Surfshark Antivirus Review: Main Features
Our team’s research highlights these as the key features:
- Real-time antivirus with Cloud Predict
- Web Protection actively blocks threats
- Customize scheduled scans
- Lightweight security
- Webcam protection
- Database updates for new viruses
- 30-day money-back guarantee (in bundle)
Surfshark Antivirus is not a standalone service. Instead, you must subscribe to a Surfshark One or Surfshark One+ bundle to access it. That gives you access to protection features alongside the antivirus software.
Surfshark Antivirus Compatibility and System Requirements
Surfshark Antivirus supports a range of operating systesms: Windows, macOS, and Android. It is lightweight in design, meaning that adding the security software is less likely to slow down the device’s performance. The antivirus can run on both older and new systems, as follows:
- Windows 10 (64-bit) and newer
- macOS Big Sur 11 and newer
- Android 5 and newer
It is important to note that this antivirus is not compatible with Windows ARM or Android devices that aren’t 64-bit. Surfshark’s antivirus isn’t on iOS, however, the Surfshark One and Surfshark One+ bundles include a VPN and other features for extra online protection.
Reviewing Surfshark Antivirus: Pros and any Drawbacks
Certain features will be more important to you than to other people, so it’s important to find out if Surfshark Antivirus offers what you’re looking for. Here are the pros and potential limitations.
Real-Time Protection
The antivirus runs continually in the background, scanning files and apps as you interact with them, from accessing USB drives to opening external media, modifying files, and downloading documents. That makes the software effective at stopping threats from infecting your devices, which could slow them down, make your personal info vulnerable to attackers, and cause other issues.
Detects Malware Better
Surfshark Antivirus uses Cloud Predict, an AI (artificial intelligence) prediction system built on a global threat database, built on data from millions of devices. The cloud-based approach allows the software to spot brand-new (zero-day) threats and new malware faster than a signature database may be able to. Knowing that the software proactively blocks suspicious activity efficiently can bring more peace of mind to users.
Also, Surfshark updates its malware database every three hours to keep you protected from the newest threats. There’s no worry that the antivirus software is relying on an outdated database that could compromise your security.
In addition, Surfshark Antivirus uses heuristic scans to detect and prevent malware that hasn’t yet been identified. That’s great for combating zero-day threats. Enjoy anti-tamper protection too, meaning your antivirus can’t be turned off by anyone you haven’t authorized or by malware. Finally, the antivirus does boot sector scans to detect any viruses that execute before your operating system loads, catching threats early on.
Does Surfshark Antivirus sound like a good fit for you? See what else buyers have to say.
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Certified Device Security
Independent testing of Surfshark Antivirus recognizes its value. AV-TEST, a top testing company in this industry, certified the protection of this antivirus. It scored a 5.5/6 in Performance and a perfect 6/6 in both Protection and Usability. That shows its effectiveness in detecting threats, being user-friendly, and lightweight in design.
Web Protection Feature
A valuable Web Protection feature is part of Surfshark Antivirus. It actively runs in the background, helping protect against malware and phishing sites that could steal your data or invade your privacy. This optional feature is only available on Microsoft Windows.
Filtering out phishing attempts, scam URLs, malicious trackers, and sites with malware from entering your devices is easier, as Web Protection automatically blocks any malicious link or software it detects. You can even exclude specific sites from being blocked on your Exclusions list.
No Firewall
There is no integrated firewall with the antivirus. Instead, it relies on the VPN included with both Surfshark One and Surfshark One+ bundles for network security, as well as using your operating system’s built-in firewall to protect against network traffic. This next feature may be more important to you.
Webcam Protection
A unique feature is the Webcam Protection. That helps your webcam avoid unauthorized access by blocking apps that attempt to use it without your permission. Active monitoring of attempts to access your webcam keeps you feeling safer. If an app is not on your approved list, which you can easily create within Surfshark Antivirus, you will receive a notification. At that point, you can decide whether to block it or add it to your approved list.
