| Surfshark | |
| Developer: | Surfshark |
| Language: | English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Arabic, Japanese, Chinese (Mandarin and Cantonese), Korean, Polish, Portuguese (Brazilian), Russian, Ukrainian, Turkish. |
| Genre: | Virtual private network |
| Released: | 2018 |
| License: | Proprietary software |
Surfshark is a brand of VPN services offered by the Netherlands-based company Surfshark B.V.[1]
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]
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]
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]
In 2023, Surfshark introduced Dedicated IP[27] and Alternative ID[28] features, revamped its app design, and enhanced server infrastructure to improve user experience and security.
In November 2018, Surfshark’s Chrome and Firefox browser extensions underwent an external audit by a German cybersecurity firm, Cure53. You can read the Surfshark VPN Extension Pentest-Report.[29]
In January 2023, Surfshark underwent an independent assurance procedure by Deloitte. The latter verified Surfshark’s no-logs statement. The summary of the Independent Reasonable Assurance Report.[30]