Ultrasurf is a free proxy-based software designed to bypass internet censorship. Unlike traditional VPNs (Virtual Private Networks) that reroute all your device's traffic, Ultrasurf primarily focuses on web browser traffic. It uses a combination of HTTP proxies, SSL encryption, and a distributed network of servers to hide the fact that you are using a circumvention tool.
Ultrasurf is developed by , a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization based in San Francisco, California. UltraReach states its mission as “helping people in censored regions access the free internet.” Notably, UltraReach has acknowledged receiving early-stage funding from the U.S. government’s Radio Free Asia and the Open Technology Fund (OTF), linking Ultrasurf to broader U.S. soft power projection.
A small window will pop up showing a blue globe. A spinning circle indicates it is trying to connect. Once the globe turns green, you are connected.
To address these questions, we employ a mixed methodology: reverse-engineering analysis of network traffic (based on prior academic and grey literature), comparative feature analysis against other circumvention tools (Tor, Psiphon), and a policy review of state responses to Ultrasurf.
