GoTerm
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Keys and security

Only for your own devices

On a server of your own, your workspace runs a private network of its own, on WireGuard. With Private access on, it answers the devices on it, and nobody else.

Updated

On this page
  1. How it works
  2. Add a device
  3. Set it up on the device
  4. Turn Private access on
  5. People add their own
  6. Good to know

How it works

Each person’s laptop or phone gets a WireGuard setup of its own. With Private access on, the workspace doesn’t answer anyone off the private network at all.

alwayslet inlet inrefusedSomeone opens GoTermbrowser, desktop or phonePrivate accesschecks the addressSam’s laptopon the private networkSam’s phoneon the private networkEveryone elseno answer at all
Sam’s laptop and phone, on the private network, are let in, each as Sam; anyone else gets no answer at all.
  • A device’s address lets in only its own person.
  • Only traffic to GoTerm goes through the private network. The rest of the device’s traffic goes the usual way.
  • It runs on a server of your own: Business, or the dedicated server on Personal and Teams.

Add a device

  1. Open Admin, then Security, and under Private network choose Add device.
  2. Pick the Person, and give a Device name, such as Sam’s laptop.
  3. They’re emailed a link that works once, within 24 hours. A device of your own shows its setup at once.

Set it up on the device

  1. Open the link on the device. GoTerm makes its key, and shows the setup once.
  2. On a phone, scan the code in the WireGuard app. On a computer, install WireGuard, import the file, and switch it on.
  3. On Linux, take Download for Linux when the page offers it.

Tip: Lost the setup? Ask for a new link: it makes a new key and retires the old one.

Turn Private access on

  1. Set up a device for everyone who needs in. GoTerm lists who has none before it turns on.
  2. From one of your own devices on the private network, switch on Private access under Admin, then Security.
  3. Anyone off the private network is disconnected within seconds. Their sessions keep running.

Tip: Locked out? Whoever runs the server can turn it off with one command.

1Devices set upfor everyone who needs in2From your deviceon the private network3Private access onAdmin, then Security4Off the networkno answer
Everyone gets a device first; then, from a device of your own on the private network, Private access goes on, and anyone off it gets no answer.

People add their own

  1. On one of their devices, with WireGuard on, a person opens Vault, then Devices, and chooses Add a device under the private network.
  2. Its setup shows at once. Up to five devices each.
  3. Admins can turn this off with People on the private network can add their own devices.
Sam’s laptopon the private networkVault, then DevicesAdd a deviceSam’s phoneits own setup
From Sam’s laptop, on the private network, Sam adds a phone in the Vault, and its setup shows at once.

Good to know

  • Private access runs on a server that holds your workspace alone: Business, or the dedicated server on Personal and Teams.
  • While it’s on, the allowed addresses and their email passes aren’t used. They’re kept for when it’s off.
  • With Private access off and the address list on, a device’s address still lets its own person in.
  • Another person signing in from someone’s device is refused.
  • Removing a device disconnects it within seconds.
  • After a move to another region, Private access arrives off, and each device gets a link to a new setup. Turn it on again once they’re set up.

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