In today’s digital landscape, safeguarding personal information has become paramount. With an array of threats lurking online, utilizing effective tools to defend against potential breaches is essential. While many individuals turn to standalone VPNs and antivirus software, a combined solution can offer both financial savings and streamlined security management.
What’s so good about Surfshark’s antivirus?
Surfshark has emerged as a strong contender in the VPN market, currently holding the second position in our rankings. It not only excels in providing VPN services but also integrates a robust antivirus solution. This antivirus software is designed to shield users from harmful downloads and proactively scans devices for threats.
Surfshark’s antivirus employs a tri-layered defense mechanism, initiating with a traditional scan backed by an extensive threat database. Users can choose between scheduling a comprehensive scan or opting for a quicker version. Any suspicious code detected is promptly sent to an online lab for further analysis, and Surfshark ensures that threat updates are delivered multiple times a day.
Real-time protection is a standout feature, continuously monitoring vulnerable areas of devices to prevent the installation of Potentially Unwanted Applications (PUAs) and offering defense against botnets and fileless malware. While customization options are somewhat limited, the straightforward nature of the software should suffice for most users.
Don’t just take our word for it
In the summer of 2024, Surfshark Antivirus received the prestigious “TOP PRODUCT” award from AV-TEST, an independent organization dedicated to evaluating online security solutions. The antivirus was rigorously tested on Windows, assessing its performance across three critical areas: Protection, Performance, and Usability.
Surfshark achieved impressive scores, earning a perfect 6/6 for Protection, 5.5/6 for Performance, and 6/6 for Usability. Furthermore, it excelled in the Advanced Threat Protection (ATP) test, scoring a flawless 10/10. Nedas Kazlauskas, the Antivirus Product Manager at Surfshark, emphasized the importance of reliable antivirus protection, noting, “People often click on suspicious links or download harmful files without realizing the risk. That’s why having a reliable antivirus is essential – it shields users from viruses and malware, enhancing their device security.”
Kazlauskas also highlighted the antivirus’s 100% detection rate against advanced 0-day malware attacks and expressed satisfaction with the product’s usability, reinforcing Surfshark’s commitment to providing effective yet user-friendly online security solutions.
Surfshark’s antivirus is available exclusively in its One and One+ plans, with prices for a two-year subscription starting at an attractive .49 per month, which includes an additional four months of protection at no extra cost. While a free trial is not offered, all plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee, allowing users to seek a refund if their expectations are not met.
What else is Surfshark good at?
Beyond its impressive antivirus capabilities, Surfshark ranks as the second-best VPN provider overall and is recognized as the best budget-friendly VPN on the market. With prices starting at just .99 per month, users benefit from the same four-month bonus and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Speed is another area where Surfshark shines, achieving remarkable performance with speeds exceeding 950 Mbps when utilizing the WireGuard protocol. Even with the traditionally slower OpenVPN, it maintains impressive speeds of 640 Mbps, making it an excellent choice for both browsing and streaming activities.
Surfshark’s user-friendly interface allows for protection across an unlimited number of devices, although the antivirus feature is limited to five devices. Additional security features include Alternative ID and Alternative Number options, while subscribers to the One+ plan gain access to the data removal service, Incogni.
Disclaimer
We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example: 1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service). 2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad. We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.
