Struggling to get Surfshark VPN working perfectly on your Arch Linux machine? You’re not alone. While setting up a VPN on Arch can sometimes feel like a puzzle, especially compared to more user-friendly distributions, I’m here to walk you through it. Surfshark is a pretty popular VPN service, and for good reason—it offers a ton of features, strong security, and decent speeds. And even though it doesn’t have an official GUI app for Arch Linux directly, there are still solid ways to get it up and running.

This guide is going to cover everything you need to know, from why Surfshark is a good pick for you to how to install it using the Arch User Repository AUR or even manually with OpenVPN or WireGuard. We’ll also dig into its reliability, what kind of VPN it actually is, and how to troubleshoot common snags. By the end of this, you’ll have your Arch system hooked up to Surfshark, enjoying all the privacy and freedom it offers. Surfshark is a great choice if you want unlimited simultaneous connections, a user-friendly interface that’s packed with useful features, and an improving commitment to transparency.

Table of Contents

Why Surfshark VPN is a Smart Pick for Arch Linux Users

So, why would you, an Arch Linux user, choose Surfshark? Well, it’s not just about hiding your IP address. Surfshark brings a lot to the table that makes it an attractive option for anyone who values privacy, security, and flexibility on their Linux setup.

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Top-Notch Security & Privacy Features

First off, let’s talk security. Surfshark uses AES-256-GCM encryption, which is pretty much industry standard and considered virtually uncrackable. Think of it like a super-strong lock on your data. On top of that, it supports modern and secure protocols like WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IKEv2. WireGuard, especially, is known for being lightweight, fast, and secure, making it a favorite for many Linux users.

One of the biggest wins for privacy is Surfshark’s strict no-logs policy. This means they don’t collect any information about what you do online – no IP addresses, browsing history, session info, or anything similar. This isn’t just a claim they make. it’s been independently audited multiple times by firms like Deloitte, which is a big deal in the auditing world. They even passed their second no-logs assurance report in 2025. This kind of independent verification gives a lot of peace of mind, knowing your online activities truly stay private.

Blazing Fast Speeds and Consistent Performance

Nobody wants a VPN that slows down their internet to a crawl. Surfshark has worked hard to provide consistently fast connections. This means you can do data-heavy things like streaming, gaming, or torrenting without much hassle. While every VPN will add a slight overhead, Surfshark’s commitment to speed, especially with the WireGuard protocol, means you’re unlikely to notice significant slowdowns for everyday use. Is Surfshark VPN Safe? Your Guide to Online Security and Privacy

Unlimited Devices, One Subscription

Here’s a feature that really stands out: Surfshark lets you connect an unlimited number of devices on a single subscription. For an Arch user who probably has a desktop, a laptop, maybe a phone, and other gadgets, this is fantastic. You don’t have to pick and choose which device gets VPN protection. everything can be covered. This makes it super cost-effective for households or anyone with a lot of tech.

Handy Features to Boost Your Experience

Surfshark isn’t just a basic VPN. it’s packed with useful extras:

Kill Switch: This is a crucial safety net. If your VPN connection unexpectedly drops, the Kill Switch automatically cuts your internet connection, preventing your real IP address or data from being exposed.
Dynamic MultiHop Double VPN: Want even more anonymity? This feature routes your internet traffic through two different VPN servers, encrypting your data twice. You can even choose your entry and exit points for extra security.
Bypasser Split Tunneling: Sometimes you want certain apps or websites to bypass the VPN tunnel. Surfshark’s Bypasser lets you do just that. For example, you might want your online banking app to use your regular connection while everything else goes through the VPN. This is super flexible.
CleanWeb: This feature blocks ads, trackers, malware, and phishing attempts at the DNS level. It helps keep your browsing cleaner and more secure, though some users find it can sometimes break certain websites.
Camouflage Mode Obfuscation: If you’re in a region where VPN use is restricted or blocked, Camouflage Mode hides the fact that you’re using a VPN at all, making your encrypted traffic look like regular internet traffic. This can be a lifesaver for accessing uncensored content.
Rotating IP: This feature gives you a new IP address every few minutes without disconnecting from the VPN, making it even harder to track you online.

