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Surfshark CleanWeb is an ad- and malicious-site-blocking feature included with Surfshark subscriptions. You can use it in the Surfshark app or through a browser extension; the extension adds controls such as pop-up blocking and safety alerts. Surfshark describes these protections, but its published materials do not establish an independently measured blocking rate or guarantee that every ad or threat will be stopped.
What is Surfshark CleanWeb?
Surfshark describes CleanWeb as a feature that blocks ads and malicious websites. In the Surfshark app, it is intended to block ads and malicious sites, reduce tracking, and help protect against some phishing attempts. These are Surfshark’s product claims, not a promise that every ad, tracker, phishing attempt, or malicious site will be caught.
CleanWeb has two forms: a setting in the Surfshark app and a browser-extension feature. They differ in where they apply and which controls they include.
CleanWeb in the app vs. the browser extension
| CleanWeb form | Where it applies | VPN connection required? | Documented controls |
|---|---|---|---|
| Surfshark app | Device traffic when using Surfshark’s app and VPN setup | Use the Surfshark app; Surfshark’s app guide requires an active subscription. | Ad and malicious-site blocking, tracker reduction, and protection from some phishing attempts, as described by 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 alerts, malware alerts, and a per-site option to turn CleanWeb off. Surfshark lists Chrome, Firefox, and Edge. |
Surfshark says its app protects the device, while its extension secures only browser traffic. If you use both while connected, Surfshark warns they can interfere with traffic and recommends excluding the browser through Bypasser.
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How to turn on CleanWeb in the Surfshark app
- Install and open the Surfshark app on your device, and make sure you have an active Surfshark subscription.
- Open Settings.
- Select VPN settings.
- Turn on CleanWeb.
The precise labels or layout may vary by app version. Surfshark’s documented path is Settings → VPN settings → CleanWeb.
How to turn on CleanWeb in a browser
- Install the Surfshark extension for Chrome, Firefox, or Edge, then open it.
- Select CleanWeb and turn it on.
- Open CleanWeb settings to manage ad blocking and pop-up blocking. Use the website safety settings to manage data breach and malware alerts.
To disable CleanWeb on a specific 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 the browser extension’s extra controls do
Ad and pop-up blocking
Surfshark says the extension’s ad blocker removes ads on visited pages and can block video ads on popular streaming platforms. Its settings also include a separate pop-up blocker. Results can vary by site; Surfshark does not publish an independently measured CleanWeb blocking rate in the documentation cited here.
Data breach and malware alerts
The extension includes data breach and malware alerts. Surfshark describes its malware alert as monitoring downloads and malicious activity on visited websites. Treat these as warning features, not as a guarantee that all compromised data or harmful activity will be detected.
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Important limitations
- Router VPN setups do not provide CleanWeb. Surfshark’s router guide says most Surfshark features, including CleanWeb, are unavailable when the VPN is configured on a router.
- CleanWeb is not the Windows web content blocker. Surfshark separately documents a Windows web content blocker for Surfshark One and One+ that blocks selected website categories. That is distinct from CleanWeb’s ad and tracker blocking.
- Published efficacy is not independently established. The reviewed Surfshark pages do not give independently measured CleanWeb blocking rates or a guarantee of catching every malicious site. Surfshark’s references to audits of VPN policies and security do not establish CleanWeb’s ad-blocking effectiveness.
Is CleanWeb worth turning on?
CleanWeb is a practical built-in option if you already use Surfshark and want its app-level blocking or browser-specific controls. Choose the extension when you want options such as pop-up blocking, safety alerts, or excluding a particular website. Choose the app setting for CleanWeb within Surfshark’s VPN app. Neither form should be treated as a replacement for careful browsing or as proof that every threat is blocked.
For setup details, consult Surfshark’s CleanWeb guide and its browser extension instructions. Surfshark’s feature descriptions are available on its CleanWeb feature page.
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