Wikipedia

Surfshark B.V.

Surfshark B.V. is a cybersecurity company established in 2018. It launched its first product, a Surfshark VPN in the same year. Surfshark also has various cybersecurity tools: a data leak detection system Surfshark Alert, a private search tool known Surfshark Search, and an antivirus named Surfshark Antivirus, a personal data removal service Incogni, a credential generator Alternative ID, and a Dedicated IP service.[1][2][3][4]

Surfshark B.V.
Company typePrivate
IndustrySoftware
Founded2018
HeadquartersThe Netherlands
Area served
Worldwide
ProductsCybersecurity software
ServicesComputer security
Websitesurfshark.com

In 2022, Surfshark and Nord Security merged under one holding company while still operating independently.[5]

History

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Surfshark was launched in 2018 when it introduced its first VPN application.[6] In 2019, Surfshark launched Surfshark Alert & Surfshark Search and received an official seal of approval granted by an independent IT-Security Institute AV-TEST.[7]

In 2020, Surfshark moved to 100% RAM-only servers,[8][9] introduced the WireGuard protocol, and became a founding member of the VPN Trust Initiative.[8][9] In 2021, Surfshark was named Best VPN by the Trusted Reviews Awards,[10] as well as the PCMag Editor's Choice award.[3] Surfshark also successfully passed an external audit by Cure53.[11] In the same year, Surfshark launched Surfshark Antivirus & Incogni.[12] In mid-2021, Surfshark began merging with Nord Security, the parent company of NordVPN. The merger was finalized 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, in 2022, Surfshark closed its physical servers in India in response to CERT-In's (Indian Computer Emergency Response Team) order for VPN companies to store consumers' personal data for five years.[16] Later that year, Surfshark released Linux GUI, and Surfshark Nexus, a technology that connects all of Surfshark's VPN servers into one network.[17][18] In 2023, Surfshark launched its Dedicated IP[19] and Alternative ID services.[20]

In March 2024, Surfshark was ranked 47th in the Financial Times 1000: Europe's Fastest Growing Companies list. Surfshark also ranked 8th in the IT & Software category of the same FT-Statista annual ranking list.[21]

Technology

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In December 2019, Surfshark implemented GPS-Spoofing for Android, letting users change their device's physical geolocation to one of the server's locations.[22] That same year, Surfshark launched Surfshark Alert and Surfshark Search.[23]

Surfshark uses IKEv2, OpenVPN, and WireGuard connection protocols in its applications. All data transferred via Surfshark servers is encrypted using an AES-256-GCM encryption standard.[24]

In May 2022, Surfshark announced Linux GUI, added real-time protection to Surfshark Antivirus & added a pause feature to the VPN app.[18] In August 2022, Surfshark added a manual WireGuard connection feature.[25]

Research

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In 2019, Surfshark released the first Digital Quality of Life index, a study evaluating the digital wellbeing of countries worldwide. The research is updated yearly, and the best-performing countries are selected based on internet affordability, internet quality, electronic infrastructure, electronic security, and electronic government.[26]

Surfshark is one of the founding members of the VPN Trust Initiative (VTI), which was established in 2020.[27] In August 2022, Surfshark collaborated with an internet monitoring organization, NetBlocks, to bring awareness and spread the news of worldwide internet disruptions.[28] Surfshark also collaborated with The Internet Society to spread awareness about Splinternet and Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) to discuss surveillance technologies.[29]

In 2023, Surfshark launched the Emergency VPN program and provided VPN subscriptions to journalists, activists, NGO representatives, and journalists working under harsh conditions.[30]

