Are you tired of annoying ads disrupting your browsing experience? The Surfshark CleanWeb ad blocking feature is here to save the day! One component of CleanWeb is a powerful ad blocker, which not only blocks malicious ads but also provides enhanced protection against online threats.
Get ready to enjoy a seamless, ad-free browsing experience while keeping your data safe and sound.
Key points for using Surfshark's CleanWeb ad blocker
- Surfshark CleanWeb provides an ad-free, tracker-free, and malware-free web browsing experience across platforms.
- To get the best deal on Surfshark VPN with CleanWeb, use this 82% off coupon.
- This offers features such as ad blocking, malware, and phishing protection, as well as faster speeds and reduced data usage for improved user experience.
- Test results show its effectiveness in providing a cleaner and more secure online experience with customizable settings for tailored use.
Understanding Surfshark CleanWeb
CleanWeb is a robust ad-blocking tool within the Surfshark VPN service that will help you maintain an ad-free and malware-free web surfing environment. Its goal is to enhance your browsing experience by removing annoying ads and providing protection against online threats like malware and phishing attempts.
Not long ago Surfshark introduced CleanWeb 2.0. This update was driven by user feedback and aims to provide a more seamless and customizable browsing experience. CleanWeb 2.0 can be accessed exclusively through the Surfshark browser extensions. If you have a Surfshark One or One+ or subscription, CleanWeb offers an ever-growing set of features that we tested out for this guide.
One of the notable improvements in CleanWeb 2.0 is that its ad blocker can now block video ads and pop-ups. This gives you a cleaner browsing experience by reducing the number of ads displayed.
Another impressive feature of CleanWeb 2.0 is its ability to work independently from the VPN connection, blocking ads without an active VPN connection.
Note: The previous version of CleanWeb is still included in the Surfshark apps.
CleanWeb Features and Capabilities
Blocking Ads Across Platforms
CleanWeb can block ads across diverse platforms, including popular streaming services like Twitch and YouTube. When you use both the Surfshark VPN app and the browser extension, CleanWeb and CleanWeb 2.0 effectively block an even wider range of advertisements, including pop-ups, video ads, and social media ads. This includes preventing YouTube ads from appearing on your browser and blocking Facebook ads and trackers. In addition, CleanWeb can block ads on Smart TVs, as we noted in our guide on the best VPNs for Smart TVs.
You'll be able to focus on the content you want to see, without any annoying and potentially dangerous ads to distract you. This makes CleanWeb one of the best VPN ad blockers on the market.
More CleanWeb Features
If you upgrade to Surfshark One or Surfshark One+ CleanWeb gains additional features such as:
- An anti-virus program that protects your devices against old-style virus attacks
- Webcam protection that lets you lock your camera and notifies you if anyone tries to access your webcam
- Breach alerts so you know if your email addresses, personal IDs, or credit cards have been exposed
- Privacy protection through alternative profiles and email addresses
- Malware and phishing scam protection
See all Surfshark CleanWeb features here >
With CleanWeb, you can have peace of mind while navigating the web. You can also see how it stacks up against NordVPN's Threat Protection feature in the NordVPN vs Surfshark comparison.
CleanWeb Performance and Effectiveness
Test results and user experiences serve as reliable sources to assess the performance and effectiveness of CleanWeb. These assessments demonstrate CleanWeb’s ability to block ads and protect users across various platforms and devices, showcasing its prowess as an ad-blocking solution.
Test Results
Tests conducted using AdBlock Tester and the Electronic Frontier Foundation’s (EFF’s) Cover Your Tracks tools have shown that CleanWeb effectively blocks various types of ads and trackers. By removing intrusive ads and preventing tracking, CleanWeb provides a cleaner and more secure browsing experience.
CleanWeb has also been tested for efficacy against various types of malware and phishing attempts. It has been proven to effectively block malicious ads, detect and block malicious websites, and protect against phishing scams. These tests show that CleanWeb is a reliable, effective, and comprehensive ad-blocking solution.
Compatibility and Device Support
CleanWeb is compatible with most devices and browsers, guaranteeing uniform ad-blocking performance across platforms. With support for:
iOS
macOS
Android
Windows
Linux
FireTV devices
Chrome, Firefox, and Edge browser extensions
In other words, you can enjoy the benefits of CleanWeb on your preferred devices and browsers.
