This Surfshark Review was written by Troy from TROYPOINT after using the VPN service on a regular basis for approximately three weeks.

Surfshark provided me with a free account for the purpose of this review and additional tutorials in the future. However, this review is unbiased and you will see that I point out both the good and bad regarding this popular VPN service.

In this review, I will be using two of the most popular devices that people use in conjunction with Surfshark which are a Fire TV Stick 4K Max and Windows PC.

You can find our setup guide for Fire TV Stick/Fire TV and Android TV devices via link below.

Surfshark Tutorial for Firestick & Android TV

Surfshark did not have access to this review prior to publishing.

Surfshark Review

This Surfshark review will cover all of its most popular features and lack thereof.

You may find additional information by exploring the Surfshark Website via the link below.

Surfshark Website

 

Strict No-logs Policy

Surfshark explains their “no-logs policy” the following way.

In short, a no-log VPN like Surfshark does not keep track of your online whereabouts or actions in any way. The VPN server only keeps enough data to keep your VPN connection going, and nothing of it is kept after you’re done.

Surfshark is based in the Netherlands which means that their local laws do not force VPN providers to keep logs.

Most top-ranked VPNs carry the same type of no-logging policy as Surfshark.

Change Your IP Address

It’s important that a VPN changes your IP address when you connect.

Your IP address is the identifying number that points right back to your Internet service account.

When you connect to the Surfshark your real IP address is masked and they assign you with an anonymous one.

Rotating IP

This beta feature changes your IP address every once in a while without disconnecting you from the VPN network. This makes you even more difficult to track than using a simple VPN.

You can turn this feature on within the settings of the Surfshark application.

Static IP

You can choose to connect to a server with a Static IP Address.

Static IP locations will always have the same IP addresses and will not change even if you reconnect. This is important for those who must use a VPN for work and they are required to connect to their network through the same IP address each time.

MultiHop

Allows you to control where your traffic enters and leaves. With MultiHop, you can manually choose to connect, for example, through UK to the US and vice versa.

This setting can also be enabled within the settings panel of the Surfshark app.

Strong Encryption

Surfshark supports three of the most popular VPN protocols currently available.

WireGuard

WireGuard is a new lightweight protocol that some of the top-ranked VPNs have implemented.

It allows for fast download/upload speeds which is important when streaming large HD files.

It’s also less susceptible to security vulnerabilities as it’s easier to manage and scale.

IKEv2

IKEv2 stands for Internet Key Exchange version 2.

This protocol has been updated many times and is also known for fast download/upload speeds.

OpenVPN

OpenVPN is probably the most popular VPN protocols available today.

One reason for the popularity is due to its open-source nature which means its code has been approved by security professionals worldwide.

More than likely, users will get faster speeds with WireGuard and IKEv2 but it’s still important to try this protocol as networks vary.

Private DNS & Leak Protection

Surfshark runs its Private DNS on every VPN server.

Here are the benefits of doing this.

• No activity logs and no connection logs
• No DNS blocking, filtering, or hijacking
• Faster DNS queries
• 256-bit encryption

This is one additional security measure that some VPNs implement. It’s impressive to see that Surfshark also provides this feature.

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3,200+ Servers in 65 Countries

Surfshark offers a vast network of servers worldwide for users to connect to.

Surfshark focuses on server speed by ensuring each server has at least a single 1 Gbps port and continuously adds new 10 Gbps ports daily.

This VPN operates on 100% RAM-only servers, promising faster upload/download speeds for its users. All servers are updated with the latest software, don’t retain any data, and undergo periodic wipes.

Apps for All Popular Devices

Surfshark offers applications for various popular devices.

• Fire OS (Fire TV/Stick)
• Android TV
• Android
• iOS
• Windows
• Mac
• Linux

Browser Extensions

Surfshark provides Browser Extensions for convenient VPN control directly from your browser.

These extensions are compatible with popular browsers such as Chrome, Firefox, and Edge.

Router Setup

If you wish to secure your entire network without managing individual apps on each device, you can configure Surfshark on supported routers.

This is especially useful for devices like Roku, Apple TV, and gaming systems that lack dedicated apps.

Smart DNS

Surfshark offers Smart DNS support for customers to use on devices that can’t run a VPN, like Apple TV.

 

Smart DNS masks your DNS requests to appear from a different location, bypassing geo-blocks on streaming services or other restricted content platforms.

This feature doesn’t offer the complete VPN security package, focusing solely on manipulating DNS requests.

Kill Switch

Surfshark includes a Kill Switch feature essential for any reliable VPN service.

If your VPN connection unexpectedly disconnects, the Kill Switch automatically severs the Internet connection to maintain your privacy.

Users can activate the Kill Switch within the settings of each Surfshark application.

A noteworthy feature is the Kill Switch’s effectiveness on devices like Fire TV Stick and Android TV, where such functionality is typically challenging to implement. Surfshark’s successful execution here is commendable!

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CleanWeb

I was eager to test this feature offered by Surfshark.

According to Surfshark, CleanWeb not only blocks ads effectively but also prevents malware infections.

I decided to test this feature on popular free movie streaming sites using my Fire TV Stick and Windows 10 PC, known for their abundance of ads.

I was pleasantly surprised by the effectiveness of CleanWeb in blocking these ads.

While it didn’t catch every ad, it performed relatively well. Moreover, detecting malware risks adds another layer of security, particularly beneficial for users of free streaming apps on devices like Fire TV Stick and Android TV.

Kudos to Surfshark for the impressive CleanWeb feature!

Camouflage Mode

Surfshark introduces a feature called “Camouflage””Mode”, also known as Obfuscation by other VPN services, helps mask your VPN usage from your Internet Service Provider (ISP), streaming services, and websites. It makes it challenging for them to detect that you are using a VPN. If you’ve encountered issues with accessing certain websites or services while using a VPN, Obfuscation can sometimes bypass these restrictions. It’s a useful feature that enhances your online privacy and security. Obfuscation can be especially beneficial when faced with geo-blocks and restrictions. Surfshark’s integration of Split Tunneling, named Bypasser, is another valuable tool that allows users to selectively bypass the VPN for specific applications. This feature comes in handy when certain apps struggle to function properly with active VPN connections. Surfshark’s Bypasser gives users the flexibility to deactivate the VPN protection for individual apps while keeping the overall VPN connection active. This customization can enhance user experience and convenience in managing their online activities. Surfshark offers users the choice between Bypass VPN and Route via VPN, enabling them to decide how specific applications interact with the VPN. If you opt for Route via VPN, you can configure the VPN to be active only for selected applications, potentially improving performance compared to Bypass VPN. This feature allows users to prioritize protection for specific apps while maintaining faster connection speeds. Unlimited Devices is another standout feature of Surfshark that sets it apart from many other VPN services. Users can enjoy the flexibility of using their Surfshark account on an unlimited number of devices, whether at home or on the go. While most VPN providers limit the number of devices per account, Surfshark’s unlimited device support is commendable and ensures greater convenience for users. Surfshark’s commitment to user convenience and flexibility is further evident in its Fire TV and Android TV applications. These apps offer a user-friendly interface and seamless integration with streaming devices, enhancing the overall user experience. If you’re looking for a VPN service that prioritizes usability and versatility, Surfshark is a solid choice.player.bunny = {“thumbnail”:”https://vz-353c286f-035.b-cdn.net/5d539860-af65-49b1-8671-9766e9d98da2/thumbnail.jpg”,”preview”:”https://vz-353c286f-035.b-cdn.net/5d539860-af65-49b1-8671-9766e9d98da2/preview.webp”};