2014 marked a pivotal transition for OrbVPN as we migrated our infrastructure to AWS and significantly expanded our user base. This year showed us that privacy and security aren't just specialist needs – they're fundamental rights that everyone should have access to.

AWS Migration​

The decision to migrate to AWS was driven by our commitment to provide reliable, scalable service to our growing user base. This transition brought:

• Enhanced global reach
• Improved service reliability
• Better scalability
• More robust backup systems

Expanding User Base​

While we maintained our invitation-based system, we saw our service attract users from diverse backgrounds:

• Business professionals
• International travelers
• Remote workers
• Privacy-conscious individuals
• Online security enthusiasts

This diversity helped us understand different privacy needs and use cases, leading to better service for everyone.

Infrastructure Improvements​

The AWS migration allowed us to:

• Deploy servers more rapidly
• Implement better load balancing
• Enhance DDoS protection
• Improve connection speeds
• Optimize global routing

Enhanced Features​

We introduced new features to serve our broader user base:

• Improved server selection algorithms
• Enhanced speed optimization
• Better streaming support
• More flexible connection options
• Advanced user settings

Security Advances​

Our security measures evolved to address diverse needs:

• Enhanced encryption protocols
• Improved leak protection
• Better authentication systems
• Advanced traffic obfuscation

Service Reliability​

The AWS infrastructure brought significant improvements:

• 99.9% uptime achievement
• Faster connection speeds
• Better handling of peak loads
• Improved global accessibility

Looking Forward​

As we enter 2015, our focus is on:

• Further AWS optimization
• New feature development
• Enhanced user experience
• Expanded server locations
• Improved streaming capabilities

A Personal Note​

This year's expansion taught us something valuable: while privacy tools began as specialized solutions, they've become essential for everyone in our connected world. Whether it's for business, travel, or personal use, everyone deserves access to secure, private internet.

To our new users from all walks of life: welcome to the OrbVPN community. To our long-time users: thank you for continuing this journey with us. Your diverse needs and feedback help us build a better service for everyone.

As we grow, we remain committed to our core principles of privacy and security, now serving a broader community of users who share our belief in the importance of digital privacy.

Dr. Nima Golsharifi
Founder, OrbVPN

2013 brought two major developments to OrbVPN: our expansion into mobile platforms and the migration of our backend to Laravel. These changes weren't just technical upgrades – they were responses to how people increasingly rely on mobile devices for sensitive communications.

Mobile Evolution​

The launch of our iOS and Android apps marked a crucial evolution. We saw journalists and activists increasingly depending on mobile devices in the field. Our mobile apps needed to be as secure as our desktop clients while being even more reliable in challenging conditions.

Laravel Migration​

Moving our backend to Laravel was a major undertaking. This decision was driven by our need for:

• Better API management
• Enhanced user authentication
• Improved billing systems
• More robust service management

User Experience​

We focused heavily on mobile user experience:

• One-tap connection features
• Automatic server selection
• Battery optimization
• Connection stability in poor network conditions

Infrastructure Growth​

Our infrastructure continued to expand:

• New server locations worldwide
• Enhanced mobile-optimized servers
• Improved connection routing
• Better handling of unstable connections

Security Enhancements​

Mobile brought new security challenges:

• Enhanced protection against mobile-specific threats
• Improved data leak prevention
• Better battery-efficient encryption
• Stronger authentication methods

The Invitation System Evolves​

Our invitation-based system adapted to mobile, making it easier for trusted users to extend access to others while maintaining our security standards. This proved especially valuable in regions where secure communication tools were increasingly restricted.

Looking Forward​

As we enter 2014, our focus is clear:

• Further mobile app refinement
• Enhanced protocol security
• Expanded server network
• Improved user interface

A Personal Note​

Mobility is crucial for those working in sensitive situations. This year's focus on mobile platforms wasn't just about following tech trends – it was about providing security tools that match how people actually work in the field.

Watching users adopt our mobile apps, especially in regions with strong internet restrictions, reinforced the importance of accessible security tools. Every successful connection represents someone's ability to communicate freely and safely.

To our development team who managed both the Laravel migration and mobile app development: your dedication to both security and usability has been remarkable. To our users who trusted us during these transitions: thank you for your patience and valuable feedback.

The addition of mobile platforms and a more robust backend has strengthened our ability to serve those who need secure communication the most. As we continue to grow, we remain committed to our core mission: protecting privacy and enabling free communication, now across all devices.

Nima Golsharifi
Founder, OrbVPN

2012 marked a transformative year for OrbVPN with the launch of our native clients. After years of using configuration tools and manual setups, we took the bold step of developing our own applications for multiple platforms. This decision came from our core belief: security tools must be accessible to be effective.

