The WireGuard protocol itself does not support 2-Factor Authentication (2FA) for VPN connections. However, when using WireGuard connections with VPN Tracker, you can enhance your overall security by enabling 2FA for your VPN Tracker account.

This means your VPN configuration and access are protected with an additional layer of security, while your WireGuard connections remain end-to-end encrypted for maximum protection.

Using VPN Tracker is the best way to benefit from the performance and security of WireGuard, along with modern account-level protections like 2FA.

There are a number of possible causes for such a behavior. This FAQ will help you to find out what is causing the problem in your specific situation. In this FAQ we will be using destination device as a generic term for the device you are trying to connect to. The destination device can be anything from a normal computer, to a server, to a network printer.

1. Are you trying to connect to the destination device using a host name?

If you are using a host name, please try once using its IP address instead. If that works, the problem has to do with DNS resolution. Please make sure DNS is enabled for the VPN connection and correctly configured. Note that using Bonjour or NETBIOS hostnames is generally not possible over VPN.

2. Is the IP address you are connecting to really part of the remote network?

For example, if your remote network is 192.168.13.0/24, you should be able to connect to IPs starting with 192.168.13.x, but connections to IPs starting with 192.168.14.x will not work as they are outside the address range of traffic tunneled through the VPN.

3. Is the local address in VPN Tracker part of the remote network?

Using a local address in VPN Tracker (Basic > Local Address) that is part of the remote network is not possible with most VPN gateways. Please use a local address that is outside all remote networks. For example, if your remote network is 192.168.13.0/24, do not use an address starting with 192.168.13. If you are using an automatic configuration method (e.g. Mode Config, EasyVPN, DHCP over VPN) you may be able to assign a local address to VPN Tracker that is part of the remote network. Refer to the configuration guide for your VPN gateway for more information.

4. Could multiple VPN users use the same local address?

If multiple VPN users exist, pleas make sure no two users are using the same local address (Basic > Local Address), otherwise one of them will not be able to use the tunnel anymore whenever both of them are connected. If that field is empty in your configuration, VPN Tracker will just use the IP address of your primary network interface as local address, and of course, this can also cause an address conflict with another user, that’s why we do not recommend to leave that field empty if there are multiple VPN users.

5. Can you ping the LAN address of the VPN gateway?

You can find a ping tool directly in VPN Tracker under Tools > Ping Host. The LAN address of the VPN gateway is special in the regard that this address doesn’t need to be routed at all. So if you can ping that address but no other remote address, it is most likely a routing issue at the remote end.

6. If you can't ping anything, try re-running the VPN Availability Test

The VPN Availability Test can be found in the menu: Tools > VPN Availability Test. Then try connecting the VPN again. The results of this test depend on the capabilities of your local Internet router/modem or the Internet connection itself and they influence how the VPN tunnel is established. VPN Tracker automatically runs the test for every new Internet connection it is able to detect but even if a connection has been tested before, there are various reasons why the behavior of that connection may have changed in the meantime.

7. Is your VPN gateway the default gateway (router) of its network?

If the VPN gateway is not the default gateway, you will in many cases need a suitable routing setup in order for responses to reach you. Whenever a device doesn’t know how to reach an IP address directly, it forwards its reply to its default gateway and if that isn’t the VPN gateway, it won’t know what to do with that reply data. In that case its important to configure the default gateway to forward replies to VPN users to the VPN gateway.

8. Is your VPN gateway the default gateway (router) of its network?

For more details, we would like to direct you to the following FAQ entry.

If you're experiencing issues with your World Connect connection in VPN Tracker, here's what to do:

1. Contact Support

In VPN Tracker, go to the Help menu and select "Contact Support".
In the window that opens:

• Enter "World Connect Issue" in the subject line.
• Describe the problem you're having so our support team can help you quickly.

