Cloudflare announces Warp VPN service

[Karlston]

Cloudflare revealed the company's first VPN product today called Warp which it plans to launch as part of the company's 1.1.1.1 application soon.

 

April 1st is probably the worst day to make announcements for products that do exist. Cloudflare apparently could not pass the opportunity to select April 1st, or 4/1, as the date to reveal Warp.

 

The company launched a DNS service a year ago and with it the DNS applications 1.1.1.1 for Android and iOS. The service supported security features like DNS-over-TLS and DNS-over-HTTPS, a strict no IP address logging policy, the deletion of logs in a 24-hour period, and fast speeds especially compared to default DNS services operated by most ISPs.

 

Cloudlfare calls Warp a "VPN for people who don't know what V.P.N. stands for". The explanation that Cloudflare gives is relatively weak: according to Cloudflare, it is the simplicity that makes it attractive to users who don't know about VPN services. The explanation is weak as Cloudflare's solution is not the first that offers a simple option to use a VPN.

 

Warp encrypts all Internet traffic, respects end-to-end encryption, and does not require that users install a root certificate on their devices.Unencrypted Internet connections will be encrypted but only between the user's device and Cloudflare's server (similarly to how all VPNs handle this). The same is true for all respected VPN services.

 

Cloudflare promises that Warp's performance, reliability, and focus on preserving power are what will set it apart from comparable services.

We’ve built Warp around a UDP-based protocol that is optimized for the mobile Internet. We also leveraged Cloudflare’s massive global network, allowing Warp to connect with servers within milliseconds of most the world’s Internet users. With our network’s direct peering connections and uncongested paths we can deliver a great experience around the world. Our tests have shown that Warp will often significantly increase Internet performance.

Warp will be offered as a free option that is included in the company's 1.1.1.1 application. Cloudflare is working on Warp+, a premium version of Warp that will be available for a "low monthly fee" for people who want more speed.

 

It is not uncommon for companies to finance free versions of a product using premium offerings.

 

Warp+ follows Cloudlfare's web-based servicing model. The company offers a base version of Cloudlfare for free and paid upgrades to unlock certain features.

 

Cloudflare promises, in regards to the always hot topic privacy, that

1. browsing data won't be sold or used for targeted advertising.
2. user-identifiable log data is not written to disk.
3. that users may use Warp without supplying their name, phone number or email address.
4. that it will hire third-party auditors to make sure the service delivers what is promised.

The service itself uses WireGuard combined with Cloudflare's Mobile SKD. Warp+, the premium version of Warp, will use Cloudflare's Argo next to that as well.

 

Waiting list

 

 

Android or iOS users can join the waitlist in the 1.1.1.1 application. Some may not see the option to join the waitlist yet as update propagation takes some time usually.

Closing Words

Warp's strengths are that it is backed by a company that operates one of the largest networks on the planet, and that it will become a part of the 1.1.1.1 on mobile for ease of use. Users don't have to sign up for it if they use the free version similarly to how Opera's browser VPN works. The difference is that Warp works globally while Opera's solution only in the browser.

 

Desktop applications will be released at a later point in time. Warp won't convince users that distrust Cloudflare, but the success of the 1.1.1.1 application has shown that there is a huge market out there for such a product.

 

Source: Cloudflare announces Warp VPN service (gHacks - Martin Brinkmann)

[Karlston]

Moved from Security & Privacy news.

[The AchieVer]

Cloudflare Launched Warp – A New Free VPN Service for iOS and Android Users

Cloudflare launched “Warp”, a free VPN service that automatically encrypts all the web traffic coming out of your device by default.

 

Last year Cloudflare launched a free consumer-focused DNS service 1.1.1.1, according to Cloudflare the grown usage by 700% month-over-month.

 

The 1.1.1.1 DNS service launched in last April and the DNS service available to Andoird & iOS Mobile from last November. The DNS service used by millions of Android and iOS users.

 

Now the Cloudflare improves the app beyond the DNS, that extended it to operate as a VPN for mobile devices.

“Warp respects end-to-end encryption and doesn’t require you to install a root certificate or give Cloudflare any way to see any encrypted Internet traffic we wouldn’t have otherwise.”

The wrap covers not only your web browser it covers all the apps running on your phone. All the traffic will be encrypted automatically by default.

 

Cloudflare claims that Warp is performance and reliability, while other VPNs slow down the Internet, Warp adds encryption from your device to the edge of Cloudflare’s network.

 

“We’ve built Warp around a UDP-based protocol that is optimized for the mobile Internet. We also leveraged Cloudflare’s massive global network, allowing Warp to connect with servers within milliseconds of most the world’s Internet users.” 

 

The wrap service is available for free and the basic version of the wrap includes with 1.1.1.1 App for free. 

The wrap is not fully available, starting from April 1, you can claim the service and you will be placed in the queue for service activation.

 

“As we start onboarding people, your position in line will move up. When it’s your turn we’ll send you a notification and you’ll be able to enable Warp to experience a faster, more secure, more private Internet for yourself,” reads Cloudflare blog post.

You can get the 1.1.11 DNS app from Google play and App Store.

 

 

 

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