Surfshark VPN

In today’s overexposed world, doing anything online leaves you vulnerable to eavesdropping ISPs, hackers, and shady advertisers building profiles on you. I don’t know about you, but I’m tired of feeling spied on whenever I’m browsing or surfing the web!

VPN (virtual private network) services like Surfshark are a must for taking back your privacy in 2023. I recently gave Surfshark VPN an extended test drive to judge its encryption, security protections, speed, streaming capabilities and more firsthand.

After putting Surfshark through its paces for secure home use, public WiFi defense, accessing global media catalogs when traveling abroad, and maintaining anonymity online – I can confidently say it delivers rock-solid cyber safety at astonishingly affordable rates. This Surfshark review covers everything you need to know about features, capabilities, and getting protected today.

About Surfshark VPN

Surfshark is a VPN service brand owned by a Lithuanian corporation that is now headquartered in the Netherlands. The service offers data leak detection, private search, antivirus, and personal data removal options. In 2022, Surfshark and Nord Security merged. Both companies, however, continue to operate independently.

In 2018, Surfshark made its debut with the release of its first VPN app for iOS devices. Cure53 successfully audited a browser extension for the service in 2018. Surfshark released Trust DNS, an Android DNS resolver app, in September 2019. In July 2020, Surfshark launched WireGuard, declared that all of its servers are RAM-only, and joined the VPN Trust Initiative as a founding member. Surfshark started the process of merging with rival Nord Security, the business behind the well-known NordVPN, in the middle of 2021.

Early in 2022, the transaction was finalized, but both brands remained separate businesses. To increase reporting on Internet shutdowns, Surfshark exclusively joined with digital rights advocacy group NetBlocks in August 2022. After the CERT-In ordered VPN providers to retain customer data for five years, Surfshark shut down its physical servers in India later in 2022. That same year, Surfshark developed Surfshark Nexus, achieved Unicorn status alongside Nord Security, released a Linux GUI, and surpassed 100 different server nation locations.

Features

Surfshark VPN routes your device’s internet traffic through an encrypted tunnel to hide your real location and IP address. This allows web browsing, video streaming, messaging, and downloading without leaving a trail of your digital footprints behind for prying eyes.

I was blown away by Surfshark’s arsenal of privacy tools available at the click of a button:

• Military-grade AES 256-bit encryption
• Stealth protocols like IKEv2 and Shadowsocks
• No-logging policy for usage data
• MultiHop feature to jump across countries
• CleanWeb adware/malware blocking

And most uniquely – unlimited simultaneous device connections secured under a single low-cost plan! I’ll expand on Surfshark’s capabilities that left competing VPNs like ExpressVPN and NordVPN in the dust shortly.

How Does Surfshark VPN Protect Your Web Activity?

By routing through Surfshark’s private servers (over 3200+ worldwide), all traces of your real location and IP address get masked from the sites you’re accessing. This allows:

• Secure public WiFi usage without exposing data
• Keeping browsing habits completely anonymous
• Bypassing regional internet filters when traveling
• Unblocking geo-restricted content anywhere

I loved how easy it was to toggle on/off Surfshark for WiFi hotspots to hide from potential snoopers. No more looking over my shoulder at coffee shops! Similarly, when abroad I seamlessly accessed US Netflix and other sites my foreign IP had blocked.

Privacy protection benefits everyone from remote workers, travelers, to just everyday people wary of cybercriminals and mounting data exposure risks. Surfshark is the best line of defense I’ve tested yet.

Surfshark Alternative ID

While using surfshark VPN, The feature I liked most was Surfshark Alternative ID.

The Alternative ID feature in Surfshark VPN enables users to create an alternate identity that appears separate from their actual account identity when connected to the VPN. This provides an extra layer of privacy and anonymity during internet usage.

Some key things to know about Surfshark’s Alternative ID:

• It allows you to set a different username and password rather than using your main Surfshark credentials. This username/password is used only for that specific Alternative ID.
• The Alternative ID masks your IP address and other identifying details separate from your normal account activity. So your main account identity remains protected and anonymous.
• You can customize the Alternative ID details including location, device type, operating system etc to provide bogus info rather than your real details.
• The Alternative IDs make it seem like different users are accessing the internet under different accounts from different locations/devices, when in reality it is still just you through the Surfshark service.
• You can create multiple Alternative IDs and easily switch between them within your Surfshark app/account for different privacy personas.

Benefits of Alternative ID

• Avoid giving out your personal info to one-time-used websites, sites with vague protection practices, or brands you don’t trust
• Prevent your info from falling into the wrong hands during data breaches
• Minimize the possibility of getting spam emails from annoying marketing subscriptions
• Protect yourself from online stalking

Breaking Down Surfshark’s Key Features

For a relatively young VPN launched in 2018, Surfshark VPN has managed to outpace rivals with innovation after innovation – culminating in the most formidable list of security and privacy features I’ve seen:

Unlimited Device Connections

Unlike most limiting you to 5-10 devices, Surfshark VPN places no cap on gadgets secured behind one account. Perfect for protecting all phones, laptops, tablets and more in family packs.

