Surok

Blog

VPN without the boring parts

Surok writes about what people ask most: how to set up, why something won't open and how not to fall for a fake.

Pinned·2 minNewsYouTube

Surok Accelerator for YouTube: one button, no ads, 3 days free

Our new extension "Surok · Accelerator for YouTube" is out in the Chrome Web Store. One button and videos load instantly, ads are removed, other sites go direct. Here's how it works.

Pinned·4 minHow-toBlocking

How to set up a VPN on your phone, computer and TV: one guide for every device

Step-by-step setup of Surok VPN on Android, iPhone, Windows, Mac, Linux, Android TV and in the browser. Plus what to do if you are moving from Outline, Amnezia, BlancVPN, HideMy.name, Psiphon or free Proton.

·1 minBasicsiPhone

Apple Music in Russia after 1 April 2026: what happens to your subscription

Since 1 April 2026 Apple doesn't accept payments in Russia, so Apple Music subscriptions stop renewing. What happens to your subscription and library, and your options.

·1 minAIBasics

Copilot in Russia: Microsoft Copilot and GitHub Copilot in 2026

Copilot disappears from Windows for users in Russia, and GitHub Copilot isn't sold to Russia. What's available, the account risks, and alternatives.

·1 minBlockingSocial

Is Facebook banned in Russia? Yes — how to access it in 2026

Facebook has been blocked in Russia since March 2022 and Meta was designated extremist. Whether you can use Facebook, what ordinary users risk, and how to access the site and app.

·1 minBlockingiPhone

Is FaceTime blocked in Russia? Yes — how to call in 2026

FaceTime calls don't connect, hang on Connecting or drop. FaceTime has been blocked in Russia since October 2025 — here's how to call from an iPhone.

·1 minHow-toGoogle

Gmail not working: why emails don't arrive and what to do

Gmail won't open, emails don't arrive or the app doesn't refresh. Causes from phone settings and sync to access problems in Russia, and what helps.

·1 minAIHow-to

Is Grok available in Russia? How to use Elon Musk's AI in 2026

xAI's Grok isn't built for users in Russia: sign-up may ask for a foreign number and Russian cards fail. How to use Grok from Russia and what you need.

·1 minYouTubeHow-to

How to watch YouTube in Russia without a VPN in 2026: what actually works

Can you watch YouTube in Russia without a VPN? Every popular method — zapret and GoodbyeDPI, alternative clients, extensions, DNS — and what works on a computer, phone and TV.

·1 minBasicsServices

Is Notion available in Russia? Why it stopped and what to do with your data

Since 9 September 2024 Notion has blocked users in Russia because of US sanctions. What happened to accounts and workspaces, how to save your data, and alternatives.

·1 minAIHow-to

Perplexity in Russia in 2026: does it work and how to pay for Pro

Perplexity, the AI search engine, opens from Russia without a VPN, but Pro can't be paid with a Russian card. What the free tier offers and when you still need a VPN.

·1 minBlockingMessengers

Is Signal blocked in Russia? Yes — how to keep using it

Signal has been blocked in Russia since 9 August 2024. How to keep using it: the built-in censorship circumvention, Signal proxies and a VPN — and what to do about calls.

·1 minAIHow-to

Suno in Russia in 2026: how to use it and why the site is flaky

Suno writes whole songs from a prompt. The site opens from Russia but is often unstable, and Russian cards can't pay for a subscription.

·1 minBlockingSocial

Is Twitter (X) banned in Russia? How to access it and sign up in 2026

Twitter, now X, has been blocked in Russia since March 2022. How to access X from Russia, sign up, why it asks for a phone number, and what to do if your account is restricted.

·1 minTVHow-to

VPN for Android TV: how to download and install it on a TV or box

How to put a VPN on an Android TV or Google TV set or box: install from Google Play or as an APK, sign in without a keyboard, and set it up so YouTube doesn't buffer.

·1 minBasicsLaw

Is VPN illegal in Russia in 2026? What's allowed and what gets fined

Is it legal to use a VPN in Russia? What the law says in 2026: using a VPN, the fines introduced on 1 September 2025, what counts as VPN advertising, and searching for banned materials.

·1 minHow-toBasics

All traffic through a VPN or just some apps: setting up split tunnelling

Should everything go through the VPN or only YouTube, Telegram and blocked sites? What split tunnelling is, which apps to route through the VPN and which directly, and how to set it up.

