Reviews

Surfshark Review 2022

Surfshark is a cheap virtual private network (VPN) service that packs a tonne of features. It is safe to use, compatible with Netflix and has excellent torrenting capabilities.

In addition to that, it also provides speeds that are really respectable! It is one of the best available choices because of its many useful features, which include a kill switch, leak prevention, private DNS, camouflage mode, and the capacity to circumvent geoblocks.

Surfshark Features

Here is our 2022 review on the Surfshark features:

CleanWeb

This technology enables you to access the internet in an environment free of malware, advertisements, blockers, and attempts at phishing. It does this by collaborating with anti-malware programs that make use of heuristics, sandboxing, and removal. CleanWeb’s security features function thanks to an advanced malware detection technology that the company has developed. It eliminates potentially harmful links, conserves your mobile data, and prevents annoying advertisements from loading.

Unlimited devices

Connect and utilize all of your devices that are enabled with internet key exchange V2 with Surfshark. Unlimited devices can be associated with a single account. It guarantees the continuous safety of all of your electronic gadgets, including your wristwatch, computer, television, and mobile phone, at all times.

Kill Switch

Your VPN servers and your network connection are always monitored by the kill switch, which polls them continually. In the event that the Surfshark-recommended server is unavailable or the connection is lost, the kill switch will prevent you from accessing the internet until the VPN tunnel has been restored. This method safeguards against the inadvertent disclosure of sensitive data to cybercriminals. The inclusion of this security measure in the Surfshark encryption is quite beneficial. In the event that there is a delay in the network, the kill switch also functions by synchronizing the internet connection on all of the devices. Because of this, it is impossible for any of the devices that are linked to the network to access any potentially dangerous networks. During our testing, it was performed without a hitch.

Despite this, there are still some reviews of Surfshark VPN that mention some problems with the kill switch.

Whitelister

You may access public networks, local area networks (LAN), and wide area networks (WAN) by using the Whitelister instead of the VPN tunnel. This function, which also goes by the name split tunneling, has several benefits, the most important of which are that it saves bandwidth, eliminates bottlenecks, and gives you control over which applications are routed over the virtual private network.

Multihop

It’s also known as a double VPN because it adds an extra layer of protection to your connection by routing it via different countries. To establish a connection, you have the option of using two distinct servers that are situated in geographically distinct regions of the world. This method will prevent fraudsters, trackers, and even your Internet service provider from discovering the true location of your IP address. It protects your privacy on the internet and makes sure that eavesdropping on your network traffic is prevented, so your online activity is more secure. You are able to visit any website you choose, regardless of whether you are in China, North Korea, Australia, or the United Kingdom.

NoBorders mode

VPN obfuscation, also known as NoBorders mode, is used to conceal VPN communication. OpenVPN over IPSec is the protocol that is used by default; however, when the data is being encrypted, a unique signature is appended to the stream. The sophisticated program that monitors traffic for advanced detection can recognize this signature and prevent access. NoBorders protects your anonymity while avoiding network bans, dodging Internet service provider throttling, and avoiding other forms of government control in countries such as China. It gives you the ability to view any website and utilize any app wherever you are in the world, allowing you to take pleasure in material from all over the globe. No more stressing worried about being blocked by blocks!

When we were writing this evaluation of Surfshark VPN, this was one of our favorite discoveries that we made.

IP anonymity

The users’ personally-identifying information is concealed, making it possible for them to browse the web anonymously using the Tor network. Proxy servers and virtual private networks (VPNs) are used in combination with anonymous software applications that employ onion routing over obfuscated VPN to accomplish this. Through the use of traffic encryption methods, Surfshark prevents publicly available traffic analysis software that is resident on routers from gaining access to any information on the traffic. Anonymous web servers that function as proxies are put between your network and the network that you are trying to access. By doing so, you may avoid the limitations that the government has placed on domains and access any information resource. By masking your IP address, you prevent intruders from obtaining your network credentials and obtaining your IP address. Reviews of Surfshark highlight how customers were allowed to make use of their own free will while utilizing the service.

Secure VPN tunneling protocols

IKEv2, Open VPN, and Shadowsocks are examples of tunneling protocols that may be used with a VPN. These are the cutting-edge protocols that are now trending in the business and offer improved speed and security compared to older protocols such as L2TP and PPTP. The Virtual Private Network protocols offered by Surfshark are compatible with macOS, Windows, Android, iOS, Fire TV, and Linux. If you are a windows user then you can download Surfshark Windows VPN here.