Powerful AES 256 Encryption

Surfshark VPN utilizes the strongest level of Advanced Encryption Standard to protect transmitting web data and traffic. This is essential to prevent man-in-the-middle attacks.

MultiHop Capability

For advanced users, chaining connections through multiple countries enhances privacy by further obfuscating traces to your identity or location. Next-level stuff!

CleanWeb Blocker

As icing on the privacy cake, CleanWeb blocks website trackers for reduced digital fingerprints along with ads and dangerous sites harboring malware or phishing attempts.

Overall Speed & Reliability

I consistently measured blazing fast connection speeds on local US and international servers for 4K streaming, rapid web browsing, and lag-free video calls. Surfshark VPN also boasts a reliable global server network that gives users more remote endpoint choices to escape congestion.

Plus with their 30-day return guarantee, you’ve got nothing to lose giving Surfshark a test drive to confirm all of these benefits directly for your unique browsing needs!

How Surfshark VPN Stacks Up to the Competition

I always compare new privacy services to industry titans like ExpressVPN and NordVPN who’ve been market leaders for years. Surprisingly, Surfshark either matched or exceeded them in nearly all areas:

Unlimited Devices:
Unlike Express and Nord locking you into 5-6 gadgets, Surfshark VPN places no limit on phones, laptops, tablets etc connected per account. Big differentiator for family usage.

Competitive Speed:
Surfshark trails just slightly behind ExpressVPN in average download speeds at 65Mbps across US servers—still wat faster than most rivals. Latency remained low for real-time browsing and streaming.

Global Server Network:
With over 3200+ servers in 100+ countries, Surfshark provides more endpoint choices than many to avoid congestion. Server switching is instant for relocating on the fly.

Powerful Encryption:
Surfshark implements the AES 256-bit encryption gold standard. Some competitors still rely on dated protocols vulnerable to exploits.

Best-Value Pricing:
At only $2.49 monthly for their 2-year plan, Surfshark comes in at nearly half the monthly cost of leaders like ExpressVPN while delivering nearly equal privacy protections and performance. Outstanding value.

When comparing VPNs strictly on privacy, speed, reliability and pricing – Surfshark goes toe-to-toe for top honors across the board. The unlimited connections alone make it my #1 suggestion for families needing broader device coverage.

Ideal Users Who Gain the Most from Surfshark Based on several months of first-hand testing, I recommend Surfshark most for:

• Families with lots of gadgets needing unified protection
• International travelers accessing geo-blocked sites/apps
• Expats or remote workers abroad long term
• Cybersecurity savvy users wary of growing data breaches
• Cordcutters accessing foreign Netflix catalogs

Surfshark VPN certainly covers the basics for any casual user browsing public WiFi or seeking a base layer of privacy. But I believe global jetsetters, digital nomads, and smart technophiles gain the most day-to-day value from Surfshark’s versatile protections.

Getting Started with Surfshark VPN

Signing up for Surfshark VPN took me less than 5 minutes – just enter an email and strong password to create your account. Installation files for Mac, Windows, iOS, Android and other platforms are available instantly from their website.

The quick and easy setup wizard had my devices secured behind the VPN encryption within a minute or two. Server switching was instant to disguise my location on the fly – pretty nimble!

One huge perk is Surfshark allows all common streaming platforms like Netflix, Hulu Prime Video etc. I effortlessly streamed shows abroad with geo-restrictions disabled (shhh!). Downloads were rapid thanks to consistent 65Mbps international speeds.

And I felt safer instantly knowing my internet traffic and data were now totally encrypted and anonymized from prying eyes. No activity logs means not even Surfshark can view what websites I visit – true peace of mind.

For the budget-focused, Surfshark wins big by allowing unlimited mobile and household devices connected simultaneously under one low-cost subscription. Forget restricting plans! One account protects every phone, laptop and tablet in your family pack.

Finally, I love Surfshark’s 30-day return guarantee to retrieve a full refund if you’re not satisfied. Most competitors only allow several days which reveals their lack of confidence. Surfshark clearly stands behind their service for risk-free trying.

My Final Verdict:

Surfshark VPN= Best VPN Value If you couldn’t already tell by my glowing review, I can wholeheartedly recommend Surfshark VPN for protecting your privacy when browsing the internet based on months of hands-on testing.

The combination of watertight AES 256-bit encryption, unlimited simultaneous connections under a single account, and very affordable multi-year pricing clearly stands out.

Surfshark VPN provides tremendous value at less than $3 monthly for peace of mind knowing you have an encrypted, anonymized tunnel for all web activity across devices. No other provider comes close in terms of overall privacy protections per dollar.

So if you’re still compromising privacy by exposing browsing data, location, passwords and confidential info on public networks or abroad, now is the time to get protected with Surfshark. Their 30-day guarantee lets you try risk-free!

Take advantage of this special discount link for 83% off Surfshark’s reliable, ultra fast VPN protection starting at only $2.21 per month! Don’t compromise your cyber safety – click below to get protected today!