u/sharkLaura

Following up on the static vs. dynamic IP post from a while back, since a lot of you asked what actually separates a static IP from a dedicated IP. Let's break it down.

What's the difference? A static IP is a fixed IP address that stays the same every time you connect, but it's shared with other Surfshark users on that same server. A dedicated IP is also a fixed IP that doesn't change, but it's assigned exclusively to one user, you.

You should use a static IP if you're after:

• Fewer human verification test prompts and login challenges;
• Smoother access to services that flag frequent IP changes;
• A stable connection at a lower cost than a dedicated IP setup;
• Everyday consistency without needing the IP to be uniquely yours.

You should use a dedicated IP if you're more interested in:

• Remote access to a home network, NAS, or work environment;
• IP allow-listing for banking, admin panels, or corporate tools;
• Hosting your own services (game servers, self-hosted apps).

Which one is the better choice for you? It comes down to your setup. If you just want a stable, predictable IP for daily use, a static IP does the job. If you need the IP to be yours alone for allow-listing or hosting, that's where a dedicated IP earns its place.

Which one are you using, and what for? Curious to see the use cases in the comments.

What's new?

• You now have a new option to pause your VPN connection until the next day;
• We're working to improve our web content blocker — as part of that, we removed the two-factor authentication (2FA) option from its settings;
• As always, we added some stability improvements and performance refinements across the app.

Windows users can update via these links: Direct Link, Windows Store Link.

Your feedback matters, tell us what you think below!

Shoutout to u/Cowboy_jesus1029 for asking about Alternative ID and email some time ago. In this post, let's look into how Surfshark's alternative email works.

What is email masking?

Email masking means using an alias email address instead of your primary one when signing up for stuff online. The alias forwards messages to your actual inbox, so you still get the emails you want, but the site (or anyone who scrapes/leaks/sells their database) never sees your real address.

Think of it as a buffer between your real email and the internet.

What alternative email does 

It generates that alias for you on demand. You can create 3 alternative emails, label them by purpose, and disable or delete any one if it starts attracting spam.

Cases where it’s recommended to use an alternative email

• Free trials you'll probably cancel
• One-off online purchases
• Café Wi-Fi, PDF downloads, discount codes
• Forums, newsletters, anything you're not 100% sure about
• Testing a new service before committing

Where it's not the move

Banking, job applications, government stuff, anything where you need long-term verified access. Use your real email there.

Setting up alternative email is quick and easy.

Log into your Surfshark account → Alternative ID section → generate an alias → use it wherever. Multiple aliases, all labeled, all in one dashboard.

Heads up: for autofill to work, you'll need the Surfshark browser extension (Chrome, Firefox, or Edge).

How are you using alternative email so far, and is there anything you'd want to see improved or added? We're listening!

The new check asks for camera access, records a short clip, and extracts hand-landmark data to decide if you're human. Google says the video isn't tied to your identity and gets deleted after verification. It's also optional, if you block the camera prompt, reCAPTCHA falls back to the old image or audio challenge.

Google isn’t the only one moving in this worrying direction. We’ve noticed X (Twitter) is also starting to request camera-based human verification.

The shift is clear. To prove you're not a bot, you're handing over a video of yourself. To a bot filter.

Anyone here actually seen this in the wild, yet? And where's your personal line on camera-based verification for everyday web use?

What's new?

• We’ve enhanced the kill switch and added more guidance on how to use its different levels;
• We worked on finding app performance bugs and implemented the necessary fixes.

Windows users can update via these links: Direct Link, Windows Store Link.

Your feedback matters, tell us what you think below!

Hey all,

Quick heads-up: the Locations tab on iOS got a redesign in v4.1.0.

What's new
The tab is now split into two views:

• Recommended — your most-used countries, recently connected servers, and your dedicated IP (if you have one) sit right at the top. For most people, this is the only view you'll ever need;
• Advanced — static IP and Multi Hop live here, out of the way until you actually want them.

How to get it

• App Store → update Surfshark to v4.1.0
• Open the app, tap Locations
• Pick a server

Favorites was replaced by Recently Used in this build. The idea is to reduce manual upkeep and surface your most-used servers automatically. That said, your feedback here matters to us. If you've got a use case where Recently Used doesn't quite cut it, drop it below, and we'll pass it along to the product team.

Hey everyone!

Scam texts are getting more creative, so we put together a breakdown of how they work and what to watch for. Whether it's a fake delivery notification, a "suspicious activity" alert from your bank, or a stranger texting the "wrong number," they all follow similar patterns.

How most text scams work:

They usually fall into three categories:
Impersonation — the text pretends to be from your bank, a delivery service, or a government agency and pushes you to act fast.
Phishing links — the message includes a link to a site that looks legitimate but is built to steal your login credentials, payment info, or other personal details.
Social engineering — the scammer plays on fear, urgency, or curiosity to get you to respond before you think it through.

The most common ones right now:

• Fake delivery notifications ("your package couldn't be delivered")
• Bank alerts claiming suspicious activity on your account
• Prize or giveaway texts you never entered
• Account verification requests pretending to be Apple, Google, or PayPal
• "Wrong number" texts designed to start a conversation and build trust
• Emergency texts claiming a family member is in trouble
• Refund scams saying you're owed money
• Government agency threats about unpaid taxes or legal action

What to do if you get one:

• Don't click any links. If you think it could be real, go directly to the company's app or website instead.
• Don't reply. Even responding "STOP" confirms your number is active.
• Delete the message and block the sender.
• Report it to your carrier or a consumer protection agency like the FTC.

How to reduce the chances of getting them:

• Turn on your phone's built-in spam filters
• Review your contact preferences on apps and services to limit who has your number
• Consider using a virtual phone number for online signups so your primary number stays private

What type of scam text do you get the most? How do you personally tackle these scams?

What's new?

• We've resolved several minor issues, updated app typography, and improved app performance for a more seamless VPN experience.

Windows users can update via these links: Direct Link, Windows Store Link.

Looking forward to your feedback, let us know in the comments!

What's new?

• We implemented a fix to improve antivirus exclusions flow;
• As always, we added various performance and stability improvements to enhance your Surfshark experience.

Windows users can update via these links: Direct Link, Windows Store Link.

Looking forward to your feedback, let us know in the comments!

Most of us here run a VPN daily, but we all manage our setups differently. Are you constantly adjusting your protocols and locations for the best performance, or do you just rely on the default settings to do the heavy lifting?

View Poll

For those of you streaming on Amazon's new Vega OS smart TVs, we've got something for you.

You can now download Surfshark straight from the app store on your Vega OS device.

Quick context: Vega OS is Amazon's new Linux-based OS for Fire TV devices.

How to set up Surfshark on Vega OS

Getting started with Surfshark VPN on Vega OS is straightforward:

1. Open the app store on your Vega OS Fire TV Stick device.
2. Search for Surfshark and select the app.
3. Download and install it.
4. Log in with your Surfshark account credentials.
5. Connect to a server.

Our Vega OS app supports the WireGuard protocol, designed for fast, stable, and secure connections, now on your TV.

Disclaimer: The Vega OS app is new and currently offers only core VPN capabilities.

Got a Vega OS TV? Give it a try and let us know how it goes!