Does surfshark protect against viruses

Let’s talk about Surfshark and whether it actually keeps those nasty viruses at bay. For anyone wondering, yes, Surfshark can protect you against viruses, but it’s important to understand how it does it and what its specific tools are designed for.

To really get down to it, Surfshark offers two main layers of defense that come into play here: its core VPN service with a feature called CleanWeb, and a more comprehensive package known as Surfshark One, which includes a dedicated antivirus. The VPN part acts as a preventative shield, kind of like a bouncer at a club, blocking suspicious connections before they even get to your device. On the other hand, the Surfshark Antivirus, bundled with Surfshark One, is your dedicated security guard, actively scanning, detecting, and removing malicious software that might try to sneak past. So, when you put them together, you’re looking at a pretty robust setup for keeping your digital life safe. This combination is great because it means you’re not just hoping for the best. you’re actively protected against a whole bunch of online threats.

Unpacking the Digital Shield: VPN vs. Antivirus

When we talk about online security, a lot of people think “VPN” and “antivirus” are the same thing, or that one totally replaces the other. But that’s not quite right. They’re like two different, very important tools in your cybersecurity toolbox, each with its own job.

Think of a VPN Virtual Private Network as your digital bodyguard for your internet connection. What it primarily does is encrypt your online traffic and route it through a secure server. This basically means your internet service provider ISP or anyone else spying on your network can’t see what you’re doing online, and your real IP address is hidden. This is fantastic for privacy and for securing your data, especially when you’re using public Wi-Fi. It also helps you get around online restrictions, letting you access content that might not be available in your region. But, and this is a big “but,” a standard VPN isn’t built to find and remove viruses that are already on your computer, or even stop every single virus from getting there. It’s more about protecting your connection and identity online. Studies show that a significant portion of VPN users, about 63%, seek them out for general privacy, and 54% for general security. But even with VPN usage declining slightly in the US to 32% in 2025, the need for robust security remains high.

Now, an antivirus program is different. This is your digital doctor and detective. Its main job is to scan your device for malicious software – things like viruses, malware, ransomware, spyware, and more – identify them, and then quarantine or remove them. It acts as a shield for your device itself, often with real-time protection constantly monitoring files and programs for suspicious activity. So, while a VPN secures your connection, an antivirus secures your device from digital infections. Many cyberattacks involve malware 35% of VPN-related cyberattacks in 2024 involved malware alone, and these threats are constantly . This makes having a dedicated antivirus solution crucial.

The key takeaway here is that they complement each other. A VPN can prevent you from even encountering some threats by blocking malicious websites or hiding your online activity, while an antivirus is there to catch anything that tries to infect your device directly.

Surfshark’s Comprehensive Approach: Beyond Just a VPN

Surfshark really started making a name for itself as a top-tier VPN, and it’s still highly regarded for its robust security features like a kill switch and multi-hop connections, along with a strict no-logs policy. But they’ve definitely expanded their offerings to give you a more all-around security solution, especially with their “Surfshark One” bundle.

This bundle is where Surfshark goes beyond just a VPN and starts tackling viruses and malware head-on. Surfshark One isn’t just a VPN. it integrates a suite of security tools, including a dedicated antivirus, a private search engine Surfshark Search, and a data breach alert system Surfshark Alert. If you go for the Surfshark One+ plan, you even get Incogni, a data removal tool designed to help get your personal info off online databases. It’s a pretty compelling package if you’re looking to centralize your digital security.

How CleanWeb Adds a Layer of Defense

Even if you’re not subscribed to the full Surfshark One bundle, the core Surfshark VPN comes with a really useful feature called CleanWeb. This isn’t a traditional antivirus, but it’s a powerful preventative tool that acts as your first line of defense against many online nasties.

What CleanWeb does is actively block ads, trackers, and malicious websites before they can even load on your device. You know those annoying pop-up ads or banners that follow you around? CleanWeb gets rid of them. But it’s more than just an ad blocker for a smoother browsing experience. Many malicious programs, like malware and phishing scams, often hide in these ads or lurk on compromised websites. By blocking these elements, CleanWeb significantly reduces your risk of accidentally clicking on something harmful or visiting a site that could infect your device.

