• Antivirus has been upgraded with a new database update flow, ensuring even more precise virus detection
  
  
• Updated our Surfshark Antivirus error messages for cases where the device can't be scanned for viruses
  

Surfshark Antivirus vs. Microsoft Defender: a comparison by Surfshark





Every Windows device, has the free built-in security solution -- Microsoft Defender. Is it enough or you can opt to or add with additional layer for your protection? Many of the intermediate individuals can make do woth free solution / combinations verus a full-blown suite. Surfshark witer Aleksander Furgal weighs in on Surfshark Antivirus' comparison to Microsoft Defender in this blog article. Read on below. 

• Real-time protection continuously monitors your system for potential threats, scanning files and processes as they run or are accessed to immediately detect and block malicious activity;
  
• Heuristic analysis examines code patterns and behaviors to identify previously unknown threats and zero-day exploits before they can cause damage;
  
• Behavior-based detection monitors running programs for suspicious activities and patterns that may indicate malicious behavior, even if the specific threat hasn’t been identified before;
  
• Drag-and-drop scanning allows users to quickly scan specific files or folders by simply dragging them into the app — a convenient tool for double-checking individual items;
  
• Cloud-based security updates ensures your software is always up-to-date with the latest malware definitions and protection techniques without bogging down system performance;
  
• Webcam protection specifically guards your camera against unauthorized access and hijacking attempts, helping protect your privacy on Windows and macOS systems;
  
• Cross-platform support makes Surfshark Antivirus available on Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS, ensuring all your devices are protected.
  

• Malware scanning systematically checks your files and system for known viruses, trojans, spyware, and other malicious software through both scheduled and on-demand scans;
  
• The built-in firewall monitors and controls incoming and outgoing network traffic, helping prevent unauthorized access and protecting against network-based attacks;
  
• Heuristic analysis examines programs for suspicious patterns and behaviors to detect new or modified versions of known threats;
  
• Email and phishing protection helps guard against fraudulent websites and emails that attempt to steal personal information by warning users before they access potentially dangerous sites;
  
• Windows-centric approach means that unless you get the Microsoft 365 subscription, Defender is limited to Windows devices.
  

• Surfshark One and One+ bundles: these include Surfshark VPN, Surfshark Antivirus, a secure private search engine, a data leak monitoring tool, Alternative ID, and Incogni (in the One+ bundle). This comprehensive package covers all aspects of cybersecurity;
  
• Pricing structure: prices for Surfshark One start as low as $2.49 per month when purchased as a long-term plan. This makes it one of the most affordable cybersecurity suites on the market;
  
• Flexible plans: Surfshark offers various plans, allowing users to choose from monthly, yearly, or multi-year subscriptions. Longer commitments offer greater discounts, making it an excellent option for budget-conscious users.
  

• Features: Microsoft Defender offers real-time threat detection, cloud-delivered protection, ransomware safeguards, and parental controls, providing a solid security foundation for Windows devices;
  
• Plans: there are no tiered plans or premium upgrades — Microsoft Defender is included as a built-in feature of Windows, offering protection without any additional configuration;
  
• Price: free for all Windows users, delivering essential security at no cost, making it an excellent option for basic protection.
  

• User-centric dashboard: Surfshark’s interface is designed with simplicity in mind. The dashboard provides a clear overview of your protection status, real-time scanning options, and integrated access to additional products like VPN and data leak monitoring;
  
• Cross-platform consistency: the user experience is consistent across platforms, ensuring you won’t need to relearn the interface when switching devices;
  
• Customization options: users can easily customize their scanning preferences and notification settings and schedule scans to fit their needs;
  
• Guided setup and onboarding: Surfshark offers helpful prompts and tooltips to guide users through setup, ensuring even non-tech-savvy individuals can start using it without hassle.
  

