SurfShark VPN

Surfshark In Depth

Sections on this page
  1. How Surfshark Protects You
  2. Surfshark Products and Pricing
  3. Who Is Surfshark For?

Surfshark is a company based in the Virgin Islands that provides a virtual private network (VPN) and basic cybersecurity services. You can use the Surfshark VPN to browse the internet anonymously, preventing search engines from customizing ads for you or giving you personalized pop-ups.

Surfshark was first launched in 2018 to give people “full control of their digital lives.” Using Surfshark VPN, you can browse the internet, download, and stream content without anyone knowing your identity or location because you use an IP address from Surfshark, not the one assigned to your device. You can also send and receive data safely because Surfshark’s VPN technology encrypts it.

How Surfshark Protects You

The Surfshark VPN protects you using AES 256 GCM encryption. This protocol uses an algorithm that processes your data, turning each packet into an encrypted file. The VPN provides both the encryption and decryption keys, so if someone tried to snoop on your internet usage, they would only get a nonsensical, garbled mix of characters.

Surfshark’s VPN centers around Internet Key Exchange version 2 (IKEv2) “VPN tunneling” technology—a set of instructions that tells your computer how to send and receive messages through the VPN. It is known for its security and speed and doesn’t have any known vulnerabilities.

You can use Surfshark using the OpenVPN protocol, which, because it’s based on IKEv2, works on all operating systems except Linux. This means all of the following devices can use Surfshark:

  • PCs
  • Laptops
  • iOS devices
  • Android devices
  • All tablets and phones not running on Linux

This gives Surfshark VPN the kind of flexibility users need for an easy, convenient experience. You can enjoy advanced protection on all your devices without having to switch from one VPN service to another. Because user data travels through the VPN’s encrypted tunnel, it doesn’t matter which device it originates from or is headed toward.

Because OpenVPN is an open-source solution, it has been inspected by a large community of developers and testers. If any problems arise, those within the open-source community report them, and different members work together to engineer a fix. This makes OpenVPN more secure than other protocols because thousands of people test it daily, report errors, and fix them.

Surfshark Products and Pricing

Although Surfshark is known for its VPN solution, it also offers other services designed to protect users while they’re connected to the internet.

Surfshark VPN gives you secure, anonymous web browsing, streaming, and downloading using an encrypted “tunnel” that transmits your data through the internet.

Plan Monthly Cost Billed
Month-to-month $12.95 $12.95/month
24-month plan $2.49 $59.76 for the first 24 months
6-month plan $6.49/month $38.94 every 6 months
Surfshark One Add On $1.49/month $1.49/month

Additional Services via Surfshark One for $1.49/Month

The following services are all under the umbrella of Surfshark One, which comes at an additional cost of $1.49/month if you already have a Surfshark subscription, which is needed to sign up for them.

  • Surfshark Alert: Surfshark Alert protects you from email and password leaks, as well as leaked credit card data. The service also prevents users’ personal identification information from being stolen.
  • Surfshark Antivirus: Surfshark Antivirus can scan for viruses, remove malicious files, prevent hackers or malware from accessing your system, and help improve device performance.
  • Surfshark Search: Surfshark Search hides your computer from search engines, allowing you to browse without having your data stored, get untainted search engine results, and prevent personalized ads from popping up while you’re using the internet.
Contact Details

Surfshark



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Verified Contact Details

It's important to verify links and contact details to beat imposters.

Who Is Surfshark For?

Surfshark is for anyone who wants an affordable VPN solution with the proven encryption to maintain privacy and safety. This may include any of the following groups of users—and more.

Users Who Want to Connect to Location-Dependent Websites

Many websites only allow access to people from certain countries. Other sites may only let you see specific content based on your location.

For example, some retailers have sites that automatically determine your location and then show you available products or services to users in your area. However, this can be limiting, especially for people who are traveling and want to order items to be delivered to their home address.

Other people may want to use Surfshark VPN to purchase items for delivery in a foreign country that a retailer doesn’t serve. For example, the home improvement store The Home Depot doesn’t have any stores in Belize, and you can’t search for items according to those that ship there. If you use a VPN with Surfshark, you can shop as if you’re in the United States, choose items that can be sent from Home Depot to a shipping company that ships to Belize, and buy whatever you need.

Additional Benefits of a VPN

Using a VPN can let you watch TV shows and movies on streaming services like Netflix that are only available in other countries.

Users Who Want to Pay for Their Service with Cryptocurrencies

If you prefer to pay for your VPN with crypto, Surfshark may be a good choice. This is because they accept cryptos, such as bitcoin and other popular digital currencies, allowing you to pay for the service anonymously.

Users Who Want to Torrent with a VPN

A torrenting network consists of users who have some or all of the files that people want. They then allow their computers to act as miniature servers. Thus, when a user connects to the torrenting service and downloads content, it comes from several different users’ computers instead of a single computer with a single file.

Users who want to torrent may decide to use a Surfshark VPN because it allows them to download files and provide files to others through an encrypted, anonymous connection.