With over 3200 servers in 100 countries, Surfshark offers a wide global reach, which is great for bypassing geo-restrictions or finding the fastest server nearby.

Getting Surfshark VPN Up and Running on Arch Linux

let’s get down to business. Since Surfshark doesn’t have an “official” graphical installer directly for Arch Linux, you’ve got a couple of ways to approach this. The easiest method for many Arch users is through the Arch User Repository AUR, which is fantastic for community-maintained packages. If you’re more comfortable with manual configuration or want more control, setting it up with OpenVPN or WireGuard is also a solid option.

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The AUR Way Recommended for a smoother experience

For many Arch users, the AUR is your best friend. It lets you install community-maintained packages, often including VPN clients. While Surfshark supports Debian-based distros officially, the AUR often provides a convenient way to get a functional client for Arch.

Prerequisites: An AUR Helper

First, you’ll need an AUR helper like yay or paru. If you don’t have one, yay is a popular choice:

Install git and base-devel if you haven’t already:
```
sudo pacman -S --needed git base-devel
```
This ensures you have the tools to build packages from source.
Clone yay from the AUR and install it:
git clone https://aur.archlinux.org/yay.git
cd yay
makepkg -si
cd ..
rm -rf yay
Now you have yay! If you prefer paru, the process is very similar.

Installing Surfshark VPN via AUR The Truth About VPNs and Malware Protection

Once you have your AUR helper:

Search for the Surfshark client:
yay -S surfshark-vpn
or
paru -S surfshark-vpn
Your AUR helper will find the surfshark-vpn package in the AUR. It will then download the package build files, ask you to review them always a good idea to quickly glance at the PKGBUILD, and then build and install the package.
Follow the prompts: You’ll likely be asked to confirm the installation and enter your sudo password.

Connecting via the CLI Command Line Interface

After installation, Surfshark is typically managed via the command line on Arch.

Log in to your Surfshark account:
sudo surfshark-vpn login
This will prompt you for your Surfshark email and password.
Connect to a server:
- Quick connect to the fastest server:
```
sudo surfshark-vpn connect
```
- Connect to a specific country e.g., United States:
  sudo surfshark-vpn connect us
- Connect to a specific city e.g., New York:
  sudo surfshark-vpn connect “New York”
- To see available locations:
  sudo surfshark-vpn list locations
Check your connection status:
sudo surfshark-vpn status
Disconnect:
sudo surfshark-vpn disconnect
Enable/Disable features:
You can often manage features like the Kill Switch or CleanWeb through the CLI as well. For example:
sudo surfshark-vpn set killswitch on
sudo surfshark-vpn set cleanweb on
Check sudo surfshark-vpn help for all available commands.

Manual OpenVPN Setup Advanced

If you prefer a more manual approach or run into issues with the AUR package, you can set up Surfshark using OpenVPN. This method gives you fine-grained control, but it’s a bit more involved.

Get your Surfshark service credentials:
- Log in to your Surfshark account on their website.
- Go to VPN -> Manual Setup.
- Select Desktop or Mobile -> OpenVPN.
- On the Credentials tab, you’ll find your Service Username and Service Password. These are different from your regular login credentials. Keep this page open or copy them down.
Download OpenVPN configuration files:
- On the same Manual Setup page, go to the Locations tab.
- You can download .ovpn configuration files for specific servers. Choose the server locations you want and download the UDP or TCP files. UDP is usually faster, while TCP can be more reliable on unstable networks.
- Also, download the CA & TLS certificates from the bottom of the Locations tab.
Install OpenVPN on Arch Linux:
sudo pacman -S openvpn
Place the configuration files:
- Move your downloaded .ovpn files and certificates usually ca.crt and tls-auth.key or similar to a secure directory, like ~/.config/openvpn/surfshark/.
Edit the .ovpn file if necessary:
- Open your chosen .ovpn file in a text editor.
- Look for lines like auth-user-pass or auth-user-pass /etc/openvpn/user.txt. If it’s auth-user-pass, you’ll be prompted for your service credentials when you connect. If it points to a file, create that file with your service username on the first line and service password on the second.
- Make sure the ca.crt and tls-auth.key paths in the .ovpn file correctly point to where you saved them.
Connect to OpenVPN:
sudo openvpn –config /path/to/your/surfshark_server.ovpn
You’ll be prompted for your service username and password if you didn’t put them in a file.
Disconnect: Press Ctrl+C in the terminal where OpenVPN is running.