Native Client Launch​

The launch of our Windows client was a major milestone. We focused on creating an interface that balanced simplicity with powerful security features. This wasn't just about making things easier – it was about making security accessible to everyone, from journalists to everyday users concerned about their privacy.

Expanding Platforms​

Following the success of our Windows client, we expanded to:

• MacOS native application
• Initial iOS development
• Android app planning
• Support for multiple protocols

Infrastructure Evolution​

Our infrastructure saw significant improvements:

• Expanded to new datacenter locations
• Implemented advanced load balancing
• Enhanced redundancy systems
• Improved network stability

Protocol Support​

We broadened our protocol support to include:

• OpenConnect (SSL Protocol)
• OpenVPN with custom configurations
• L2TP/IPSec
• PPTP (for legacy support)
• SSTP

Security Advancements​

The native clients allowed us to implement stronger security features:

• Advanced kill switch
• DNS leak prevention
• Custom encryption configurations
• Automatic protocol selection

Maintaining Our Principles​

Despite rapid growth, we maintained our invitation-based system. The events of 2011 taught us the value of trusted networks, and we weren't willing to compromise security for rapid expansion.

Team Growth​

Our development team grew to handle the increased complexity of maintaining native clients. Each new team member brought valuable expertise while embracing our core mission of protecting privacy and enabling free communication.

Looking Forward​

Our plans for 2013 include:

• Mobile client development
• Enhanced protocol implementations
• Expanded server network
• Improved user interface

A Personal Note​

We consider that tools for freedom should be accessible to everyone, not just technical experts. This year's development of native clients embodied that principle. We're making privacy protection more accessible while maintaining the high security standards that our users, especially journalists and activists, depend on.

The positive feedback from users transitioning to our native clients has been encouraging. Many have told us how the simplified interface has made secure communication more practical in their daily work. This is exactly what we aimed for – making privacy protection more accessible without compromising security.

To our development team who worked tirelessly on the native clients: thank you. To our users who provided valuable feedback during the beta testing: your input helped shape these applications. And to those who continue to trust us with their security: we remain committed to protecting your right to communicate freely and safely.

Nima Golsharifi
Founder, OrbVPN

2011 was a year that reminded us why we built OrbVPN. The Arab Spring swept across the Middle East and North Africa, and secure communication became more critical than ever. My father's years of work as a political analyst helped us understand the gravity of these events and the vital importance of secure communication channels.

Supporting Freedom of Speech​

During the uprisings, we saw unprecedented demand from journalists, activists, and citizens in affected regions. Our invitation-based system proved invaluable – trusted networks of users helped get access to those who needed it most while maintaining security.

Emergency Response​

We quickly adapted our infrastructure to handle the increased demand from affected regions:

• Rapidly deployed new servers in strategic locations
• Enhanced our traffic routing capabilities
• Improved connection stability in high-censorship areas
• Strengthened our security measures

Technical Evolution​

This year's events pushed us to accelerate several technical improvements:

• Advanced censorship circumvention techniques
• Enhanced protocol obfuscation
• Improved connection reliability
• Better handling of connection drops

Privacy Commitment​

The sensitive nature of our users' work reinforced our commitment to privacy:

• Strengthened our no-logs policy
• Enhanced user anonymity features
• Improved traffic masking
• Developed better security protocols

Infrastructure Growth​

We significantly expanded our infrastructure:

• Added multiple server locations
• Enhanced network capacity
• Improved redundancy systems
• Strengthened DDoS protection

Learning from Challenges​

The year brought unprecedented challenges. Internet shutdowns in various countries tested our ability to maintain connections. Each challenge taught us valuable lessons about resilience and adaptability.

Looking Ahead​

As we move into 2012, our priorities are clear:

• Further strengthen our infrastructure
• Develop more resilient protocols
• Enhance user protection features
• Expand our server network strategically

A Personal Note​

This year hit close to home. As someone whose family spent years analyzing political movements and advocating for human rights, watching the events unfold was both inspiring and sobering. The brave individuals using our service to document history, coordinate aid, and share truth with the world reminded us why we started OrbVPN.

To the journalists reporting from the ground, the activists coordinating support, and every user trusting us with their safety: thank you. Your courage drives us to keep improving our service.

The events of 2011 will be remembered as a turning point in history. We're proud to have played a small part in supporting those fighting for freedom, and we remain committed to providing the secure communication tools needed in the ongoing struggle for human rights.

Nima Golsharifi
Founder, OrbVPN

In 2010, world events proved more than ever why secure communication tools are essential. The Arab Spring was beginning to take shape, and we saw firsthand how VPN technology became a crucial tool for freedom of expression. This year strengthened our resolve to provide secure communication channels for those who need them most.

Impact in Action​

Witnessing our service being used by journalists and activists during crucial moments was both humbling and motivating. While we can't share specific stories due to privacy commitments, knowing that OrbVPN helped protect vital communications during critical events drove us to enhance our service further.

