'Optery' data removal service. Is it worth it?

Optery at a glance — pros and cons

• Initial scans: Optery checks data broker sites to see if your personal information comes up online.
  
• Opt-out requests: if Optery finds your details on a people finder site, it submits a request to remove this information on your behalf.
  
• Follow-up scans: Optery conducts future scans to confirm whether or not your data has been removed. Once your information is removed, you’ll receive an in-depth report verifying the changes.
  
• Continuous monitoring: Optery will keep scanning the affected data broker sites moving forward to make sure your details don’t return.
  

Quote:“Optery highlights the number of people search sites it covers and uses it as a main selling point, but what also matters is the quality of those sites.

A closer look shows that many of these sites are small data brokers that operate only within specific states or focus on niche information, like criminal or property records.”

– Povilas Reinotas, Data Removal Platform Lead at Incogni

• Manual opt-out instructions: free users and those dealing with brokers that aren’t automatically covered get guidance to remove their private data themselves;
  
  
• CSV exports: users can download removal reports in the CSV format for easy reviewing, storing, and sharing;
  
  
• Family member protection: you can add other household members to your plan to extend personal data removal to partners and children.
  

• VPN (Virtual Private Network): a VPN encrypts online traffic and masks your IP (Internet Protocol) address to increase internet privacy and security;
  
  
• Antivirus: software that protects your devices from malware and infected files;
  
  
• Alternative ID: a tool that generates a new email address to help you keep unwanted messages out of your primary inbox;
  
  
• Alert: a solution that pings you when your private data gets leaked online;
  
  
• Search: a private search engine that shows you purely organic results without ads or trackers.
  

• Does Optery really work?
  Yes, Optery is effective at requesting the removal of your personal information from data broker websites. For users on a paid subscription, it scans hundreds of sites and sends opt-out requests on their behalf, helping reduce their digital footprint and protect online privacy.
  
  
• How long does it take for Optery to work?
  Optery typically begins submitting opt-out requests within days of activation, and initial results can be seen within one or two weeks. However, complete removal from all supported sites may take up a few months, but this partially depends on how responsive each data broker is.
  
  
• How much is Optery per month?
  Optery’s monthly price depends on the chosen plan and the subscription length. The lowest monthly price is $3.25 for the Core plan on an annual subscription. The most expensive option is a one-month subscription to the Ultimate plan, which costs $24.99.
  

Surfshark Quaterly Updates

• Surfshark's no-tracking policy was verified again
  
  Deloitte, one of the Big Four auditing firms, confirmed that our systems and internal processes align with our privacy policy — we don’t collect or monitor your activity. We are committed to maintaining this transparency and trust and plan to continue these independent checks regularly. For more information, please visit our blog post on no-logs policy verification.
  
  
• Surfshark launched their public DNS servers
  
  We just launched a new addition to our online security-boosting tools — public DNS servers! The best part? You don’t need an active Surfshark subscription to use them. It’s a free-for-all service that you can simply configure on your device.
  
  Our privacy-focused DNS service adds a layer of protection and, thanks to our global infrastructure, ensures stable speeds. Visit this page to learn more about our public DNS.
  
  Note: DNS service shouldn’t be used instead of a VPN (Virtual Private Network) and doesn’t provide the same security level.
  
  
• Surfshark introduced a new technology — Everlink
  
  Everlink is a patented self-healing VPN infrastructure that keeps you connected during server maintenance, ensuring uninterrupted security. It’s available on iOS, macOS, Windows, Android, and Linux, and is automatically on when using the WireGuard connection protocol.
  
  
  
• Surfshark added more dedicated IP locations
  
  We expanded the location list of our dedicated IP by adding seven new locations worldwide! Our new additions include servers in: 
   
  • Turkey — Istanbul; 
    
  • Poland — Warsaw;
    
  • US — Las Vegas;
    
  • US — Denver;
    
  • US — New York;
    
  • Brazil — Sao Paulo;
    
  • Singapore — Singapore.
    
  
  
  With these locations onboard, Surfshark now offer 20 options to choose from. Check out this blog post about Surfshark's dedicated IP update.
  
  
• Surfshark Antivirus now scans external devices
  
  Surfshark Antivirus (available in Surfshark One and Surfshark One+) also got boosted with a new feature — external storage scans. This feature is enabled by default and protects all your USB and other external storage drives. User's can turn off the feature in our app’s Antivirus tab to save time and device resources using trusted external media.
  
