Surfshark Antivirus Review 2024: Your Cybersecurity Lifeguard (2024)

Surfshark Antivirus, included as part of the Surfshark One and One+ suites, stands out for its comprehensive malware and antivirus protection, user-friendly interface, and competitive pricing. Coupled with additional features like CleanWeb, Surfshark Search, and Surfshark's virtual private network (VPN) service, it offers a well-rounded security package for users looking to safeguard their devices.

But is an antivirus sidekick good enough to protect you online? Should you go for a dedicated antivirus software known in the industry for its protection capabilities?

We put the Surfshark Antivirus to the test to see if it can standup against the best antivirus software out there.

Surfshark Antivirus overview

Our experience

Though we weren't expecting much from an antivirus that's tagged on to another product, our experience with the Surfshark Antivirus was surprisingly very positive. The app was easy to use and the scans themselves were quick, effective, and instilled us with confidence. We no longer think it's just an after-thought product and believe that it can stand well on its own, with the VPN as just a bonus.

When we first installed Surfshark, the program helped us get the antivirus software set up right away and encouraged us to start a quick scan.

The scan only took about a minute and scanned over 19,000 files, which is exactly what we hope for from a quick scan. We also didn't notice any annoying slow-downs on our computer when the scan was running.

Satisfied, we moved on to test the full scan. We were happy with the level of detail it gave us while the scan was running, so we knew that it was trucking along and not just stuck.

The full scan only took about 12 minutes and scanned over 346,000 files. We consider 10 minutes or less as the golden standard of fast full scans, so Surfshark came pretty close. And the high amount of files scanned felt good too.

Other than the scans, we were also happy with other features from Surfshark. For example, you can easily pause real-time protection for 10 minutes to an hour at just the click of the button, which helps you not forget to turn it back later.

When we were running our in-house tests, it was easy to quarantine the fake malicious file Surfshark detected, and you even have the option to automatically delete it from quarantine.

The only hiccup we ran into was the webcam protection, but it does clearly state it's still a beta feature on the app. You had to do an additional install to get it working and it did block our camera from working...but we couldn't get it working again until after we disabled the feature.

It also crashed our Zoom and made us restart our computer, so the beta nature of this feature can't be understated.

Other than that, we were impressed with Surfshark Antivirus and its effectiveness, ease of use, and reliability.

Who is Surfshark Antivirus best for?

• Recommended for individuals and families seeking comprehensive security across multiple devices without breaking the bank.

Surfshark Antivirus is an excellent choice for those who want to safeguard their digital lives without compromising on quality or affordability. Its key features, such as malware and phishing protection, are designed to provide robust security for all types of users. The inclusion of Surfshark VPN and tools like CleanWeb and Surfshark Search further enhance privacy and security, making it ideal for users who prioritize both aspects.

With its competitive pricing, Surfshark Antivirusis particularly attractive for families on a budget. Its user-friendly interface and compatibility with Windows, Mac, and mobile platforms also make it easy for users of varying technical skill levels to navigate and manage their cybersecurity needs.

Additionally, the Surfshark money-back guarantee provides users with the confidence to try out the service risk-free, ensuring they get the best value for their money.

Surfshark Antivirus cost

Surfshark Antivirus is not a standalone product. Surfshark Antivirus is available only if you subscribe to the Surfshark Oneor Surfshark One+ packages, which includes Surfshark VPN, Surfshark Search, and a data breach detector called Surfshark Alert, with additional data removal technology if you opt for One+. While this may appear to be a limitation, the value provided by the Surfshark One bundle is substantial, given the comprehensive security and privacy features included.

When compared to other antivirus software, the Surfshark One bundle may appear to be more expensive, but the additional benefits and features make it a worthwhile investment for those looking for an all-in-one cybersecurity solution. For example, Sophos starts at a comparable $44.99/yr price, but doesn't include things like a VPN and identity protection.

Here's what you get with the Surfshark One and One+ bundles.

Surfshark Antivirus features

Surfshark Antivirus boasts a suite of standout features that provide comprehensive security and privacy protection for your devices, thanks to being part of the Surfshark One and One+ bundles. These packages offer a range of additional features like:

• Surfshark VPN
• Surfshark Search
• Surfshark Alert
• Data removal (One+ only)

While Surfshark One provides a well-rounded security solution, some might find the lack of a standalone antivirus plan limiting. Let's take a closer look at the features offered by Surfshark One.

Malware and antivirus scan

Surfshark Antivirus offers both automatic and manual scans, providing you with flexibility and control over your device security. The program allows for quick scans that cover the most vulnerable areas of the device, and full scans that provide a thorough inspection of the entire system.

During our testing, we encountered no significant issues while using either scanning option. The scanning process was fast, efficient, and unobtrusive. Surfshark Antivirus delivered prompt notifications when computer virus threats were detected, and it effectively removed malware from the system without any complications.

Phishing protection

Surfshark Antivirus includes robust anti-phishing features designed to protect your device from fraudulent websites and phishing attempts. This is achieved by Surfshark's CleanWeb technology, which actively blocks malicious websites, trackers, and ads that could potentially compromise your security and privacy.

Setting up and using the anti-phishing features was a seamless process. Surfshark Antivirus automatically enables CleanWeb by default, ensuring that you're automatically protected without configuring any additional settings.