Private DNS

On each server, there is a private DNS service that guarantees DNS queries are not routed to the public ISP’s DNS but rather to a private one. This private DNS service then resolves the network address and directs traffic to the correct location. By utilizing the IPv4 stack, this technique of leak prevention ensures that higher degrees of security are maintained.

Surfshark Advanced Features

In addition to the plethora of functions that are included in Surfshark VPN, it also provides military-grade encryption and a mode that mimics the appearance of another website.

VPN Encryption

AES-256 is the symmetric key cipher that is being utilized here. The side-attacks and brute-force assaults that have been attempted against Surfshark’s version of this technique have been found to be unsuccessful. The use of this encryption method has not been documented to result in any successful hacking attempts. The Virtual Private Network (VPN) encryption that Surfshark employs may be carried out in a number of different ways, including symmetric key exchange, asymmetric key exchange, encryption algorithm, and integrity algorithm. Reviews of Surfshark given by users indicate that the encryption protocol has functioned normally and has not caused any problems.

Camouflage mode

This mode’s primary use is to conceal OpenVPN traffic in order to get around restrictions imposed by the network. Obfuscation can be accomplished by using pluggable transport software, which is independent software that takes client requests and forwards them to a server. Pluggable transport software is used. There is absolutely no way for network nodes to record any traces of an OpenVPN signature. It makes certain that the encrypted data traveling over your network is not decrypted. When establishing a connection to Surfshark’s servers through the TCP or UDP protocols, camouflage mode will be activated automatically.

Surfshark VPN Servers and Locations

More than 3,200 servers make up the Surfshark network, which is located in 65 different countries. Every one of them has its own private DNS. All of them allow data to be transferred from one peer to another, and they are regulated by strong no-logs regulations; there is no requirement to retain data. Servers may be found around the globe, including in Europe, the Americas, the Middle East, and Africa as well as in Asia and the Pacific. You are given the option of selecting a server while using Surfshark, which makes it possible for your network activity to become untraceable to any network monitor.

Surfshark VPN Speed

How fast is Surfshark? 

The speeds offered by Surfshark are satisfactory. Although it is not the quickest on the market, it does more than enough to meet the requirements. It has a speed that is suitable for both streaming and torrenting. No matter which server you select, the speeds are quite stable and function in a manner that is comparable to the others. We did not encounter any notable slowdowns in velocity when doing the testing necessary for our Surfshark assessment.

Surfshark VPN Privacy and Jurisdiction

The British Virgin Islands serve as the legal environment for the company’s daily operations. There is not a single regulation that requires VPN service providers to keep any kind of logs. As a result, there is no recordkeeping done. Additionally, the British Virgin Islands is not a part of the Fourteen Eyes alliance like other countries in the Caribbean.

Up to this point, there have been no controversies with Surfshark. The VPN service provider has not been found to be responsible for any instances of data breaches or the sale of user information.

The IPSec tunneling protocol is implemented in Surfshark. This protocol includes authentication headers, encapsulating security payloads, and security associations, all of which contribute to a robust VPN’s level of anonymity when used together.

Surfshark VPN Security and Protocols

  • IKEV2 – In order to set up shared secret network sessions, Surfshark makes use of the IKEV2 protocols, a robust x.509 authentication method, and the Diffie-Hellman key exchange protocol, all of which are accessed through its private DNS servers. In the case of peer-to-peer file sharing and streaming, a separate security policy is maintained for each peer.
  • OpenVPN – Surfshark’s utilization of OpenVPN is underpinned by the 256-bit AES encryption, SSL, and TLS protocols provided by the OpenSSL stack. Encrypting data packets with a keyed hash message authentication code is how ciphers achieve their level of security. Authentication between peers may be done during torrent file transfers by utilizing pre-shared keys. The VPN tunneling protocols use 256-bit encryption and run on the UDP and TCP protocols. Additionally, the security of these protocols may be increased using plugins or third-party add-ons to improve their functionality.
  • Shadowsocks is mostly utilized to circumvent censorship so that customers of virtual private network services are able to access websites that have been restricted. This is a lightweight protocol that is used in combination with pluggable transport technologies. It is based on the SOCKS5 web proxy.

