Surfshark

VPN service
  • Android
  • Chrome
  • Firefox
  • Fire TV
  • iOS
  • Linux
  • macOS
  • Windows
Platform
  • Personal computer
  • smartphone
  • router
  • smart TV
Available inEnglish, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Arabic, Japanese, Chinese (Mandarin and Cantonese), Korean, Polish, Portuguese (Brazilian), Russian, Ukrainian, Turkish.TypeVirtual private networkLicenseProprietary softwareWebsitesurfshark.com

Surfshark is a brand of VPN services offered by a Lithuanian capital, now Netherlands-based company[1] of the same name.

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

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

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

  1. ^ "Where is Surfshark located?". Surf shark.
  2. ^ Williams, Mike (24 October 2022). "Surfshark VPN review". TechRadar.
  3. ^ "Surfshark VPN Review". PCMag.
  4. ^ "Surfshark Review: 7 Pros & 2 Cons, Speed Test Results". WHSR. 2020-07-29. Retrieved 2021-02-17.
  5. ^ "Nord Security joins forces with Surfshark". Nord VPN. 2022-02-02. Retrieved 2023-04-19.
  6. ^ "Surfshark Launches Lightweight VPN App for iOS Devices". Dark Reading. 2018-08-21. Retrieved 2023-07-09.
  7. ^ "What is Surfshark: About Us, Our Product, & Our Story". Surfshark. Retrieved 2023-07-09.
  8. ^ "Surfshark VPN Review". IGN. 18 June 2020.
  9. ^ Spadafora, Anthony (20 September 2019). "Surfshark launches free Trust DNS app". TechRadar.
  10. ^ Spadafora, Anthony (16 July 2020). "Surfshark boosts VPN security by going completely diskless". TechRadar.
  11. ^ Martin, Jim. "Surfshark scraps hard disks & is now 100% RAM in its VPN servers". Tech Advisor.
  12. ^ "Nord Security joins forces with Surfshark | NordVPN". nordvpn.com. 2022-02-02. Retrieved 2022-04-15.
  13. ^ "NordVPN and Surfshark are merging, continuing VPN consolidation trend". CNET. Retrieved 2023-07-09.
  14. ^ "NordVPN and Surfshark announce merger". ZDNET. Retrieved 2023-07-09.
  15. ^ "NetBlocks and Surfshark join forces for greater reporting on internet freedom". NetBlocks. August 1, 2022. Retrieved August 7, 2022.
  16. ^ Vaughan O'Grady (June 7, 2022). "India says goodbye to another VPN provider as Surfshark pulls its servers". Developing Telecoms. Retrieved October 16, 2022.
  17. ^ "Lithuania's Nord Security raises $100 mln at $1.6 bln valuation". Reuters. 2022-04-06. Retrieved 2023-04-19.
  18. ^ Spadafora, Anthony (18 December 2019). "This Android VPN is now able to disguise your GPS location". TechRadar.
  19. ^ Chiara Castro (August 18, 2022). "Surfshark now offers manual WireGuard connections". Tech Radar. Retrieved September 3, 2022.
  20. ^ "6 VPNs for Your Business or Side Hustle, on Sale Today". Entrepreneur. 29 December 2020.
  21. ^ "Surfshark One Review". PCMag. Retrieved 2023-04-19.
  22. ^ Chiara Castro (August 18, 2022). "'Surfshark now offers manual WireGuard connections". TechRadar. Retrieved October 16, 2022.
  23. ^ Parker, Jacob (18 May 2021). "Surfshark review: can a VPN this cheap really be good?". T3.
  24. ^ Hodge, Rae. "Surfshark VPN review: Competitive pricing and blazing speeds from this upstart service". CNET.
  25. ^ "Surfshark's new Linux app has a graphical interface". Tech Advisor. Retrieved 2023-04-19.
  26. ^ Chiara Castro (2022-08-18). "Surfshark now offers manual WireGuard connections". TechRadar. Retrieved 2023-04-19.
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