Number of Devices
Up to five devices per account can run Surfshark Antivirus at the same time, which includes desktop and mobile. Some users note online that this number is reasonable, although it may not be enough for multiple family members who each have phones, laptops, and perhaps tablets too. For those who use this antivirus, there is a lot to be said for its cross-platform coverage across Windows, macOS, and Android under one subscription.
Scheduled and Manual Scans
Customize the scheduled scan settings to do them the way you want, whether it’s a quick or full scan. Also, choose how often you want the scans to happen, based on what works with your schedule. You can also do a manual scan when you decide to, keeping you in control so your device is in the best condition possible.
Speed and Additional Features
Many users online describe the scan speed positively. Several also note that there is not a significant impact on system performance when doing these scans. A big reason for that is that the Surfshark Antivirus app is bloat-free for a better experience using it and low CPU (Central Processing Unit) consumption.
Quick scans generally take a few minutes, while in-depth scans can take longer. Some users online note that the long scans are slower than expected. To shorten scan time, you might scan only certain files or folders.
Ease of Use
Surfshark Antivirus has a clean look and straightforward navigation. The optional Web Protection feature is easy to toggle on and off in your dashboard, and customizable scan settings are simple to set the way you want. That makes it useful for those who do not have advanced tech knowledge. There is also a built-in feature to auto-delete quarantined files, so you don’t have to stress out about doing it. Infected files are removed after 60 days for you.
Pricing and Plans
Regular discounts on the initial subscription period can help users save money. Both Surfshark One and Surfshark One+ bundles include the Surfshark Antivirus and are competitively priced for the first year. When promotions end, pricing increases. Still, users can get great value from the number of security features in either bundle, more so than a standalone antivirus program.
The Surfshark One bundle includes Surfshark Antivirus, a VPN for encrypted Browse, a private search engine feature, Alternative ID, and Alert. Alternative ID consists of a masked email generator and personal detail generator, while Alert is an around-the-clock data leak monitoring tool that alerts you if your data is leaked online. This bundle is likely best for general users looking for online privacy and antivirus in one convenient package.
Surfshark One+ is the more comprehensive plan of the two options, so it is slightly higher priced. It includes everything in Surfshark One, including Surfshark Antivirus, as well as a service called Incogni. For US, UK, EU, Swiss, and Canadian residents, Incogni is a personal data deletion tool to help protect your privacy. Surfshark One+ is likely best for individuals and families who prioritize privacy and want more control in this area.
30-Day Money-Back Guarantee
After signing up for a Surfshark plan that includes the antivirus, a 30-day money-back guarantee gives you time to decide if it’s right for you. In the unlikely event that you decide within 30 days of purchasing the subscription that you no longer want it, contact support through Live Chat to begin the refund process, provided you meet the company’s terms posted on its website.
AMSI and Behavioral Scans
An anti-malware scan interface (AMSI) and behavioral scans are also noteworthy Surfshark Antivirus features. The AMSI on Windows systems improves the ability of the antivirus to detect and block threats, such as malicious scripts and files that might otherwise get missed by signature-based protection.
As for the behavioral scans, available solely on Windows OS, this feature provides advanced protection by monitoring unusual app and file activity. That includes identifying new threats and alerting you to them, even when the malicious code wasn’t already known.
Customer Service
If you have issues using the antivirus in your subscription, it’s nice to know that Surfshark offers 24/7 customer support. There are live chat and email options, depending on what you like best. The around-the-clock service means you can ask a question when it’s convenient with your schedule, even in the middle of the night.
Conclusion: Surfshark Antivirus Review
For those looking for a well-rounded, lightweight, and user-friendly antivirus solution, this one from Surfshark may be the right choice. It has real-time scanning, an AI-based predictive protection module, scheduled and manual scans, and optional Web Protection.
Enjoy protection for your webcam, too. While there is no dedicated firewall and the five-device limit may limit some people, Surfshark Antivirus makes up for it, in our opinion, with strong malware detection, anti-tamper controls, and behavioral scanning.
Also, there is a 30-day money-back guarantee for the bundle it is included in, a package that offers valuable extras in addition to antivirus, such as a VPN. We recommend Surfshark Antivirus for its many useful features, in addition to being part of a larger bundle for added protective features.
