SaferVPN
SaferVPN is a Virtual Private Network utility developed by Safer Social, Ltd.[1][3] The network protects user data from Wi-Fi security risks through end-to-end encryption of user connections.[2] SaferVPN has provided free accounts to dissidents in Turkey, Iran, and Bangladesh.[4]
Developer(s) | Safer Social Ltd.[1] |
---|---|
Initial release | March 2013 |
Stable release | 4.9
/ 1 December 2017 |
Operating system | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Windows Phone, Linux, Google Chrome extension, Mozilla add on |
Platform | Personal computer |
Size | 9.7MB |
Available in | English, German, French, Russian, Arabic, Persian, Vietnamese, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Spanish and Turkish |
Type | VPN[2] |
License | Commercial |
Website | Safervpn.com |
History
SaferVPN was released in 2013 by cybersecurity software developers, including founders Amit Bareket and Sagi Gidali. SaferVPN’s parent company began raising capital after creating and patenting a system created to aid law enforcement in identifying and catching car thieves.[5][6] In the Microsoft Imagine Cup competition the first application cofounders Amit Bareket and Sagi Gidali assembled together made second place.[7] SaferVPN network infrastructure served as the basis of Bareket and Gidali next company, Perimeter 81 initial product development. [8]
#UnblockTheWeb
In March 2014 when Turkey attempted to block Twitter, SaferVPN launched the #UnblockTheWeb initiative to give individuals blocked by government censorship free access to a VPN.[9] In August, 2016, Unblock the Web provided a free VPN account to a coalition of Bangladeshi bloggers allowing them to communicate.[10] In 2016, Apple approved SaferVPN to implement automatic Wi-Fi Security. Its patented technology alerts users when they connect to an unsecured Wi-Fi network even if their device is locked, preventing harmful data leaks.[11]
Technology
SaferVPN uses protocols to secure data that is transmitted over its network. Each protocol varies in how the data is secured.[11] SaferVPN’s supported protocols include:
- OpenVPN, the commonly used protocol due to its performance and security level.
- Point-To-Point Tunneling Protocol (PPTP), a commonly used VPN protocol that uses basic encryption giving users fast connection speeds.
- Layer 2 Tunneling Protocol (L2TP/IPSec), secure but slower than other protocols. L2TP is a good option if OpenVPN or IKEv2 aren’t available. Unlike PPTP, L2TP/IPSec requires a shared key or the use of certificates.
- IKEv2, the newest protocol available. Fastest of all protocols, it is secure and stable but not supported on all platforms.[12][13][14]
References
- "SaferVPN: This newcomer is off to a good start". PCWorld. Retrieved 15 January 2018.
- "Protect Your Business! The 7 Cybersecurity Tools You Need as an Entrepreneur". Entrepreneur. Retrieved 15 January 2018.
- Vilner, Yoav. "16 Israeli Startups Ready To Take On 2016". Forbes. Retrieved 2017-10-04.
- "Iran Tightens Its Grasp on Telegram Use". Huffington Post. Retrieved 24 January 2018.
- Onibalusi, Segun (2017-07-21). "How to Choose a VPN Provider for Your Business". Entrepreneur. Retrieved 2017-10-04.
- "Israeli VPN startup SaferVPN raises $1 million for business services". Tech.eu. Retrieved 2017-10-04.
- "SaferVPN Raises $1M Venture Funding To Provide Businesses With Scalable, Cloud-Based VPN Applications And A Customizable Cloud Management Portal - Tech Company News". Tech Company News. 2017-09-22. Retrieved 2017-10-04.
- SonicWall leads $10m round in Perimeter 81, Globes, Yasmin Yablonko, 21 November 2019
- Liacas, Tom (2015-05-08). "Why Google and other tech giants are creating tools for political dissidents". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2017-10-04.
- "Blogging for a Change: A Blogger's Journey to Advocate for His People and His Culture Through Blogging Activism". Huffington Post. Retrieved 24 January 2018.
- "SaferVPN's launches Automatic Wi-Fi solution for mobile". Geektime. 2016-09-09. Retrieved 2017-10-04.
- "Seriously?! Can You Not Do That? Chapter IV - Insecure Use of Public Wi-Fi". ITSPmagazine | Cybersecurity & Infosec News. Retrieved 2017-10-04.
- Movements.org (2016-09-08). "Why We All Need Wi-Fi Security". Huffington Post. Retrieved 2017-10-04.
- Musthaler, Linda. "SaferVPN says it takes the risk out of using public Wi-Fi connections". Network World. Retrieved 2017-10-04.