2. Try These Steps in the Meantime

• If you're using a country-specific connection (e.g. "United States"), try unchecking the "Fastest Destination" option.
• Once unchecked, you can manually choose from the available cities (e.g. New York, Los Angeles, Miami, etc.).
• Try connecting to a different city to see if the issue is specific to one location.

These steps often help resolve temporary connection issues.

If you’re setting up a VPN connection, you’ll often come across the term “pre shared key” or “VPN shared secret.” This guide explains what it means, how to set it up, and what to do if you lose it — so you can get your VPN running smoothly on your Mac.

What is a pre shared key VPN, or what is a pre-shared key for VPN?

A VPN pre shared key (also called VPN shared secret, VPN PSK, shared key, or preshared key) is like a password that secures your VPN connection. This IPsec pre shared key is configured on your VPN gateway — such as a firewall or router — and must match on your device to establish a secure VPN tunnel.

Without the correct key, your device cannot connect, ensuring that your VPN connection stays protected from unauthorized access.

Note: Some VPN gateways require the shared secret key to contain up to 512 alphanumeric characters. Check your device’s manual or use a pre shared key generator tool if needed.

How to Set Up a Pre Shared Key

VPN Tracker makes setting up your VPN simple and secure. It provides step-by-step setup guides for all major VPN gateway manufacturers, showing you exactly how to:

• Create and configure a pre shared key or shared secret key on your firewall or router
• Enter the VPN PSK on your Mac in VPN Tracker
• Check that your VPN connection is working securely

Browse VPN setup guides here

To get started, download VPN Tracker here: Download VPN Tracker

How to Recover a Lost Pre Shared Key

If you’ve lost your pre shared key or VPN shared secret, here’s how you can recover it:

• Check VPN Tracker Personal Safe: If you saved the connection in your Personal Safe, you can redownload it with the key.
• Search Your Mac Keychain: Go to Applications > Utilities > Keychain Access, search for “Shared Secret,” and find your saved VPN PSKs.
• Restore from Backup: If you use Time Machine Backup, you can try restoring an older connection version that contains the pre shared key.
• Check Your Firewall or Contact Your VPN Administrator: Refer to your device manual or ask your network administrator to retrieve the shared key from your VPN gateway or firewall.

Need help with your VPN setup?

Visit VPN Tracker — the #1 VPN client for Mac for expert tools and guides to get your VPN running smoothly.

VPN Tracker may prompt you for different passwords depending on the action you're performing. This guide explains what each prompt means and which password you should enter.

1. Your Mac Password

When is it needed?
– Installing VPN Tracker
– Approving system extensions

Why?
macOS requires your administrator password to authorize changes on your system.

Where do I find it?
This is your local Mac password – the one you use to log in when your Mac starts up.

2. Your equinux ID (VPN Tracker Account)

When is it needed?
– Logging into the VPN Tracker app (Mac or iOS)
– Accessing your account at my.vpntracker.com

Why?
This is your personal VPN Tracker account, giving you access to your plan, team, connections, and device settings.

Where do I find it?
This password is usually saved in your Keychain or Passwords app under “id.equinux.com”.

3. Pre-Shared Key (PSK) / Shared Secret

When is it needed?
– When setting up or connecting to a VPN connection

Why?
Some VPNs use a PSK to authenticate users. This key must match what’s configured on the VPN gateway.

Tip for Teams: Admins can share pre-configured VPN connections via TeamCloud to avoid PSK confusion.

Where do I find it?
This is usually set by your company’s VPN admin and stored in the connection. You typically don’t need to know it yourself.

4. Your Company Login (XAUTH Credentials)

When is it needed?
– When connecting to a company VPN

Why?
You may need to enter your company login (often the same credentials you use at work) to authenticate with the VPN.

Where do I find it?
You should have received it from your IT team — and hopefully not written it on a Post-it under your keyboard.

• Google Authenticator
• Microsoft Authenticator
• Twilio Authy
• 1Password
• FreeOTP
• Bitwarden