WireGuard Setup Another Advanced Option

WireGuard is a newer, faster, and more efficient protocol. Surfshark supports it, and setting it up manually on Arch is also an option for more control. AirVPN vs Surfshark: A Head-to-Head Breakdown

Generate a WireGuard key pair:
- Select Router -> WireGuard.
- Click “I don’t have a key pair” and “Generate a new key pair.”
- You’ll get a Public Key and a Private Key. Copy your Private Key and the Interface configuration.
Install WireGuard tools on Arch Linux:
sudo pacman -S wireguard-tools
Create a WireGuard configuration file:
- Create a new file, for example, ~/surfshark_wg.conf, and paste the configuration details you got from the Surfshark website. It should look something like this:
```
PrivateKey = YOUR_PRIVATE_KEY
Address = YOUR_ALLOCATED_IP/32
DNS = 162.252.172.57, 149.112.112.112 # Surfshark DNS or other trusted DNS


PublicKey = PEER_PUBLIC_KEY
AllowedIPs = 0.0.0.0/0
Endpoint = SERVER_ENDPOINT:PORT
```
- Make sure YOUR_PRIVATE_KEY, YOUR_ALLOCATED_IP, PEER_PUBLIC_KEY, and SERVER_ENDPOINT:PORT are filled in correctly with the details from Surfshark’s manual setup page.
Activate the WireGuard tunnel:
sudo wg-quick up ~/surfshark_wg.conf
Check the status:
sudo wg show wg0 # or whatever interface name WireGuard uses
Deactivate the tunnel:
sudo wg-quick down ~/surfshark_wg.conf

Remember, for both manual OpenVPN and WireGuard setups, you’ll need to remember to start and stop the connections yourself, or set up systemd services to automate it if you want it to run on boot.

Making the Most of Surfshark on Arch: Tips and Tricks

Now that you’ve got Surfshark installed, let’s explore how to get the best experience and really make it work for you on Arch.

Changing Protocols for Speed or Stability

Surfshark supports WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IKEv2. If you’re using the CLI client, you can often switch protocols easily: Surfshark vpn affiliate

sudo surfshark-vpn set protocol wireguard
sudo surfshark-vpn set protocol openvpn_udp
sudo surfshark-vpn set protocol openvpn_tcp

WireGuard is usually the fastest and most modern choice, great for general browsing, streaming, and gaming.
OpenVPN UDP offers a good balance of speed and security.
OpenVPN TCP might be slower, but it’s more reliable for bypassing strict firewalls or on less stable networks.
IKEv2 is often preferred for mobile devices due to its stability and quick reconnections.

Experiment with these to see what works best for your connection and use case.

Custom Kill Switch with Firewall Rules

While the Surfshark client has its own Kill Switch, sometimes on Linux, you might want to create a custom firewall rule for extra peace of mind or if you’re using a manual OpenVPN/WireGuard setup. You can achieve this with iptables or nftables.