  
• New quick connect option for Android 
  
  Surfshark added a last-used location option to our quick connect feature and a few bug fixes for smoother surfing!
  
  
• Our macOS app now has Bypasser
  
  Bypasser, Surfshark's split-tunneling feature, is now available on macOS. It allows you to select websites and apps to bypass the VPN.  In addition to that, the macOS pause VPN function now supports IKEv2 and OpenVPN protocols. Several improvements and fixes for enhanced stability have also been included.
  
  
• Use Bypasser on iOS without opening the app
  
  Users can now add new websites to Bypasser directly from your browser of choice. Click on 'Share' and then select 'Add to Bypasser' to allow websites to bypass the VPN connection. Minor improvements and bug fixes were also added for an even better experience. 
  
  
• Bugfixes for our Windows app
  
  Surfshark improved the Windows app startup performance for a faster and smoother experience, focused on performance tweaks, and fixed a few bugs.
  

• Upgraded our OpenVPN to the newest 2.5.0 version with the latest security and bug fixes.
  
• Added a few visual fixes, app improvements, and bug fixes for even smoother surfing. 
  

• This release includes various app performance improvements to better your Surfshark experience.
  

• Made behind-the-scenes improvements to alternative number for an even smoother experience.
  
  
• Resolved minor bugs and made improvements for better stability and performance.
  

• Made improvements to Alternative Number for an even smoother experience. 
  
  
• A few bug fixes, as always — boosting overall stability and performance behind the scenes. 
  

• Faster page loading
  
• Reduced data usage
  
• Improved mobile battery life
  
• Better security. 
  

• Overlay ads appear directly on top of webpages, usually with a small X button in the corner. These range from legitimate marketing offers to malicious content and represent the most common pop-up type;
  
• New window pop-ups open in separate browser windows or tabs. Once dominant in the early internet era, they’re now mainly used by websites with questionable advertising practices;
  
• Redirect ads hijack your entire browser to display advertising pages. These activate when you click anywhere on a webpage — not just obvious advertisements — making them particularly sneaky;
  
• Notification spam appears as browser notifications even when you’re not browsing. These pop-ups persist on your desktop or mobile device until you manually dismiss them;
  
• Mobile app pop-ups appear within mobile apps and prove especially intrusive because smaller screens make them harder to close.
  

• You’re visiting aggressive websites that generate revenue primarily through advertising. These sites bombard visitors with pop-ups to maximize earnings;
  
• Your device picked up adware or malware when you downloaded free software from untrusted sources or clicked suspicious links. Malicious software hijacks your browser, changes settings without permission, and displays ads regardless of which websites you visit;
  
• Your browser or operating system is outdated and lacks current security features and pop-up blocking capabilities. This makes you an easier target for intrusive advertising;
  
• You installed a problematic browser extension that displays ads, collects browsing data, or redirects searches to generate revenue. While many extensions are legitimate, some aren’t.
  

• Ajusting browser settings
  The first line of defense is adjusting your browser settings. Every modern browser includes built-in pop-up blocking features, though they’re not always enabled by default. These settings can typically be found in the privacy or security sections of your browser preferences.
  
  
• Using ad blockers
  Using ad blocker tools or extensions is another highly effective approach. These tools work by filtering out advertising content before it reaches your browser, preventing pop-ups from appearing in the first place. Popular options include uBlock Origin, AdBlock Plus, and Surfshark’s Clean Web.
  
  
• Keeping your software up to date
  Keeping your browsers and apps updated is crucial for maintaining strong pop-up protection. Updates often include improved security features and better ad-blocking capabilities. Set up automatic updates whenever possible to ensure you’re always protected with the latest defenses.
  
  
• Stay vigilant
  Avoiding suspicious websites is perhaps the most important preventive measure. Be cautious when visiting unfamiliar sites, especially those offering free downloads, adult content, or too good to be true deals. These sites are often designed to bombard visitors with pop-ups and may contain malware.
  
  
• Get a cybersecurity suite
  Consider using a service like Surfshark, which offers Clean Web functionality with all its plans. This feature blocks ads, trackers, and malware at the network level, protecting all your devices and browsers simultaneously.
  

