For users prioritizing virtual private network services and already committed to Surfshark's VPN offering, opting for the Surfshark One package provides access to reasonably effective antivirus capabilities. Yet, those mainly seeking dedicated antivirus solutions may find superior value and less impact on device speed from competing products.
Surfshark has built its reputation primarily on virtual private network services, though its premium subscription levels incorporate antivirus functionality as an integrated element.
This inclusion appeals to existing Surfshark users who appreciate the straightforward and uncluttered design of its application. Nevertheless, although the service delivers sufficient defense against malicious software, certain drawbacks reduce its appeal, particularly for individuals desiring efficient, specialized security tools.
Related topic: Is a virtual private network essential in antivirus packages?
The Surfshark One package features ongoing monitoring to detect harmful software, questionable web links, and potentially risky email attachments. It also provides safeguards against hazardous websites, unauthorized remote connections from malicious entities, and illicit webcam usage, the latter being in beta stage but accessible to subscribers. Moreover, comprehensive system checks target sensitive areas such as registry entries to identify irregularities or modifications.
Beyond antivirus, the bundle grants use of Surfshark's virtual private network, which stands out as the centerpiece, along with monitoring for data leaks, a tool for generating synthetic personal details including fabricated email, name, address, and birthdate for online use, plus a confidential web search option.
In contrast to numerous security packages, Surfshark omits a built-in firewall from its offerings.
Individuals focusing on virtual private network protection, especially those satisfied with Surfshark's version, will find that the Surfshark One subscription enhances their defenses with competent antivirus elements.
Antivirus coverage in Surfshark One extends to five devices, compatible with Windows, macOS, and Android systems. The virtual private network, however, supports installations on an unlimited number across Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, and three web browsers including Chrome, Firefox, and Edge.
Pricing for Surfshark One decreases with longer upfront commitments. A 12-month subscription totals $55 for the initial year, with four extra months added. The 24-month option is $70 for the first year, similarly including four additional months.
Subsequent renewals cost $79 annually, adjusted to current rates, with two-year plans switching to one-year renewals. Monthly plans run $18 each.
Subscriptions automatically renew by default, with charges applied 30 days prior to expiration. Refunds are available if requested within 30 days of activation.
Setting up the Surfshark application requires first establishing an account and buying a subscription, a process that may feel somewhat cumbersome. Standard secure passphrases, such as those generated by password managers like correct-horse-battery-staple, were rejected; adding a special symbol was necessary to comply. Additionally, the password is entered only once, increasing the risk of input errors.
Password recovery options exist but can behave inconsistently. Following a reset, attempts to log in with the new credentials triggered an excessive login attempts warning, requiring a roughly five-minute wait before success.
Account credentials serve for both the application and online dashboard.
At present, Surfshark positions its antivirus as a supplementary element to the virtual private network, reversing the typical structure of antivirus-dominated suites.
The application's interface prioritizes the virtual private network, placing it first in the expandable left sidebar that appears on mouse hover. Subsequent sections cover Alternative ID and Alert, directing to the online dashboard, with Antivirus appearing last. Users must separately install the antivirus module to enable protection, which may seem inconvenient for those anticipating immediate coverage.
In general, the application adopts a streamlined, minimalistic approach, avoiding technical complexity. Screens feature a central content area and a right sidebar, without a central overview panel. Feature details occupy the main section, such as antivirus scan choices, while the sidebar displays status updates like ongoing scans and progress. All controls reside within these views, eliminating navigation hassles, and the window supports resizing for customized information display.
Customization options remain limited, particularly within the app. Antivirus scan adjustments are confined to inclusions like external drives. Apart from feature-specific settings, modifications primarily affect the virtual private network.
The associated online dashboard echoes the app's design with its sidebar, main panel, and sidebar layout but focuses on managing Alternative ID and Alert. Subscribers to the optional Incogni service for data broker opt-outs, costing an extra $4 monthly, can oversee it here too.
Though initially puzzling, the dashboard provides deeper configurations, including manual virtual private network adjustments and antivirus device oversight. Surfshark's simplicity facilitates quick familiarity with the divided interfaces.
Similar to competing antivirus tools, Surfshark vigilantly monitors for local and internet-based risks. Locally, it inspects newly opened or added files, scrutinizes email downloads for dubious links and attachments like archives, and detects anomalous application activities.
During web sessions, it prevents harmful downloads and identifies risky links, including phishing, while blocking unsanctioned webcam access if the beta protection is activated.
