Yes, Surfshark can block ads and in this article you’ll learn more about how that feature works.
SurfShark is best known for providing an amazing VPN service, but few people know that tool can also block ads on your browser.
In this article you’ll find out whether the feature works and what exactly does.
What is Surfshark?
Before we get into the nitty-gritty of the question whether Surfshark block ads, let’s see quickly what is Surfshark.
Despite being relatively new to the VPN market, Surfshark has established itself as one of the best VPNs in the market with its security encryption, safety protocols, applications, and features.
Since its launch in 2018, this VPN service got its first independent audit the same year it launched and has received the AV-Test’s seal of approval.
Why using Surfshark CleanWeb feature?
The CleanWeb feature enables users to block ads and trackers from loading your data, allowing them to surf the web without any disturbance.
You have to turn it on manually, and once it is turned on, it will block all blacklisted IP addresses.
This feature also detects malicious sites and automatically blocks them, protecting you from malware attacks and phishing scams.
To get started, you first need to enable the Clean Web feature.
Go to Features on the left of your dashboard.
Then enable Clean Web by toggling the switch.
Does CleanWeb really work?
Like we have said above, yes Surfshark blocks ads.
There is an entire thread on Reddit about this question and one Reddit user shared his experience about CleanWeb:
Yesterday when I went to Lookmovie with the VPN off and was bombarded with all those sh*** ads that I hadn’t seen in a while.
It was a good reminder to turn the VPN on and basically confirmed the ad blocker does work for at least the most annoying ads you can get.
It also says on Surfshark’s website that the ad blocker also protects you from adware and malware to some extent.
In fact, CleanWeb is built for blocking not just ads that may contain malicious viruses, but also malicious websites.
When CleanWeb is enabled, your browser will show less ads and less trackers will work. This means your privacy is even more protected.
What else can CleanWeb do?
One simple benefit of having to stop ads and malicious websites is that your browser will have to load fewer content. So, by eliminating ads and banners, you can enjoy a faster browsing speed.
Also, ads, pop ups, banners consume a very high amount of mobile data when you are not on WiFi. This means you are paying to see ads and banners. If you switch them off, you’ll save money.
Finally, because CleanWeb block ads before they can load, it’s like they have never existed. And all malware infected websites will never have a chance to infect your device.
More useful SurfShark information
How many servers doe Surfshark have?
This VPN has more than 3200 servers in 95 countries. Although it has fewer servers than other popular VPN providers, like NordVPN, CyberGhost, and Private Internet Access, its location coverage is in all the main world continents.
Surfshark has servers in over 24 locations in the US, 38 locations in Europe, and other locations in Asia, Africa, Russia, Turkey, and Vietnam. Virtual server locations are available in Costa Rica, Chile, India, Argentina, South Korea, and Costa Rica. For virtual servers, your data must travel to a physical server first, which can affect connection time.
Now, let’s see how Surfshark fared with speed and performance.
How fast is Surfshark?
We considered the download speed, upload speed, and ping when testing the speed for this VPN, and it passed. For local servers, there was zero to negligible loss in latency.
On the other hand, there was a significant loss in the speed of long-distance servers, which is expected as data travels farther. The high speed of the VPN can be attributed to its default protocol – the WireGuard protocol.
As discussed earlier, there are two other protocols you can choose from, and they fare differently when tested for speed. IKEv2 is the second fastest protocol, followed by OpenVPN (UDP) and OpenVPN (TCP). Surfshark is a fast VPN that offers users a myriad of servers to choose from — with some faring better than others.
Usability
Now that we’ve looked at some of the features this VPN offers let’s find out how user-friendly it is.
- Surfshark Installation Process
It is effortless to install and connect to Surfshark, even as a first-time user.
For Windows, Mac, Android, or iOS device users, download and install the software from the Surfshark website. But before doing this, you need to sign up for an account and choose a plan to enable you to sign in after downloading the app on any of your devices.
Installing the browser extensions is also simple. Search for the Surfshark extension on the Chrome Web Store of Firefox Store, and add it to your browser.
Additionally, you will need to set up Smart DNS for your PS4, Xbox, and smart TVs. This process involves selecting the “Smart DNS2 tab after logging into your web browser. You will be given DNS codes that you will have to manually input into any of these devices that do not have a native app.
- User Interface
The user interface of Surfshark VPN is straightforward, making it easy for newbies to navigate the software. Once you log in, you are not bombarded by different options with no descriptions. Everything is neatly labeled, and all menus are easy to find.
- Torrenting
You can easily download a torrent with this VPN as it allows P2P support for several of its servers. With the whitelisting capability, you can also enable your torrent client to drive traffic through Surfshark while a standard connection carries the rest of your internet traffic. Besides, you don’t need to manually select a server if you want to download torrents, as the VPN will automatically recognize your actions and switch to a P2P server.
- Streaming
Unlike other VPNs that claim to unblock streaming sites like Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, and the likes and fail to do so, Surfshark does what it claims to do. You can seamlessly use this VPN to unlock these streaming platforms in multiple regions. It even works for BBC iPlayer, HBO Max, ITV Hub, Amazon Prime, and ESPN+.
FAQs
- Is Surfshark safe to use?
Surfshark is very safe to use as they offer military-grade encryption. It provides three tunnelling protocols, WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IKEv2, ensuring the security and privacy of clients at all times. Plus, this VPN has a strict no-logs policy and RAM-only servers, which ensures no logging of the client’s private data.
- How much does Surfshark cost?
This VPN starts at $2.30 per month for a two-year plan. On the other hand, you will have to pay more for short-term plans — 1-year plan goes for $3.99 and $12.95 for a one-month plan.
- Can I use Surfshark for free?
You cannot use Surfshark for free, although there is a 7-day free trial that you can try. But, you’ll need to create an account to do so.
- Does Surfshark work in China?
Surfshark works in china and other geo-restrictive areas like Russia, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia. It offers multiple features like camouflage mode, GPS spoofing, and no borders mode to enable users to bypass internet restrictions.
- Can I use Surfshark to unblock streaming sites?
You can use this VPN to unblock multiple streaming sites like Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, Amazon Prime, and BBC iPlayer.
