Surfshark Features and Settings

In this article, you will learn about Surfshark features, their availability on different operating systems, and Surfshark settings.

We will cover the following:

  1. CleanWeb
  2. Cookie pop-up blocker
  3. Bypasser
  4. KillSwitch
  5. Pause VPN
  6. IP Rotator
  7. Camouflage mode
  8. Override GPS location
  9. NoBorders
  10. Invisible to devices
  11. Dedicated IP
  12. Smart DNS
  13. Surfshark One
  14. Alternative ID
  15. Auto-connect
  16. Start with Windows
  17. Change Protocol
  18. Static Servers
  19. MultiHop servers
  20. Small Packets

 

CleanWeb

CleanWeb works as an adblocker – it will block ads and malicious links on your browser before they can harm you. (Available on Android, iOS, macOS, Windows).

Cookie pop-up blocker

Cookie pop-up blocker feature avoids the annoying cookie consent pop-ups.

Available as a Surfshark browser extension feature for Chromium-based browsers and Firefox.

Bypasser

Bypasser (a.k.a. Split-tunneling or Bypass VPN) allows specific apps & websites to bypass the VPN tunnel. Works great with mobile banking apps.

Available on Android, Surfshark browser extension, iOS, and Windows.

Route via VPN option (reverse Bypasser) allows you to choose certain websites or apps that should be routed through the VPN server while all others remain unaffected. In other words, it’s the exact opposite of Bypass VPN.

Available on Android and Windows.

 

KillSwitch

KillSwitch feature disconnects your device from the internet if the VPN connection drops unexpectedly. No sensitive data will get out until you reconnect to a Surfshark VPN server.

Available on Android, iOS, macOS, and Windows.

Pause VPN

Pause VPN allows pausing the VPN connection for 5 minutes, 30 minutes, or 2 hours. The connection automatically resumes once the selected time ends.

Available on Android, Windows, iOS, and macOS.

IP Rotator

IP Rotator changes the user's IP address on the chosen location every 5 to 10 minutes without disconnecting from the VPN.

Available on Android, Windows, iOS, macOS.

 

Camouflage mode

Camouflage mode makes user traffic look like any old regular traffic. It allows bypassing restrictions, censorship, ISPs snooping, and others. It activates automatically when using the OpenVPN protocol.

Available on Android, Windows, iOS, and macOS.

 

Override GPS location

Override GPS location feature tricks GPS-enabled apps such as Google Maps and Uber into thinking that you’re elsewhere. It matches your GPS signal to the Surfshark server's location that you are connected to.

Available on Android.

 

NoBorders

NoBorders feature allows using a VPN through network restrictions such as geoblocking or government censorship.

Available on Android, Windows, macOS, and iOS.

 

Invisible to devices

Hides your device from other devices on the same network. You won’t be able to communicate with printers, portable speakers, smart TVs, Chromecasts, etc. This feature comes in handy on public networks. Additionally, the Discover on LAN (previously Invisible on LAN) feature allows you to have control over your visibility within the Local Area Network.

Available on Windows and Android.

 

Dedicated IP

Dedicated IP — a static IP address that helps bypass CAPTCHA prompts, access services that are sensitive to IP changes, and more.

Available for an additional price.

 

SmartDNS

SmartDNS allows using a private DNS while streaming on SmartTV in case it doesn’t support the Surfshark app.

 

Surfshark One

Surfshark Antivirus

  • Detects and removes viruses and malware from your devices
  • Offers real-time protection
  • Prevents ad companies and bots from tracking your online activity
  • Allows performing full scans or narrowing them down to frequently used folders

Surfshark Alert

  • Alerts you if your email address appears in breached online databases
  • Informs about the security status of your personal identification number
  • Checks your password's vulnerability
  • Monitors your credit cards

 

Surfshark Search

  • Performs private web search queries without any ads, logs, or trackers
  • Provides accurate and relevant search results
  • Searches without leaving any digital footprints

 

Alternative ID

Maintains your email address and name private, minimizes the possibility of getting spam emails and prevents your info from the hands of data brokers or other malicious actors.


You can read more about Alternative ID here.

 

Auto-connect

With Auto-connect enabled, your device will connect to the VPN automatically as soon as it connects to the internet.

Available on Android, Windows, iOS, and macOS.

 

Start with Windows

This feature will launch the Surfshark app automatically as soon as you boot your computer. That way, you do not need to search for it and start it manually.

Available on Windows.

 

Change Protocol

Your Surfshark app has the option to change the default protocol. A protocol is a set of rules that determines how your data will be sent and received. All protocols used at Surfshark are secure and reliable, but one protocol might perform better than another on your network.

On Surfshark app go to Settings > VPN Settings > Protocol.

Available on Android, Windows, iOS, Linux, and macOS.

Static Servers

Surfshark has many different servers in each location. Therefore, if you connect to a New York location, you might get a different IP address each time. However, if you connect to a static server, you will get the same IP address each time.

Available on Android, Windows, iOS, macOS, Linux.

Dynamic MultiHop

Dynamic MultiHop allows you to connect via two different VPN servers simultaneously. You can select both countries from all the servers we offer.

Available on Android, Windows, iOS, and macOS.

 

Small Packets

Whatever you do online, your data is being divided into packets (chunks of information) to send it smoothly. Each packet contains a part of the information that you want to send or receive.

By turning on Small Packets, you will reduce the size of each transmitted packet, which may improve the connection speed and stability.

Available on Android.



 

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