Here’s a basic iptables example be careful with firewall rules, as misconfigurations can lock you out of your internet!:

Allow traffic only through the VPN interface e.g., tun0 for OpenVPN or wg0 for WireGuard:
sudo iptables -A OUTPUT -o tun0 -j ACCEPT
sudo iptables -A OUTPUT -d 192.168.1.1/24 -j ACCEPT # Replace with your local network
sudo iptables -A OUTPUT -d YOUR_VPN_SERVER_IP -j ACCEPT # IP of the VPN server you connect to
sudo iptables -A OUTPUT -j DROP
This setup means if tun0 the VPN tunnel isn’t active, no outbound traffic can leave your machine, except to your local network and the VPN server itself.
Save your iptables rules:
sudo apt-get install iptables-persistent # For Debian/Ubuntu-based
sudo pacman -S iptables-nft # For Arch, if using nftables backend
sudo iptables-save | sudo tee /etc/iptables/iptables.rules # Save rules for Arch with iptables-nft
This ensures your rules persist after a reboot. For nftables users, the process is slightly different but achieves the same goal.

Automating Your VPN Connection

For those using a manual setup, you might want your VPN to connect automatically when your system starts. You can create a systemd service for this.

For OpenVPN: Is Surfshark VPN Down? Your Ultimate Guide to Troubleshooting and Understanding Surfshark’s Reliability

Move your .ovpn file to /etc/openvpn/client/mysurfshark.conf.
Enable the systemd service:
sudo systemctl enable openvpn-client@mysurfshark
sudo systemctl start openvpn-client@mysurfshark

For WireGuard:

Move your .conf file to /etc/wireguard/wg0.conf.
sudo systemctl enable wg-quick@wg0
sudo systemctl start wg-quick@wg0

This way, your VPN connection will be established every time your Arch machine boots up, providing continuous protection.

Is Surfshark VPN Reliable for Arch Linux? User Experiences and Performance

When you’re looking at a VPN, especially on a power-user distro like Arch, reliability is key. So, how does Surfshark stack up? From what I’ve seen and from common user feedback, it’s generally a reliable service.

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Speed and Stability

Surfshark has a reputation for offering consistently fast connections. This is largely due to its widespread server network over 3200 servers in 100 countries and its support for the WireGuard protocol, which is designed for speed. While no VPN can make your internet faster than your ISP provides, a good VPN minimizes the speed loss. Surfshark often manages this well, allowing for smooth streaming, gaming, and large downloads.

User experiences on platforms like Reddit often reflect this. Many users find Surfshark to be “solid” and reliable for daily use, streaming, and gaming. Of course, like any service, individual performance can vary based on your location, ISP, and the specific server you connect to. Some users might experience occasional buffering on certain streaming services or slight speed drops, but these seem to be the exception rather than the rule.

Security Audits and Trust

A critical aspect of reliability is trust, and Surfshark has made significant strides here. They’ve undergone multiple independent audits to verify their security claims and, most importantly, their no-logs policy. Deloitte, a highly respected auditing firm, has twice confirmed that Surfshark adheres to its no-logs policy, with the latest verification in 2025. This means you can be confident that Surfshark isn’t secretly collecting your browsing data. They also had their browser extensions audited by Cure53, another security firm, which found no significant concerns.

Surfshark’s move to 100% RAM-only servers in 2020 also boosts reliability and privacy. With RAM-only servers, all data is wiped clean with every reboot, making it impossible to store user data long-term.

Community Feedback e.g., Reddit

If you check out discussions on Reddit about Surfshark, you’ll find a mixed bag, but generally leaning positive. People appreciate its affordability, unlimited device connections, and its effectiveness for streaming and torrenting. Some common “meh” points might include occasional issues with CleanWeb breaking certain websites or speeds not always maxing out gigabit connections, but overall, the sentiment is that it’s a “good value” and “reliable enough” VPN. It might not always be the absolute fastest in every single test, but it delivers consistent performance for the price. How to Cancel Your VPN Subscription: A Simple, Step-by-Step Guide

What Type of VPN is Surfshark? A Look Under the Hood

When people ask “what type of VPN is Surfshark?”, they’re usually curious about its underlying technology, security practices, and how it categorizes itself in the VPN world.

A Personal/Consumer VPN Service

First and foremost, Surfshark is a personal or consumer VPN service. This means it’s designed for individual users like you to protect your online privacy and security across all your devices. It connects you to one of its many VPN servers, masking your real IP address and encrypting your internet traffic. This is different from, say, a remote access VPN used by businesses to connect to their internal networks or a site-to-site VPN that connects two separate office networks.

