Have you ever wondered who is tracking your online activity or how hackers steal personal data? This guide will show you how to download and use Surfshark VPN on your Windows PC. With over 3,200 servers worldwide, Surfshark is one of the top VPNs for protecting your privacy and security.
In this 3500+ word guide, you‘ll learn:
- Why use a VPN like Surfshark
- Benefits of Surfshark VPN
- Step-by-Step how to download and install
- Surfshark settings and features walkthrough
- Troubleshooting tips
- FAQs on using Surfshark for Windows
Let‘s start with understanding why an encrypted VPN tunnel is so important for your online safety.
Why You Should Use a VPN like Surfshark
Your Internet Service Provider (ISP), government agencies, hackers, and even websites can monitor your online activity through your IP address. This reveals your physical location, websites visited, downloads, and much more.
A Virtual Private Network (VPN) like Surfshark masks your IP address so no one can see your internet traffic or track your location. It creates an encrypted tunnel between your device and a remote VPN server.
Image source: Comparitech
Surfshark also offers these key privacy and security benefits:
- Hide your IP address – Masks your device‘s IP so your online activity can‘t be monitored
- Encrypt internet traffic – Securely scrambles all data sent and received while connected
- Prevent hacking – Safeguards against cyberattacks and theft of personal data
- Bypass geographic restrictions – Allows access to content blocked in certain countries
- Avoid bandwidth throttling – Stops ISPs from slowing down connections
- Block ads and malware – Prevents annoying ads and protects against viruses/phishing
Research by privacy advocate ExpressVPN found that 91% of internet users worldwide do not use a VPN. This leaves the majority of people exposed online.
Surfshark is one of the top VPN choices with over 3 million users worldwide. Let‘s look at why it stands out.
Benefits of Using Surfshark VPN
There are dozens of VPN providers to choose from, but not all are created equal. Surfshark consistently ranks as a top VPN due to these key advantages:
Speed – Surfshark utilizes highly optimized servers so speeds remain blazing fast for HD streaming and downloads. Most users see little to no speed reduction.
No Logs Policy – Many VPNs secretly log user activity. Surfshark maintains a strict no-logs policy to protect your privacy.
Unlimited Devices – Get unlimited connections so you can protect all your devices – phone, laptop, Firestick, etc.
Streaming Unblocking – Easily bypass geo-restrictions to access more movies, shows, sports, and other streaming content.
Malware Protection – Surfshark‘s CleanWeb feature blocks ads, trackers, and malicious websites.
Kill Switch – If the VPN connection drops, the kill switch will disable your internet access for added security.
Camouflage Mode – Makes VPN traffic look like regular HTTPS traffic to fool firewalls and get around restrictions.
No Borders Mode – Allows you to connect smoothly even under restrictive networks.
MultiHop – Routes your traffic through multiple countries for enhanced privacy and anonymity.
24/7 Customer Support – Get help from real people anytime via live chat or email support.
30 Day Money Back Guarantee – Try Surfshark risk-free and get a full refund if you‘re not 100% satisfied.
Research by news outlet ProPrivacy ranked Surfshark the second best VPN out of 150 providers reviewed. It earned top marks for features, streaming, support, and value.
Now let‘s walk through exactly how to get Surfshark downloaded on your Windows PC.
Step-by-Step Guide to Download Surfshark for Windows
Downloading Surfshark VPN only takes a few minutes. Follow these simple steps:
Step 1 – Sign Up for a Surfshark Account
First, you‘ll need to create a Surfshark account. The best deal gets you 2 month free plus 82% off.
Visit their website and click "Get Started" to create your account. Choose a plan and enter your email and password to sign up.
🡸 Get Surfshark VPN 82% OFF + 2 Months FREE
You‘ll receive a confirmation email with instructions to download and log into the app.
Step 2 – Download the Surfshark App
After signing up, visit Surfshark‘s Windows download page:
https://surfshark.com/download
Click the "Download Surfshark" button to get the setup file.
