Surfshark Release Notes

Surfshark’s FastTrack technology, initially launched in three locations last year, now covers the majority of our server network for macOS users. This real-time VPN route optimization is available across all continents, allowing macOS users to benefit from up to 70% speed improvements when connecting through FastTrack-enabled servers.

What is FastTrack?

FastTrack is Surfshark’s solution for smart VPN routing. Instead of locking you into a single connection path, it continuously monitors network conditions and reroutes your traffic through the most efficient paths in real time. The result? Connection speeds up to 70% faster compared to standard routing.

The technology is built on Surfshark Nexus, our multi-server routing system that connects all our servers into a network. This foundation allows us to test multiple routes simultaneously and choose the one that delivers the best performance at any given moment.

Why it matters to you

Network distance can play a role in performance, especially when traffic needs to cross regions or travel across the world. That’s where this solution may help, and we’re currently evaluating the potential speed benefits it can bring.

Data traveling between two distant points doesn’t have to follow the most obvious route — it can move through less congested pathways, avoid bottlenecks, and arrive faster. By actively managing these routes, we maintain both speed and stability, no matter where you’re connecting from or to.

How FastTrack works behind the scenes

Our system relies on globally distributed probes that measure speed and latency from various points in our network. These probes provide real-time data back to our routing system, which evaluates multiple path combinations and selects the optimal one for your connection.

When network conditions shift — due to congestion, maintenance, or infrastructure changes — FastTrack adapts.

How to use it on macOS

FastTrack is currently available for macOS users. To take advantage of it, simply connect to any FastTrack-enabled location through the Surfshark app. You’ll recognize these servers by the FastTrack icon displayed next to them in the server list.

Once connected, the system works automatically in the background. You don’t need to configure anything or toggle settings — just pick a server with the FastTrack icon, and the optimization happens seamlessly.

Important: If you don’t see the FastTrack icon next to a server at the time of connection, it means the most efficient route for you is a direct connection.

What this expansion means

With FastTrack now available across all continents, more users can experience the speed and stability benefits of real-time route optimization. Whether you’re in North America, Europe, Asia, or beyond, you can connect to a FastTrack-enabled server and enjoy improved VPN performance.

Ready to experience faster VPN speeds? Open the Surfshark app on your Mac, look for the FastTrack icon, and connect.

What changed

Dausos, our proprietary VPN protocol, just received a significant upgrade. If you’ve been connecting from a school, university, or corporate network — this update is for you.

Our latest upgrade is focused on one thing: making sure Dausos connects reliably on restricted networks.

Highly managed networks — the kind you’ll find in academic institutions and corporate environments — use strict firewall configurations that may block or interfere with VPN connections. Previously, some users on these networks ran into connectivity issues with Dausos. This update fixes that.

“We want as many people as possible to experience the power of Dausos, which is why continuous improvement is our priority. Responding directly to user feedback, this update fixes the connectivity issues some experienced in certain network environments,” says Karolis Kaciulis, Leading System Engineer at Surfshark.

Why this matters

Whether you’re a student trying to access content on campus Wi-Fi or an employee on a tightly managed corporate network, this update directly addresses one of the biggest friction points for Dausos users.

Dausos was built for everyday users, and everyday users connect from all kinds of networks — not just open, unrestricted ones. Making sure the protocol holds up across all of them, including the ones that give other VPNs a hard time, is exactly what this update delivers.

A reminder of what Dausos brings to the table

If you haven’t tried Dausos yet, here’s why it’s worth trying:

• Up to 30% faster speeds. Powered by AEGIS-256X2 encryption optimized for modern hardware, delivering better protocol-to-server speed;
• Full post-quantum security. A hybrid ML-KEM×X25519 key exchange and ML-DSA self-signed root certificate system protect your connection against both today’s threats and tomorrow’s;
• Your own dedicated tunnel. Unlike traditional VPN protocols, Dausos isolates each user’s data into its own private digital tunnel — your traffic stays separate from everyone else’s;
• Advanced security by default. Post-compromise security ensures compromised keys can’t leak future session data, and port randomization obscures your connection path.

Dausos keeps improving

Dausos was built for VPN users, and that doesn’t stop with the initial release. Updates like this one are how we make sure it stays that way. If you haven’t tried Dausos yet, now’s a good time.

If you’re using Vega OS on your smart TV, you can now protect your connection with Surfshark VPN. We’re introducing the Surfshark app for Vega OS — bringing privacy, security, and secure access to your streaming experience.

What is Vega OS?

Vega OS is Amazon’s new Linux-based operating system designed for Fire TV devices and smart TVs. Launched in October 2025, it replaces the previous Android-based Fire OS.

Why use a VPN on your smart TV?

Using a VPN on your smart TV offers several key benefits:

• Privacy — your streaming activity is encrypted, keeping it private from your internet service provider (ISP) and third parties interested in your online habits;
• ISP throttling prevention — a VPN hides the fact that you’re streaming video, preventing ISPs from selectively slowing down your connection during peak hours or high-bandwidth activities;
• Access while traveling — if you’re away from home, a VPN lets you watch your home country’s content abroad, so you don’t miss your favorite shows;
• Data collection reduction — smart TVs collect viewing data, and advertisers and ISPs may monitor your habits. A VPN masks your IP address, adding an extra privacy layer and reducing the amount of data tied to your identity.