References

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  1. ^ Jociūtė, Ieva (January 3, 2024). "Surfshark One review: is the One bundle worth it?". cybernews.com. Retrieved May 31, 2024.
  2. ^ Williams, Mike (May 10, 2024). "Surfshark VPN review". techradar.com. Retrieved May 31, 2024.
  3. ^ a b Eddy, Max; Key, Kim (March 29, 2023). "Surfshark VPN Review". PCMAG. Retrieved 2024-05-31.
  4. ^ Shim, Timothy (2022-09-01). "Surfshark Review: In-depth Analysis + Latest Speed Tests Results". Web Hosting Secret Revealed (WHSR). Retrieved 2024-05-31.
  5. ^ "Nord Security joins forces with Surfshark | NordVPN". nordvpn.com. 2022-02-02. Retrieved 2024-05-31.
  6. ^ Gill, Mark (2024-04-19). "Surfshark VPN Review (2024)". IGN. Retrieved 2024-05-31.
  7. ^ "Operating system setup and program version of tested products" (PDF). av-test.org. 2019-09-17. Retrieved 2024-05-31.
  8. ^ a b Spadafora, Anthony (2020-07-16). "Surfshark boosts VPN security by going completely diskless". TechRadar. Retrieved 2024-05-31.
  9. ^ a b "Surfshark scraps hard disks & is now 100% RAM in its VPN servers". Tech Advisor. Retrieved 2024-05-31.
  10. ^ "Trusted Reviews Awards 2021: Surfshark wins Best VPN". Trusted Reviews. 2021-10-14. Retrieved 2024-05-31.
  11. ^ "Cure53 Security Assessment of Surfshark Management Summary, 04.2021" (PDF). Retrieved 2024-05-31.
  12. ^ "Incogni - Personal Information Removal Service". incogni.com. Retrieved 2024-05-31.
  13. ^ "NordVPN's Parent Company Is Merging With VPN Provider Surfshark". PCMag UK. 2022-02-02. Retrieved 2024-05-31.
  14. ^ "NordVPN and Surfshark are merging, continuing VPN consolidation trend". CNET. Retrieved 2024-05-31.
  15. ^ "NetBlocks and Surfshark join forces for greater reporting on internet freedom". NetBlocks. 2022-08-01. Retrieved 2024-05-31.
  16. ^ O'Grady, Vaughan (2022-06-07). "India says goodbye to another VPN provider as Surfshark pulls its servers". Developing Telecoms. Retrieved 2024-05-31.
  17. ^ "Lithuania's Nord Security raises $100 mln at $1.6 bln valuation". Reuters. April 7, 2022. Retrieved May 31, 2024.
  18. ^ a b "Surfshark's new Linux app has a graphical interface". Tech Advisor. Retrieved 2024-05-31.
  19. ^ Lynn, Ariana. "Surfshark Introduces Dedicated IP for Consistent IP Addresses for Users". www.thefastmode.com. Retrieved 2024-05-31.
  20. ^ Lynn, Ariana. "Surfshark Unveils Alternative ID". www.thefastmode.com. Retrieved 2024-05-31.
  21. ^ Kilby, Nathalie (2024-03-01). "FT 1000: the eighth annual ranking of Europe's fastest-growing companies". www.ft.com. Retrieved 2024-05-31.
  22. ^ Spadafora, Anthony (2019-12-18). "This Android VPN is now able to disguise your GPS location". TechRadar. Retrieved 2024-05-31.
  23. ^ "Surfshark One Review". PCMAG. Retrieved 2024-05-31.
  24. ^ "6 VPNs for Your Business or Side Hustle, on Sale Today". Entrepreneur. 2020-12-29. Retrieved 2024-05-31.
  25. ^ Castro, Chiara (2022-08-18). "Surfshark now offers manual WireGuard connections". TechRadar. Retrieved 2024-05-31.
  26. ^ Radu, Sintia (August 15, 2019). "Which Country Has the Best Digital Quality Life?". U.S. News. Retrieved May 31, 2024.
  27. ^ "The VPN Trust Initiative". i2Coalition. 2023-08-14. Retrieved 2024-05-31.
  28. ^ Editorial (2022-08-01). "NetBlocks and Surfshark join forces for greater reporting on internet freedom". NetBlocks. Retrieved 2024-05-31.
  29. ^ "Surfshark: Humanizing Digital Security to Empower Users". Internet Society. Retrieved 2024-05-31.
  30. ^ "Best VPNs in 2024". cybernews.com. January 16, 2024. Retrieved May 31, 2024.
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