Step 3 – Install Surfshark
Once downloaded, open the setup file and click "Install" to begin the installation wizard.
It may take 1-2 minutes to fully install. Once finished, Surfshark will open automatically.
Step 4 – Log In to the App
Enter the username and password from the account confirmation email you received.
Then click "Log In" to connect.
Step 5 – Connect to a Server
Click the "Quick Connect" button to establish the encrypted VPN tunnel.
That‘s it! Surfshark will now show as connected and you‘ll see your new fake IP address location.
To choose a specific server location, click the Location drop-down and select a country.
Now your online activity is protected and anonymous!
Surfshark App Settings & Features
The Surfshark app has many useful privacy and security settings to customize your experience:
VPN Protocol – Choose from protocols like WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IKEv2. Helpful if having connection issues.
Camouflage Mode – Disguises VPN traffic as HTTPS to bypass firewalls.
Kill Switch – Disables internet if the VPN drops to prevent IP leaks.
NoBorders Mode – Allows VPN use in restrictive regions like China and Russia.
MultiHop – Adds extra security by routing through multiple countries.
Whitelsiter – Exclude apps from the VPN tunnel like streaming devices or games.
Invisible on LAN – Makes your VPN usage invisible on local networks.
No Tracking – Blocks ads, malware, and website trackers.
Data Leak Protection – Prevents IPv6 and DNS leaks that could expose your IP.
Obfuscate Traffic – Encrypts VPN metadata to hide that you‘re using a VPN.
It‘s easy to switch between server locations right from the main app window.
You can also search for specific city locations using the search bar. Favorites can be saved too.
Troubleshooting Tips
Surfshark is generally very reliable, but here are some tips if you ever run into issues:
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Restart your device – Simple reboot can often fix VPN problems.
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Update the app – Check for latest app version which may have bug fixes.
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Switch protocols – Try different protocol like WireGuard or OpenVPN.
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Contact support – Surfshark has 24/7 live chat and email if issues persist.
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Check firewall settings – Ensure VPN traffic isn‘t blocked by your network firewall.
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Enable obfuscated servers – Helps bypass VPN blocking and throttling.
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Verify account works on other devices – Confirms that the issue is isolated to just one device.
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Uninstall and reinstall the app – Deletes corrupt files or old settings that may cause conflicts.
With top-notch speeds and features, you‘re unlikely to experience many hiccups with Surfshark. But their helpful support is standing by if you ever need assistance.
FAQs About Surfshark VPN for Windows
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about using Surfshark on Windows PCs:
Is Surfshark safe to use?
Yes, Surfshark is very safe and protects you from prying eyes. It offers robust 256-bit AES encryption, a strict no-logs policy, and secure protocols. Surfshark has never had a security breach either.
Will Surfshark slow down my internet speeds?
Surfshark is one of the fastest VPNs available. Most users see little to no speed reduction – and can even get speed boosts by avoiding ISP throttling. Surfshark uses ultra-fast WireGuard protocol and private RAM-only servers.
Can Surfshark unblock streaming sites like Netflix?
Absolutely. Just connect to a server in the appropriate country, and you can bypass geographic restrictions on Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, and much more. It works great for sports streaming too.
How many devices can use Surfshark at once?
One of Surfshark‘s best features is unlimited device connections. So you can protect all your gadgets – phones, PCs, tablets, Fire TV Sticks, routers, and more with just one account!
What support options does Surfshark offer?
Surfshark has 24/7 live chat support and email ticketing available. There are also extensive support articles on their website and helpful video tutorials on YouTube.
What is Surfshark‘s refund policy?
Surfshark offers a very generous 30 day money back guarantee. So you can try it risk-free, and get a full refund if you‘re not satisfied for any reason.
And there you have it! With Surfshark downloaded on your Windows PC, you can browse, stream, and download safely and privately.
Surfshark delivers an ironclad no-logs policy, speedy connections worldwide, and useful security features. It‘s a top choice trusted by millions of security-focused users across the globe.
So download Surfshark today and take control of your online privacy!
