Protecting Users From Cybersecurity Threats - Interview With Startup of the Year Nominee, KeepSolid

Hey Hackers,

KeepSolid has been nominated in HackerNoon's annual Startup of the Year awards in Odesa, Ukraine.

Please vote for us here: https://hackernoon.com/startups/europe/europe-odessa-ukraine#lhgde1am/lhgde1am.

Read more about us below to understand why we deserve your vote.

Meet KeepSolid

KeepSolid is an internet privacy and security company that specializes in providing VPN, password manager, and other cybersecurity solutions. We offer a range of tools and applications for both individuals and businesses.

Some of our key products include:

• VPN Unlimited, a virtual private network (VPN) service with more than 3000 servers that encrypts internet traffic, protects online privacy, and enables secure access to geo-restricted content),

• Passwarden, a password manager that securely stores and organizes passwords, ensuring strong data protection and easy access across multiple devices,

• Monodefense, a comprehensive security solution that offers multiple tools to protect user’s devices from online threats.

Currently, our user base exceeds 40 million and continues to grow.

My Role

I am Vasyl Ivanov, the CEO of KeepSolid. Since my childhood, I've been fascinated by constructing complex systems. Building a VPN is like creating a living organism with numerous interconnected servers and various micro and macro services.

A few years ago, I focused as a CEO on an important function: establishing a systematic approach within our company, eliminating organizational chaos, and providing clarity to our team.

As of now, my focus has shifted to commercial and product responsibilities, shaping our product vision and devising strategies to introduce it to users.

How We're Disrupting/Improving the Cybersecurity Industry

I am proud of the fact that we have contributed to the development of the VPN industry. When we entered the market with VPN Unlimited, we immediately announced that we had no limits on speed or traffic, unlike many competitors who still charged based on volume.

Of course, there were users who wrote to us that since we are unlimited, we shouldn't be charging them for our service at all. However, it should be understood that we have operational costs, including employee salaries and server maintenance.

Recently, we have expanded our range of online security products. We introduced Passwarden, a password manager featuring Duress mode for added security. We also developed DNS Firewall, which filters out unwanted traffic before it reaches users' devices.

For travelers seeking easy access to media platforms, we created Smart DNS. And most recently, we launched Authenticator, our latest product to further enhance online security.

We remain committed to pushing the boundaries of online security and providing innovative solutions to meet the evolving needs of our users.

Standing Out from The Crowd

Recently, there was news about a VPN with 5 million users turning out to be a DDoS bot, designed for conducting attacks. Unfortunately, some VPNs profit from selling users' traffic information, while others comply with various governments and are not truly anonymous.

In contrast, we decided that even if it means sacrificing some additional revenue, we will remain a truly anonymous VPN with a zero-log policy.

Several years ago, we also allowed the most privacy-conscious users to use our product without registration, ensuring there is absolutely no connection to any specific individual.

Our Predictions/Thoughts on the Cybersecurity Industry in 2023

Now corporations are starting to implement new authentication methods such as Passkeys, moving away from the traditional login-password combination in favor of OTP codes, and so on.

After decades of familiar authentication forms, this will be a significant change for many regular users. It especially affects users who have limited internet access.

For example, users in China are starting to receive OTP codes for Gmail, which they cannot access without a VPN.

In addition to this, there is a significant increase in the volume of DDoS attacks and password brute-forcing attempts aimed at data breaches across various products. Even now, many users do not listen to us and do not install password managers.

Instead, they use the same password for multiple services. If their password is stolen on one product, it can be used to access all the others.

As a result, the user blames not the service where the password was actually stolen, but the one where that password was successfully used.

I believe that both users and developers need to work together on this.

Users should start adopting the practice of using unique passwords and storing them in a password manager, such as Passwarden, and developers should consider implementing robust encryption algorithms from the early stages of handling user data.

What word defines the state of Cybersecurity in 2023?

Chaotic and fragmented.

Why we decided to participate in HackerNoon's Startup of the Year awards

Since our company has chosen as its mission protecting users on the Internet, we aim to spread our ideas among users about how to conduct themselves online, what actions are permissible, what is not, and how to safeguard themselves to avoid the distress of lost data or money.

Final Thoughts

30 years ago, the internet was a place that only geeks would venture into. The atmosphere was friendly, and the focus was on creating new technologies. As the internet spread to the masses, lots of people migrated online, including those seeking victims.

The internet is no longer the same as it was before. If you use a lock on the front door of your house, you should also have protection at the entry point of your devices. Don't forget about it!

Vote for us today! [https://hackernoon.com/startups/europe/europe-odessa-ukraine#lhgde1am/lhgde1am]