Alternative Number: Virtual phone number to secure your privacy (original) (raw)
- Get an alternate phone number from the US
- Avoid spam and protect yourself from online harassment
- Mask your identity with a virtual number on online services
What is Alternative Number?
Surfshark Alternative Number is a secondary phone number you can use alongside your primary one to enhance your privacy and security. This alternate number can keep your personal details under wraps and protect you from threats like spam calls and text message scams.
Your Alternative Number is a virtual phone number that lives securely in your Surfshark app. It lets you keep your personal number private and manage communications on your existing phone — without needing a second SIM card or device.
Alternative Number is perfect for signups, listings, discounts, verification codes, and protecting your primary phone number from unwanted exposure.
Disclaimer: Alternative Number is a paid add-on that can be used to receive calls, messages, and verification codes. At this time, only virtual numbers from the USA are available.
How to generate your alternate phone number
New and existing Surfshark users can easily set up Alternative Number to get a second phone number under their belt.
New to Surfshark?
If you don’t have a Surfshark subscription yet, you can get Alternative Number on multiple devices with any of our plans.
Already a Surfshark member?
Upgrade your subscription to secure a virtual phone number with Alternative Number:
- Go to my.surfshark.com/alternative-id.
- Click Upgrade.
- Purchase the Alternative Number add-on.
- Follow the instructions to generate your new alternate phone number.
Why Alternative Number is a smart choice
An alternate phone number is key to enjoying greater privacy and security on your mobile devices.
Protects your privacy
Use Alternative Number for online signups to protect your personal number from undesired exposure.
Prevents spam
Don’t reveal your primary number to marketers and spammers. Get an extra phone number to keep your primary line clear.
Improves security
Shield your personal life and prevent identity theft, fraud, and unwanted attention.
Safeguards your data
There’s no need to use your personal phone number when browsing or interacting with untrusted websites.
An alternative phone number is just one part of your digital security
Alternative Number is an additional element within Surfshark’s comprehensive cybersecurity suite. While it’s designed to enhance your privacy and strengthen security by masking your personal phone number, it’s only one of the many ways you can protect yourself online. Thankfully, by subscribing to Surfshark, you get access to a package of essential security and privacy tools:
VPN
Secure your online activity
For safe access to the internet, encrypt your data and mask your IP (Internet Protocol) address with the award-winning Surfshark VPN (Virtual Private Network).
ALTERNATIVE ID
Create a new internet identity
To protect your identity online and avoid spam, generate an alternative name, address, and email with Alternative ID.
ALERT
Get data leak alerts
Stay in the know with Alert and get notified if your email, ID, credit card, or other personal data is leaked online.
ANTIVIRUS
Shield your devices
Safeguard your devices from viruses and malware in real time with the AV-TEST-certified Surfshark Antivirus.
Compare Surfshark’s plans
Surfshark Starter
Comes with a VPN & Alternative ID — essentials for your daily browsing.
- VPN: surf safely online
- Alternative ID: protect your identity
- Clean Web: block ads & pop-ups
Surfshark One
Shields you with all-round security for your browsing, devices, and identity.
- VPN: surf safely online
- Alternative ID: protect your identity
- Clean Web: block ads & pop-ups
- Antivirus: armor your devices
- Alert: monitor data leaks
- Search: browse privately
Surfshark One+
Keeps your online activities & devices safe, with extra focus on identity protection.
- VPN: surf safely online
- Alternative ID: protect your identity
- Clean Web: block ads & pop-ups
- Antivirus: armor your devices
- Alert: monitor data leaks
- Incogni: reclaim your data
- Search: browse privately
See why millions trust Surfshark
Check out what users and tech experts around the world have to say about Surfshark.
The reviews highlighted in this section were selected from publicly available posts on social media platforms. They reflect the opinions of individual users at the time of posting and may not represent the full range of our product features and qualities.
“Surfshark is a highly polished and powerful VPN that competes with the very best premium providers, all while offering a seriously tempting price point.”
“Surfshark is one of the best VPN services, comes crammed with features, runs on almost anything, and has some of the best download speeds around.”
“Surfshark is an excellent, well-rounded virtual private network that consistently ranks as one of CNET’s best VPNs.”