Supported Protocols and Encryption

Surfshark offers a robust set of modern VPN protocols, giving you flexibility for speed and security: How to Cancel APSRTC Bus Tickets

WireGuard: This is Surfshark’s recommended protocol for most users, and for good reason. It’s known for its small codebase, making it easier to audit and less prone to vulnerabilities. It delivers exceptional speeds and strong security without being resource-heavy.
OpenVPN: A long-standing, open-source, and highly trusted protocol. It’s known for its strong encryption and flexibility, making it a reliable choice for various situations. Surfshark uses both UDP faster and TCP more stable, better for bypassing strict firewalls variants of OpenVPN.
IKEv2/IPsec: This protocol is often praised for its stability and ability to quickly re-establish connections, especially when switching between Wi-Fi and mobile data. It’s a solid choice for mobile users.

All data transferred through Surfshark’s servers is encrypted using AES-256-GCM encryption, which is a top-tier standard for data protection. They also implement Perfect Forward Secrecy PFS, which means a new encryption key is generated for each session. So, even if one key were compromised which is highly unlikely, past or future sessions would remain secure.

No-Logs Policy and Jurisdiction

Surfshark operates under a strict no-logs policy. This is critical for privacy. They explicitly state they don’t collect information about your online activities, like IP addresses, browsing history, or connection timestamps. This claim has been verified by independent audits from Deloitte in 2023 and 2025.

Surfshark’s headquarters are in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. While the Netherlands is a part of the 9 Eyes intelligence-sharing alliance, the independent no-logs audits provide strong reassurance that even if requests were made for user data, Surfshark wouldn’t have any to provide. This commitment to transparency and privacy is a significant factor in its reliability.

Server Infrastructure

Surfshark runs over 3200 servers across 100 countries. This extensive network helps in providing fast speeds and overcoming geo-restrictions. They also use RAM-only servers, meaning all data is wiped clean with every reboot, adding an extra layer of privacy.

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Troubleshooting Common Surfshark Issues on Arch Linux

Even with a smooth setup, you might occasionally run into some hiccups. Here’s how to tackle common Surfshark issues on your Arch Linux machine.

Connection Drops or Failure to Connect

Check your internet connection: Make sure your regular internet connection is working without the VPN.
Try a different server: Sometimes a specific server might be overloaded or experiencing issues. Try connecting to a different server in the same country or a nearby location.
Switch VPN protocols: If you’re using WireGuard, try OpenVPN UDP or TCP, and vice-versa. Some networks might block certain protocols.
sudo surfshark-vpn set protocol openvpn_udp
sudo surfshark-vpn connect
Restart the Surfshark service:
sudo systemctl restart surfshark-vpn.service
If installed via AUR and managed as a systemd service.
Check logs: For the AUR client, check the logs for errors:
journalctl -u surfshark-vpn.service
For manual OpenVPN/WireGuard, check the terminal output for clues.
Firewall interference: Your firewall e.g., ufw, iptables, nftables might be blocking the VPN connection. Temporarily disable it to test, then re-enable and configure it to allow VPN traffic. Make sure ports used by OpenVPN UDP 1194, TCP 443 or WireGuard UDP 51820 are open.

Slow Speeds

Change server location: Connecting to a server further away will almost always result in slower speeds due to latency. Try a server closer to your physical location.
Switch to WireGuard: If you’re on OpenVPN, try WireGuard, as it’s generally faster.
Test different protocols: Experiment with OpenVPN UDP vs. TCP. UDP is typically faster.
Disable CleanWeb/Ad Blocker: Sometimes ad-blocking features can slightly impact speed or cause loading issues on certain sites.
Check your local network: Ensure your Wi-Fi signal is strong or try a wired connection. Other devices on your network might be consuming bandwidth.

DNS Leaks

A DNS leak means your DNS requests are going through your ISP’s servers instead of Surfshark’s, potentially exposing your browsing activity.

