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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