Chris Houston and Surf Easy
SurfEasy is a new product developed by Chris Houston (based out of Toronto) that provides secure internet access from any computer. They do this via USB stick and a modified version of Firefox providing customers private secure access. With a $59 price tag that allows 2gb per month of user browsing and premium plans that range from $5-$10 a month for 25gb and 7gb per month respectively. For students and teachers this changes the game for how internal networks allows users to access facebook or other banned sites. Furthermore, streaming video content that is often blocked (Hulu) can be accessed from any country this device is plugged into. Surfeasy claims your connections at schools, libraries and/or public computers/networks are all safeguarded with bank level encryption.
This product and service provides original value as it has given the everyday users “hacker” status. Theoretically, a simular home made system could be made, but it would require a significant level of tech savvy. Students that wish to access blocked content or teachers who want media access to sites that are from another country can.
This is a very disruptive tech product as it clearly will give students and teachers the power to do things that network admins limit. Acceptable use policies often ban such types of proxy devices however, this product is going to be very hard to control.
Chris Houston interviews extremely well and can handle the tough questions from the tech media. He seems to have his “pitches”nailed. He is getting great earned media from CNN, CBC, Maclean’s and other publications. As a start up, it appears that Chris and his team have given themselves a chance at making this product a successful venture.
Posted in: Week 04: Entrepreneur Bootcamp
Yves Mainville 10:56 am on June 3, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Disruptive technology indeed! Placing high value on me digital ‘freedom’, this kind of product is quite appealing to me. I would think it also quite appealing tho those wanting to to decide what they wish to access and not be blocked, controlled, etc.
I find this costing somewhat prohibitive for the educational market as ‘starving’ students would most likely forego the additional cost after paying the cell bill, internet access bill, rent, scholastic fees, etc.
I also appreciate your comments on how ‘together’ Mr. Houston and his team seem to be – no doubt they have recognized the controversial impact their product may have… I’ll be sure to keep an eye out for this product and its effects on networks and ‘controlled’ environments. Maybe school boards and enterprises use blacklists to filter out anonymizer sites; this here seems to be a hardware based solution that will be far more difficult to control…
Great post. thanks.
lisamallen 2:37 pm on June 3, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Finally – a Founder and CEO from Canada! The majority of entrepreneurs on that list were from the U.S.! This is such a promising product – but, as you’ve already pointed out, it’s quite costly in an already “starving” educational market! -Lisa