• Surfshark has launched a new Antiscam hub for iOS users
• The new interface brings together five cybersecurity tools to make fighting off threats more streamlined
• The new interface is currently in a pilot phase before expanding to other platforms

Surfshark has launched Antiscam Hub for iOS users, bringing together five cybersecurity and digital footprint management tools in a new space within the existing Surfshark app.

In its announcement post, Surfshark, one of the best VPNs available, describes the new experience as a ‘specialized user interface’ designed to streamline users’ mobile security actions, particularly for protection against phishing, fraud, and other scams.'

The announcement explains that the Antiscam Hub has been designed to address scams that rely more on manipulating human behaviour than purely digital methods. It does this by putting Surfshark’s suite of personal protection tools in a single area, which, in theory, could make it easier to stay focused in the event of an attack.

These tools include Personal Email Masking and Alternative Number, which hide the user’s email address and phone number. Also included are Dark Web Monitoring, which gives real-time notifications when personal data is leaked, and Unsafe Site Blocking, which provides a firewall against untrustworthy sites.

While the Antiscam hub is available for all Surfshark users, those in the US (excluding New York State) can also access Identity Theft Coverage, which provides insurance against identity fraud up to $1m for opted-in Surfshark One+ subscribers.

Gabriele Sinkeviciute, Head of Product at Surfshark, said: “Cyberthreats are constantly shifting, and right now we are witnessing the ultimate uptick of scams. In the last month only, our unsafe site blocking feature blocked nearly 1.2 million new phishing and malware sites created by bad actors.”

“Easy-to-use tools that can make you more alert from such threats are much more important than ever.”

A reminder, not a revolution

It’s worth noting that the Antiscam Hub doesn’t bring any new features to Surfshark – it’s simply a new interface that makes it easier to find and access existing security tools.

That might not sound like a big deal for tech-savvy users. But, with VPNs becoming more integrated into mainstream tech usage, the Antiscam hub should be a big boost for those with less mobile experience – modern scammers move quickly, so being able to access all your defensive tools at a glance could make a difference.

Plus, as governments around the world continue to tighten rules on internet use, the conversation about the impact of VPNs remains hotly contested.

While Surfshark and VPNs like it are a great pick for keeping your browsing hidden or accessing local content securely, the new Antiscam hub serves as a reminder that there are other crucial aspects to think about.

Personal data protection and scam awareness are only the beginning of this, but new users might previously have turned a blind eye to it.

Still, it would be nice to see some upgrades to the tools on offer to go with the new interface. Surfshark has identified the Antiscam hub as the starting point for a roadmap of ‘increasingly sophisticated’ security features, but we don’t know what this will mean for users just yet.

What's more, at the time of writing, the Antiscam hub is only in a pilot phase on iOS devices before expanding to other platforms, so we could be waiting a while to see more tangible upgrades.