Surfshark B.V.

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

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]

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

History[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

  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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