Core connection

Glacier Core is a VPN built into Glacier Chat that leverages Glacier's moving network to provide data security, obfuscation, and privacy for all apps on your device. You can find out more information about Glacier Core here.

A Core profile is a configuration that instructs your phone to encrypt and send your data to one of Glacier's global entry nodes. Typically profiles are named after the geolocation of the entry node (i.e. Virginia, Frankfurt).

From the Glacier Chat menu, tap Core Connection. Select a profile and toggle the Use Secure Core switch. When your connection is established a key icon will appear in your Android status bar.



From the Core Connection page, tap the blue Update button at the bottom right. Your profiles will be updated.

For Android, you can configure the OS to block all network traffic until the Core connection made. To do this, open the Glacier Core app: - Tap Settings - Tap Default VPN - Select the Core Profile for your Default VPN - Tap Connect on boot so that it's Enabled Next, open the Android Settings app - Tap Network & Internet - Tap VPN - Tap the cog icon next to Glacier Core - Enable Always-on-VPN - Enable Block connections without VPN Restart the Core connection or reboot your device

From the Glacier Chat menu, tap Core Connection. Tap Enable Core Connection. Glacier will ask to install a VPN profile configuration on your iPhone/iPad. The Core connection will automatically start.

Core profiles are automatically update each time Core Connection is enabled.

Core Connection can automatically connect when connected to WiFi or cellular.

To disable Core Connection when connected to a specific WiFi network, tap WiFi Networks under Core Activation. Tap Add WiFi Network and type in the network name (SSID). If you're connected to WiFi, it will automatically display the network name.

On iOS, you can configure Glacier Core to connect automatically in many different scenarios. The most common setup is to enable Core on all WiFi networks and disable Core while connected to cellular networks (this decision is ultimately up to the end user based on their privacy concerns).

In recent years, security researches have identified issues with both Android and iOS devices leaking data through the VPN connection.

"We researched the reported leak, and concluded that Android sends connectivity checks outside the VPN tunnel. It does this every time the device connects to a WiFi network, even when the Block connections without VPN setting is enabled." - Mullvad VPN

Google has responded; "We have looked into the feature request you have reported and would like to inform you that this is working as intended. We do not think such an option would be understandable by most users, so we don't think there is a strong case for offering this." In March of 2020 a security researcher discovered that in iOS version 13.3.1, the operating system does not close existing connections. (The issue also persists in the latest version, 13.4.) Most connections are short-lived and will eventually be re-established through the VPN tunnel on their own. However, some are long-lasting and can remain open for minutes to hours outside the VPN tunnel. However, security researchers discovered the following technique to be almost as effective: