Outline is an open-source project created by Jigsaw, a technology incubator within Alphabet, the parent company of Google. The project aims to provide a secure and easy-to-use virtual private network (VPN) service for individuals and organizations.
VPNs are used to encrypt internet traffic and mask the user's IP address, allowing them to securely access the internet from anywhere and protect their online privacy. Outline is unique in that it uses a self-hosted server model, which means that users can set up their own VPN server on a cloud provider or on their own hardware. This allows for greater control and flexibility over the VPN service, as well as the ability to customize it for specific use cases.
Outline is available for Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, and iOS, and it can be easily installed and configured through a simple web-based interface. It uses the popular Shadowsocks protocol to encrypt traffic, which is known for its high performance and security. Outline also includes a number of additional features, such as the ability to block ads and trackers, and to customize VPN settings based on specific domains or IP addresses.
One of the key benefits of Outline is its focus on security and privacy. The project is open-source, meaning that the code is available for anyone to review and audit. This allows users to have greater confidence in the security of the VPN service, as they can see exactly how it works and verify that it does not contain any vulnerabilities or malicious code.
Overall, Outline is a valuable tool for individuals and organizations looking to secure their internet connection and protect their online privacy. Its open-source nature and easy-to-use interface make it a great choice for those who want a reliable and customizable VPN service.