• 1. Visit only reputable websites. Stick to well-known sites whenever possible. When you must visit unfamiliar websites, check the URL and look for HTTPS encryption.
  
  
• 2. Download from official sources. Use the Apple App Store, Google Play Store, or developers’ official websites. Third-party sites often bundle adware with legitimate software.
  
  
• 3. Don’t click suspicious links in emails, social media posts, or text messages from unknown senders. These links may lead to sites designed to display pop-ups or install malware.
  
  
• 4. Read installation screens carefully. Many free programs include optional add-ons or toolbars that display ads. Choose Custom or Advanced installation options so you can deselect unwanted extras.
  
  
• 5. Keep software updated. Updates include security patches that protect against new malware and adware.
  

• Open Safari and load the webpage you want to view;
  
• Tap the new Page Menu icon (a box with lines) in the address bar;
  
• From the dropdown menu, select Hide Distracting Content.
  

• Hide sticky headers/footers;
  
• Remove newsletter pop-ups or cookie banners;
  
• Suppress floating ads or overlays;
  
• Simplify layout to reduce visual noise.
  

• Install a blocker app from the App Store (e.g., 1Blocker, AdGuard, Wipr);
  
• Open the Settings app;
  
• Go to Safari followed by Extensions (previously called Content Blockers);
  
• You’ll see your installed blocker(s) listed — toggle each one on.
  
• (Optional) To control content blockers on a per-site basis, open Safari and tap the new Page Menu icon (a box with lines) in the address bar. Then select Website Settings to enable or disable content blockers for that specific website.
  

• Open Safari and load the webpage you want to view;
  
• Tap the new Page Menu icon (a box with lines) in the address bar;
  
• From the dropdown menu, select Hide Distracting Content.
  

pop-up-ads-12.png

• For Chrome: Go to Settings > Reset settings and click on Restore settings to their original defaults.
  
• For Safari: Go to Safari > Preferences > Privacy > Manage Website Data > Remove All.
  
• For Firefox: Go to Help > More Troubleshooting Information > Refresh Firefox.
  

• Enable Chrome’s pop-up blocker in Site Settings;
  
• Use system-wide ad blockers like AdGuard or Surfshark’s Clean Web;
  
• Review app overlay permissions in system settings;
  
• Keep browsers and apps updated.
  

• Enable Safari’s built-in pop-up blocker;
  
• Install content blocker apps from the App Store;
  
• Use privacy-focused browsers like Firefox Focus;
  
• Consider network-level blocking with Surfshark’s Clean Web.
  

• Configure pop-up and redirect settings in Privacy and security;
  
• Install reputable ad-blocking extensions;
  
• Regularly clear cache and cookies;
  
• Monitor and manage site notifications.
  

• Use the Websites preferences to control pop-up behavior;
  
• Install Safari extensions for enhanced protection;
  
• Enable Intelligent Tracking Prevention;
  
• Keep macOS and Safari updated.
  

• Use Surfshark’s Clean Web for comprehensive, network-level protection;
  
• Avoid suspicious websites and downloads;
  
• Keep all software updated;
  
• Be cautious with email and social media links.
  

• Ad blocker: Clean Web blocks advertisements before they reach your device, including pop-ups, banner ads, and video ads. This not only eliminates distractions but also speeds up page loading times and reduces data usage.
  
• Cookie pop-up blocker: one of the most annoying aspects of modern web browsing is the constant stream of cookie consent pop-ups. Clean Web automatically manages these consents, allowing you to browse without interruption.
  
• Breach alert: Clean Web monitors websites for security breaches and warns you when you visit a compromised site. You can continue browsing while staying informed about potential risks.
  
• Malware alert: Clean Web checks websites against databases of known malicious sites before you visit them. If a site has a history of distributing malware, it blocks access and warns you before you proceed.
  

• Faster website loading: by blocking ads and trackers, Clean Web can significantly reduce page loading times. Some users report speed improvements of 50% or more on ad-heavy websites.
  
• Improved online security: Clean Web’s malware and breach alerts complement your antivirus software by catching threats at the DNS level before they reach your device.
  
• Seamless surfing experience: with pop-ups blocked and cookie consents managed automatically, you can focus on the content you actually want to see.
  
• Network-level blocking: Clean Web works at the DNS level to block ads and malicious sites across all your internet-connected applications and devices. This provides broader coverage than browser-only solutions, though browser extensions offer more granular control.
  
