When it comes to online security, we all like to think we’re covered. You probably use an antivirus to keep malware at bay, an ad blocker to stop advertisers and trackers from profiling you, and a VPN to hide your IP address from potential hackers. If you’re serious about privacy, you might already have a subscription to Surfshark, which offers all of these tools in one.
But here’s the thing—none of that protects the personal information you willingly share online. Every day, you probably give away your name, phone number, and email without a second thought. Filling out online forms has become so routine that most browsers even autofill the details for you, making it easier to give away your data without realizing the risks.
Once your information is submitted, you lose control over it. No VPN can stop a company from mishandling your data, selling it to third parties, or worse—losing it to hackers in a data breach. Suddenly, your inbox is overflowing with spam, your phone is buzzing with unwanted calls, and your personal information is exposed to identity thieves.
But there’s a solution: Surfshark’s Alternative ID and Alternative Number features.
What is Alternative ID?
Alternative ID is a unique tool designed to protect your real identity by generating fake contact details—like email addresses, phone numbers, and names—that you can use when signing up for services or filling out online forms. These dummy details are linked to your actual email account, so you still receive important information, but your real identity stays hidden.
Why You Need Alternative ID
The use cases for Alternative ID go beyond just avoiding spam. Many people want to protect their personal information for privacy reasons, whether it’s to collaborate on work projects without exposing their contact details or to avoid unwanted attention from online forums.
Sure, you could manually create fake emails, names, and phone numbers for every interaction you have online, but that’s tedious and time-consuming. With Alternative ID, all of that is done automatically. The tool generates the necessary details for you and ensures you don’t miss any important communications—like two-factor authentication codes, notifications, or messages—by forwarding them to your real account. It’s privacy protection made effortless.
What is Alternative Number?
Alternative Number takes things a step further by offering a virtual phone number that you can use in place of your real one. This virtual number can be used to receive calls and messages, protecting you from robocalls, scams, and unwanted marketing.
For example, when shopping online, signing up for services, or renting a short-term apartment, you can use Alternative Number to keep your real number private. It’s especially useful for avoiding phone call scams, which cost Americans $39.5 billion in 2023 alone.
With Alternative Number, your privacy is maintained, and your phone stays free from unwanted messages and calls.
While it’s possible to protect yourself by manually creating fake names, emails, and numbers, Alternative ID and Alternative Number offer a far easier solution. They do the heavy lifting, automatically generating the necessary details and managing your communications, so you don’t have to worry about juggling multiple fake identities.
Imagine the convenience of having a tool that protects your privacy across the board—whether you’re signing up for a discount, collaborating with colleagues, or just browsing the web.
Alternative ID and Alternative Number come with Surfshark’s Starter subscription too, which includes not only these features but also a VPN, antivirus, and ad blocker—all for as little as $2.49 a month. That’s a complete privacy package for a fraction of the cost you’d expect to pay for each service individually.
In a world where personal data is constantly at risk, Surfshark gives you the tools to regain control over your online identity and protect yourself from threats like data breaches, identity theft, and scams.
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