Surfshark has introduced a groundbreaking, patented technology called Everlink, aimed at improving VPN connection stability without the need for a traditional kill switch. The new feature, which the company refers to as “self-healing infrastructure,” helps recover lost VPN connections while minimizing the risk of IP address exposure.
Available by default on the WireGuard protocol, Everlink is now active across all platforms.
“We wanted to enhance the industry standard by going beyond just cutting off the connection. Instead of dropping the connection, we aim to keep users securely connected and private,” said Donatas Budvytis, Chief Technology Officer at Surfshark.
Enhancing Security and Convenience
Already a top contender in the VPN market, Surfshark aims to further boost its service’s stability and security with Everlink. The company views connection stability as the most critical factor for users, rather than flashy metrics like the number of servers.
“While server numbers are often highlighted, it’s the stability of the connection that truly impacts the user experience,” said Budvytis.
Simply put, Everlink acts as an additional layer of protection, designed to restore lost VPN connections. It works by reconfiguring the VPN tunnel automatically, without requiring the user to disconnect and reconnect.
“If your VPN is a tunnel that secures your traffic, think of Everlink as a secondary tunnel that keeps your VPN connection intact. If one connection fails, you’re seamlessly switched to another, ensuring your security is never compromised,” explained Budvytis.
Stable Performance During Maintenance
The Everlink technology also guarantees stable performance even during network maintenance. If a server is temporarily unavailable, Everlink will reroute traffic to the nearest available server without interrupting the user’s experience.
Beyond improving VPN connection stability, Everlink boosts security and privacy protection. An unstable VPN connection can expose your IP address, making you vulnerable to online threats. Budvytis pointed out the importance of Everlink for high-risk users, such as journalists and activists, who rely on VPNs for privacy.
“An unstable connection isn’t just inconvenient; it can lead to IP exposure, leaving users traceable and vulnerable,” Budvytis said.
How Everlink Differs from a Kill Switch
While most premium VPN services feature a kill switch to prevent IP address exposure by cutting internet access when the VPN drops, Everlink takes a different approach. Instead of disconnecting the VPN connection entirely, it ensures a smooth recovery process by automatically requesting reconfiguration information from the Everlink server and re-establishing the VPN connection without user intervention.
“The main advantage of Everlink over a kill switch is that it happens seamlessly and without interrupting the connection. While users can still choose to use the kill switch, Everlink offers an additional layer of security,” said Budvytis.
Built on a patented technology (US11190491B1), Surfshark Everlink is now available by default on the WireGuard protocol, across all platforms including iOS, macOS, Windows, Android, and Linux apps.
