Ultimate Cybersecurity for the Evolving Blockchain Landscape

As the internet and the cryptocurrency landscape continue to evolve, so too do the associated risks. Cybercrime is increasing, with data theft, security breaches, and hacking posing significant threats to blockchain users. Many individuals have lost not only personal information but also digital assets to cybercriminals.

These escalating dangers highlight the necessity for strong cybersecurity measures. While there are numerous companies offering privacy tools, most do not deliver complete protection, leaving crypto users and blockchain advocates exposed.

Surfshark addresses this issue with its comprehensive cybersecurity platform. The service is designed to provide user-friendly privacy and security solutions, enabling individuals to have full control over their digital presence.

What is Surfshark?

Surfshark is a cybersecurity solution that provides users with online security, privacy, and a virtual private network (VPN) to guard against data breaches and security vulnerabilities. The platform offers over 3,200 RAM-only servers in more than 100 countries worldwide.

Founded in 2018 by Vytautas Kaziukonis, Surfshark is currently headquartered in the Netherlands and has a workforce of over 400 employees.

Surfshark’s app incorporates all its services, which include the Surfshark VPN, Surfshark Antivirus, Surfshark Alert, Surfshark Search, Alternative ID, and Incogni, with each service linked to a specific pricing tier.

The platform features an intuitive user interface, making it accessible to individuals of all technical backgrounds. The app is available on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Apple TV, and Fire TV.

Surfshark collaborates with various NGOs and non-profit organizations to raise awareness about issues like censorship, data breaches, internet shutdowns, and other cybersecurity concerns. Partnering organizations include NetBlocks, Internet Society, Project Syndicate, Electronic Frontier Foundation, and the European Digital Rights. The firm has also launched research initiatives to inform the public about online cyber risks and preventive measures.

Surfshark Products

The cybersecurity platform provides access to six distinct products:

Surfshark VPN

A virtual private network (VPN) establishes a secure, encrypted connection over the internet, safeguarding users’ online activities from tracking and concealing their location. This enables users to access content that may be restricted in their region and keeps their data secure.

Surfshark offers a dependable VPN service with over 3,200 servers globally, allowing users to browse, stream, and download securely. Additional features include an ad and malware blocker, dual-server connections for enhanced privacy, and the ability to bypass restrictions in censored areas.

Surfshark Antivirus

An antivirus program protects users’ devices from malware, viruses, and other malicious software. It scans systems for potential threats and removes them, ensuring devices are safe from cyberattacks.

Surfshark Antivirus provides real-time protection and scheduled scans to identify and eliminate malware. Its user-friendly interface integrates seamlessly with Surfshark’s other security features, scanning and blocking harmful websites and downloads.

Surfshark Alert

This feature monitors whether users’ personal information, including email addresses, passwords, and credit card information, has been compromised in data breaches, alerting them to take preventive measures.

With Surfshark Alert, users receive immediate notifications if their information is affected, allowing them to change passwords, cancel credit cards, or take other actions to protect their finances and data.

Surfshark Search

This private search engine ensures users’ searches remain anonymous and untraceable, offering an ad-free searching experience without logging or tracking, hence maintaining user privacy.

Alternative ID & Alternative Number

Surfshark’s Alternative ID is a privacy tool that generates temporary email addresses to shield users from spam during newsletter sign-ups and web registrations. The disposable email address forwards messages to the user’s primary email, keeping it secure and private.

Surfshark also includes an Alternative Number, which provides temporary virtual phone numbers, including numbers from the U.S. This feature ensures users’ real phone numbers remain private when making calls or signing up for services requiring a contact number, preventing unwanted calls to their actual phone.

Incogni

Data brokers often collect and sell users’ information without consent. Incogni works on behalf of customers to reach out to these brokers and request the deletion of their personal data from their systems. The service is available in the U.S., the U.K., the EU, Canada, and Switzerland.