• Data savings: by blocking ads and trackers, Clean Web can reduce your data usage, which is particularly beneficial for mobile users with limited data plans.
  

CleanWeb blocks ads, trackers, and cookie pop-ups while you browse the web. It enhances your online experience by keeping your device free from annoying ads and protecting you from harmful malware. By recognizing malicious sites, CleanWeb gives you greater protection against phishing attacks. Since blocked ads canit even load, it saves you extra bandwidth, meaning users accessing the internet on limited data plans can even save money. 

• Avoid ads and other clutter
  
  Surfshark browser extension blocks video ads, banners, and more — giving you a secure and uninterrupted browsing experience.
  
  
• Block cookie pop-ups
  
  No more clicking through cookie pop-ups — block them instantly with our ad blocker, and enjoy uninterrupted browsing.
  
  
• Minimize malware risks
  
  Malware can lurk in infected sites or malicious ads — but Surfshark reduces your risk by blocking threats and alerting you about sites with a history of malware.
  

MORE Info HERE


Data and info derived / lifted from Surfshark with permission

• 1. Information gathering: you provide the service with your basic details (name, address, phone number, email).
  
• 2. Database scanning: the service searches hundreds of data broker sites to find your information.
  
• 3. Removal requests: they submit formal opt-out requests to each broker on your behalf.
  
• 4. Monitoring and maintenance: the best services continuously monitor broker sites and remove your information when it reappears.
  

• People search sites: these create and host public profiles with your contact details and background information that anyone can find through search engines. Examples include WhitePages, Spokeo, and BeenVerified;
  
• Marketing data brokers: collect browsing habits and purchase data to sell targeted advertising profiles. They track your online behavior across multiple websites and apps;
  
• Risk mitigation brokers: these compile background data, including health information and court records, selling assessment reports to investment companies and employers;
  
• Recruitment data brokers: create background reports for HR departments and offer employee screening services;
  
• Financial information brokers: these collect financial and credit data and sell it to credit card companies, banks, and loan providers.
  

• 1. Broker coverage: how many data brokers does the service cover with automated removals? Many services inflate numbers by including sites they’ve removed from once or counting manual ones that require human intervention. Choose services that clearly state their automated coverage and target high-impact brokers rather than padding numbers with irrelevant sites.
  
• 2. Automation level: the best services handle everything automatically — finding your data, submitting removal requests, and monitoring for reappearances. Services requiring frequent manual input or offering limited automation waste your time when better options exist.
  
• 3. Legal compliance: your service should operate within GDPR, CCPA, and FCRA frameworks. This ensures they can legally compel data brokers to remove information and handle your data responsibly during removal.
  
• 4. Ease of use: look for intuitive dashboards, clear reporting, and responsive customer support. You shouldn’t need technical expertise to understand what’s happening with your data.
  
• 5. Reporting and transparency: quality services provide detailed reports showing ongoing monitoring results, along with which brokers had your information and what exactly was removed.
  
• 6. Price and subscription model: compare what you get at each price tier. Watch out for services that lock essential features behind expensive premium plans.
  

• DeleteMe
  
  Trustpilot rating: 4.4/5 (174 reviews)
  Read our Incogni vs. DeleteMe comparison
   
  
  
  
  
  Strengths: DeleteMe provides detailed exposure reports and offers quarterly reporting. They focus heavily on people search sites where your information is most visible to the general public.
  
  Limitations: limited automated broker coverage compared to competitors, no coverage of private data brokers, and custom removals are capped at relatively low numbers.
  
  Best for: users primarily concerned with visible people search sites and who want detailed quarterly reports.
  
  
  
  
• Kanary (by Optery)
  
  Trustpilot rating: 4.5/5 (121 reviews)
   
  
  
  
  
  Strengths: provides before-and-after screenshots of removals and detailed exposure reports. Offers flexible billing options, including two-year plans.
  
  Limitations: pay-for-privacy model limits removals on cheaper plans, no private database broker coverage, 30-day delay on custom removals.
  
  Best for: users wanting visual confirmation of removals who don’t mind paying more for comprehensive coverage.
  
  
  
  
• Optery
  
  Trustpilot rating: 4.5/5 (121 reviews)
  See our Incogni vs. Optery comparison
   
  
  
  
  
  Strengths: provides before-and-after screenshots, automates removals from top people search sites, and delivers detailed exposure reports. Interface and reporting differ slightly from Kanary.
  