How does VPN on your TV fit into your setup?

Surfshark VPN for Vega OS works alongside your existing devices. With unlimited simultaneous connections, you can protect your smart TV, phones, laptops, tablets, and other devices — all under one account. Whether you’re streaming on your TV or browsing on your phone, your entire household stays protected.

If you use a Fire TV Stick or Android TV box, you also have a simple setup option: connect the stick to your TV and download Surfshark directly from the app store.

Important:

Keep in mind that our Vega OS app is new and currently offers only core VPN capabilities.

How to set up Surfshark on Vega OS

Getting started with Surfshark VPN on Vega OS is straightforward:

1. Open the app store on your Vega OS Fire TV Stick device.
2. Search for Surfshark and select the app.
3. Download and install it.
4. Log in with your Surfshark account credentials.
5. Connect to a server.

Our Vega OS app supports the WireGuard protocol, designed for fast, stable, and secure connections, now on your TV.

Protect your streaming with a VPN

Whether you want to keep your streaming habits safe or avoid throttling, the app is designed to fit seamlessly into your setup.

Disclaimer: Please note that using Surfshark services for any illegal activities is strictly forbidden and violates our Terms of Service. Make sure that any use of Surfshark services for your particular activities conforms to all relevant laws and regulations, including those of any service providers and websites you access using Surfshark.

What is Dausos?

WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IKEv2 are all great technologies with their own unique strengths. They were initially designed for enterprise use, but VPN providers like us have adapted them for everyday users.

That said, we saw an opportunity to create something tailored to individual needs. Instead of reconstructing existing protocols, we built one from scratch. One that’s designed around what actually matters to you: security and performance. Say hello to Dausos.

Dausos is our proprietary VPN protocol — and the first one built specifically for VPN users. Here’s what makes it different: most VPNs funnel all user traffic through a single shared tunnel, which is perfectly fine. However, Dausos gives each user their own dedicated, private data tunnel. Your traffic stays separate from everyone else’s, which means better security and barrier-breaking speeds.

The protocol name Dausos, a Lithuanian word for heaven, is rooted in Baltic mythology and signifies elevation, protection, and transcendence beyond the ordinary internet, reflecting Surfshark’s Lithuanian heritage.

Why did we build Dausos?

Current VPN protocols weren’t designed for consumers. They were built for different purposes and later adapted for VPN use. That adaptation process introduces inefficiencies and limitations. We started with a clean slate. Our goal was simple: create a protocol that prioritizes what users care about most — security and performance — without compromise.

Dausos uses AEGIS-256X2 encryption, which delivers faster speeds than the industry-standard AES-GCM, especially on modern hardware. It also gives each user a dedicated traffic tunnel, eliminating the overhead and resource waste that’s common in adapted protocols.

The result? Better security, faster connections, and more efficient use of both server and device resources.

What makes the Dausos protocol different?

Dausos has a rare VPN industry feature — it is fully post-quantum resilient and delivers up to 30% faster speeds compared to other industry-standard protocols. Besides that it also differs in:

Dedicated tunnels for every user

Unlike most VPN protocols, Dausos provides a dedicated tunnel for each user’s traffic. That means your data travels through its own clean, private path — separate from everyone else. No cross-traffic exposure, no interference, no shared overhead.

AEGIS-256X2 encryption

No commercial VPN currently uses AEGIS-256X2 encryption. This cryptographic algorithm offers superior performance on modern devices while maintaining quantum-secure protection. This means your connection is faster and future-proof.

Adaptive performance

Dausos dynamically adapts to your network conditions and device capabilities. Whether you’re on a fast fiber connection or switching between Wi-Fi and mobile data, the protocol adjusts to maintain optimal speed and performance.

Independently audited

Security isn’t just a feature — it’s a foundation.

Dausos has passed an independent audit from Cure53, a trusted name in security research. We didn’t just build a fast protocol. We built a secure one, too.

What does this new protocol mean for you?

So what do all these technical details actually mean for your day-to-day VPN experience?

• Future-proof protection — with quantum-secure encryption, Dausos is built to protect your data not just today, but as technology evolves.
• Faster speeds — AEGIS-256X2 encryption is optimized for modern hardware, delivering better protocol-to-server speed. Add in dynamic adaptation, and you get consistently faster connections.
• Better security — each user gets their own dedicated tunnel, reducing the chance of cross-traffic exposure. That minimizes the risk of data leaks or interference from other users on the same server.
• Efficient resource use — whether you’re on a phone, laptop, or desktop, Dausos makes smarter use of your device’s resources.

How to turn on the new protocol

Ready to try Dausos? Enabling it is simple:

1. Open your Surfshark macOS app*
2. Go to Settings
3. Select VPN Settings
4. Click to Protocol
5. Choose Dausos from the list
6. Connect to any server

*At the moment Dausos is only available on our macOS app that you can download from the App Store. It will soon be accessible on other platforms too.

Try the first protocol built for the user

Dausos is not the first VPN protocol. It’s the first one designed for the user. VPN protocols have always been about adapting existing technology. Dausos is about building the right technology from the start. Give it a try.