default.

To connect to your local network, you'll need to modify the kill switch to include an exception for your local network's subnet IP range, such as ! -d 192.168.1.0/24.

Make sure you have a static route to the local network, or you won't be able to access it. A static route is a way of telling your device how to reach the local network.

Don't forget to check that your firewall isn't blocking the local network traffic, or your modifications to the kill switch won't be effective.

Use the App

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To use the Mullvad app, simply connect to the internet and follow the prompts. The app will guide you through the process of setting up a secure connection.

You can use the Mullvad app on Linux, and it uses the WireGuard protocol by default, so all you need to do is connect. If it doesn't work, make sure you still have time on your Mullvad account.

If you're using the Mullvad VPN app, you can follow our guide on how to turn on WireGuard in the app. This will ensure you're using the most secure protocol available.

If you're having trouble connecting, you can try generating and importing a configuration file. This involves logging in to your Mullvad account and selecting the platform and server you want to use.

Here are the steps to generate and import a configuration file:

  • In a browser, navigate to our WireGuard configuration generator.
  • Log in by entering your Mullvad account number.
  • Under Platform, select Windows.
  • Click on Generate key. (Generate a separate key pair for each device that you use.)
  • Select a county / city / server.
  • (Optional) Select the DNS content blockers that you want to use.
  • Click Download file to save the file. You may need to wait a few seconds for the file to begin downloading.
  • Open the WireGuard app.
  • Click Add Tunnel, select the downloaded file, then click Open.

Alternatively, you can download the WireGuard app from Google Play or download the APK from the WireGuard website.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Mullvad VPN Russian?

No, Mullvad VPN is not Russian, but rather based in Sweden. Its name, "Mullvad", translates to "mole" in Swedish.

Is WireGuard better than VPN?

WireGuard is generally faster than OpenVPN, making it a popular choice for VPN users. However, its performance advantage varies depending on server location and latency.

Oscar Hettinger

Writer

Oscar Hettinger is a skilled writer with a passion for crafting informative and engaging content. With a keen eye for detail, he has established himself as a go-to expert in the tech industry, covering topics such as cloud storage and productivity tools. His work has been featured in various online publications, where he has shared his insights on Google Drive subtitle management and other related topics.

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