Among adjustable antivirus parameters is the timing for programmed scans.
Surfshark conducts daily system examinations by default, with brief checks on six days and a thorough review on the seventh, aligned to the initial setup time. Manual scans target the primary drive unless external storage inclusion is enabled, and users can select particular files or directories.
Brief and comprehensive scans cover registry components, network configurations, boot sectors, drivers, and commonly attacked locations like Downloads, Documents, and Desktop. Opt for the full version for an in-depth file assessment.
Scheduling and timing for both scan types are modifiable, but scanned elements are fixed. Minimal toggles include automatic external drive checks during scans, on connection, and auto-deletion of isolated threats.
Surfshark's core offering is its virtual private network, which masks user traffic origins for anonymity or accessing region-locked content. Antivirus requires higher-tier plans as an enhancement, unavailable standalone.
PCWorld's detailed virtual private network evaluation highlights a generally efficient and user-friendly operation when functional. Unlimited device support includes automatic ad, popup, and cookie notice blocking during use.
Advanced options encompass multi-hop routing for enhanced privacy and exclusions for specific apps or sites to operate outside the network.
Connectivity failed at certain sites; on a Hilton hotel Wi-Fi, it couldn't establish a link due to network restrictions, unlike ProtonVPN's success. Surfshark attributed this to potential firewall, DNS, or port blocks.
Server options span dedicated locations in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Türkiye, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, and United States.
Virtual servers supplement these, ideal for location-specific needs over privacy, with the app indicating optimal speed servers.
A standout element, Alternative ID, generates not only anonymous emails but complete fabricated personas to shield online presence.
These include randomly created elements; email domains, ten in total, lean toward ocean motifs, with five fish-inspired and usernames often aquatic. Manual customization allows preferred styles.
Alternative ID enables concealing full online identities beyond emails.
Profiles assign a name and address, such as Hector from Tasmania, Australia, editable for name, gender, or broad region. Address selection limits to country and state from six nations: US, Denmark, Australia, Germany, Portugal, Brazil.
Generated addresses draw from official public databases, potentially recycling real homes for fictional uses.
Phone number masking requires a $2.50 monthly add-on, providing US-only virtual numbers for receiving calls and texts, with text replies possible but no call returns.
Under the Alert label, the tool scans for email exposures in breaches, plus leaked passwords, personal data, or linked IPs. Surfshark One permits unlimited email monitoring, alongside boundless credit card and identification number tracking like social security.
Alert management occurs online, offering customizable breach report and notification preferences.
The private search tool uses external APIs for unbiased, privacy-focused results, as Surfshark does not host it independently.
Searches launch from the dashboard or app, redirecting to https://search.surfshark.com/, requiring login. Bookmarking works, but access ties to authenticated browsers.
Results blend sources like Reddit and YouTube, filterable by web, images, or videos, with locale adjustments. Compared to Google or Bing's enriched outputs, these appear basic.
Support access via app settings leads to common resources or the help site. Contact involves tickets or live chat.
App settings include diagnostics collection for support, network reset, and default restoration.
Virus definitions update silently every three hours and on scan initiation, with manual checks available but no timing alterations.
Surfshark lacks entries in the latest AV-Test and AV-Comparatives evaluations. In AV-Test's May and June 2025 zero-day and malware assessments, it achieved full marks, detecting all 407 zero-day samples and 19,213 common malware instances.
Antivirus providers choose AV-Test participation. Surfshark participates selectively: 'We skip monthly repeats with similar samples, testing mainly during malware shifts or backend updates for verification.' Results exist for December 2022, June 2024, and June 2025.
AVLab's March 2026 wild malware test yielded 70.78% pre-infection blocks and 28.74% post-execution stops, missing two samples—lagging behind ESET, Bitdefender, and Avast's 100% prevention.
Background operation minimally affects performance; real-time scanning reduced PCMark 10 scores by less than 2%, simulating conferencing, browsing, and office tasks.
Handbrake video conversion time rose under 2%, but Microsoft Office editing saw Procyon scores fall nearly 9%.
Full scans heavily tax resources; on a low-end laptop, PCMark 10 dropped 36%, Procyon 53%, and Handbrake time surged 72%.
Scheduling scans, particularly full ones, for idle periods lessens impact, advisable for heavy PC users to avoid disruptions.
For virtual private network enthusiasts loyal to Surfshark, the One package adds capable antivirus layers. Primary antivirus seekers, however, benefit more from alternatives with better value and lower performance hits.