Surfshark's new feature makes internet searching safer – here's what you need to know

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Data breach and malware alerts make it easier to spot dangerous websites

A vector image representing Surfshark's new website security tool
(Image credit: Surfshark)

In an effort to further protect people online, Surfshark has launched advanced website safety settings that highlight potentially dangerous sites and data breach alerts. These new alerts show up in Google searches, alerting you to dangers before you click on them.

While Surfshark is known as one of the best VPNs on the market, it's also been gradually building up a profile as an all-in-one personal privacy and security suite. This latest update brings its browser extension (first launched in 2018) to new heights, making it easier for people to avoid malicious sites altogether.

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How do Surfshark's new website safety features work?

This new feature builds on Surfshark's existing extension functionality, which delivered alerts if users visited known malicious websites. You can still view safety badges after clicking through a webpage, but having the security status directly in Google is a helpful way for the less cyberaware to stay safe online.

Remember: this feature won't stop you from clicking on unsafe websites, but it does add an extra layer to help you stay secure. You'll get extra icons in your Google searches and, if you happen to click through to a known malware/phishing site, you'll get a warning interception before you load the site – giving you the chance to return to the safety of the previous page.

To do this, Surfshark uses known malware and phishing site repositories to deliver alerts around potentially dangerous sites. These checks are usually done at the VPN server end, so they can't monitor your usage, but they can automatically trigger a warning if their lists throw up a red flag.

Surfshark's website checker in action, flagging sites for potential dangers

(Image credit: Future)

Surfshark is taking this to the next level by introducing icons and information in Google search results. Having the warnings attached to search results means that Surfshark can stop you from clicking the dodgy link in the first place, rather than having to intercept and warn you (or remove it with Surfshark's antivirus if you did end up downloading a virus).

Surfshark is taking a comprehensive approach to defending users' data, as Sinkeviciute notes: "Protecting users from malicious search engine links is just as critical as providing reliable online protection for their data.

"Since 2022, for instance, we have added over 25,000 websites to our database that are flagged as potentially harmful and are not easily identifiable as dangerous. So with this new solution, we aim to help users avoid the frustration of compromised accounts, device infections, or stolen credentials when visiting a harmful website without even realizing it.”

How to enable Surfshark's website safety warnings

Making the most of this new feature is quick and easy to do, but it's limited to Google Search through its browser extension (which you'll need to install if you haven't already).

  1. Open the Surfshark browser extension settings.
  2. Go to the "Website safety warnings" section.
  3. Toggle on "Data breach alert" and "Malware alert".

With these alerts turned on, Surfshark will notify you in your Google searches. You'll get information on whether a website has been reported for malware, phishing attempts, data leaks, and/or breaches.

It's a low-impact way to help you stay safe online and make more informed decisions when browsing the internet. If you want to learn more about the other features on offer, be sure to check out our Surfshark review.

Disclaimer

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.

Andreas Theodorou
Andreas Theodorou
Editor-in-Chief of Tech Software

Andreas is the Editor-in-Chief of Tech Software at Future, supporting content and teams on VPNs, antivirus, and other cybersecurity tools. He's previously written for and led content at ProPrivacy, Business2Community, and The Tech Report. After completing a Master of Research degree, Andreas fell in love with all things cybersecurity; combining his passions to help expose the prevalence of AdTech in the charity sector and raise awareness of digital privacy around the world.

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