Dark gaming surf
Before resizing, the app displays a Connect button, information regarding current server status, and a menu containing server locations. When you expand the interface, it reveals different options and selectable panels. Although the list of locations doesn't explicitly show latency, icons are present that flag the best choices, while the Favorites tab is a handy way of storing the locations you use the most.
Interestingly, Surfshark includes a NoBorders mode. This clever technology should make it possible for you to log on to the VPN in countries and jurisdictions where they are usually prohibited — great for a China VPN. As we mentioned earlier in this review, the Windows client also includes the MultiHop feature, Whitelister, and kill switch.
Although some minor improvements could be made to the Windows app, we were impressed by its functionality, and it was very straightforward to operate.
As a mobile VPN , Surfshark is impressive. Aesthetically, the apps are very clean and easy to use. Small touches like dark mode pictured on iOS above make it seem well-rounded and a pleasure to use.
For this review, we tested the Android app and found it to be remarkably similar to the Windows client. There is a similar interface, the list of server locations is identical, and it's possible to use the split-tunneling, MultiHop, blocking, and whitelisting features too. If you do run into any issues with the app, it's possible to send bug reports, raise a ticket, or search for support queries without having to navigate to the central support site.
This functionality, minus the Android-specific features like variable encryption options and split tunneling unavailable on iOS in any form , is replicated in the iOS app too. Surfshark has two available browser extensions, one for Chrome and another for Firefox. You can connect to over 3, servers in 65 countries, benefit from the provider's private DNS technology, CleanWeb ad and malware blocking, and more.
What's more, Surfshark has also added a split tunneling feature to its extensions, and its great to see the developers putting effort into an oft-neglected areas of a VPN's suite. Surfshark has a dedicated support site where you can get the answers to a number of queries. It includes FAQs, guides, and tutorials, which should cover a decent range of issues, but it isn't entirely definitive. The majority of the content is related to setup issues, although there is some focus on fundamental running queries.
That said, the bulk of the articles lack the details you'd expect and could do with being longer. In terms of finding the information you need, a lot of improvements could be made in regards to how the articles are organized. It does have minor issues — namely slightly slower speeds than the very best — but it has benefited from some serious improvements recently, such as the introduction of WireGuard integration for iOS and Android apps.
One competing provider that we recommend is ExpressVPN. But, if you're looking to save money and bag a premium-quality VPN, Surfshark should undoubtedly be your first port of call. Kieron is a freelance science and technology journalist with more than a decade of experience writing for magazines in print and online.
Today, his focus is on cybersecurity, blockchain, and emerging tech. Home Reviews Internet. Our Verdict. For Well-priced introductory offer Fresh security audit give peace of mind Great for streaming Excellent support.
Against Rare instances of kill switch failing Speeds aren't class-leading but close. Tom's Guide Verdict. Cons - Rare instances of kill switch failing - Speeds aren't class-leading but close -.
Jump to: 1-minute review. Click to head straight through to Surfshark's website. Kieron Allen. See all comments 2. Tried Surfshark from my location in Malaysia. I took out a months subscription on trial and didn't get good results - continual lag which needed continual re-connection on most sites. I cancelled the subscription and received refund as promised. Later discovered I had problem with my laptop driver which I had fixed and this re-established my laptop fast internet speeds. Because of Surfshark pricing I was tempted to try again which I did, unfortunately with no improvement in the performance of Surfshark.
I cancelled again and because I had previously tried there was no refund the second time, something worth remembering because most other companies did offer refunds for 2nd tries. I accept and think a lot depends on your location but certainly can't agree with Surfshark's 'Blazing Speeds' claims. Of the many VPN's I have tried to replace my expensive Express VPN subscription which is coming to an end, there have been others with much higher speeds.
I was fortunate ultimately in discovering one that offered 7 days free trial without credit card and which turned in the best performance of all I had tried. Reset your stats any time for a fresh start. If you prefer a more relaxed pace or need extra time to pull off those surfing moves, enable reduced speed mode to slow down the game speed.
With support for keyboard, mouse, touch, and controllers you can play the game your way Play the Full Game. Endless mode Surf as far as you can while avoiding obstacles and the kraken. This usually involves passport data, credit card numbers, and digital identities. This personal data is obtained by cybercriminals by hacking into systems through things like phishing or man-in-the-middle attacks.
This illegally obtained information is then sold on the dark web. Whistleblowers and journalists use the dark web to leak or find sensitive information. People who want to report a company or their government for illegal acts can use Tor to try and stay anonymous. Both the WikiLeaks network and whistleblowers like Edward Snowden have used the dark web in the past to spread their message.
Accessing the dark web requires two tools: a virtual private network VPN and a specialized browser called Tor. The Onion Router Tor is a free, open-source web browser that aims to keep its users anonymous. In order to accomplish this, the Tor browser channels your internet activities through several IP addresses or hosts. Your activity travels through a network of nodes. At every node, part of the encryption is peeled off. Eventually, your information ends up at the website of your choice.
Although Tor can be used to get access to the dark web, most of its users still remain on the surface web. In other words: Tor is mostly used to anonymize online browsing but is also the main route to the dark web.
Tor can give you access to the whole web, regardless of whether the websites are regulated or not. In short, using Tor is necessary to access the dark web — and also helps to make you more anonymous on the internet. Note, however, that Tor is not foolproof. This is why it is always recommended to also have a VPN running. Accessing the dark web is easy, but so is getting into deep trouble because of it.