  Limitations: pay-for-privacy pricing model, focuses almost exclusively on people search sites while ignoring private-database data brokers, custom removals limited to select people search sites, optional OpenAI integration may share customer data with third parties.
  
  Best for: users wanting an alternative to Kanary with similar functionality.
  
  
  
  
• Privacy Bee
  
  Trustpilot rating: 3.4/5 (8 reviews)
   
  
  
  
  
  Strengths: offers risk assessment features for free and handles some industry opt-outs, such as junk mail.
  
  Limitations: most expensive service, requires substantial hands-on work and constant monitoring, inflates data broker coverage numbers.
  
  Best for: users who need the specialized risk assessment features and are comfortable with higher costs and more manual involvement.
  
  
  
  
• Incogni
  
  Trustpilot rating: 4.4/5 (1,799 reviews)
  See our Incogni review
   
  
  
  
  
  
  Strengths: Incogni covers the broadest range of data broker types, including private ones that some competitors ignore. Their Unlimited plan includes unlimited custom removals from nearly any website beyond just data brokers. Custom removals start immediately, all broker coverage comes at every pricing tier, and they count brokers transparently while targeting high-impact removals.
  
  Limitations: limited data points during onboarding (names, emails, and phone numbers only), basic monthly reports, custom removals require manual link submission, no mobile app.
  
  [Best for: users wanting comprehensive coverage of private-database brokers, transparent pricing, and immediate custom removal access.
  
  
  
  
• Aura
  
  Trustpilot rating: 4.3/5 (794 reviews)
  See our Incogni vs. Aura comparison
   
  
  
  
  
  Strengths: comprehensive identity protection suite, including data removal, credit monitoring, identity theft protection, and privacy tools.
  
  Limitations: limited transparency regarding data removal capabilities, pricing varies by bundle, not specialized for data broker removal.
  
  Best for: users wanting data removal as part of broader identity protection rather than standalone data broker removal.
  

• Comprehensive broker coverage: covers all five types of data brokers, including private ones that represent 66% of the ecosystem. Competitors focus mainly on visible people search sites;
  
  
• Transparent approach: the 270+ broker count represents actual automated removals, not inflated statistics from one-time removals or theoretical possibilities;
  
  
• Holistic data removal: beyond the automated ones, Incogni offers unlimited custom removals from nearly any website — including blogs, forums, business directories, and even e-commerce platforms. This makes it a remove your data from the internet solution, rather than just another data broker service. With Ultimate plans, custom removals start immediately;
  
  
• Strong automation: handles discovery, removal, and ongoing monitoring automatically. No manual requests or constant oversight is required;
  
  
• Privacy bundle value: combined with Surfshark VPN (Virtual Private Network), Incogni provides comprehensive online privacy protection at a competitive price;
  
  
• Legal compliance: operates under GDPR and CCPA compliance, ensuring proper data handling and legally backed removal requests.
  

• Personal data scans across data broker websites
  Once you sign up for DeleteMe, it scans its network of data broker and people search sites looking for your publicly available personal information. This initial scan shows you which sites have your details, such as your name, aliases, addresses (past and present), phone numbers, email addresses, age, birth date, family member information, and professional details.
  
  DeleteMe claims to remove private information from 750+ data brokers. However, 5681 of those sites are only on the list because of successful custom removal requests (as of July 2, 2025, based on the information available on their website).
  
  I sent a quick request to the customer support team and got a confirmation that the Standard plan actually covers over 86 sites. Based on the information provided in their pricing page2 and doing simple math, the Premium plan then covers over 101 sites.
  
  That means the majority of the advertised 750+ sites aren’t actively monitored, and you still have to look for your personal information exposed online yourself, plus file manual removal requests.
  
  If you want to get confused even further, look at all the sites listed on the official Sites we remove from page1. You’ll see additional plans like Diamond, Platinum, and VIP mentioned. I tried looking for any information about them on the website, but couldn’t find anything at all. However, my inquiry confirmed that there are, in fact, such plans as Diamond, Platinum, and VIP — although they seem to be only available through special links provided in the response email. Therefore, I won’t get into more detail about them and will only focus on what’s available on the official website.
  