Surfshark VPN Leak Test Results

It is recommended to do DNS and IPv6 protection tests on a VPN service before actually utilizing it. IP and DNS leak checks are an essential component since they stop the browser extension from sending your requests directly to the ISP rather than to the VPN provider you’re using. Particularly important for networks that make use of split-tunnel technology is the performance of this vulnerability assessment.

When we were composing this evaluation of Surfshark, it was only natural for us to do it.

When we examined the service for potential DNS and IP breaches, we found that Surfshark performed admirably. There were no signs of any leaks being present.

Surfshark VPN and Streaming Services

Surfshark is built for no-buffering streaming, simultaneous connections on numerous devices, and high-definition streaming across its more than 3,200 servers located in more than 63 different countries.

The use of Surfshark to unblock Netflix is highly recommended. Other well-known streaming services, such as Disney+, HBO Now, Prime Video, Hulu, DAZN, Sky Go, Hotstar, AbernaTV, YLE Areena, and BBC iPlayer, are also available to you.

You are able to bypass blocked websites and begin streaming material from any service provider when you switch to the NoBorders mode. This is accomplished by avoiding geographical constraints, which makes P2P file sharing and streaming possible.

How Good Is Surfshark VPN for Torrenting?

Surfshark was developed to operate in perfect harmony with torrent engines like uTorrent, BitTorrent, qBittorent, Vuze, Deluge, and a number of other P2P torrent clients. When using torrents to download files or to seed new torrents, the transmission is encrypted, limitless, and lightning-fast. There is no throttle applied, which enables high speeds. This virtual private network (VPN) service has no such limits in place, in contrast to other service providers who may opt to reduce download speeds based on the material that is being downloaded.

In addition to this, Surfshark provides torrenting-specific dedicated servers that are streamlined for increased performance.

During the time that we were testing the speed of torrents, Surfshark performed well. Having said that, the speed at which Surfshark torrents is on par with the very best that the industry has to offer.

Can Surfshark VPN Bypass Geoblocks?

All of Surfshark’s servers are located in over 60 different locations, which allows the company to provide unlimited bandwidth and military-grade protection for its customers. The virtual private network (VPN) service allows users to circumvent geo-blocks as well as regionally regulated website content and any other kind of censorship. It grants users the ability to access any and all forms of material from any location in the world. This function is included in each and every Surfshark VPN package.

Ease of Use

It’s not difficult to get started using Surfshark. After downloading and installing the client, the installer enables signup and payment without requiring the use of any third-party browser extension. This may be done immediately after the client has been downloaded and installed.

The user interface can be navigated with little effort at all. You currently possess all of the resources at your disposal right in front of you. There is no unnecessary clutter, and there is no need to read extensive instructions in order to figure out how to use the program.

Despite this, inexperienced users may discover that establishing OpenVPN is more difficult than they anticipated.

Customer Support

Chat support is available at all hours of the day and night on Surfshark. It is not a chatbot, but rather a representative who is responding to your inquiries using the chat interface.

However, despite their speed and friendliness, the customer support representatives are not really helpful if you have any significant problems with the service.

The Frequently Asked Questions page should be able to address most of your questions. If you have a question or worry about something, you should look it up in the knowledge base since there’s a good chance you’ll find the answer there.

Surfshark VPN Price

So, how much does Surfshark cost? 

Well, like the most popular VPN services out there if you prepay for a longer period you get quite a bargain.

  • 1 month – $12.95
  • 12 months – $3.99/month
  • 24 months – $2.30/month

There’s a 30-day money-back guarantee on the last plan.

Surfshark VPN Review -Verdict

Because of its robust feature set, Surfshark is consistently ranked as one of the best virtual private networks (VPNs) for streaming, torrenting, and viewing prohibited material. Surfshark is a low-cost virtual private network (VPN) service that offers more than 1,700 servers in locations all over the world. It is supported by contemporary encryption technologies and makes use of the most effective of the prevalent tunneling protocols. When the number of included benefits is weighed against the total cost, the cost-to-benefit ratio is shown to be beneficial. In addition, the intuitive user interface is a wonderful added feature.

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Editorial Staff at TechWaver is determined to inform their users regarding the latest tech news, tips & hacks, software & product reviews, and much useful information from all over the world.

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