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topicnews · September 27, 2024

Using Surfshark with WireGuard on the FritzBox: Here’s how it works

Using Surfshark with WireGuard on the FritzBox: Here’s how it works

VPN

If you connect Surfshark to the FritzBox via WireGuard, all devices connected to the router will be protected by the VPN. You can find out how this works here.

Install Surfshark with WireGuard on the FritzBox. (Source: Montage: Netzwelt / Image source: AVM / Logo: Surfshark)

  1. What you should consider in advance

  2. Surfshark: Generate key pair for WireGuard

  3. FritzBox: Set up MyFritz address

  4. Surfshark: Set up WireGuard on FritzBox

WireGuard is one of the newer VPN protocols on the market today. Unlike other protocols, it offers higher speeds and lower latency. It uses state-of-the-art cryptographic algorithms to secure the data passing through the VPN tunnel.

As WireGuard’s popularity has skyrocketed over the last year, leading VPN providers have begun supporting the protocol. One of them is Surfshark. In this article we will show you how you can connect Surfshark to your FritzBox via WireGuard and what you need to consider.

What you should consider in advance

If you want to connect your FritzBox router to Surfshark via WireGuard, there are a few things to consider. On the one hand, certain FritzBox models such as the FritzBox 7490 and the FritzBox 6820 LTE do not allow connections to Surfshark and other VPN providers. On the other hand, you cannot use your WireGuard on the FritzBox 6590 Cable and the FritzBox 6490 Cable.

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In addition, Surfshark’s WireGuard VPN only supports the current generation of FritzBox devices – from FritzOS version 7.39 or higher. You should also first make sure that your router’s firmware is up to date before trying to set up Surfshark on the FritzBox.

Surfshark: Generate key pair for WireGuard

Once you have met the technical requirements, you must generate a Surfshark key pair. A key pair consists of a private and a public key. To create it, log in to your Surfshark account.

Navigate to “VPN” and then “Manual Setup”. Then click on “WireGuard” under “Router”. Now select “I don’t have a key pair”. You can then assign a name to the key pair (e.g. Key 1).

You can create a key pair with Surfshark using the option "Manual setup" generate.

You can generate a key pair with Surfshark using the “Manual Setup” option. (Source: Surfshark)

Once you’re done, click “Next” and then “Create new key pair”. Make sure to copy the generated key pair and save it to your device.

Once you have generated the key pair, click on the “Select a location” option and select a location from the list. Download the Surfshark server by clicking the download button.

With your Surfshark key pair you can select and download a server for the VPN connection.

With your Surfshark key pair you can select and download a server for the VPN connection. (Source: Surfshark)

FritzBox: Set up MyFritz address

To create a WireGuard connection with Surfshark, you need your MyFritz address. To get this, open the user interface of your FritzBox router and click on “Internet”.

You can set up your MyFritz address by clicking on the user interface of your router "Internet" clicks.

You can set up your MyFritz address by clicking on “Internet” in your router’s user interface. (Source: AVM)

Now enter your email address in the “Your email address” input field and then navigate to “Apply”. In a few minutes you will receive an email from MyFritzNet with a confirmation link to your FritzBox. Open this email and click on the “Register your FRITZ!Box” option.

Surfshark: Set up WireGuard on FritzBox

Now it’s time to configure Surfshark’s WireGuard VPN tunnel on your router. Open the user interface of your FritzBox router and click on “Internet”. Navigate to “Sharing”, “VPN (WireGuard)” and then “Add Connection”. Click “Pair networks or create special connections” and then click “Next.” Now carry out the following steps:

  • Mark “Yes” next to “Has this WireGuard connection already been created on the remote site?” and click “Next”.
  • Enter a name for the connection in the “Name of WireGuard connection” input field (e.g. Surfshark).
  • Now navigate to “Select file” or “Browse…”.
  • Select the server settings file that you previously downloaded from Surfshark and click “Open”.
  • Checks the “Send all IPv4 network traffic over the VPN connection” option.
  • If only certain devices can access the Internet via Surfshark VPN, check the option “Only certain devices in the home network should be accessible via this WireGuard connection”.
  • Then select the appropriate devices.
  • Click Finish. When prompted, confirm execution and click “Ok” to complete.

Would you like to find out more about the VPN provider Surfshark? In our Surfshark test report, we introduce you to the functions of the VPN service as well as its costs and subscription models.

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