- Surfshark updates its browser extension with a new security feature
- Tool warns about malware, data leaks and phishing before you click
- The feature is now available through the Surfshark browser extension settings.
Surfshark has released a major update to its browser extension, introducing a proactive security feature designed to flag malicious websites directly in Google Search results.
While the best VPN services are primarily known for encrypting your connection and masking your IP address, providers are increasingly expanding their toolsets to cover broader cybersecurity threats. The new Surfshark update focuses on the initial point of contact with the web, the search engine, with the goal of preventing users from stumbling upon compromised sites.
According to the company, the feature actively scans links displayed in search results. If a site is known to host malware, has been involved in a data breach, or is showing signs of phishing, the extension will display a warning icon next to the link. This allows users to stay away from potential threats without having to click on the page first.
Gabriele Sinkeviciute, Head of Product at Surfshark, emphasizes the need for this proactive approach in the current threat landscape.
“It’s hard to imagine a day without using a search engine like Google. However, even seemingly harmless searches can create risks behind any link you click,” Sinkeviciute said, explaining that the team implemented the new tool to help people browse more safely “without any additional effort.”
Visual protection against invisible threats
The main benefit of this update is visibility. Previously, similar security tools might have alerted only the user after They landed on a suspicious page or were required to manually verify a security badge. By integrating directly into the Google search interface, Surfshark attempts to eliminate risk at its source.
The company says the need for these types of tools is growing rapidly. Surfshark reports that it detected more than 141,000 new online threats in 2025 alone. Additionally, since 2022, the company has added more than 25,000 websites to its database that are marked as potentially harmful but are “not easily identifiable as dangerous.”
“Protecting users from malicious links to search engines is as critical as providing reliable online protection for their data,” Sinkeviciute said. “Our goal is to help users avoid the frustration of compromised accounts, device infections, or stolen credentials when they visit a harmful website without even realizing it.”
This move aligns Surfshark with a broader industry trend in which VPNs are evolving into all-in-one security suites. Competitors like NordVPN (with Threat Protection) and ExpressVPN (with Threat Manager) have also invested in blocking malicious sites and trackers.
How to use Surfshark website security settings
This security feature is currently exclusive to Google Search and Google Chrome and requires the Surfshark browser extension. If you are already a user, you may need to make sure your VPN extension is updated to the latest version.
After that, navigate to the Website Security Warnings section and activate both levers to Data breach alert and Malware alert.
For those looking to expand their privacy toolset even further, checking out a Surfshark review can help you decide if the full package, which includes antivirus and data leak detection, is right for you.
Users can also get even more utility from the software as they can now get a dedicated IP in the Surfshark browser extension, making it a solid option for secure and uninterrupted browsing.
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