Think about it: if a malicious ad can’t load, it can’t deliver malware. If you can’t access a known phishing site, you can’t accidentally give away your login details. It even helps by alerting you to past data leaks and known malware on websites you visit, giving you a heads-up before you potentially stumble into trouble. Surfshark has CleanWeb 2.0 as a browser extension, which offers even more advanced ad, tracker, and malware blocking, even getting rid of those persistent cookie notices and ads on streaming services.

While CleanWeb is great for preventing threats from reaching you through your browser, it’s important to remember it works best when the VPN is connected and doesn’t actively scan and remove existing viruses on your system. It’s a proactive filter, keeping the bad stuff out, but it’s not a cure if something has already slipped through.

A Closer Look at Surfshark Antivirus

Now, for those who really want comprehensive protection, Surfshark Antivirus is the real deal, and it’s a core part of the Surfshark One bundle. This is a legitimate antivirus program designed to detect, block, and remove viruses, malware, and other cyber threats from your devices.

Here’s what you can expect from it:

• Real-Time Protection: This is crucial. Surfshark Antivirus constantly scans your system for vulnerabilities and malicious files in real-time. It monitors new files as they’re downloaded, installed, or opened, and immediately blocks suspicious activity. We’re talking 24/7 protection here, catching threats as they appear.
• In-Depth & Lightweight Scans: You get options for different types of scans. There’s a quick scan for vulnerable areas and a full scan for a thorough inspection of your entire system. You can even customize scans for specific files, folders, or external drives like USBs. What’s neat is that it’s designed to be lightweight, so it won’t hog your CPU or RAM and slow down your device while it’s working. In some tests, full scans completed in less than six minutes, which is pretty fast compared to other antiviruses that can take an hour.
• Malware Database & Cloud Protect: Surfshark Antivirus is always updating its knowledge base. Its malware database gets updated every three hours to keep up with the latest threats. Plus, it uses “Cloud Protect” to analyze suspicious files in the cloud, offering defense against “zero-day” threats brand new malware that hasn’t been identified yet without putting your device at risk. This heuristic detection helps catch those sneaky, unknown threats.
• Web Protection: This feature, primarily for Windows, actively protects you while browsing, blocking access to dangerous or fake websites that might be trying to steal your personal information, especially when you’re banking or shopping online.
• Webcam Protection: Worried about someone secretly accessing your camera? Surfshark Antivirus includes webcam protection that lets you control which applications can access your camera, blocking unauthorized attempts. This is available for macOS and Windows.
• External Storage Scans: If you plug in a USB drive, Surfshark Antivirus can automatically scan it for threats, which is a really handy extra layer of security.
• Quarantine Management: When a threat is detected, it’s automatically isolated into a quarantined folder, preventing it from causing any harm. You can then review these files and decide whether to keep, delete, or restore them.

So, how well does it actually perform? Surfshark Antivirus has earned some solid marks in independent lab tests. In June 2024, AV-TEST, a respected independent IT security organization, certified Surfshark Antivirus, giving it a perfect 6 out of 6 for protection and usability, and a 5.5 out of 6 for performance. This means it’s really good at detecting malware and is easy to use, all while having minimal impact on your system. It successfully blocked 100% of both zero-day threats and widespread malware samples during those May-June 2024 tests. In PCMag’s tests, Surfshark blocked access to nearly three-quarters of verified malware-hosting URLs, and its real-time antivirus eliminated another 22% at the download stage, totaling 95% protection. While some in-house tests showed its real-time protection at around 50.67%, it’s constantly improving, and its overall protection score is quite strong. It’s a promising option for those looking for essential security, even if it might not have every single advanced feature found in the most premium, standalone antivirus suites.

Surfshark Antivirus on Your Devices: What You Need to Know

A common question I get is about device compatibility, especially for mobile users. Here’s the rundown for Surfshark Antivirus:

Surfshark Antivirus is built to run smoothly on several popular operating systems. You can get it on Windows 10 and later, macOS versions starting with Big Sur 11 and onwards, and Android devices running OS 10 or later.

