Surfshark VPN is a well-liked identify within the VPN supplier area.
They’re identified for his or her insane reductions accessible throughout their choices, making it a aggressive various to different VPN companies. Like each different VPN, they’ve their professionals and cons. So, you may wish to discover all of the privacy-focused VPN companies earlier than you agree with one.
With Surfshark, one thing stands out: its Linux shopper. Surfshark VPN presents a good looking GUI app for Linux, providing an enhanced consumer expertise in comparison with many VPN options accessible.
Naturally, many Linux customers want utilizing it for the GUI. Right here, I check the Surfshark VPN with the Linux shopper and share my expertise with you to resolve higher.
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Non-FOSS Warning! Surfshark VPN is roofed right here solely as a result of it has a desktop shopper accessible for Linux and is a privacy-focused software. It isn’t open-source.
Surfshark VPN: What About It?
Surfshark VPN is an attention-grabbing resolution geared in direction of privateness, pace, and on-line safety.
It prices you lower than $3/month and about $5/month for all of the bells and whistles for higher privateness. Protected to say, it is among the most inexpensive choices on the web.
The Surfshark Starter plan offers you with entry to the VPN, tracker blocking tech, masked electronic mail generator (electronic mail aliases), and private element generator (producing random identify/deal with information).
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Surfshark VPN presents a 30-day money-back assure if you don’t just like the service.
And, in case you are keen to spend extra, you will get entry to the next options:
Bank card and ID breach alertsEmail breach alertsPrivate search toolAntivirus protectionData elimination service (solely accessible for sure international locations)
Earlier than I begin sharing my VPN expertise, I additionally did a fast background test on the audits accessible on Surfshark VPN companies. The final accessible 2021 safety audit report by Cure53 tells me that Surfshark proactively works on safety points, and a 2022 Deloitte unbiased audit checked for the claims for its “No log” insurance policies.
Positive, they may use presenting a current audit report. Nonetheless, one of many rivals, Proton VPN, additionally showcases its 2021 audit report as its newest (on the time of penning this). So, no massive complaints.
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Surfshark VPN shares the identical dad or mum firm as Nord VPN.
Along with the audits, you need to belief the VPN supplier for no matter they declare. You’ll be able to’t take my phrase or anybody else’.
I imagine Surfshark VPN makes an honest effort to supply unbiased audits/assurances for its customers.
Shifting on from the necessities, let me spotlight my expertise with it.
The Linux Person Expertise With Surfshark
I discovered it spectacular when it comes to appear and feel.
I examined it on Ubuntu 24.04 LTS, and it labored nice with it added as a startup app each time I reboot the system.
It formally helps Ubuntu 20.04 or above, Debian 11, and Mint 20 or above. You’ll be able to strive putting in the .deb package deal on any Ubuntu-based distro. Nonetheless, it’s best to stay to the supported distros for the VPN.
You’ll be able to set up the Linux shopper utilizing a few instructions within the terminal:
curl -f https://downloads.surfshark.com/linux/debian-install.sh –output surfshark-install.sh #will get the set up script
cat surfshark-install.sh #exhibits script’s content material
sh surfshark-install.sh #installs surfshark
If you do not want the GUI, you may at all times set it up manually utilizing OpenVPN.
However, in fact, trying on the fairly GUI does not reduce it — you want it to carry out nicely, proper?
VPN Efficiency
Earlier than I allow the VPN, I have to point out that I’ve a 200 Mbps web connection plan. With the plan, I get obtain speeds as much as 230–240 Mbps and add pace of 150–200 Mbps.
So, what occurs once I allow the Surfshark VPN?
I went with the quickest/nearest location steered by Surfshark VPN (i.e, UAE), and linked to the server. And, then carried out a pace check, here is the way it regarded:
I examined this a few instances all through the day, the obtain pace was constant, with add pace getting affected (typically rather less or extra).
Simply as a reference, I switched on Proton VPN connection to a server in the identical location (UAE), and see the way it fares:
General, the typical speeds recorded have been:
220 Mbps — download80 Mbps — add
After all, if you happen to make the most of a MultiHop connection (via two totally different servers), the connection pace will get impacted.
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Sadly, I wasn’t in a position to make MultiHop connections work (each choice was failing to have an exit location) utilizing WireGuard. It labored with OpenVPN protocol.
The identical was the case for “Static IP” servers, supposedly, they’ve a specific IP deal with assigned to the server, which you need to use. Moreover, you may go for a devoted IP deal with (for additional expenses) if that’s one thing you want.
General, the usual VPN connection mode (utilizing WireGuard) is nice to suggest.
Nonetheless, if you happen to expertise connection failures, you may strive altering the protocol inside the app:
Additional Options and Privateness
With Surfshark VPN, you may select to eliminate the trackers and shield in opposition to malware utilizing your VPN. No want for particular add-ons to your net browser; the VPN does the job.
As you may discover, by default, the protocol is mechanically chosen for you. WireGuard is the one you can see for many use-cases. You’ll be able to change it to your required choice.
You may also allow the “Kill Swap”, a necessary/frequent function seen throughout all VPNs. It disables web entry if a VPN connection has dropped, so your IP/DNS is not by chance leaked.
You don’t get entry to different options like various ID, non-public search, breach alert, and others on the Linux app (even when you’ve got them in your subscription). However, if you happen to obtain the browser extension, you may entry them.
Here is the way it seems:
After all, the antivirus function is restricted to scanning malware/threats on web sites via the extension. On the subject of gadget scanning, it ought to work with cellular units and Home windows/macOS.
Now, coming to the privateness half, I examined if there’s an IP/DNS leak:
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I don’t use the check pages supplied by the VPN suppliers, as if you go for an IP leak check, it at all times says that you’re unprotected (until they detect an IP from their service).
IPleak.web is an effective net software that I take advantage of to check each IP/DNS leaks. And, the whole lot seems good right here, no leaks:
I additionally check DNS leaks utilizing one other software — DNS Leak Take a look at.
Every part seems because it ought to, which is an effective factor 😃
Wrapping Up
Surfshark VPN is an effective for essentially the most half, apart from some connection drops utilizing WireGuard (which was mounted by switching to the OpenVPN protocol).
The speeds are on par with competing VPNs and the GUI for Linux is a plus with all of the options included with the extension.
What are your ideas on utilizing Surfshark VPN Linux shopper? Let me know within the feedback down beneath!