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Surfshark’s CleanWeb feature is often described as anad blocker, but that doesn’t quite do it justice.

This, of course, includes its comprehensive CleanWeb ad, tracker, and malware blocker.

Surfshark VPN running on a Mac laptop

What is CleanWeb?

CleanWeb is Surfshark’s built-in ad-blocking tool.

Surfshark provides two versions of CleanWeb.

SurfsharkThe best value VPN that’s also the fastest

In fact, this can even put a stop to video ads on your Smart TV.

This refers to Surfsharks new-and-improved CleanWeb 2.0.

As it turns out, you don’t need to.

A dart that has landed in the middle of a bullseye on a red target

Both versions work in parallel to protect you from ads and trackers.

Either way, you’re covered at both the net web client and app level.

Just confirm CleanWeb’s features are enabled and you’re good to go.

How does CleanWeb block ads?

CleanWeb employs a few different strategies for block everything from ads and banners to pop-ups and cookie consent requests.

This includes a combination ofDNS filteringand blacklists.

When you visit a website, CleanWeb scans it, cross-referencing it with known ad-serving domains and malicious sites.

You’ve no doubt come across cookie consent pop-ups countless times.

Some websites have deliberately complex cookie consent forms, making it difficult to decline non-essential cookies.

It does this by rejecting all but the most necessary cookies needed to access a site.

Targeted ads use your browsing history (and other personal data) to create eerie and personalized ads.

Check out myguide to targeted adsfor all the details.

Targeted ads use your browsing history and searches to lure you into engagement.

CleanWeb can get rid of these invasive intruders, too.

Surfshark is particularly popular with streamers.

Indeed, it ranks among ourbest streaming VPNs.

which is essential if you want to enjoy interruption-free streaming, be it Twitch orYouTube.

You may be surprised to know that using CleanWeb can even offer performance benefits.

Ads consume resources to load, after all, and this can slow your connection.

CleanWeb blocks ads before they can load, improving performance in the process.

History tells us that no website is too big to be immune todata breaches.

It’s also not easy to keep up with the many data breaches that take place.

How does CleanWeb block malware?

Still, all of this is only a start when it comes to blocking malware.

Dont worry it’s simple!

CleanWeb 2.0’s ad blocking is enabled by default when you download one of Surfsharks web app extensions.

You also don’t even need to connect to the VPN for it to work.

Still, you might want to check that it’s on or adjust the various options when necessary.

Any websites for which you turn off CleanWeb are added to a Bypass list accessible via the controls page.

We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses.

We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services.

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