Now, if you’re an iPhone or iOS user, this is important: Surfshark Antivirus is currently not available for iOS. While the Surfshark VPN app works perfectly on iPhones, offering you that secure, encrypted connection and the benefits of CleanWeb for blocking malicious sites, the full antivirus scanning and real-time device protection are not part of the iOS app. Surfshark has said they are working to add more operating systems and platforms, but for now, iPhone users won’t get the dedicated antivirus features. Don’t worry, though. CleanWeb’s ad, tracker, and malware blocking features are available through the VPN app and browser extension on iOS, offering a good layer of preventative protection.

You can install Surfshark Antivirus on up to five devices with one subscription. This is pretty standard for antivirus software, even if Surfshark’s VPN allows for unlimited device connections.

Is Surfshark a Trustworthy Guardian for Your Digital Life?

When you’re putting your digital security in someone else’s hands, trust is a huge factor. And Surfshark has really worked to build that trust.

First off, Surfshark has a strict no-logs policy, which means they don’t collect any data about what you do online, like your browsing history, connection timestamps, or network traffic. This policy isn’t just a claim. it’s been independently verified by Deloitte, one of the “Big Four” auditing firms, in both 2023 and 2025. This kind of independent verification gives a lot of weight to their privacy claims, showing they’re serious about keeping your data private.

Beyond the no-logs policy, Surfshark has also undergone other security assessments. Cure53 and SecuRing, respected code security and penetration testing firms, have audited Surfshark’s browser extensions and other products, including web, desktop, and mobile applications. These audits have generally come back with very positive results, addressing any minor issues quickly.

For the Antivirus specifically, it’s also received certifications from independent organizations like AV-TEST and VB100 Virus Bulletin. These certifications confirm that Surfshark Antivirus meets strict security measures and performs reliably in real-world testing, showing its commitment to high-quality protection.

Overall, Surfshark is considered a very secure and reliable company that takes online security and privacy seriously. Their VPN includes important features like a kill switch and multihop capabilities, making it one of the safest VPNs out there. With their consistent efforts in third-party audits and certifications, you can feel pretty confident in their ability to protect your digital life.

Why a Blended Approach to Cybersecurity is Best

Here’s the thing: online world, relying on just one layer of protection just doesn’t cut it anymore. Cyber threats are getting more sophisticated every day, and a single tool, no matter how good, isn’t a silver bullet. This is why a blended approach, combining a VPN like Surfshark with a strong antivirus solution like Surfshark’s own Antivirus or a separate one, is really the gold standard for staying safe.

A VPN, as we talked about, is amazing for your privacy and for shielding your online activity. It encrypts your connection, hides your IP address, and can even block access to known malicious websites through features like CleanWeb. This is a fantastic preventative measure. For example, in 2024, nearly a million people 859,532 fell victim to cybercrime in the US alone, a figure that has been steadily increasing. Having a VPN can help you avoid becoming one of those statistics by making you a tougher target for snoopers and malicious actors. About 37% of VPN users turn to them specifically to reduce tracking by search engines or social media platforms, showing the demand for this kind of preventative privacy.

However, even the best VPN can’t magically remove a virus that’s already on your system, or protect you from every type of malware that might slip through, perhaps via a phishing email you accidentally opened before connecting your VPN. That’s where a robust antivirus comes in. It’s designed to actively scan for, detect, and neutralize threats that have made it onto your device. Ransomware 42% and malware 35% were identified as top threats exploiting VPN vulnerabilities in 2024, underscoring the need for device-level protection. Cybersecurity statistics for 2025 also show that data breaches are poised to reach alarming milestones, with over 1 billion US consumers affected in the first half of 2024. Phishing attacks are also a constant threat, with users sometimes falling for phishing emails in under 60 seconds.

So, when you combine a VPN with an antivirus, you get overlapping protection that covers more bases. The VPN keeps your connection private and helps you avoid dangerous corners of the internet, while the antivirus is your last line of defense, ready to clean up any nasties that somehow make their way to your device. This dual approach gives you both proactive and reactive protection, significantly boosting your overall cybersecurity posture.

