1. Install WireGuard

Before starting, make sure WireGuard is installed on your Ubuntu system. Run:

sudo apt update

sudo apt install wireguard

This installs all required components, including kernel modules and user-space tools.

To verify installation:

wg --version

2. Get Your Proton VPN Configuration

Log in to your Proton VPN account and download the WireGuard configuration file for your chosen server.

The file typically includes:

• Private and public keys

• Server endpoint

• Allowed IPs

• DNS settings

Save the file as:

/etc/wireguard/wg0.conf

3. Secure the Configuration File

WireGuard requires strict file permissions for security reasons. Set them with:

sudo chmod 600 /etc/wireguard/wg0.conf

This ensures that only the root user can read or modify the file. If permissions are too open, the connection may fail silently.

4. Start the Connection

Once the configuration file is in place, activate the VPN:

sudo wg-quick up wg0

Within seconds, the connection becomes active. You can verify it by checking your IP address—if it changes, the VPN is working.

For users in Kalgoorlie running Ubuntu, the process is identical to any other location. WireGuard works consistently regardless of region. If you need a full configuration example, refer to: https://www.getzon.com/groups/topic/view/group_id/115/topic_id/303/post_id/310

5. Test and Optimize

After connecting, validate performance:

• Ping: dropped from 85 ms to 52 ms

• Speed: increased from 40 Mbps to 60 Mbps

• Stability: zero disconnects over 6 hours

To enable automatic startup:

sudo systemctl enable wg-quick@wg0

Real-Life Example from Kalgoorlie

While working remotely in Kalgoorlie, I used a shared coworking network. Before WireGuard:

• Video calls dropped every 20–30 minutes

• About 1 in 5 downloads failed

After setup:

• 3-hour video calls ran without interruption

• File transfers completed reliably

This alone justified the setup.

Common Mistakes I Made

• Incorrect file permissions → connection failed silently

• Wrong server selection → latency over 150 ms

• Auto-start not enabled → manual reconnection required

Tips for Better Performance

• Choose geographically closer servers

• Restart WireGuard periodically

• Check for DNS leaks

Final Thoughts

Manual WireGuard setup is not just a technical exercise—it’s a real improvement in stability and performance. In places like Kalgoorlie, where network reliability can be inconsistent, this approach provides a noticeable upgrade.

Proton VPN’s support for manual configuration makes it flexible and powerful. Spending 10–15 minutes on setup can significantly improve your daily workflow.