Real-time protection

Surfshark Antivirus provides real-time protection to keep devices safe as they browse the web, access emails, or use apps. During our testing, we discovered that Surfshark's real-time protection functioned flawlessly, with no noticeable slowdowns or interruptions.

The antivirus program recognized and destroyed threats in real time, sending out fast warnings regarding the activities performed.

Anti-fraud protection

While Surfshark Antivirus lacks a dedicated anti-fraud feature, its suite of security tools and features effectively protects from various types of online fraud. Its anti-phishing features, identity theft protection, and real-time security help keep you safe from fake websites, frauds, and other misleading online tactics.

Surfshark One and One+ bundle features

Surfshark Antivirus is part of Surfshark One and One+, complete security packages that contain various products meant to safeguard your privacy and secure your online activity.

Surfshark VPN

Surfshark VPN allows you to hide your IP address and encrypt your internet connection, providing online browsing that is private and more secure. The VPN also shields data and personal information from hackers, internet service providers (ISPs), and trackers.

Surfshark VPN offers over 3,000 VPN servers in 100 countries, which can help you access geo-restricted material and streaming services.

Surfshark Search

Surfshark Search is a private search engine focused on providing security as you search the internet. Unlike most search engines, this tool doesn’t monitor your search history, keep any personal data, or display any ads tailored to your history.

Surfshark Alert

The Surfshark Alert tool checks for data breaches involving your email addresses, passwords, or credit card information. If your data is taken, Surfshark Alert will notify you immediately, allowing you to take action to safeguard your accounts and avoid identity theft or fraud.

Surfshark Antivirus test results

In order to make sure an antivirus product is performing as it should, we put it through a series of rigorous tests and track down trusted third-party results. Here's how Surfshark fared.

Scan speed

• Result: Fast

While scan speeds aren't the most important part of an antivirus, being efficient will make it more likely that you scan more often, so it's still a big win.

We like to see antivirus scans take around 10 minutes for a full scan, which Surfshark was pretty close to. This is a very fast result, as some other antiviruses can take as long as an hour to complete their scans.

EICAR test results

• Result: 2/3

The European Institute for Computer Anti-Virus Research (EICAR) put together a series of tools that can help consumers determine if their antivirus software is performing as they should. These consist of files that are made to act like viruses without actually being malicious, as well as pages meant to trigger phishing detection.

Test results as of 08/28/2024.

Surfshark was able to detect and quarantine both types of malware files flawlessly, even while performing a full scan at the same time. This brings us great confidence in its real-time protection capabilities.

The antivirus was unable to detect the fake phishing page, however, even with the Surfshark browser extension installed. If you're worried about malicious sites, you may want to look into a better ad blocker to supplement Surfshark.

Surfshark AV-TEST results

• Result: 17.5/18

AV-TEST is a respected independent testing organization that evaluates antivirus software based on various criteria, including protection, performance, and usability.

It's important to note that Surfshark was tested only on Windows. This is not unusual since antivirus companies have to pay for third-party tests, and Windows is the most widely used platform. Still, it would've been nice to see further investment in third-party testing.

When tested on Windows 10, Surfshark received a perfect score for performance and usability, having had no false positives. But for performance, it was knocked down half a point because it caused higher-than-average slowdowns while launching popular websites.

Surfshark Antivirus compatibility

Surfshark Antivirus is intended to work with a broad variety of devices and operating systems, including a Surfshark app for desktop and mobile:

• Windows
• macOS
• Android
• iOS
• Linux

Surfshark also provides browser extensions on Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Microsoft Edge.

Surfshark Antivirus customer support

Surfshark’s customer support provides several solutions so consumers can get help when they need it. A comprehensive help center is available with a multitude of articles and instructions covering numerous issues relating to Surfshark's products, installation, and troubleshooting. The online instructions are well organized and straightforward, allowing users to quickly discover solutions to their queries.

Surfshark, in addition to the help center, offers a live chat feature, which allows customers to communicate with customer care experts in real time. Our experience with live chat support was great: the staff was knowledgeable, polite, and quick to respond to our questions.

Surfshark also provides email assistance for those that prefer a more conventional mode of contact. There is no phone line at the time of writing.

Top alternatives

We love that Surfshark Antivirus is part of a comprehensive security suite. However, you might be in the market for just an antivirus or you might not be sold on its features. Here are some other antivirus programs to consider:

Surfshark Antivirus FAQs

Bottom line: Is Surfshark Antivirus good?

Surfshark Antiviruscan protect your device against malware, phishing attempts, and ransomware, making it an efficient security solution. However, it's available only as part of the Surfshark One or Surfshark One+ bundles, which may be a detriment to those looking for a standalone antivirus program.

We recommend Surfshark Antivirus for consumers who want a full cybersecurity solution that includes a VPN, private search, and data breach scanner. The Surfshark One and One+ packages give outstanding value and all-around digital life safety. But if you're looking for a cheaper solution, check out our full list of the best antivirus software available.

Kalleigh Lane is a passionate digital security advocate and the Lead Editor at All About Cookies. After completing her Master of Arts in English Literature, Kalleigh has gained over 5 years of editing and writing experience in the fields of cybersecurity, tech, and finance. She has been featured in major media outlets such as The Globe and Mail and CTV News, emerging as an advocate for digital security.