Surfshark
Surfshark is a brand of VPN services offered by a Lithuanian capital, now Netherlands-based company[1] of the same name.
| Developer(s) | Surfshark |
|---|---|
| Initial release | 2018 |
| Operating system | |
| Platform | |
| Available in | English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Arabic, Japanese, Chinese (Mandarin and Cantonese), Korean, Polish, Portuguese (Brazilian), Russian, Ukrainian, Turkish. |
| Type | Virtual private network |
| License | Proprietary software |
| Website | surfshark |
The service includes data leak detection, private search, antivirus, and personal data removal tools.[2][3][4]
In 2022 Surfshark merged with Nord Security. However, both companies still operate independently.[5]
History edit
Surfshark was launched in 2018 by introducing its first VPN application for iOS devices.[6][7] In 2018, a browser extension for the service was satisfactorily audited by Cure53.[8]
In September 2019 Surfshark launched Trust DNS, a DNS resolver app for Android.[9]
In July 2020, Surfshark announced its entire server network is running on RAM-only servers, introduced WireGuard, and became a founding member of the VPN Trust Initiative.[10][11]
In mid-2021, Surfshark began the process to merge with their competitor Nord Security, parent company of the popular NordVPN.[12] The merger was finalised in early 2022, with both brands continuing to operate independently.[13][14]
In August 2022, Surfshark exclusively partnered with digital rights watchdog NetBlocks for greater reporting on Internet shutdowns.[15] Later 2022, Surfshark closed its physical servers in India in response to the CERT-In's order for VPN companies to store consumers' personal data for a period of five years.[16]
That same year, Surfshark released Surfshark Nexus, together with Nord Security gained the Unicorn status, released Linux GUI, reached 100 different server country locations.[17]
Technology edit
In December 2019, Surfshark implemented GPS-Spoofing for Android, allowing users to hide their device's physical geo-location by changing it to one of the server's locations.[18] In its applications, Surfshark uses IKEv2, OpenVPN and WireGuard tunneling protocols.[19] All data transferred via Surfshark servers is encrypted using an AES-256-GCM encryption standard.[20] That same year, Surfshark launched "Surfshark Alert" & "Surfshark Search."[21]
Surfshark also added a manual WireGuard connection feature in August 2022.[22]
Surfshark VPN service features include: Kill Switch, MultiHop, and Bypasser.[23] It also offers an ad and malware prevention feature, CleanWeb that blocks ads on the DNS level.[24]
In May 2022, Surfshark announced Linux GUI, added real-time protection to Surfshark Antivirus & added a pause feature to the VPN app.[25]
In August 2022, Surfshark added a manual WireGuard connection feature.[26]
References edit
- ^ "Where is Surfshark located?". Surf shark.
- ^ Williams, Mike (24 October 2022). "Surfshark VPN review". TechRadar.
- ^ "Surfshark VPN Review". PCMag.
- ^ "Surfshark Review: 7 Pros & 2 Cons, Speed Test Results". WHSR. 2020-07-29. Retrieved 2021-02-17.
- ^ "Nord Security joins forces with Surfshark". Nord VPN. 2022-02-02. Retrieved 2023-04-19.
- ^ "Surfshark Launches Lightweight VPN App for iOS Devices". Dark Reading. 2018-08-21. Retrieved 2023-07-09.
- ^ "What is Surfshark: About Us, Our Product, & Our Story". Surfshark. Retrieved 2023-07-09.
- ^ "Surfshark VPN Review". IGN. 18 June 2020.
- ^ Spadafora, Anthony (20 September 2019). "Surfshark launches free Trust DNS app". TechRadar.
- ^ Spadafora, Anthony (16 July 2020). "Surfshark boosts VPN security by going completely diskless". TechRadar.
- ^ Martin, Jim. "Surfshark scraps hard disks & is now 100% RAM in its VPN servers". Tech Advisor.
- ^ "Nord Security joins forces with Surfshark | NordVPN". nordvpn.com. 2022-02-02. Retrieved 2022-04-15.
- ^ "NordVPN and Surfshark are merging, continuing VPN consolidation trend". CNET. Retrieved 2023-07-09.
- ^ "NordVPN and Surfshark announce merger". ZDNET. Retrieved 2023-07-09.
- ^ "NetBlocks and Surfshark join forces for greater reporting on internet freedom". NetBlocks. August 1, 2022. Retrieved August 7, 2022.
- ^ Vaughan O'Grady (June 7, 2022). "India says goodbye to another VPN provider as Surfshark pulls its servers". Developing Telecoms. Retrieved October 16, 2022.
- ^ "Lithuania's Nord Security raises $100 mln at $1.6 bln valuation". Reuters. 2022-04-06. Retrieved 2023-04-19.
- ^ Spadafora, Anthony (18 December 2019). "This Android VPN is now able to disguise your GPS location". TechRadar.
- ^ Chiara Castro (August 18, 2022). "Surfshark now offers manual WireGuard connections". Tech Radar. Retrieved September 3, 2022.
- ^ "6 VPNs for Your Business or Side Hustle, on Sale Today". Entrepreneur. 29 December 2020.
- ^ "Surfshark One Review". PCMag. Retrieved 2023-04-19.
- ^ Chiara Castro (August 18, 2022). "'Surfshark now offers manual WireGuard connections". TechRadar. Retrieved October 16, 2022.
- ^ Parker, Jacob (18 May 2021). "Surfshark review: can a VPN this cheap really be good?". T3.
- ^ Hodge, Rae. "Surfshark VPN review: Competitive pricing and blazing speeds from this upstart service". CNET.
- ^ "Surfshark's new Linux app has a graphical interface". Tech Advisor. Retrieved 2023-04-19.
- ^ Chiara Castro (2022-08-18). "Surfshark now offers manual WireGuard connections". TechRadar. Retrieved 2023-04-19.