Mobile and Desktop Support
CleanWeb supports both mobile and desktop devices, ensuring uniform ad-blocking performance across platforms. While most VPNs support 5 or 6 simultaneous connections, all Surfshark subscriptions entitle you to unlimited simultaneous connections.
This means that you can have an unlimited number of devices connected to the Surfshark VPN server network, all actively using the internet at the same time. For a CleanWeb user, the result is that you can enjoy the benefits of CleanWeb ad blocking, regardless of how many and what types of devices you use, be they smartphones, tablets, Smart TVs, or computers.
Pricing and Subscription Options
Surfshark provides diverse subscription plans and payment options, and includes CleanWeb and CleanWeb 2 at no additional cost, making Surfshark a cost-effective ad-blocking solution. With monthly, yearly, and biennial plans available, you can choose the option that best fits your needs and enjoy the benefits of CleanWeb and Surfshark VPN services.
Subscription Plans
Surfshark offers several subscription plans to cater to the diverse needs of its user base. You can choose the one that best suits your needs and budget.
Surfshark offers three different plans with increasing prices and capabilities:
- Starter – The fully-featured VPN service (includes the VPN ad blocking feature)
- One – All Starter plan features + a private search engine + a set of non-VPN device security features + a set of identity protection features
- One+ – All VPN One plan features + Incogni (one of the best data removal services available)
The plans range from monthly to biennial subscriptions, with the latter offering the best value for money. Each plan includes access to all core Surfshark features, including high-speed servers, unlimited simultaneous connections, and 24/7 customer support. All plans also come with a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try Surfshark risk-free (like a free trial VPN).
Payment Options
Surfshark offers flexibility and convenience when it comes to payment options. Accepted methods include:
Major credit cards: Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover
Payment services and apps: PayPal, Google Pay, Amazon Pay
Cryptocurrency: Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other coins (also available with ExpressVPN and NordVPN)
This wide range of payment options ensures that you can select the payment method that is best for you.
See all payment options here >
Setting Up and Using CleanWeb
Setting up and using CleanWeb is straightforward, with options to activate the feature and adjust settings based on your preferences. You can enable CleanWeb in the Surfshark app on compatible devices or CleanWeb 2.0 in a Surfshark browser extension.
Enabling CleanWeb
Enabling CleanWeb is easy. Here are the steps for doing it in the desktop app:
- Download and install the Surfshark desktop app.
- Launch the app.
Click the Settings icon (circled in red above) to open the Settings page.
- Toggle CleanWeb On.
Enabling CleanWeb 2.0 in Surfshark's browser extension is only a bit more complicated. Just as with the desktop app, you must have a Surfshark account to use the extension. Here are the steps:
Go to the app store for your device and search for Surfshark VPN Extension.
Install the extension in your browser.
Open the extension and click the Settings (gear) icon to open the Settings page.
Click the CleanWeb setting option and toggle the Ad blocker option to On.
For your iOS and Android devices, you can likewise open the Surfshark app, navigate to the Features tab or VPN Settings menu, and toggle the CleanWeb switch to On.
Customer Support and Troubleshooting
Surfshark provides a range of customer support channels and tips for troubleshooting to assist users in resolving any issues with CleanWeb. With 24/7 live chat, email support, and a comprehensive knowledge base, users can find the assistance they need to address any challenges they may encounter while using CleanWeb.
Customer Support Channels
Customer support channels for CleanWeb users include 24/7 live chat, email support, and a comprehensive knowledge base for self-help. Through these channels, users can receive assistance from Surfshark’s customer support team, ensuring any issues are resolved quickly and efficiently.
Whether users need help with setting up CleanWeb, troubleshooting issues, or optimizing their ad-blocking experience, the customer support team is readily available to help.
What to Do if a Website Blocks You
Some websites will prevent you from viewing their content if you use an ad blocker. Regardless of their reasons for doing this, you have two options at this point: leave the site, or turn off the ad blocker. If you are using the browser extension to block ads, this second option is very practical.