Check for leaks: Visit websites like dnsleaktest.com to verify if you have any DNS leaks.
Ensure Surfshark’s DNS: Surfshark uses its own private DNS on each server to prevent leaks. Make sure your system is configured to use the DNS provided by the VPN. If you’re using a manual setup, ensure the DNS servers are correctly specified in your .ovpn or WireGuard .conf file e.g., Surfshark’s DNS: 162.252.172.57, 149.112.112.112.
Clear DNS cache:
sudo resolvectl flush-caches

Surfshark Client Not Starting or Issues with AUR Package

Update the package: Make sure your surfshark-vpn package and your Arch system are up to date.
yay -Syu
sudo pacman -Syu
yay -S surfshark-vpn # to rebuild if necessary
Rebuild from AUR: If you suspect corruption or a bad build, try rebuilding the package:
yay -S surfshark-vpn –rebuild
Check dependencies: Ensure all dependencies for the surfshark-vpn package are met. The AUR helper usually handles this, but manual checks might be needed if something goes wrong.

When troubleshooting, remember to tackle one issue at a time, documenting any changes you make, so you can easily revert them if they don’t help.

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Integrating Surfshark with Your Router e.g., ASUS Router

Setting up Surfshark on your router is a fantastic way to protect every device on your network, including those that can’t run a VPN app directly, like smart TVs, gaming consoles, or even guest devices. Plus, it means you only set it up once!

Why Connect to a Router?

Whole-network protection: All devices connected to the router are automatically protected by the VPN.
Unlimited devices beyond Surfshark’s app limit: While Surfshark offers unlimited simultaneous connections through its apps, a router setup extends this protection to literally every device on the network without counting towards an app limit.
Devices without VPN support: You can protect devices that don’t have native VPN client support e.g., older smart TVs, some streaming sticks, IoT devices.
Convenience: Once configured, you don’t need to enable the VPN on individual devices.

General Steps for Router Setup Focus on ASUS Router

The exact steps can vary a bit depending on your router’s brand and firmware e.g., stock ASUSWRT, Merlin, OpenWrt, but the general idea is the same. Many ASUS routers, especially those with ASUSWRT firmware like the ASUSWRT-Merlin variant, support VPN client functionality.

Here’s a general rundown, often specifically applicable to ASUS routers:

Check Router Compatibility: First, confirm your router supports VPN client functionality, specifically OpenVPN or WireGuard. Many ASUS routers support OpenVPN, and newer ones often support WireGuard as well. You might need to update your router’s firmware to the latest version. How to Cancel Your VPN Account: A No-Fuss Guide
Get Your Surfshark Manual Setup Credentials:
- Navigate to the VPN -> Manual Setup section.
- For OpenVPN, you’ll need your Service Username and Service Password, along with the .ovpn configuration files for your desired server locations UDP is usually recommended for routers for speed. Also, download the CA certificates.
- For WireGuard, you’ll need to generate a key pair and get your Private Key, Public Key, and server Endpoint.
Access Your Router’s Admin Panel:
- Open a web browser and type in your router’s IP address commonly 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.50.1.
- Log in using your router’s admin username and password.
Navigate to the VPN Client Section:
- In the router’s settings, look for a VPN tab, then specifically for VPN Client or VPN Fusion.
- Click to add a new VPN profile.
Configure the VPN Profile:
- For OpenVPN:
  - Select OpenVPN as the VPN type.
  - Upload the .ovpn configuration file you downloaded from Surfshark.
  - Enter your Surfshark Service Username and Service Password in the authentication fields.
  - You might need to upload the CA certificate if prompted.
- For WireGuard especially on newer ASUSWRT with VPN Fusion:
  - Select Surfshark as the VPN Type if available in VPN Fusion.
  - Enter a Connection Name e.g., “Surfshark VPN”.
  - Choose a Country/Region.
  - Paste your generated Private Key from Surfshark into the designated field. The router should automatically handle the public key and endpoint if you select Surfshark as the provider.
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- Once configured, save the settings and activate the VPN profile.
- Monitor the Connection Status to ensure it successfully connects often indicated by a green checkmark.
Verify Your Connection:
- After connecting, open a web browser on a device connected to your router and visit a website like whatismyip.com. It should show an IP address from your chosen Surfshark server, not your actual location.