Technical Advances​

Our Python-based system matured significantly this year. We focused on:

• Enhanced server-side operations
• Improved user authentication systems
• Better traffic distribution
• More sophisticated encryption implementation

Infrastructure Growth​

We expanded our infrastructure strategically:

• Added new server locations in key regions
• Improved our network redundancy
• Enhanced our failover systems
• Strengthened our backup procedures

The careful growth of our invitation-based network proved valuable. While other services struggled with abuse and blocked IPs, our controlled growth helped maintain service quality and reliability.

Security Enhancements​

Security remained our top priority. We implemented:

• Advanced traffic obfuscation
• Enhanced encryption protocols
• Improved IP masking techniques
• Stronger user privacy protections

User Support Evolution​

This year marked a significant improvement in our user support system. Understanding that our users often operate in sensitive situations, we developed better ways to provide help while maintaining privacy and security.

Research Initiatives​

We began more structured research into:

• Traffic pattern analysis
• Encryption methodologies
• Network optimization
• Security threat assessment

Looking Forward​

As we enter 2011, we see both opportunities and challenges ahead:

• Further infrastructure expansion
• Enhanced protocol development
• Improved user interfaces
• Stronger security measures

A Personal Note​

This year showed us that privacy tools aren't just technical solutions – they're essential instruments of freedom. The events unfolding across the world remind us daily of why we started this journey.

To our growing user base: your trust in our service drives us to keep improving. To those working in difficult situations: we remain committed to providing the secure communication tools you need.

2010 has been a year of growth and learning. We've strengthened our foundation while staying true to our core mission of protecting privacy and enabling free communication. As global events continue to highlight the importance of secure communication, we remain focused on providing a service that makes a real difference.

Nima Golsharifi
Founder, OrbVPN

2009 marked a pivotal year for OrbVPN. After two years of running with basic systems, we made the crucial decision to rebuild our entire backend in Python. This wasn't just a technical choice – it was about creating a foundation that could support our vision for years to come.

The Python Transition​

The move to Python was significant. We didn't just want to replicate our existing system – we aimed to build something more robust, more scalable, and more secure. Our small team spent months planning and executing this transition, ensuring our users experienced minimal disruption while we essentially rebuilt the plane mid-flight.

Infrastructure Expansion​

This year also saw our first major infrastructure expansion:

• Established presence in multiple data centers
• Implemented proper load balancing
• Created our first automated backup systems
• Developed basic monitoring tools

Strengthening Privacy​

The global focus on internet surveillance made our mission more relevant than ever. We enhanced our privacy features:

• Improved encryption implementations
• Strengthened our no-logs policy
• Enhanced user anonymity features
• Developed better traffic obfuscation

Learning Through Growth​

Our invitation-based system continued to prove its worth. While other services rushed to scale up user numbers, we maintained our focus on controlled growth through trust networks. This approach helped us maintain service quality while learning from our users' experiences.

Technical Challenges​

The year wasn't without its challenges. The Python migration revealed gaps in our initial planning, and some features took longer to implement than expected. But each challenge helped us build a more resilient service. We learned that sometimes going slower meant going further in the long run.

User Trust​

Our commitment to privacy continued to attract journalists, activists, and privacy-conscious users. Their feedback and trust helped shape our development priorities. We learned that our users weren't just looking for a VPN – they needed a reliable tool for protecting their fundamental right to communicate freely.

Research and Development​

This year also marked our first steps into formal research and development. We began studying new encryption methods and traffic optimization techniques, laying the groundwork for future innovations.

Growing Team​

While still small, our team grew more cohesive. Each member developed specialized knowledge in crucial areas:

• Protocol development
• Infrastructure management
• Security implementation
• User support

Looking Forward to 2010​

As we enter 2010, our priorities are clear:

• Further infrastructure expansion
• Enhanced protocol development
• Improved user interface
• Stronger security features

A Personal Note​

This year's developments in global internet freedom (or lack thereof) reminded us why tools like OrbVPN are crucial. We're not just providing a service – we're protecting fundamental human rights.

To our users: your trust drives us to keep improving. To our team: your dedication made this year's achievements possible. And to those working for freedom of speech and human rights: we remain committed to providing the tools you need to work safely.

The foundation we've built this year, especially with our Python backend, positions us well for the future. We're excited about the possibilities ahead while remaining grounded in our core mission of protecting privacy and freedom of communication.

Nima Golsharifi
Founder, OrbVPN

Our first full year of operation brought both significant challenges and crucial breakthroughs. When we started in 2007, we had a vision of a private, invitation-based network. In 2008, we began turning that vision into reality.

First Infrastructure Steps​

The most significant development this year was establishing our first dedicated servers. Moving away from shared hosting was a major step - not just technically, but also in terms of our commitment to users' privacy. We carefully selected our first data center locations, ensuring they met our strict privacy and security requirements.

