There are some security features that every VPN has — well, with the exception of some of those dodgy free ones lurking around in the depths of the Google Play Store.
Any VPN provider making a big song and dance about the fact that it can shield your IP address, or that its VPN tunnels are protected by military-grade AES-256 encryption, or it offers the WireGuard protocol, will know that those benefits are practically a given these days.
Even additional features once considered rare tend to be de rigueur these days — from kill switches and multi-hop, to independently verified logging policies.
1. Rotating VPN
When you fire up your VPN app, login, select a location and hit the on button, you instantly adopt the IP address of the server. It's one of the main reasons people have been attracted to VPNs — the idea that no internet service provider, advertiser or government agency can link your online activity to your location is a very welcome one.
In the ordinary course of using your VPN, however, you'll still be linked to a solid, unwavering IP.
Turn on Surfshark's Rotating VPN and it changes your IP address at frequent, random intervals, making it trickier for websites to track your requests and reduce the likelihood that you'll be successfully targeted by DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service) attacks, phishing scams and snoopers.
[Switching your IP address] disrupts tracking attempts, making it harder for advertisers and malicious actors to track your online trail or build a detailed profile based on your online behavior.
Surfshark
In addition to adding yet another layer of online obfuscation, it's also useful, Surfshark says, if you're trying to use your VPN to avoid dynamic pricing associated with your IP.
"Imagine you’re searching for flights to Japan. If you repeatedly check airfare using the same IP address, the airline company may notice this pattern and increase the prices.
"However, with IP rotation, the website sees a different IP each time you check prices, making it harder to track your behavior and implement dynamic pricing strategies."
While some other providers that offer IP rotation might make it available to those users who are prepared to pay for a higher tier, Surfshark includes it for all users — from Surfshark Starter subscribers all the way up to One+.
2. Alternative ID
Introduced by the provider to its suite in 2024, Alternative ID is another feature now included within all Surfshark tiers.
If you've ever had that icky, trepidatious feeling typing in your email address and a few personal details into yet another website just to view its content, Alternative ID is part of the solution.
In short, it generates a brand new online identity for you to use on websites and email lists. And we're not just talking about a rudimentary name change to Ken Adams or Regina Phalange — the Alternative ID feature includes a full name, gender, age, home address and email address as well.
It's one more way of ensuring that your actual personal details don't end up on some marketing database your weren't expecting.
It's also really easy to use. Surfshark ensures that the feature works seamlessly with its browser extension.
In our Surfshark VPN review, we lauded the way the "browser extension will automatically recognise forms it can fill in with this new information, and display a Surfshark logo in each box.
"If you click on the logo, a box displaying all of your Alternative ID information will appear, then all you need to do is click the 'fill form' button and viola! Your new identity will be completely filled out in the name, address, date of birth and email address boxes."
3. Antivirus tools
VPNs and antivirus software have generally been seen as two disparate products, with these service providers excelling in their own respective fields.
But cybersecurity experts have been talking for a while now about the direction of (internet) traffic and, specifically, that the market leaders will be those that can offer an all-in one online security package that protects users from all digital risks.
Opt for a Surfshark One plan and that's exactly what you get, with Surfshark bundling in a selection of core antivirus tools.
Think of Surshark One as the mouse that roared of the security software world.
From our review of Surfshark One
That includes all of the malware and spyware protection you'd expect from any 'regular' antivirus product, with both real-time scans of downloads and installs, together with the option to schedule full scans of your devices.
There's webcam protection, too, which keeps your camera locked when you're not specifically using it.
And if you're concerned that this is a basic add-on designed more for marketing than for your protection, you needn't be.
Take confidence that, in the summer of 2024, Surfshark Antivirus was certified by the independent AV-TEST lab and was issued with a "TOP PRODUCT" award.
4. Surfshark Alert
Another feature launched last year by the company's busy product team, you can consider Surfshark Alert your personal scout going on the lookout for any sign that your personal data may have been leaked online.
It scarcely seems a week goes by where another massive data leak isn't reported in the news (presenting 'Exhibit A' from just a few days ago in which the personal info of six million shoppers was exposed) and it's hardly surprising, considering how much of our details we choose or are expected to share.
Surfshark Alert will send you a notification if any of your email address, passwords, credit card details or other distinguishing identifiers appear in known lists of leaked data.
That gives you the chance to act to protect yourself, changing your online passwords or, if necessary, blocking your credit card and asking for a fresh one from your bank.
Furthermore, Surfshark Alert will keep you informed by send you regular summaries about any incidents involving your personal data.
Note that Surfshark Alert is available only to Surfshark One and One+ subscribers.
5. Incogni
Go all out with Surfshark One+ plan, and you'll get the benefit of an extra feature that's unique to the provider: Incogni.
Incogni is a data removal service developed by Surfshark itself, and is aimed at anybody who is fed up of constantly receiving emails from third-party companies that have somehow got a hold your details without you knowing.
It has a list of more than 420 (and counting) data brokers it can contact with your permission to demand that your name is removed from their data base.
And it won't simply ask nicely and hope for the best; the service is underpinned by legislation such as the CCPA in the U.S. and GDPR in Europe and thus gives it the legal clout to ensure your details are removed.
What's more, for the duration of your subscription to One+, Incogni will continue to monitor the data bases and put in repeated requests for your removal if you somehow end up popping back on.
What else does Surfshark's VPN offer?
As we've said, Surfshark's VPN is one of the best out there — it scored a fantastic 4.5 stars out of 5 in our most recent retest and review.
Outside of rapid server speeds, the ability to unblock virtually any streaming service going and that array of extra features we've mentioned above, it's also terrific value.
Yes, it's managed to hold down the no. 1 spot in our best cheap VPN rankings for some time now, but all subscriptions also offer unlimited connections.
So if you have lots of devices or want one VPN product to share between the whole family, Surfshark has you covered.
And it has more than 3,000 servers in over 160 locations worldwide, so you'll be protected pretty much anywhere and the privacy is great.
We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example: 1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service). 2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad. We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.