  
  
• Manual opt-out requests by trained privacy experts
  Different data brokers have different requirements. Some require phone verification, many use human verification tests to block automated requests, and others even require postal mail.
  
  So, while DeleteMe has a smaller automated request base compared to some of its competitors, it stands out by having privacy experts manually handle most of the removals. This personalized removal effort might take longer, and results may vary, but it may have the edge when it comes to the trickier removals that automation can’t always handle.
  
  It’s also worth mentioning that DeleteMe allows only 40 custom removal requests per year with their Standard plan and 60 with the Premium plan2. So, if you end up finding your details on more sites than the allowed number of custom requests, you’ll have to opt out of those yourself. However, DeleteMe provides an extensive list of opt-out guides3 for various data brokers, which might help.
  
  
  
• Ongoing removal and monitoring
  Unfortunately, your data doesn’t stay removed forever. Once it’s out there, it keeps resurfacing regularly as data brokers update their databases or new brokers emerge, and one-time removals are rarely sufficient. DeleteMe provides continuous monitoring to catch when your information reappears and automatically initiates new removal requests.
  
  
• Detailed removal reports
  DeleteMe provides in-depth removal reports delivered as downloadable PDFs. The frequency of these reports depends on your subscription: quarterly for Standard plans and every two months for Premium users.
  
  Each report includes key details like:
   
  • Date of the last scan;
    
  • Total number of listings reviewed during the period;
    
  • Number of records successfully removed;
    
  • Number of data brokers holding your personal data;
    
  • Total number of PII (Personal Identifiable Information) — data units like name, address, etc. — found across the data brokers;
    
  • Estimated saved time on searching for and removing your profiles.
    
  
  At the end of each report, you’ll find multiple pages listing the brokers reviewed with their logos, the average time it takes to remove data from that site, and a status icon. A green Clean icon means your data has been successfully removed. If a removal is still in progress, the report briefly outlines what type of information is still exposed.
  
  
  
• Multiple support channels
  DeleteMe offers customer support through multiple channels. You can submit your requests via email 24/7 or contact the support team via live chat and phone during business hours (9 a.m. to 8 p.m. EST Monday through Friday). You can also look for an answer yourself in their searchable knowledge base and FAQ.
  

• Automated removals from 86 data broker sites;
  
• 40 custom removals;
  
• Unlimited aliases, previous names, and email addresses;
  
• Quarterly reports;
  
• Privacy tools like email masking and phone masking (paid add-on $7 per number).
  

• Automated removals;
  
• 15 additional data broker sites;
  
• 60 custom removals;
  
• Unlimited aliases, previous names, and email addresses;
  
• Bi-monthly reports;
  
• Privacy tools like email masking and phone masking (paid add-on $7 per number).
  

• Step 1: You have to fill in DeleteMe’s data sheet with your personal information. You can choose which information you want to submit for removal: your full name, date of birth, email addresses, current and past home addresses, phone numbers, employer information, and more. 
  
  
• Step 2: You need to sign the authorization form, which allows DeleteMe to act on your behalf when requesting data removal from third-party sites. This is important because many data broker sites require proof of authorization before processing these requests.
  
  
• Step 3: DeleteMe begins the initial scan of data broker sites and requests automated removals where your information appears. You will receive the first privacy report within approximately a week, where you can see your current online exposure and status updates of the requested removals.
  
  
• Step 4: In the meantime, your automated removal requests are being processed, you can request custom removals from other sites where you know your information appears. DeleteMe’s privacy experts will submit removal requests on your behalf, and you should find status updates for these sites in the next privacy report.
  
  
• Step 5: After the initial cleanup, DeleteMe continues to monitor for your data appearing on its supported data broker sites. If it detects new exposures, the removal process starts automatically, and the latest updates will be visible in your next privacy report.
  

• No data sales — DeleteMe explicitly states that they are not a data broker and don’t sell your information;
  
• Limited data use — all personal information you provide in the data sheet is entirely optional and is only used to provide DeleteMe services.
  

• CCPA/CPRA — for California residents with full rights to access, delete, and correct data;
  
• GDPR — for European users with a designated EU representative and clearly defined processing purposes.
  

• Encryption — to keep your data safe, it is encrypted in transit and at rest (TLS 1.2+ and AES-256);
  
• Access controls — you can set up multi-factor authentication (MFA) for your account;
  
• Monitoring — DeleteMe continuously monitors for threats and uses intrusion detection systems.
  

