Using Surfshark Antivirus on an iPhone involves a few steps since Surfshark offers its antivirus features as part of its broader cybersecurity suite, which includes a VPN. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to use Surfshark Antivirus on iPhone:
Step 1: Download and Install Surfshark
- Open the App Store on your iPhone.
- Search for “Surfshark” in the search bar.
- Once found, tap the “Get” button to download and install the Surfshark app on your iPhone.
Step 2: Sign In or Create an Account
- After installation, open the Surfshark app.
- You’ll be prompted to either sign in if you already have an account, or create a new account if you’re a new user. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete this step.If you don’t have a subscription yet, you can purchase it from within the app.
Step 3: Grant Permissions
When using Surfshark Antivirus, you may be asked to grant certain permissions. These include:
- Device access permissions: To scan your device for potential threats.
- VPN configuration: This is because Surfshark integrates its antivirus features with its VPN services for better protection.
Step 4: Navigate to the Antivirus Feature
- After logging in, you’ll be taken to the Surfshark app’s home screen.
- From the main menu, you can access the antivirus feature by tapping on the “Antivirus” or “Security” section (depends on how Surfshark brands the feature in your app version).If you can’t find the antivirus directly, you may need to:
- Go to Settings within the app.
- Look for the Security/Antivirus settings.
Step 5: Run a Scan
- Once in the antivirus section, you can either:
- Run a quick scan: This will scan the most vulnerable areas of your iPhone, such as downloaded apps or specific directories.
- Run a full device scan: This will scan your entire iPhone for potential malware, phishing attempts, or other security threats.
- Tap on “Start Scan” or the similar option to begin the process.
- The scan should run automatically, and Surfshark will notify you if any threats are found.
Step 6: Review and Manage Detected Threats
- If any threats or vulnerabilities are found, Surfshark will display them in a list.
- You can choose to:
- Quarantine the threat: Isolating the file or app to prevent it from causing harm.
- Remove the threat: Deleting the malicious content or app from your iPhone.
Step 7: Enable Real-Time Protection
Some versions of Surfshark also allow for real-time protection, which continuously scans your device and internet activity for threats.
- Turn on Real-Time Protection from the antivirus section if available.
- Real-time protection ensures that any new threats are detected immediately without needing a manual scan.
Step 8: Use Surfshark’s Additional Security Features
In addition to the antivirus, Surfshark also offers several other features that enhance your iPhone’s security:
- VPN Protection: Encrypt your internet connection to secure your data and prevent hackers from tracking you.
- CleanWeb: Surfshark’s ad-blocking and anti-malware tool that blocks phishing websites, ads, and trackers.
- Data Breach Alerts: Get notified if your email addresses or other personal information appear in known data breaches.
Step 9: Update the App Regularly
Surfshark updates its software frequently to stay ahead of new threats, so make sure to:
- Enable automatic updates in your iPhone settings, or
- Regularly check the App Store for updates to the Surfshark app to ensure your antivirus is up-to-date.
Notes:
- Surfshark on iOS: It’s important to note that Surfshark Antivirus may have limited functionality on iOS compared to its desktop counterparts, mainly due to Apple’s restrictions on full antivirus scanning. However, Surfshark still provides good network-level protection and can identify potential vulnerabilities in apps or files.