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Surfshark CleanWeb: What It Blocks and How to Turn It On

Surfshark CleanWeb offers ad and threat blocking in the app and browser extension. Here’s how the two versions differ and how to switch them on.
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Surfshark CleanWeb is an ad- and threat-blocking feature included with Surfshark subscriptions. You can enable it in the Surfshark app or use the browser extension, which adds controls such as pop-up blocking and safety alerts. The two versions are not interchangeable: the app works with Surfshark’s VPN setup, while the extension covers browser traffic and can work without a VPN connection.

What Surfshark CleanWeb does

Surfshark describes CleanWeb as a feature for blocking ads and malicious websites and reducing tracking. It also says the feature can provide protection against some phishing attempts. Surfshark Customer Support summarizes it this way: “CleanWeb is a feature that blocks ads and malicious websites.” These are descriptions of intended behavior, not a guarantee that every ad, tracker, phishing attempt, or malicious site will be caught.

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The browser extension has additional controls. Surfshark says its ad blocker can remove ads on visited pages and block video ads on popular streaming platforms. Its malware alert is described as monitoring downloads and malicious activity on visited websites; a separate data breach alert is also available.

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CleanWeb in the app vs. the browser extension

Version Where it applies VPN connection required? Documented controls
Surfshark app Device traffic protected through the Surfshark application Use with Surfshark’s VPN setup Ad, tracker, and malicious-domain blocking, according to Surfshark
Browser extension Browser traffic only No; Surfshark says extension CleanWeb can operate without an active VPN connection Ad blocking, pop-up blocking, data breach alert, malware alert, and a per-site option to turn CleanWeb off

Surfshark lists extensions for Chrome, Firefox, and Edge. The extension does not protect traffic from other apps on the device. Surfshark warns that having the application and extension connected at the same time can interfere with traffic; if you use both, it recommends excluding the browser through Bypasser.

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How to turn on CleanWeb in the Surfshark app

The app method requires an installed Surfshark app and an active subscription. Surfshark’s documented path is:

  1. Open the Surfshark app.
  2. Go to Settings.
  3. Select VPN settings.
  4. Turn on CleanWeb.

How to turn on CleanWeb in the browser extension

  1. Install and open the Surfshark extension in Chrome, Firefox, or Edge.
  2. Select CleanWeb and turn it on.
  3. Open CleanWeb settings to manage ad blocking and pop-up blocking.
  4. For website safety options, configure the data breach and malware alerts.

To exclude a site, use Turn off for this website in the extension. Surfshark says this adds the site to a bypass list.

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What CleanWeb does not establish

Surfshark’s documentation describes product behavior, but the reviewed materials do not provide independently measured CleanWeb blocking rates, a guarantee against all malicious sites, or a named third-party test of CleanWeb itself. Surfshark’s references to separate audits of VPN policies and security do not establish how effectively CleanWeb blocks ads or threats. Treat protection as an additional layer, not a substitute for careful browsing or other security practices.

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CleanWeb is also distinct from Surfshark’s Windows web content blocker for Surfshark One and One+, which blocks selected website categories. Router VPN setup is another separate case: Surfshark says most features, including CleanWeb, are unavailable when the VPN is configured on a router.

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