• VPN for encrypted browsing
  Surfshark VPN encrypts your internet connection and hides your IP (Internet Protocol) address, making it harder for websites, advertisers, or hackers to track you. This helps you stay private online, avoid targeted ads, and safely access the web.
  
  
• Alternative ID for your identity protection
  With Surfshark’s Alternative ID, you can generate an online alias with a full name, birth date, home address, and multiple email addresses. You can use that alternative information to mask your primary contact details and reduce exposure of your personally identifiable information.
  
  You can also add an alternative number to your subscription and generate a virtual phone number to shield your primary number from untrusted entities, including data brokers.
  
  
• Antivirus for device protection
  Surfshark Antivirus allows you to shield up to five devices from malware, viruses, and other cyberthreats. With real-time scanning, regular updates, and seamless operation, it helps you keep your devices secure with no interruptions.
  
  
• Alert for data leak notifications
  Surfshark’s data leak monitoring tool Alert keeps an eye on your emails, accounts, credit cards, and IDs. It notifies you if your private data ends up in the wrong parts of the internet, allowing you to take timely action and keep your information safe. 
  
  
• Search for private browsing
  Surfshark Search provides a clean, private way to surf the web — no ads, tracking, or personalized filters based on your past searches. Your activity will stay truly private, leaving no digital footprint behind.
  

• Does DeleteMe actually work?
  Yes, DeleteMe is effective at removing personal information from data broker websites. It uses a combination of automated tools and trained privacy experts to manually submit opt-out requests. Users typically see their data removed from dozens of sites, with ongoing monitoring to catch reappearances.
  
  
• Is DeleteMe safe?
  Yes, DeleteMe is considered safe and trustworthy. It’s run by Abine, a well-established privacy company based in the US. The service operates in compliance with major privacy laws like GDPR and CCPA, and it does not sell or misuse your personal information.
  
  
• What is better than DeleteMe?
  That depends on your needs. If you want manual, thorough removals with detailed progress reports, DeleteMe is a pretty solid choice. However, if you prefer a fully automated and more affordable option, Incogni might be a better fit. For an all-in-one privacy solution, Surfshark + Incogni offers broader digital protection, including VPN, Antivirus, email and identity masking, and data leak alerts in one bundle.
  
  
• What are DeleteMe alternatives?
  Some popular alternatives to DeleteMe incl?[/b]ude Incogni, OneRep, Privacy Bee, and Optery. Each alternative has different strengths depending on budget, automation level, and privacy needs.
  
  
• Which is better, Aura or DeleteMe?
  Aura is more of an identity theft protection service, while DeleteMe specializes in data broker removal. Aura includes credit monitoring, fraud alerts, and dark web scans, making it ideal for financial security. DeleteMe is better if your main concern is getting your personal info off data broker sites.
  
  
• Does DeleteMe search the dark web?
  No, DeleteMe does not search the dark web. Its focus is on removing your data from public-facing data broker websites.
  

• Active digital footprint
  An active digital footprint is the data you intentionally leave or things you actively do online. Your online posts, comments you leave on social media, signing up for newsletters, or shopping online are all parts of your active digital footprint.
  
  
• Passive digital footprint
  A passive digital footprint is the data collected without the person knowing. This type of footprint depends on the cookies* that are used whenever you enter a website. They may track how many times you’ve visited them, your primary device, your IP, biometric and geolocation data.
   
  
  *A cookie is a small file on your device that websites use to store information about you. It helps the website “remember” user preferences.
  
  One of the most notable examples of passive digital foot printing is when platforms track what you search on the internet.
  

• Check your privacy settings
  Privacy settings allow you to control who sees your posts. Take a look at them and make sure you only share your personal data with people you trust. If there are sites that store your personal information that do not have the option to change privacy settings, like real estate websites, you can always contact them to have the information removed.
  
  
• Limit the amount of data you share
  Whether it’s a newsletter you’ve decided to sign up for with your email or a post on social media you want to share with friends, think twice before pressing submit. This will help create a positive digital footprint that only contains information you want to share. 
  
  
• Take back control of your data
  Remove yourself from a data broker’s database with the help of Incogni. Data brokers collect your data and sell it to be later used by scammers, insurance companies, and the government. 
  
