Surfshark Antivirus is a

cybersecurity software Computer security software or cybersecurity software is any computer program designed to influence information security. This is often taken in the context of defending computer systems or data, yet can incorporate programs designed specifically ...

developed by a company known for

Surfshark VPN Surfshark is a European VPN service and digital privacy tool founded in Lithuania. It also offers other services such as data leak detection, a private search tool, an antivirus and an automated personal data removal system. In 2021, Surfshark ...

and

internet security Internet security is a branch of computer security. It encompasses the Internet, browser security, web site security, and network security as it applies to other applications or operating systems as a whole. Its objective is to establish rules ...

services. Surfshark Antivirus provides protection against

malware Malware (a portmanteau of ''malicious software'')Tahir, R. (2018)A study on malware and malware detection techniques . ''International Journal of Education and Management Engineering'', ''8''(2), 20. is any software intentionally designed to caus ...

, viruses, and other cyber threats.

Technology

In 2021, Antivirus software was introduced to its Surfshark One bundle. Surfshark Antivirus offers

real-time protection Antivirus software (abbreviated to AV software), also known as anti-malware, is a computer program used to prevent, detect, and remove malware. Antivirus software was originally developed to detect and remove computer viruses, hence the na ...

to users by scanning and identifying potential threats on devices. It integrates with Surfshark's other security products, including its VPN services. The antivirus is available for multiple platforms, including

Windows Windows is a Product lining, product line of Proprietary software, proprietary graphical user interface, graphical operating systems developed and marketed by Microsoft. It is grouped into families and subfamilies that cater to particular sec ...

macOS macOS, previously OS X and originally Mac OS X, is a Unix, Unix-based operating system developed and marketed by Apple Inc., Apple since 2001. It is the current operating system for Apple's Mac (computer), Mac computers. With ...

Android Android most commonly refers to: *Android (robot), a humanoid robot or synthetic organism designed to imitate a human * Android (operating system), a mobile operating system primarily developed by Google * Android TV, a operating system developed ...

. Surfshark Antivirus features CleanWeb, a tool that minimizes ads, blocks trackers, and protects against

phishing Phishing is a form of social engineering and a scam where attackers deceive people into revealing sensitive information or installing malware such as viruses, worms, adware, or ransomware. Phishing attacks have become increasingly sophisticate ...

. It offers real-time protection, monitoring systems around the clock to guard against malware, and operates efficiently in the background. Surfshark antivirus also uses heuristic detection that scans files for suspicious-looking bits of code. In December 2022, Surfshark added webcam protection to its antivirus tool to control over exactly which apps are allowed to use webcam.

Overview

Surfshark Antivirus is an antivirus software that includes real-time protection, scan-scheduling, malware detection, and malware removal. It is part of the Surfshark app and comes with the Surfshark One and One+ bundles. Antivirus can be used on up to five devices. The user can see the list of Antivirus-protected devices on their Surfshark profile page.

Features

Scanning

Scanning is a feature that scans all files stored on the device, including system and application files, including those the user can’t see. When malware is detected, the user is presented with a list of potentially harmful files and can select which one they want to delete. The antivirus application automatically copies each infected file to the quarantine folder for backup. If the backup process is unsuccessful, the file is renamed by changing the extension to “.infected.” Available on Windows, macOS, and Android.

Scheduling

Scheduling is a feature that lets users choose the date and time of their device scans. Windows and macOS users can schedule both Quick scans and Full scans. Available on Windows, macOS, and Android.

Quarantine

Quarantine is a feature that automatically isolates potentially harmful files found after a scan or real-time detection so they aren’t executable. Users can delete or restore the files and add them to the exclusion list. Available on Windows, and macOS.

Exclusions

Exclusions is a feature that allows users to choose which files and folders aren’t going to be scanned. Available on Windows, and macOS.

Webcam protection

Webcam protection is a feature that constantly monitors the user’s webcam. The user is informed when an untrusted app tries to access the camera. Available on Windows, and macOS.

Ransomware shield

Ransomware shield is a feature that provides added security to specified files and folders. The user selects which apps have permission to access their files. When an app that doesn’t have permission is accessing the files in the protected folder, the action is blocked, and the user is asked to allow access or to block it. Available on macOS.

Surfshark Cloud Protect

Surfshark Cloud Protect is a feature that scans unknown files on the cloud for zero-day threats. The feature is based on a machine learning system where unknown file hashes are sent to a remote cloud server that quickly analyzes if the file is malicious. If the file is found to be dangerous, then all Surfshark user’s apps are updated, so this new threat is quarantined. Available on Windows, macOS, and Android.

Certification

AV-Test

In November and December 2022, Surfshark Antivirus for Windows (versions 4.4 & 4.5) received certification from AV TEST,

the Independent ''The Independent'' is a British online newspaper. It was established in 1986 as a national morning printed paper. Nicknamed the ''Indy'', it began as a broadsheet and changed to tabloid format in 2003. The last printed edition was publis ...

IT-Security Institute from Magdeburg, Germany.

VB100 Virus Bulletin certificates

Surfshark Antivirus was tested by the

Virus Bulletin Virus Bulletin is a magazine about the prevention, detection and removal of malware and spam. It regularly features analyses of the latest virus threats, articles exploring new developments in the fight against viruses, interviews with anti-virus ...

on four different occasions: May 23, 2022; July 25, 2022; October 24, 2022; January 23, 2023.

Reviews

In February 2023, Surfshark Antivirus was certified as an efficient antivirus by the antivirus testing establishment

AV-TEST AV-TEST is an independent organization which evaluates and rates antivirus and security suite software for Microsoft Windows, macOS and Android operating systems, according to a variety of criteria. The organisation is based in Magdeburg, Germany ...

, an independent antivirus evaluation organization.

Computer Bild ''Computer Bild'' is a German fortnightly computer magazine published by Axel Springer SE Axel Springer SE () is a European multinational corporation, multinational mass media, mass and online media company, based in Berlin, Germany. The com ...

, German computer magazine, reviewed Surfshark Antivirus, highlighting its comprehensive protection against viruses and malware, user-friendly interface, and its inclusion in the Surfshark One package, which also offers VPN services, private search functionality, and alert services for enhanced online security.

TechRadar ''TechRadar'' is an online technology publication owned by Future plc. It has editorial teams in the United States, United Kingdom, and Australia that provide news and reviews of tech products and gadgets. It was launched in 2008 and expanded t ...

in its review noted that it effectively protects devices from malware and viruses on Android and Windows with real-time protection and flexible scanning options.

PC Mag ''PC Magazine'' (shortened as ''PCMag'') is an American computer magazine published by Ziff Davis. A print edition was published from 1982 to January 2009. Publication of online editions started in late 1994 and continues . Overview ''PC Magaz ...

, British computer media, reviewed Surfshark Antivirus, noting its significant improvements in malware protection, but also pointing out the need for further refinement in its antivirus capabilities.{{Cite web , date=2023-02-24 , title=Surfshark One , url=https://uk.pcmag.com/vpn/140960/surfshark-one , access-date=2024-07-08 , website=PCMag UK , language=en-gb

References

Antivirus software Computer security software Windows software