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So if i understand correctly, if i add apps to the Bypass VPN category, those apps will operate without being funneled through the VPN, thus no protection. And if i add apps to the Route via VPN option, those apps WILL be funneled through the VPN, thus being protected. My question is this, if I’m connected through Surfshark and neither one of those settings are turned on, what is being protected or not protected? Hope i explained my question so that everyone understands. :v:

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I don’t have SS, I use IPVanish. In their VPN, there is no category or option to turn on for apps to run thru the VPN. There is only the “Split Tunneling” ( bypass ) VPN mode. If it is on, everything goes thru the VPN unless you put it in the Split Tunneling spot to bypass the VPN. So anything not assigned to the bypass mode (as you call it) should go thru the VPN. At least this is how IPVanish works. I can only assume that SS works the same.

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All VPNs pretty much run the same. There is an option for Split Tunneling or “Whitelisting”. Add an app like a banking app to those options and it will bypass the encryption protocols and send/receive data without it. Unless added to the split tunneling list, all apps on the device you installed a VPN on will go through the VPNs protocols, if the VPN is active, and will be encrypted. So you don’t actually add apps to the VPN you add apps to bypass the vpn options, whatever your particular VPN calls that.

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Miki, i understand what you’re saying…but. I don’t know which VPN you’re using, but on Surfshark you have both options. 1. To bypass the VPN or 2. Route via the VPN. I’m also talking about strictly using the VPN on a TV media player for streaming. So i would never use my TV to do my banking. So if everything that you don’t choose to funnel through the VPN is protected, why is there even an option to funnel apps through the VPN?
It would be nice to hear from someone who also uses Surfshark, as they would understand what I’m talking about.

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Route via VPN" on SurfShark refers to a feature that allows you to select specific applications or websites to be routed exclusively through the VPN connection, while all other internet traffic bypasses the VPN and uses your regular connection; essentially, it’s a form of split tunneling within the SurfShark app, letting you choose which online activities are protected by the VPN and which are not.
Also I just used the Bank App as an example, I’m not naive enough to imagine that anyone uses their TV or Streaming device to do their banking.

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I certainly wasn’t implying that you are naive. Please don’t misunderstand me :v:. To me that’s complete redundancy. Why do you need an option to tunnel apps through the VPN if you don’t make that selection, everything is protected by the VPN in the first place? Am i being clear?

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it’s basically just 2 ways to go about it, route through or bypass. Default everything is routed through the vpn.

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I understand where you are getting caught up, but I’m not sure how explaining their setup, in any other way, would help. I recommend contacting SS CS and see if they can explain it to you in terms you would understand. Check @TXRon s reply. Doesn’t get any more basic than that. GL2U.

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Just finished chatting with someone from Surfshark. Just one thing i wanted to share with you that i feel is important. If you elect to have just one app routed via VPN, keep in mind that everything else will not be protected. But if the Bypass option is not used at all, then everything is protected.

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I use SS. All boxes are set up to route apps I want through vpn. I have nothing set to bypass.

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So @Streaming429, since you have nothing set to bypass, this means you could actual turn off the Bypass feature and have every tunneled through the VPN without having to select any apps at all.

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I don’t tunnel Netflix, Max etc through it for my Wife. No reason to. I only have certain apps running through it

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One reason for this option is paid apps such as Peacock won’t work most of the time unless turned off or bypassed.

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You have to physically set apps to run through it. Not sure why the bypass feature honestly because if you just have SS on with no apps selected to do anything, nothing is protected

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If none are turned on, then nothing is going through the VPN.
I’ve had SS for years and find it easier to add the necessary apps to go through the VPN than the option to add each app to the ‘bypass list’. This split tunneling allows for more flexibility since you’re not routing everything through it, resulting in faster speeds.
Good luck :+1:

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I just don’t use a VPN job done lol
IMG_5639

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Actually @Streaming429 and @TC1, you’re incorrect. As i said, i chatted with a tech from Surfshark yesterday and he explained that, by default, if you have Surfshark running and connected, EVERYTHING is protected. It’s when you do use the the Bypass settings and choose to have certain apps run via the VPN, that all the other apps are not being tunneled and thus not protected. As @Throttlejockey said, certain apps don’t work well behind a VPN, such as Netflix, Max, Prime…etc. So it would make sense to set these apps to bypass the VPN. Everything else, like unverified IPTV services, would all still be protected by the VPN.

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I just turned SS on and toggled both bypassers off, did an ip check, dns leak test to verify this and it’s my provider ip. You can’t just download SS, log in and start it and expect to be protected

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Me either, so many less posts to read :rofl:

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@Streaming429, i believe you. It just goes against everything my conversation with the tech from Surfshark explained to me. So this can of worms is still open…:thinking: