# WiFi Master Key

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**WiFi Master** (formerly WiFi Master Key[2]) is a peer-to-peer Wi-Fi sharing [mobile application software](/source/Mobile_application_software) for free [Wi-Fi](/source/Wi-Fi) access developed by LinkSure Network.[3] It uses cloud computing, [big data](/source/Big_data) and principles of the [sharing economy](/source/Sharing_economy).[4][5][6][7] The company's founder and CEO, [Chen Danian](/source/Chen_Danian), was previously CEO and co-founder of [Shanda](/source/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](/source/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](/source/WeChat) and [Tencent QQ](/source/Tencent_QQ).[13]

## History

WiFi Master was created by [Chen Danian](/source/Chen_Danian) in hopes of 'bridging the [digital divide](/source/Digital_divide) and to help people achieve [self-actualization](/source/Self-actualization) by granting them access to free [Internet](/source/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](/source/A_round) funding of USD $52 million, and became a [unicorn company](/source/Unicorn_(finance)) 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](/source/Google_Play_Store) in 49 countries.[21][22]

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

## Features

### WiFi Search

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](/source/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"](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.halo.wifikey.wifilocating&hl=en)

1. ["News of WiFi Master"](https://www.wifi.com/article.html?articleId=59). *www.wifi.com*. Retrieved 2019-09-05.

1. ["About LinkSure Network"](https://www.wifi.com/about.html). *wifi.com*. Retrieved 19 July 2024.

1. ["中国分享经济发展报告 2016"](http://www.fenxiangjj.org.cn/Files/file/20160229/20160229162134_6523.pdf) (in Chinese). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20161013221743/http://www.fenxiangjj.org.cn/Files/file/20160229/20160229162134_6523.pdf) October 13, 2016 at the Wayback Machine.

1. Yang, Lin. ["Crowd Source Internet In China: A Q&A With Shanda Cofounder Chen Danian"](https://www.forbes.com/sites/linyang/2016/04/10/crowd-source-internet-in-china-a-qa-with-shanda-cofounder-chen-danian/#3c33450269cd). *[Forbes](/source/Forbes)*. Retrieved 13 October 2016.

1. ["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""](http://www.cac.gov.cn/2017-01/10/c_1120270493.htm) [10 major events that impact China’s Internet industry in 2016] (in Chinese). [Cyberspace Authority of China](/source/Cyberspace_Authority_of_China). 10 January 2017. Retrieved 18 July 2017.

1. ["About LinkSure Network"](https://www.wifi.com/about.html)

1. ["PROXY STATEMENT OF THE COMPANY"](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1470157/000114420415052362/v419146_ex99-a1.htm). Retrieved 2023-10-14.

1. ["WiFi Master Key App Adds 100 Million Users in 3 Months, Now Surges Past 900 Million Users"](http://www.prnasia.com/mnr/wifi_201703.shtml). PRNewswire. Retrieved 18 September 2017.

1. ["3年时间，用户从0到9亿，一把钥匙打开上网的大门"](https://web.archive.org/web/20171108093805/https://xueqiu.com/5243595231/83377471). xueqiu. Archived from [the original](https://xueqiu.com/5243595231/83377471) on November 8, 2017. Retrieved 19 September 2017.

1. ["WiFi 万能钥匙开创共享经济新局面"](https://www.appannie.com/cn/insights/market-data/app-annie-index-apps-february-2016-wifi-master-key-sharing-economy/). *App Annie Content*. Retrieved 13 October 2016.

1. ["\[Updated\] Born into poverty in rural China, this guy made an app that gives free WiFi, got 900M users and raised US$52M"](https://e27.co/born-into-poverty-rural-china-this-guy-went-free-wifi-used-800m-users-raised-us52m-20160712/). e27. Retrieved 18 September 2016.

1. ["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"](https://web.archive.org/web/20170926143010/http://www.sohu.com/a/158101396_664188). Sohu. Archived from [the original](http://www.sohu.com/a/158101396_664188) on September 26, 2017. Retrieved 19 September 2016.

1. ["\[Updated\] Born into poverty in rural China, this guy made an app that gives free WiFi, got 900M users and raised US$52M"](https://e27.co/born-into-poverty-rural-china-this-guy-went-free-wifi-used-800m-users-raised-us52m-20160712/). e27. Retrieved 18 September 2017.

1. ["Crowd Source Internet In China: A Q&A With Shanda Cofounder Chen Danian"](https://www.forbes.com/sites/linyang/2016/04/10/crowd-source-internet-in-china-a-qa-with-shanda-cofounder-chen-danian/#7e409e8d5004). *Forbes*. Retrieved 19 September 2017.

1. ["关于我们_尚网网络"](http://cn.wifi.com/aboutus.html)

1. Ltd, Wifimaster (Singapore) Pte. ["WiFi Master Key signed up 50m users in fast global expansion"](http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/wifi-master-key-signed-up-50m-users-in-fast-global-expansion-300218595.html). Retrieved 13 October 2016.

1. ["Fast-growing Chinese unicorn WiFi Master Key plans to break into SE Asia as regional popularity soars"](http://www.republika.co.id/berita/en/international/15/10/23/nwo3ua317-wifi-master-key-gains-popularity-as-se-asia-adopts-sharing-economy). WiFi Rank. October 23, 2015. Retrieved 18 September 2017.

1. ["WiFi master key gains popularity as SE Asia adopts sharing economy"](https://web.archive.org/web/20170926095753/http://wifirank.com/news/fast-growing-chinese-unicorn-wifi-master-key-plans-to-break-into-se-asia-as-regional-popularity-soars). Republika. Archived from [the original](http://wifirank.com/news/fast-growing-chinese-unicorn-wifi-master-key-plans-to-break-into-se-asia-as-regional-popularity-soars) on September 26, 2017. Retrieved 18 September 2017.

1. ["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"](https://web.archive.org/web/20170926095927/http://news.163.com/17/0714/13/CPAEIQTN00018AOQ.html). Archived from [the original](http://news.163.com/17/0714/13/CPAEIQTN00018AOQ.html) on September 26, 2017. Retrieved September 26, 2017.

1. ["WiFi Master Key Gains Popularity as SE Asia Adopts Sharing Economy"](https://finance.yahoo.com/news/wifi-master-key-gains-popularity-043700864.html). Retrieved 13 October 2016.

1. ["WiFi Master Key - by wifi.com - Android Apps on Google Play"](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.halo.wifikey.wifilocating&hl=en). Retrieved 13 October 2016.

1. ["News of WiFi Master"](https://www.wifi.com/article.html?articleId=59). *www.wifi.com*. Retrieved 2019-09-05.

1. ["WiFi Master Key"](https://web.archive.org/web/20170926142931/http://en.wifi.com/faq.html). Archived from [the original](http://en.wifi.com/faq.html) on September 26, 2017. Retrieved September 26, 2017.

1. ["技术成就梦想51Cto-中国领先的It技术网站"](http://netsecurity.51cto.com/art/201709/551761.htm)

1. ["WiFi万能钥匙安全云感知系统再升级"](http://www.sohu.com/a/132570037_163432). *[Sohu](/source/Sohu)*

1. ["龚蔚：对公共WiFi不必谈虎色变-中新网"](http://www.chinanews.com/it/2017/09-18/8333958.shtml)

1. ["Crowd Source Internet In China: A Q&A With Shanda Cofounder Chen Danian"](https://www.forbes.com/sites/linyang/2016/04/10/crowd-source-internet-in-china-a-qa-with-shanda-cofounder-chen-danian/#f66adad50044). *[Forbes](/source/Forbes)*. 10 April 2016. Retrieved 18 July 2017.

1. ["Expanding Find Wi-Fi Globally"](https://newsroom.fb.com/news/2017/06/expanding-find-wi-fi-globally/). Facebook. June 30, 2017. Retrieved 18 September 2017.

1. ["WiFi万能钥匙获艾瑞年度奖 荣膺最具投资价值企业"](http://www.sohu.com/a/146763920_163432). *[Sohu](/source/Sohu)*

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [WiFi Master Key](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WiFi_Master_Key) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WiFi_Master_Key?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.