Unlike other VPNs that make you jump through hoops to disable ad blocking for a particular site, with Surfshark it is easy to turn off ad blocking for the current website or domain with just a few clicks. Here is how it is done:
Open the Surfshark browser extension and click the CleanWeb icon circled in red in the preceding image. You should see something similar to this:
Click the Turn off for this website button. You may need to refresh the web page after you do this.
You should now see the website… and its ads.
General Troubleshooting Tips
Troubleshooting tips for common issues related to CleanWeb’s ad-blocking capabilities include:
Verifying that CleanWeb is activated
Clearing cache and cookies
Deactivating other ad blockers
Refreshing the Surfshark VPN connection.
By following these tips, users can resolve most issues and enjoy an optimal ad-blocking experience with CleanWeb.
Comparing CleanWeb to Other Ad Blockers
A comparison of CleanWeb with other types of ad blockers is informative. CleanWeb works through DNS filtering. When the ad blocker is activated, Surfshark uses the Domain Name System (DNS) to block known malicious content and websites and filter out unacceptable content. This approach is fast and efficient but does not catch every type of ad.
By contrast, there are ad-blocking browser extensions such as uBlock Origin or Adblock Plus that take a different approach. These extensions analyze the code on a webpage and block any content that matches known ad codes. While both approaches successfully block the majority of ads, each can catch some that the other misses.
By using Surfshark's CleanWeb alongside one of these specialized ad blocking extensions, a higher percentage of all ads will be blocked, providing you with a better ad-free experience.
Top Alternatives
Key alternatives to CleanWeb include:
- NordVPN – The NordVPN ad blocker is called Threat Protection, which blocks ads, pop-ups, and autoplay videos.
- Proton VPN, which offers NetShield, a comprehensive browsing protection feature that blocks ads, trackers, and malware.
- Perfect Privacy, which offers TrackStop, a highly-customizable ad blocker with features like parental controls and the ability to block browser fingerprinting.
Each of these alternatives offers its own ad-blocking features and distinct benefits.
By comparing CleanWeb to these alternatives, you can make an informed decision about the best ad-blocking solution for your needs.
We also have other VPN ad blocker guides to consider:
- NordVPN ad blocking with Threat Protection
- ExpressVPN Threat Manager ad blocking
- IPVanish ad blocking with Threat Protection
- How to Block Ads with a VPN
Summary
Surfshark CleanWeb is a powerful ad-blocking solution that gives you excellent protection against malicious ads and other online threats. With its seamless integration with Surfshark VPN, compatibility across devices and browsers, and robust ad-blocking capabilities, CleanWeb is an excellent choice for a comprehensive and user-friendly ad-blocking experience. While there are some limitations and alternatives to consider, CleanWeb remains a strong contender in the ad-blocking market.
To try Surfshark and CleanWeb yourself, use the coupon below for the best possible price:
Surfshark VPN Coupon:
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Frequently Asked Questions
Should I use CleanWeb on Surfshark?
Surfshark CleanWeb is an effective ad blocker and offers reliable protection from malicious websites, trackers, pop-ups, banners, and video ads. It's easy to use and included in all subscription packages. We recommend you enable CleanWeb for consistent protection against malicious ads and other internet problems.
Does Surfshark CleanWeb block YouTube ads?
Yes, Surfshark CleanWeb 2.0 blocks YouTube ads when used with the browser extension. We tested it and found it to be true. Make sure you use CleanWeb 2.0 in the browser to experience an ad-free viewing.
How does Surfshark CleanWeb block ads and trackers?
Surfshark's CleanWeb feature uses a combination of DNS filtering and a list of known malicious ads and websites to block intrusive ads and trackers, keeping users safe.
Is CleanWeb compatible with all major devices and browsers?
Yes, CleanWeb is compatible with all major devices and browsers, including Chrome, Firefox, Edge, iOS, macOS, Android, Windows, Linux, and FireTV.
Does Surfshark offer various subscription plans and payment options for CleanWeb?
Yes, Surfshark offers multiple subscription plans and payment options that include CleanWeb at no extra cost.
This review of Surfshark's CleanWeb ad blocker was last updated on April 4, 2024.
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