The reviews quoted on this page have been published by media outlets associated with Surfshark through affiliate partnerships. Their recommendations are based on their own independent research and insights to ensure value for the readers.
I have been using Surfshark since I got it and I love it!
MRWHOSETHEBOSS 20.2M subscribers
When I am traveling, I use Surfshark to access the internet quickly and securely, works like a treat in China.
SAM CHUI 3.61M subscribers
We love Surfshark because it is an easy-to-use app that you can download on all your devices.
MAX & OCCY 265K subscribers
The reviews quoted on this page have been published by media outlets associated with Surfshark through affiliate partnerships. Their recommendations are based on their own independent research and insights to ensure value for the readers.
“This is my first year and I absolutely love it. The fact I can have a good antivirus, great VPN, and incognito for like $120 a year is great.”
“I’ve been using Surfshark for 4 years on Android and ChromeOS with zero issues, it’s an absolute bargain”
“I’ve had it for 3 years and just renewed it for the next 2 years. I never have any issues with it and get my full internet speed..”
The reviews highlighted in this section were selected from publicly available posts on social media platforms. They reflect the opinions of individual users at the time of posting and may not represent the full range of our product features and qualities.
FT 1000: Europe’s Fastest Growing Companies 2024
Tech Advisor Editors’ Choice 2024
TechRadar Recommended 2024
Surfshark Antivirus AV-TEST Top Product 2024
Independent’s Editor’s Choice Best Value VPN 2023
Surfshark supports the open internet
We partner with digital rights organizations to promote online freedom and keep the internet safe and accessible to all.
FAQ
To choose an alternate phone number provider, first analyze what you need in terms of features, availability, privacy, and pricing. While some services offer advanced features that are useful for business communications, Surfshark offers an alternate phone number designed for personal privacy and security.
Specifically, consider which of the following factors are important for you:
- Features: call forwarding, call tracking, number porting, and voicemail transcription;
- Availability: local, international, or toll-free numbers;
- Call quality: check if you’re experiencing echoes or disconnections;
- Privacy and security: ensure your alternate phone number provider offers secure and private phone calls;
- Ease of use: choose an alternate phone number app that’s user-friendly;
- Extra features: look for a provider with reliable customer support, competitive pricing, and more.
Yes, you can use Alternative Number to receive verification codes that may be required when signing up for certain online services or platforms. The tool offers an alternate contact number you can share with websites without revealing your main phone number.
It can also be used for all signups that don’t require text message verification and for non-verification purposes, like reducing spam calls.
An alternate phone number is any secondary or virtual phone number used alongside your main one. Often offered by a mobile service provider, an alternate number can be used for diverse purposes, like managing multiple lines, receiving verifications, and handling business calls and text messages.
Surfshark Alternative Number is a specific kind of alternate phone number. It takes the concept further by focusing on privacy and online security. Unlike typical alternate numbers, it’s designed to shield your regular phone number when signing up for services, talking to unknown parties, or avoiding spam.
Designed for personal use, Alternative Number lets you generate a new number every 30 days to mask your primary phone number. Not to mention, when signing up for Surfshark, you also get a full bundle of cybersecurity tools, including a VPN, antivirus, data leak monitoring system, private search engine, and more.
Alternative Number lets you generate a phone number that’s from the United States — but you don’t have to be physically located in one of these countries. You can sign up for your alternate phone number from any country in the world.
Yes, you can block unwanted calls and messages from known numbers, but most devices can’t reliably block new or unknown ones. Services like Google Voice offer limited preemptive filtering for new numbers, but these don’t catch everything.
Instead, you can use an alternate phone number instead of your regular one. This helps keep your personal number private and reduces the chances of unwanted calls, texts, or voicemail messages reaching your main phone line.
Using Alternative ID and Alternative Number is quite easy.
First, you can choose the preferred details for your alias — gender, age, birth date, and country.
Then, based on this information, your alternative persona and email address are generated. If you upgrade to Alternative Number, a phone number from the US will also be generated.
Once you have all your alternative details, you can use them immediately for as long as you like or until you decide to generate a new alias.
Alternative Number is available globally, so as long as you have internet access, you can use it anywhere.
However, only US and Canadian numbers are currently available.