Some ASUS routers offer VPN Fusion, which lets you route specific devices or applications through the VPN while others use the regular internet, similar to split tunneling. This gives you a lot of flexibility in managing your network’s VPN usage.

Remember, setting up a VPN on a router can be a bit tricky, so follow Surfshark’s specific guides for your router model if available, and don’t hesitate to contact their 24/7 customer support if you get stuck.

Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of VPN protocols does Surfshark use on Arch Linux?

Surfshark supports several secure VPN protocols for Arch Linux, including WireGuard, OpenVPN both UDP and TCP, and IKEv2. WireGuard is often recommended for its speed and efficiency, while OpenVPN offers robust security and wide compatibility. You can typically choose between these protocols when configuring the VPN, either through the CLI client or a manual setup.

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Is Surfshark VPN good for streaming and torrenting on Arch Linux?

Yes, Surfshark is generally considered good for both streaming and torrenting. It offers consistently fast connections and a large network of over 3200 servers in 100 countries, which helps with unblocking geo-restricted content. For torrenting, Surfshark supports P2P traffic on all its servers and maintains a strict no-logs policy, providing a secure and private environment for file sharing. User reviews often praise its performance for streaming services like Netflix and Hulu.

How can I check if Surfshark VPN is working correctly on my Arch Linux system?

To check if your Surfshark VPN is working, first, confirm the connection status through the Surfshark CLI client sudo surfshark-vpn status or your manual OpenVPN/WireGuard interface. Then, open a web browser and visit an IP address checker website like whatismyip.com or dnsleaktest.com. Your displayed IP address should be different from your actual location and match the region of the VPN server you connected to. Additionally, dnsleaktest.com will confirm if your DNS requests are being routed through the VPN’s secure DNS servers.

Does Surfshark VPN keep logs of my online activity when used on Arch Linux?

No, Surfshark has a strict no-logs policy, which means they do not collect any information about your online activities, such as your visited IP addresses, browsing history, connection timestamps, or used bandwidth. This policy has been independently audited and verified by Deloitte in 2023 and again in 2025, providing strong assurance that your privacy is protected.

Can I install Surfshark VPN with a graphical user interface GUI on Arch Linux?

While Surfshark primarily offers a command-line interface CLI for Linux distributions, you can install the Surfshark application on Arch Linux via the Arch User Repository AUR. This often provides a CLI client that might have some interactive elements, but it’s not a full-fledged graphical desktop application like those available for Windows or macOS. For a true GUI experience, you would typically need to rely on distributions officially supported by Surfshark, such as Debian or Ubuntu, or use network managers with OpenVPN/WireGuard configurations. How to Cancel Your Private Internet Access (PIA) VPN Subscription

What should I do if my internet speed is slow with Surfshark on Arch Linux?

If you experience slow speeds, try these steps:

Change VPN server: Connect to a server closer to your physical location.
Switch protocols: Use WireGuard if you’re on OpenVPN, as it’s generally faster.
Try OpenVPN UDP: If you’re using OpenVPN TCP, switch to UDP for potentially faster speeds.
Disable CleanWeb: Temporarily turn off Surfshark’s ad-blocker, as it can sometimes affect performance.
Check local network: Ensure your home network isn’t congested, and test your internet speed without the VPN to compare.

Is it possible to use Surfshark on my ASUS router with Arch Linux devices connected to it?

Yes, you can configure Surfshark VPN directly on compatible ASUS routers especially those running ASUSWRT firmware using either OpenVPN or WireGuard protocols. Once the router is set up, all devices connected to that router, including your Arch Linux machines, will automatically route their internet traffic through the VPN, providing network-wide protection without needing individual client installations. You’ll need to obtain specific manual setup credentials and configuration files from your Surfshark account page for this.

Surfshark VPN on Arch Linux: Your Complete Guide