Encryption, protocol and DNS
SurfShark offers several connection protocols for using VPN services:
- OpenVPN with UDP / OpenVPN with TCP
- IKEv2
- Shadowsocks (proprietary protocol)
SurfShark therefore focuses on fairly recent protocols and leaves out certain modes such as:
- L2TP / IPsec
- PPTP (Windows)
Note that under macOS, only IKEv2 is available from the application. You will need to install OpenVPN and Shadowsocks manually to use them. If there are tutorials, the manipulations are not really easy for beginners.
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Note that the developers of SurfShark are working on the implementation of the WireGuard protocol, one of the most efficient protocols in terms of data rates. SurfShark’s ShadowSocks protocol uses a so-called masking technique obfuscated which allows OpenVPN data to pass through the more “classic” HTTPS stream. We also talk about stealth mode or Stealth which can be very practical to bypass a firewall.
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SurfShark conventionally uses its own DNS servers to ensure maximum confidentiality during your queries on the Internet. During our tests (dnsleaktest.com), we did not notice any leaks.
For encryption, SurfShark uses the AES standard (Advanced Encryption Standard) 256 GCM.
Streaming video
Some people use VPN services to access different services streaming foreigners or simply to connect to television services in France from abroad. Note that access to certain services like Netflix or Amazon Prime varies over time, with companies constantly seeking to protect their content from unauthorized access.
During our tests with Surfshark’s services, we were able to connect to the streaming the most common, taking care to create private browsing. On this point, the promise is kept.
Advanced options
SurfShark offers some interesting features such as the possibility of directing certain connections outside the VPN. With other providers, this is called split tunneling, but here the function is called the whitelist (white list). This makes it possible in particular to avoid automatic blockages of certain services and in particular the banks which detect IPs coming from abroad. The app also has a Kill switch which will automatically cut the Internet connection if the VPN is no longer available. The MultiHop option allows traffic to pass through two different servers by mechanically increasing the level of encryption. This additional security is at the expense of the flow.
During our downlink tests, we went from 282 to 203 Mb / s between France and the Netherlands via Singapore. Going to the UK to leave France, we measured a drop of around 15% compared to a direct connection, which is ultimately acceptable in most situations.
This option will therefore be reserved for the most sensitive connections and which do not require high speeds. Note that you cannot freely choose the two servers through which the data will pass and you will have to select the route from a list.
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SurfShark also offers an ad blocker and trackers of all kinds.
Technical support
The Surfshark help center offers several tutorials to help you install the VPN on different types of devices (TV, routers …) as well as various articles to solve the most classic problems. A system of cat also allows you to contact a person 24/7. Unfortunately, the service is not available in French. However, a translation system is available to make the discussion fluid in the language of Molière. During our various tests, the wait was short before obtaining a generally precise answer.
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