  Here’s how it happens: Data brokers are required by law to remove the user’s data from their databases. Incogni contacts the broker, issues the request, and then the broker reviews it and removes your data from its database. It takes the hassle out of removing your personal information from the internet.
  
  
• Avoid untrusted websites
  Before submitting any personal information, ask yourself — do I trust this website? If the answer is no, consider whether you want it to be in charge of protecting your data. With that, remember that if you use any main accounts (like Facebook) to log in to other websites, those websites now have access to the data you shared on those main accounts.
  
  If you need to sign in or register to a website you have doubts about, you can use Alternative ID. It generates a new online persona along with a fake email, so there isn’t a chance for you to leave any personal details.
  
  
• Delete old accounts
  Deleting old accounts you no longer use is a great way to minimize your digital footprint while giving you more control over the information you share. If you prefer hiding your photo albums from school, you might also want to hide the accounts where you posted the same pictures.
  
  
• Stay alert on public Wi-Fi
  Be mindful and avoid public Wi-Fi as you never know how secure it is and who might have access to the data you send over it. If you need to send personal information, switch to mobile data. 
  
  
• Keep software updated
  Remember that outdated software often misses out on the latest security patches. Older systems are also often easier to hack. Therefore, making sure your software is updated will also help protect your personal information. 
  
  
• Use a VPN
  VPNs hide your data by encrypting it. Imagine wrapping a gift so no one can see what it is — a VPN acts as the wrapping paper in this metaphor. Not to mention, it also changes your IP address. This way, websites cannot track you or your information according to your IP because it’s changed.
  

• Can anyone see your digital footprint?
  Whether a person sees your footprint or not depends on the type of footprint you leave. Anyone can see if you leave active digital footprints (online profiles, comments, public postings, etc.). The other type, passive digital footprints, are not seen by most people / the public.
  
  
• Is a digital footprint permanent?
  Yes, a digital footprint is permanent. It will at least live on as long as the human race will. And once we’re done, with the last spark feeding the servers fading out, the digital footprint will finally be lost to the infinity of cosmic darkness.
  
  However, a few Nokia 3310s will still be on half battery, so delete any personal data from devices you no longer use so no poor future alien sees your late-night text history!
  
  
• What is a positive digital footprint?
  A positive digital footprint is information you want to share, commonly related to a good online reputation, letting you expand your social network or achieve career goals. A positive digital footprint may be a post on social media about a book you read, a fundraising activity you participated in, or volunteering you did.
  
  
• Is browsing history a digital footprint?
  Yes, browsing history is part of a digital footprint. Some websites collect cookies, browsing, and shopping history and create a profile of users’ passive digital footprints. Upon the first arrival on the webpage, most sites inform users about the data collected in their terms of use.
  

Quote:With 10 times the headroom of 10Gbps, we can reduce congestion and maintain consistent speeds, even during high traffic spikes. This is especially important as the demand for higher network capacity and the number of online devices per household continue to grow rapidly. Also, VPN services should not become a bottleneck and have to be prepared for future technologies like augmented reality glasses or any other virtual reality headsets, which will depend on real-time data streaming and fast connections...

Quote:...100Gbps hardware enables faster encryption on modern CPUs, more intelligent software paths, and improved load distribution. This results in consistently high speeds, greater stability, and the necessary capacity to handle future bandwidth-intensive applications...

• Future-proofing our performance
  The number of internet users is increasing. With this update, we’re preparing for the future and making sure that heavy internet activity by others won’t slow down your internet connection. Imagine downloading a big OS update while someone else streams 4K video without any buffering. This update keeps your video calls clear, even when your roommate uploads files.
  
  
• High-quality streaming and VR
  As streaming will continue to evolve to 4K, 8K, and even 360°, and as virtual reality will become more integrated into daily life, our 100Gbps servers will ensure you have the bandwidth needed for these high-demand applications.
  
  
• Smoother gaming and virtual meetings
  High-speed internet means lag-free gaming and virtual meetings. With this update, we’re ensuring that the increasing number of internet users won’t result in buffering, and you can get a more seamless experience, even during the busiest times.
  
  
• Greater peak-time reliability
  With a 100Gbps server, more users can connect to the same server without experiencing slowdowns. This means that even with the increasing number of internet users, Surfshark users will continue getting more stable gaming pings, fewer buffering issues, and smoother work calls.