WiFi Master
Developer(s)LinkSure
Stable release
Android 4.1.12

iOS 3.3.6

Operating systemAndroid, iOS
Available inMultilingual, 19 languages[1]
TypeTools
LicenseFreeware
Websitewifi.com

WiFi Master (formerly WiFi Master Key[2]) is a peer-to-peer Wi-Fi sharing mobile application software for free Wi-Fi access developed by LinkSure Network.[3] It uses cloud computing, big data and principles of the sharing economy.[4][5][6] [7] The company's founder and CEO, Chen Danian, was previously CEO and co-founder of Shanda.[8]

WiFi Master was first released in 2012, and by 2016 had become the world’s largest Wi-Fi sharing app, with over 900 million users and 520 million monthly active users.[9][10]

In terms of combined iOS and Android app downloads, WiFi Master is ranked 5th in the world, after WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook and Facebook Messenger.[11][12] WiFi Master is the 3rd largest software app in China after WeChat and Tencent QQ.[13]

History

WiFi Master was created by Chen Danian in hopes of 'bridging the digital divide and to help people achieve self-actualization by granting them access to free Internet'.[14]

Chen Danian shared in an interview with Forbes that 'he was born into poverty in rural China, and using the Internet, he realized that it was a tool to change destinies and pursue happiness by exploring opportunities'.[15]

In September 2012, WiFi Master was first launched in China.[16]

In 2015, its operating company, LinkSure closed its A round funding of USD $52 million, and became a unicorn company in the mobile internet industry.[17] In May 2015, LinkSure bought the domain name wifi.com and established a branch in Singapore to expand its overseas services. WiFi Master was launched worldwide, rapidly gaining popularity in Southeast Asia.[18] [19]

In 2016, WiFi Master became the world’s largest WiFi sharing community, providing over 4 billion daily average connections with a successful connection rate of over 80% worldwide.[20] WiFi Master is available in 223 countries, and is the top Tools app on the Google Play Store in 49 countries.[21][22]

In 2019, WiFi Master Key rebranded as WiFi Master.[23]

Features

The application's core function, Wifi Search, allows for users to find and connect to available nearby Wi-Fi hotspots.[24]

WiFi Security Matrix

WiFi Master introduced an all-round WiFi Security Matrix for heightened security during the connection.[25]

Before connection

WiFi Master designed a Cloud Security Detection System (Chinese: 安全云感知系统) to help users detect possible Wi-Fi security risks in advance based on big data tracking. The system also applies machine learning algorithms in real-time to track predicted 'risky' Wi-Fi hotspots.[26]

During connection

WiFi Master developed a Security Tunnel Protection System (Chinese: 安全隧道保护系统) to provide users with fundamental protection during each Wi-Fi connection. The system uses encrypted hierarchical transmission, malicious attack real-time monitoring, and attack interception to encrypt users’ information.[27]

After connection

Since September 2015, WiFi Master’s users in China have been insured by WiFi Security Insurance (WiFi安全险), launched by LinkSure in partnership with ZhongAn Insurance (Chinese: 众安保险), in the event of a network security issue.[28]

Discover News Feed

WiFi Master features a news feed in the app for users to browse content upon getting connected online.

WiFi tools

In-built tools like WiFi speed tests and WiFi signal tests are also included in the app.

WiFi Map

In 2016, WiFi Master introduced a WiFi Map function in the app for users to find open hotspots.[29]

Awards

WiFi Master won the “Product with the Most Growth” at the 2017 iResearch Awards in June 2017.[30]

References

  1. ↑ "WiFi Master - Fast Secure WiFi - Apps on Google Play".
  2. ↑ "News of WiFi Master". www.wifi.com. Retrieved September 5, 2019.
  3. ↑ "About LinkSure Network".
  4. ↑ "中国分享经济发展报告 2016" (PDF) (in Chinese). Archived from the original (PDF) on October 13, 2016.
  5. ↑ Yang, Lin. "Crowd Source Internet In China: A Q&A With Shanda Cofounder Chen Danian". Forbes. Retrieved October 13, 2016.
  6. ↑ "中国互联网协会发布"2016年影响中国互联网行业发展的十件大事"" [10 major events that impact China’s Internet industry in 2016] (in Chinese). Cyberspace Authority of China. January 10, 2017. Retrieved July 18, 2017.
  7. ↑ "About LinkSure Network".
  8. ↑ "PROXY STATEMENT OF THE COMPANY". Retrieved October 14, 2023.
  9. ↑ "WiFi Master Key App Adds 100 Million Users in 3 Months, Now Surges Past 900 Million Users". PRNewswire. Retrieved September 18, 2017.
  10. ↑ "3年时间，用户从0到9亿，一把钥匙打开上网的大门". xueqiu. Archived from the original on November 8, 2017. Retrieved September 19, 2017.
  11. ↑ "WiFi 万能钥匙开创共享经济新局面". Retrieved October 13, 2016.
  12. ↑ "[Updated] Born into poverty in rural China, this guy made an app that gives free WiFi, got 900M users and raised US$52M". e27. Retrieved September 18, 2016.
  13. ↑ "猎豹智库最新榜单 微信、QQ、WiFi万能钥匙连续六季度排名前三". Sohu. Archived from the original on September 26, 2017. Retrieved September 19, 2016.
  14. ↑ "[Updated] Born into poverty in rural China, this guy made an app that gives free WiFi, got 900M users and raised US$52M". e27. Retrieved September 18, 2017.
  15. ↑ "Crowd Source Internet In China: A Q&A With Shanda Cofounder Chen Danian". Forbes. Retrieved September 19, 2017.
  16. ↑ "关于我们_尚网网络".
  17. ↑ Ltd, Wifimaster (Singapore) Pte. "WiFi Master Key signed up 50m users in fast global expansion" (Press release). Retrieved October 13, 2016.
  18. ↑ "Fast-growing Chinese unicorn WiFi Master Key plans to break into SE Asia as regional popularity soars". WiFi Rank. October 23, 2015. Retrieved September 18, 2017.
  19. ↑ "WiFi master key gains popularity as SE Asia adopts sharing economy". Republika. Retrieved September 18, 2017.
  20. ↑ "WiFi万能钥匙张发有：比生理需求更低层的需求是wifi需求_网易新闻". Archived from the original on September 26, 2017. Retrieved September 26, 2017.
  21. ↑ "WiFi Master Key Gains Popularity as SE Asia Adopts Sharing Economy". Retrieved October 13, 2016.
  22. ↑ "WiFi Master Key - by wifi.com - Android Apps on Google Play". Retrieved October 13, 2016.
  23. ↑ "News of WiFi Master". www.wifi.com. Retrieved September 5, 2019.
  24. ↑ "WiFi Master Key". Archived from the original on September 26, 2017. Retrieved September 26, 2017.
  25. ↑ "技术成就梦想51Cto-中国领先的It技术网站".
  26. ↑ "WiFi万能钥匙安全云感知系统再升级". Sohu.
  27. ↑ "龚蔚：对公共WiFi不必谈虎色变-中新网".
  28. ↑ "Crowd Source Internet In China: A Q&A With Shanda Cofounder Chen Danian". Forbes. April 10, 2016. Retrieved July 18, 2017.
  29. ↑ "Expanding Find Wi-Fi Globally". Facebook. June 30, 2017. Retrieved September 18, 2017.
  30. ↑ "WiFi万能钥匙获艾瑞年度奖 荣膺最具投资价值企业". Sohu.
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