The Invitation System Takes Shape​

Our unique invitation-based network concept proved both challenging and rewarding to implement. We spent considerable time developing a system that balanced security with usability. The early feedback from our first users, mainly journalists and privacy-conscious individuals, helped shape the system's development.

Technical Growth​

This year marked several important technical achievements:

• Implemented our first custom VPN protocols
• Developed basic traffic routing systems
• Created initial user management tools
• Established fundamental security measures

Each development was driven by real user needs, particularly those of journalists and activists who needed reliable, secure connections.

Learning from Setbacks​

Not everything went as planned. Our initial user interface was too complex for some users, and we faced several server stability issues in the early months. These challenges taught us valuable lessons about balancing advanced security features with user-friendly design.

The departure of our team member in 2007 still echoed through early 2008, but it helped us focus on building a more resilient organization. We learned to do more with less and to be more selective about our priorities.

Privacy Remains Central​

My father's influence continued to guide our development. His insights into the needs of journalists and activists helped us understand how crucial reliable privacy tools are for those working in sensitive areas. This understanding drove us to implement stronger encryption standards and more robust privacy protections.

Growing User Base​

Though we maintained our invitation-only model, our user base grew steadily throughout the year. Each new user brought unique challenges and perspectives, helping us understand different privacy needs across various contexts.

Infrastructure Expansion​

By year's end, we had:

• Established our first proper server network
• Implemented basic redundancy systems
• Created our initial backup procedures
• Developed preliminary monitoring tools

Looking Forward to 2009​

As we enter 2009, our priorities are clear:

• Expanding our server infrastructure
• Enhancing our encryption methods
• Improving user interface simplicity
• Strengthening our invitation system

Personal Reflection​

This year reinforced something my father always emphasized - technology should serve human rights and freedom of speech. Every technical challenge we solved wasn't just about improving our service; it was about protecting someone's ability to communicate freely and safely.

To our users who trusted us this first year: thank you. Your faith in our vision has driven us to work harder and think deeper about how technology can protect privacy and freedom of expression.

The foundation we've built this year isn't just technical - it's a foundation of trust, privacy, and commitment to protecting free communication. As we move into 2009, these principles will continue to guide every decision we make.

Nima Golsharifi
Founder, OrbVPN

The story of OrbVPN started with my father, a political and economic analyst, human rights activist, and journalist. His work showed me firsthand how crucial secure communication is for those fighting for human rights and freedom of speech. This wasn't just about creating another VPN service – it was about building a network that could protect people's right to communicate freely and safely.

The Original Vision​

Initially, we envisioned something unique: a private network that would grow only through invitations. This concept came from understanding that trust in digital communications often mirrors our real-world relationships. We wanted to create an environment where users could control their network's growth while maintaining high security standards.

Beyond just providing a service, we committed ourselves to continuous research and development in network security and privacy. We believed that staying at the forefront of technology would be crucial for protecting our users' rights effectively.

Early Team and Challenges​

We started as a team of three, each bringing different perspectives to the project. The first six months tested our resolve – we faced technical challenges, debated different approaches, and ultimately saw one team member depart. Despite this setback, our core vision remained unchanged. Sometimes, such changes strengthen your resolve and clarify your path forward.

Technical Beginnings​

Our first technical implementations were built in Python. We chose it for its networking capabilities, but also because it allowed us to iterate quickly as we figured out our exact direction. The initial server setup was modest, but it gave us the foundation to test our invitation-based networking concept.

What We Built in 2007​

In these first months, we focused on:

• Building the invitation-based networking system
• Implementing basic encryption protocols
• Creating our first user management system
• Setting up initial server infrastructure

The Human Rights Connection​

My father's work as a journalist and activist deeply influenced our security priorities. We saw how VPN services weren't just tools for bypassing geographic restrictions – they were lifelines for journalists, activists, and anyone needing to communicate safely. This understanding shaped every technical decision we made.

Lessons from Our First Months​

The departure of one team member taught us valuable lessons about team dynamics and the importance of shared vision. It also made us more resilient. We learned to adapt quickly, redistribute responsibilities, and stay focused on our core mission.

Looking Ahead​

As 2007 ends, we're already planning significant improvements:

• Enhanced security protocols
• Expanded server locations
• Improved invitation system
• Stronger encryption methods

A Personal Note​

Creating OrbVPN wasn't just about business – it was about continuing my father's legacy of promoting free speech and human rights. Every line of code we write serves this purpose.

To the two team members who started this journey with me, and particularly to my remaining partner: thank you for helping bring this vision to life. And to my father, whose work inspired this entire project: your dedication to human rights and freedom of speech continues to guide our mission.

The road ahead is challenging, but our purpose is clear – building a secure network that protects people's right to communicate freely.

Nima Golsharifi
Founder, OrbVPN