Setting Up Your Surfshark Security Suite

Getting Surfshark’s security features up and running is pretty straightforward, whether you’re using just the VPN with CleanWeb or the full Surfshark One bundle.

For CleanWeb VPN’s ad and malware blocker:

1. First, make sure you’ve subscribed to Surfshark and downloaded the main VPN app to your device.
2. Open the Surfshark app and log in.
3. Go to the Settings menu. The exact wording might vary slightly depending on your operating system, but you’ll usually find an option for CleanWeb under “VPN settings” or a “Features” tab.
4. Simply toggle the CleanWeb switch to “on.” That’s it! It’ll start blocking ads, trackers, and malicious sites as long as your VPN is connected. For even more control, especially with cookie pop-ups and advanced blocking, check out the CleanWeb 2.0 browser extension for Chrome, Firefox, and Edge.

For Surfshark Antivirus part of Surfshark One:

1. If you have the Surfshark One bundle, download and install the main Surfshark app.
2. Once in the app, navigate to the Antivirus tab. You might need to download and enable the antivirus component the first time you use it.
3. After installation, it will likely prompt you to run an initial scan. Go for it!
4. From the Antivirus tab, you can set up real-time protection, schedule quick or full scans to run automatically at your preferred times, and manage any detected threats in quarantine. You can also enable features like webcam protection if you’re on a supported OS like Windows or macOS.

It’s an intuitive setup process, designed to be user-friendly even if you’re not a tech expert. So, you don’t have to spend ages figuring things out. you can get protected quickly and easily.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Surfshark have antivirus for iPhone?

No, currently, the dedicated Surfshark Antivirus component is not available for iOS iPhone or iPad. It’s supported on Windows, macOS, and Android devices. However, iPhone users can still benefit from Surfshark’s CleanWeb feature within the VPN app, which blocks ads, trackers, and malicious websites, offering a good layer of preventative protection against online threats.

Do I need antivirus if I use a VPN?

Yes, absolutely! While a VPN secures your internet connection and provides privacy, it’s not a direct replacement for antivirus software. A VPN encrypts your online traffic and hides your IP, helping you avoid malicious websites and trackers, but it doesn’t scan for, detect, or remove viruses and malware that might already be on your device or could potentially bypass the VPN through other means, like an infected file download. An antivirus specifically protects your device from digital infections. Combining both offers a comprehensive defense against a wider range of cyber threats.

Does Surfshark have good antivirus?

Yes, Surfshark Antivirus is generally considered good, especially as part of the Surfshark One bundle. It offers strong features like real-time protection, scheduled scans, and web protection. It has achieved perfect scores for protection and usability in independent AV-TEST evaluations June 2024, blocking 100% of zero-day and widespread malware in those tests. While it’s lightweight and effective, it might lack some advanced features like a built-in firewall or parental controls found in more comprehensive standalone antivirus suites, but it provides solid, essential protection.

Can Surfshark be trusted?

Yes, Surfshark has built a strong reputation for trustworthiness. They maintain a strict, independently audited no-logs policy, confirmed by Deloitte in 2023 and 2025, meaning they don’t record your online activity. The company has also undergone security audits by firms like Cure53 and SecuRing for its browser extensions and other products, with positive results. Additionally, Surfshark Antivirus has received certifications from AV-TEST and VB100, further validating its security claims. These independent validations demonstrate Surfshark’s commitment to security and user privacy. Your Go-To Guide for the Surfshark VPN Website: Unlocking Online Freedom

Does a VPN prevent viruses?

A VPN, on its own, doesn’t directly prevent viruses in the same way an antivirus does. Its primary role is to secure your internet connection by encrypting your data and hiding your IP address. However, features like Surfshark’s CleanWeb, which is part of its VPN service, can indirectly help prevent viruses by blocking access to malicious websites, ads, and trackers that often carry malware. So, while a VPN isn’t a virus scanner, it acts as a crucial preventative shield, reducing your exposure to many online threats by making your online activity more private and secure.