A virtual private network VPN reroutes your internet traffic through a server from a different country. The websites you visit see a different IP address instead of your real IP address. These servers offer extra protection from DDoS attacks. To learn more, read our full review of NordVPN.
Although the dark web itself is legal, many of the activities on the dark web are illegal. You may accidentally end up on a website that sells illegal drugs or a porn website that displays illegal content. To access the dark web, you must first download the Tor browser and your VPN software of choice. Here are the steps to follow after this:.
Tor has three security levels you can choose from. To learn more about the Tor browser and how to keep yourself safe, visit our guide here. Tor supports Android, but the operating system is very vulnerable, and it is not recommended for accessing the dark web. In general, smartphones are not very suitable when it comes to anonymity. Everything you do online can be tracked.
With a smartphone, this is even easier because of the GPS tracking that many apps use. Moreover, you run the risk of your phone being hacked and your personal data being stolen. The dark web is home to many dangerous places. Cybercriminals abound in this area of the internet, especially since there is no reg ulation on dark websites. Here are some risks you should look out for when visiting the dark web.
A botnet is a network of infected devices. Often, the devices in the network are infected without their owners being aware of it. The hacker in charge of the botnet can use the devices to spread viruses ; phish for private information; or facilitate DDoS attacks. The botnet is less likely to be discovered, taken down, or taken over if it operates on the dark web. Some hackers sell the botnets they have created on the dark web, as well. In exchange for a lot of money, you can get control over a large network of infected devices.
There are websites on the dark web dedicated to illegal porn, containing content such as bestiality, child pornography, rape, and extreme violence. Before clicking on a link that leads to a porn site, check the link directories for a description of the said website , so you can be warned about the content you might encounter. Do not download any videos from porn websites, either, as they might contain malware. Similar to the surface web, the dark web has millions of pirated content, like movies, TV shows, books, software, games, and more.
Before opening or downloading any of these pirated content, make sure to check the piracy laws in your country or state. If you accidentally download pirated content, then you may end up unwittingly breaking anti-piracy laws.
Many websites promise enticing offers like cheap cash and free crypto. Remember that, if an offer sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Additionally, the majority of websites on the dark web have outdated user interfaces, and very few have badges or seals that prove they are legitimate businesses because most of the markets on the dark web are illegal.
To keep yourself protected from scams, phishing attacks, and malware, avoid clicking on suspicious links and only visit websites that have been indexed by link directories. In one word: yes. The dark web and the Tor browser are legal in most countries. Nevertheless, people often forget that the dark web and Tor are merely tools to exert your right to privacy and freedom of speech. The United Nations established privacy as a basic human right. The following articles confirm this:.
Chances are, this will be the case where you live, as well. It was actually developed by the United States government. Why was it developed and how did it become the hub for anonymity it is today? For most of history, there was a global network of American spies who collected information and intelligence for the U. During the s, information became increasingly digitized , and there was no longer a need for these spies to relay their reports through old-fashioned media like radios or letters.
The internet and new cryptographic techniques replaced those old communication media. As all of this information could suddenly be sent through the internet, the U. With Tor, the agencies had an encrypted line of communications with their field agents.
Around , the project was passed on to the Defense Advanced Research Project Agency DARPA , who in turn gave it over to several civil rights groups although there are some people who believe that Tor was never really given up by the U. Of course, the question is: why would the government hand this network over to civilian advocacy groups? One of the widely known explanations is that the US government had to open up the anonymous network so that US agents could use it from anywhere in the world at any time.
The downside is that made the network vulnerable to infiltration. Another explanation is that, if U. Therefore, it was better to open the network up to many other people, so that intelligence communications can be drowned out by the presence of non-government communications. As the Tor network became available to anyone with an internet connection, more and more servers were being set up across the globe. The network, therefore, became far more decentralized.
With each new connection in a different country, U. The power of the Tor network resides in the fact that it cannot be shut down from any one location. The U. The dark web is also one of the best tools political activists can use to leak information against authoritarian states that the U. Of course, this also applies to the U. The Tor network can be both beneficial and dangerous at the same time.
Because it is helpful in multiple ways, the U. Even if they did, they would have a hard time trying to shut it down in its entirety and would need the compliance and cooperation of dozens of countries all over the world. What national authorities do instead is work together to close down specific sites involved in illegal activity. Often, when a dark website does get closed down, multiple agencies have worked together to make that happen.
For example, if the US Department of Justice wants to shut down a Dutch marijuana market, that would require the cooperation of the Dutch police, Europol, and possibly a number of other agencies and authorities.
The following image showcases the number of agencies involved with seizing one such black market. Taking down this particular website required the cooperation of at least ten different agencies from at least four different countries. The fact that all of these agencies had to cooperate to bring down this site shows how tricky it can be to take down parts of the dark web — let alone the entire dark web.
We want to stress that we advise you NOT to use the dark web without first having taken the proper safety measures. If you do end up visiting the dark web, always take precautions. This step-by-step plan will explain exactly how you could do that. Ultimately, you access the dark web at great risk to yourself. Stay curious, but stay safe, too! Do you need a quick answer to your question?
Here are some frequently asked questions and answers concerning the dark web. These websites are not accessible via Google Chrome, Firefox, or other popular browsers.
Learn more about what you can find on the dark web here.
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