Companies or Users Trying to Secure Their Networks or Devices

Surfshark has cybersecurity products included in the Surfshark One service designed to safeguard your network or computer from hackers and data leaks. Surfshark Alert, Surfshark Antivirus, and Surfshark Search provide security features that an organization or individual may want to use to protect their system. Using these services, you can:

  • Prevent computer viruses
  • Get rid of harmful files
  • Prevent hackers from accessing your system
  • Improve device performance
  • Stop data leaks and breaches, including identity leaks
  • Hide your computer from search engines

Scams Impacting Surfshark

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How to Protect Yourself from 6 Common Apple Pay Scams
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How to Protect Yourself from 6 Common Apple Pay Scams

Apple Pay may be a convenient way to send money, but it's also become a favorite among scammers looking to make a quick buck at your expense.

Apple Support Scam: Beware of Callers Impersonating Apple
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Apple Support Scam: Beware of Callers Impersonating Apple

If you receive a phone call from Apple Support, it could be a scammer attempting to steal your information and access your accounts.

Beware of Fake Apple Phishing Emails: Don't Click Any Links
8 December 2021 |

Beware of Fake Apple Phishing Emails: Don't Click Any Links

If you've been notified that your Apple ID has been locked, don't click the link in the email as this could be an attempt to steal your password.

Tinder Code Scam Leads to Monthly Porn Subscriptions
7 October 2021 |

Tinder Code Scam Leads to Monthly Porn Subscriptions

The Tinder safe dating scam tricks users into giving up their credit card info to verify their profiles and leads to auto-enrollment in monthly subscription-based porn sites.

Apple Gift Card Scam: Red Flags of Imposters After Your Money

Apple Gift Card Scam: Red Flags of Imposters After Your Money

Whether it's the IRS, Social Security office, or a relative, be careful with anyone asking for payment via an Apple gift card—it's likely a scam.

How Do You Beat Gift Card Scams? Never Pay Using Gift Cards

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Beating this scam is simple—don't pay for anything using gift cards and don't give anyone you don't know or trust your gift card information.

Selling on Facebook Marketplace? Beware of Fake Venmo Emails
30 August 2023 |

Selling on Facebook Marketplace? Beware of Fake Venmo Emails

Scammers are sending fake Venmo emails to Facebook Marketplace sellers in an attempt to steal login information and money.

Citibank Text Message Scam: Locked Debit Card Alert Is Fake
10 February 2023 |

Citibank Text Message Scam: Locked Debit Card Alert Is Fake

If you've received a locked debit card text message from Citibank, it's likely a scam. Don't click on the link and delete the text message.

Real Chase Fraud Text Alert or Scam Message?
10 February 2023 |

Real Chase Fraud Text Alert or Scam Message?

If you receive a text message from Chase Bank, don't click on any links or call the phone number listed—it could be a scam designed to steal your information and money.

Amex Fraud Text Alert Scams: Spotting a Fraud
10 February 2023 |

Amex Fraud Text Alert Scams: Spotting a Fraud

If you receive a text message from American Express, don't click on any links or call the phone number listed—it could be a scam designed to steal your information and money.

Guides To Protect Against Computers & Technology Scams

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5 Best VPNs: 2022 Editor's Picks for Optimal Privacy

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Use a VPN, and whether you’re streaming, browsing, shopping, or online banking, it will be impossible for scammers to track you or intercept your sensitive information.

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New Apple Pay Text Scam Claims Account Has Been Suspended

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Multiple text message scams are circulating around the world which claim that your Apple Pay has been suspended. We provide multiple examples of this scam and how to avoid this Apple Pay scam.

Best Password Managers for 2023: Editor's Picks

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McAfee Scam Email Claiming That Your Device is At Risk
23 November 2022 |

McAfee Scam Email Claiming That Your Device is At Risk

Phishing emails from scammers posing as McAfee are attempting to steal your private information such as credit card details, account logins, social security number, date of birth and more.

Identity Theft: The Best Identity Theft Protection Services
17 October 2022 |

Identity Theft: The Best Identity Theft Protection Services

Over 1.4 million Americans reported being victims of identity theft in 2021. With the rapid rise of identity theft, it is now more likely that you will become a victim of identity theft than to have your car stolen.

News About Computers & Technology Scams

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Apple Fights Back Against Counterfeiters on Social Media
18 August 2021 |

Apple Fights Back Against Counterfeiters on Social Media

Apple creates a team for the sole purpose of removing fake products from social media sites.

Urgent CDC Warning: Eye Drops Linked to 3 Deaths, Loss of Vision
22 March 2023 |

Urgent CDC Warning: Eye Drops Linked to 3 Deaths, Loss of Vision

The CDC is warning eye drops users of a rare bacterial infection from 2 brands of eye drops. The infection is resistant to antibiotics and has resulted in the loss of vision, loss of eyeballs and the death of 3 patients.

Banks May Refund More Zelle Scam Victims in 2023

Banks May Refund More Zelle Scam Victims in 2023

Zelle scams have reached a serious volume. New reports suggest that banks are looking at new refund protections for customers in 2023.

Optus Data Breach - One of the Worst Cyberattacks in Australia
10 October 2022 |

Optus Data Breach - One of the Worst Cyberattacks in Australia

Hackers have gained access to 9.8 million customer records from Optus in Australia, exposing personal information such as driver licence, medicare and passport details.

Roe vs. Wade Overturned: Abortion Rights in Your State

Roe vs. Wade Overturned: Abortion Rights in Your State

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