Surfshark Pricing

Surfshark provides three pricing plans that give access to specific services:

• Surfshark Starter: This plan includes the VPN and Alternative ID features. The monthly cost is $15.45 (taxes included).
• Surfshark One: This plan encompasses the VPN, Antivirus, Alert, and Search services, priced at $15.95 per month (taxes included).
• Surfshark One+: This tier provides access to the VPN, Antivirus, Alert, Search, Alternative ID, and Incogni services, with a monthly fee of $17.95 (taxes included).

NOTE: Incogni can be purchased independently as a one-month plan for $12.99 (tax included).

Surfshark Security

Surfshark employs multiple security strategies to keep user data private and secure from unauthorized access.

The platform utilizes the WireGuard, IKEv2/IPSec, and OpenVPN VPN protocols, known for their robust security, speed, and reliability.

Surfshark applies the AES-256 encryption standard, recognized as one of the industry’s finest, to secure users’ internet traffic between their devices and the VPN server. The term 256-bit reflects the length of the encryption key used for data protection.

When combined with secure protocols like OpenVPN and IKEv2/IPSec, this encryption ensures user data is completely protected from interception and tampering. Even if cybercriminals or other entities managed to intercept data, it remains designed to be unbreakable.

In addition to AES-256, Surfshark implements ChaCha20 encryption for the WireGuard protocol. While both are high-quality encryption methods, the main distinction lies in that AES-256 processes data in blocks, while ChaCha20 operates on each individual data bit.

Surfshark also features a 2048-bit RSA (Rivest-Shamir-Adleman) encryption key, which uses two separate keys for encryption and decryption. The 2048 figure denotes the bit length of the RSA key.

Surfshark uses a private DNS on its servers, which adds an extra layer of security and prevents third parties from spying on browsing activity. Users can also utilize multi-hop connections, adding further protection by routing their connections through multiple VPN servers instead of just one.

A significant security feature of Surfshark is its kill switch, which automatically disconnects users from the internet if it detects a drop in VPN connectivity.

Surfshark is one of the first VPN providers to update its servers to RAM-only infrastructure. This advancement ensures that any data stored on the server is erased upon shutdown.

Comprehensive assessments are routinely conducted by Surfshark to identify outdated firewalls and missing software patches, which could serve as vulnerabilities for cyber threats. The platform also offers webcam protection and anti-spyware capabilities to reinforce its security measures.

To confirm its dedication to reliability and enhanced security practices, Surfshark has undergone independent security audits and implemented two-factor authentication for its products. Additionally, the company’s Android mobile application has passed security evaluations by the App Defense Alliance, which demonstrates compliance with industry benchmarks established by the Open Web Application Security Project (OWASP).

Why Use Surfshark

Here are some reasons to consider Surfshark:

Enhance Anonymity

The internet’s open nature has made it challenging for users to ensure their privacy and safeguard personal data. Surfshark facilitates privacy by enhancing users’ anonymity while they access their favorite online services. By utilizing Surfshark’s suite of products, users can encrypt their data, preventing tracking by hackers, government authorities, or analytics companies. Users can feel secure knowing that their information is not at risk from untrusted actors.

Overcome Geographical Barriers

Users around the world often face restrictions imposed by regulations on specific services and websites. These limitations can hinder legitimate business operations, social interactions, and more. With Surfshark VPN, users can easily circumvent geographical barriers and engage with the platforms they desire without worry.

Safe Crypto Trading

In recent years, the cryptocurrency sector has seen numerous hacks, resulting in billions lost from the market. Attackers frequently use phishing links, compromised SMS verifications, and data breaches to execute these attacks, often catching even seasoned crypto traders off guard. Surfshark protects users’ accounts and funds through tools designed to obscure their digital presence and notify them of harmful links and unreliable platforms.

Additional advantages of using Surfshark include:

• 24/7 customer support.
• No-logs policy.
• 30-day money-back guarantee.
• Cross-platform access on multiple devices.
• Integrates several services within a single app.
• Compatible with various devices.

Conclusion

Surfshark provides a comprehensive suite of tools focused on privacy and security, empowering crypto users to retain full control of their digital identities. This article outlined the six main tools offered by Surfshark, along with details on pricing and security measures.