• Integrated into Windows: Defender is built directly into the Windows Security app, which provides a central location for managing security features like antivirus, firewall, and parental controls;
  
• Basic design: while straightforward, the interface lacks polish and can feel cluttered, especially for users unfamiliar with Windows Security’s layout;
  
• Limited customization: Defender does not offer as many customization options as Surfshark. For example, users cannot easily schedule scans or tailor real-time protection settings to their needs;
  
• No cross-platform consistency: unless you get the Microsoft 365 subscription plan, Defender is only available on Windows.
  

Surfshark Antivirus vs. Microsoft Defender: Which is best for you?


Read on the 'Full article' HERE

Note: Surfshark One bundle includes: Antivirus/Alert, VPN, Alternative ID, CleanWeb, and 'Search' private search tool.  All for $2.69/mo. + 3 extra months (85% off) with Surfshark's 30-day money-back guarantee!

Quote:The best Windows antivirus software for home users

During May and June 2024 we continuously evaluated 16 home user security products using their default settings. We always used the most current publicly-available version of all products for the testing. They were allowed to update themselves at any time and query their in-the-cloud services. We focused on realistic test scenarios and challenged the products against real-world threats. Products had to demonstrate their capabilities using all components and protection layers....

Surfshark Antivirus Product SITE

Surfshark PLANS can be seen HERE

Surfshark Antivirus for Android is a feature on Surfshark app that increases your internet privacy, protects your Android device safe from various viruses, malware, and other threats. It is easy to use and stays kind to your Android phone's resources while protecting you and your device at all times.


To start using Surfshark Antivirus on your Android device, follow these steps:

The Surfshark One for Android antivirus dashboard shows the following:

• 1. Real-time protection - all of the files downloaded to your device will be scanned in real time.
  
  
• 2. Daily scan – scans the user's device everyday at a pecified time. 
  
  
• 3. Include storage – items in storage will be checked during scans.
  
  
• 4. Excluded apps - user can choose/select what apps to exclude from Antivirus scans.
  
   
  
  
  
  

 

PERTINENT LINKS

Use Surfshark Antivirus on Android

How to use the Surfshark Antivirus on Android

 

SOME RELEVANT YOUTUBE LINKS

 

Surfshark VPN on Android (2024 Tutorial)

 

Surfshark Antivirus Product SITE

Surfshark PLANS can be seen HERE

Surfshark's Antivirus is a feature on Surfshark app that increases your internet privacy. It will keep your devices safe from various viruses, malware, and other threats. It is easy to use and stays kind to your system's resources while protecting you and your device at all times.

• 1. Real-time protection - checks and protects vulnerable areas of the user's device at all times. 
  
  
  
• 2. Webcam protection – if your Windows device has a webcam, the feature will prevent unauthorized access to it. Read more on how to use the webcam protection feature on Windows.
  
  
  
• 3. Scheduled scans – schedule an automatic Full or Quick scan for certain days at a specific time.
  
  
  
• 4. Quick scan – scans the most vulnerable places of the user's device (such as temp folder, downloads, etc.)
  
  
  
• 5. Full scan - scans the whole system and all files on all your drives.
  
  
  
• 6. Virus database and Cloud protect
  
   
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Virus database
  Shows data on the virus database that is automatically downloaded every 3 hours everytime a scan starts. 
  
  Cloud protect
  An "always-on" feature that analyzes suspicious files using the Surfshark cloud, where Surfshark Antivirus opens/checks all files with zero-risk to the user's device. By using the Surfshark cloud, Surfshark Antivirus doesn't slow the user's device and has quick access to global antivirus database. 
  
  
• 7. Exclude list – choose what (i) files, (ii) folders, and (iii) websites are to be excluded in the antivirus scan. Note that the files, folders, and websites listed here are excluded from Real-time, Scheduled and Manual scans. 
  
   
  
  
  
  
  
  
• 8. External storage scans – this feature allows Surfshark Antivirus to scan any external devices (such as USBs) that you plug into your Windows device.
  
   
  
  
  
  
• 9. Quarantine auto-delete – with this option enabled, quarantined files (in other words, harmful files) will be automatically deleted in 60 days.
  

 

Surfshark Antivirus Product SITE

Surfshark PLANS can be seen HERE