# Surfshark

Surfshark is a cybersecurity company established in 2018. It launched its first product, a VPN service, in the same year with the same name. 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.
In 2022, Surfshark and Nord Security merged under one holding company to form a cybersecurity powerhouse while still operating independently.

## History

Surfshark was launched in 2018 when it introduced its first VPN application. In 2018, Surfshark's browser extensions underwent an external audit by a German cybersecurity firm, Cure53.
In 2019, Surfshark launched Surfshark Alert & Surfshark Search and became one of the first ten VPN packages to receive an official seal of approval granted by an independent IT-Security Institute AV-TEST. The same year Surfshark started their research activities, releasing the first Digital Quality of Life (DQL) index.
In 2020, Surfshark moved to 100% RAM-only servers, introduced the WireGuard protocol, and became a founding member of the VPN Trust Initiative.
In 2021, Surfshark was named Best VPN by the Trusted Reviews Awards, as well as the PCMag Editor’s Choice award, and was named TechRadar’s must-have Work from Home app. Surfshark also successfully passed an external audit by Cure53. In the same year, Surfshark launched Surfshark Antivirus & Incogni.
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.
In August 2022, Surfshark exclusively partnered with digital rights watchdog NetBlocks for greater reporting on internet shutdowns.
Later, in 2022, Surfshark closed its physical servers in India in response to CERT-In's order for VPN companies to store consumers' personal data for five years.
Later that year, Surfshark released Linux GUI, and Surfshark Nexus, a technology that connects all of Surfshark’s VPN servers into one network.
During 2022 year, Surfshark reached 100 different server country locations, and, together with Nord Security, gained Unicorn status. At the end of the year Deloitte tested and approved Surfshark’s compliance with the no-logs policy.
In 2023, Surfshark launched its Dedicated IP and Alternative ID services.
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.

## Technology

In December 2019, Surfshark implemented GPS-Spoofing for Android, letting users change their device's physical geolocation to one of the server's locations. That same year, Surfshark launched Surfshark Alert and Surfshark Search.
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.
In July 2020, Surfshark announced its entire server network is running on RAM-only servers.
In 2021, Surfshark launched Surfshark Antivirus & Incogni. That same year, Surfshark also launched a cookie pop-up blocker, an in-app notification center, new browser extensions, and a macOS app and started moving their servers to 10Gbps.
In May 2022, Surfshark announced Linux GUI, added real-time protection to Surfshark Antivirus & added a pause feature to the VPN app.
In August 2022, Surfshark added a manual WireGuard connection feature.
In June 2023, Surfshark launched Dedicated IP, which gives a user a unique and static IP address when connected to a VPN. Later that year, Surfshark launched Alternative ID, which generates a brand-new online identity & email.

## Research

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.
Throughout the years, Surfshark collected information about internet regulations, global data breaches, and data vulnerabilities and has conducted five major research projects:
* Digital Quality of Life Index
* Internet Shutdown Tracker
* Data Vulnerability Thermometer
* Global Data Breach Statistics
* Report on Government Requests for User Data

## Social responsibility

Surfshark is one of the founding members of the VPN Trust Initiative (VTI), which was established in 2020.
In August 2022, Surfshark collaborated with an internet monitoring organization, NetBlocks, to bring awareness and spread the news of worldwide internet disruptions.
Surfshark also collaborated with The Internet Society to spread awareness about Splinternet and Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) to discuss surveillance technologies.
In 2022, Surfshark took part in two major initiatives: The Cyberocean initiative, a gamified program for kids meant to teach them about online dangers, and the Women Go Tech mentorship, where some of Surfshark’s employees contributed as mentors to the campaign for diversity in tech-related careers.
In 2023, Surfshark launched the Emergency VPN program and provided VPN subscriptions to journalists, activists, NGO representatives, and journalists working under harsh conditions.
Later that year, Surfshark celebrated Cybersecurity Awareness Month, launched a Digital Survival Kit, and spread awareness about data collection on an episode of Viewpoint with Dennis Quaid, where Surfshark experts and Natalie Campbell (Internet Society) discussed helping people understand the online risks and provided tips for online safety.

#### Supporting Ukraine

In 2023, Surfshark participated in two crowdfunding campaigns. One was initiated by a Lithuanian national broadcaster LRT and called RADAROM, where Surfshark employees donated to Ukraine, and Surfshark doubled the total donation. The other campaign was initiated internally, where Surfshark employees donated to kids, teens, elders, and animals during Christmas, and Surfshark doubled their donations.

#### Shark Awareness Day 2023

For Shark Awareness day, which takes place on 14 July, Surfshark partnered with and donated to a charitable organization, Shark Trust, to protect endangered sharks and rays. The aim was to raise awareness about the sharks’ role in the ecosystem and the threats they face. The partnership focused on conservation plans, policy changes to save declining shark populations, and more.

#### The Big Dog Ranch Rescue

In 2023, Surfshark collaborated with MrBeast and donated to Big Dog Ranch Rescue, which seeks to provide every dog with a loving and secure home.