·1 minGamesHow-to

How to play Minecraft through Radmin VPN: step by step

How to play Minecraft with a friend over Radmin VPN: create a network, open your world to LAN, connect by IP — plus fixes when your friend can't see the world.

·1 minBasicsHow-to

Working through a VPN: remote work, a work VPN and a personal one together

Working remotely with a corporate VPN, but need a personal one for YouTube and Telegram? How to combine them, why they conflict, and what not to do through a work VPN.

·1 minHow-toBasics

A VPN through phone settings: why the section is empty and how to connect

Android and iPhone settings have a VPN section, but there's nothing to switch on. What it's for, why built-in protocols don't work in Russia, and how to connect properly.

·1 minHow-toBasics

A VPN via an app, a bot, the browser or a router: which way to choose

You can connect a VPN as an app, through a Telegram bot, as a browser extension, on a router, or as a Telegram-only proxy. A comparison and which suits you.

·1 minBasicsSecurity

A VPN through a website without installing anything: does it work and is it safe

Online “VPN” sites let you enter an address and open a page without installing anything. How web proxies work, why YouTube doesn't play through them, and why you shouldn't type passwords there.

·1 minHow-toAndroid

A VPN through your phone: turning it on and sharing it with a laptop or TV

How to connect a VPN on Android and iPhone, and whether you can share it over Wi-Fi with a laptop or TV. Why a normal hotspot bypasses the VPN and what to do.

·1 minTelegramBasics

A VPN through Telegram: how VPN bots work and how not to get scammed

Many VPNs are now sold through a Telegram bot. How it works, whether you need to install anything, how to tell an honest bot from a scam, and what Surok's bot does.

·1 miniPhoneBasics

App Store not working in Russia: downloads fail and payments don't go through

The App Store won't open or download apps, and purchases fail. What changed in Russia on 1 April 2026, why VPN apps disappeared, and what you can do.

·1 minAIBlocking

Does DeepSeek work in Russia? Outages vs blocks and what to do

DeepSeek won't open, answers slowly or says the server is busy. What happened with DeepSeek in Russia in 2026, how to tell overload from an access problem, and what helps.

·1 minHow-toApps

Karing: what it is and how to set up a VPN with it in 2026

Karing is a free client for VPN subscriptions on Windows, macOS, Android and iPhone. What it does, where to get it, how to add a subscription, and why it doesn't give you a VPN by itself.

·1 minBlockingHow-to

Is LinkedIn banned in Russia? How to access it and sign up in 2026

LinkedIn has been blocked in Russia since 2016. How to use it from Russia, sign up, keep your account safe and handle the mobile app.

·1 minBlockingHow-to

Mobile internet not working: causes and fixes (MTS, Beeline, MegaFon, T2)

The signal is there but sites won't open, or only some apps work. Causes — from balance and settings to shutdowns and whitelists — and what to do in each case.

·1 minAndroidApps

NekoBox: how to download and set up a VPN on Android and PC

NekoBox is a popular client for VLESS subscriptions. Where to get the real NekoBox for Android, what happened to the PC version, how to add a subscription and what to do if it won't connect.

·1 minWindowsHow-to

A VPN for your PC in 2026: what works in Russia and what to pick for free

Looking for a VPN for your computer? Which PC VPNs work in Russia in 2026, app vs browser extension, the catch with free VPNs, and how to connect in a couple of minutes.

·1 minRouterHow-to

How to set up a VPN on a router: Keenetic, OpenWrt and others in 2026

A router VPN covers every device at home, including the TV. Which routers fit, why built-in OpenVPN and WireGuard often fail in Russia, and how to run VLESS on Keenetic and OpenWrt.

·1 minProtocolsBlocking

WireGuard not working in Russia: why, and what to replace it with

WireGuard connects but nothing loads, or won't connect at all. Why WireGuard is blocked in Russia, whether AmneziaWG or changing the port helps, and which protocol to switch to.

·1 minTVYouTube

How to watch YouTube on your TV in Russia in 2026

YouTube on the TV buffers or won't open. Five working ways to watch YouTube on a Smart TV in Russia — from a box and a router to mirroring your phone.

·1 minYouTubeHow-to

YouTube not working on your phone: why videos won't load and what to do

YouTube on the phone won't open, videos buffer or play in low quality. Causes on Android and iPhone — from throttling in Russia to app cache — and how to get normal video back.

·1 minBlockingBasics

Internet whitelists in Russia: what they are and how bypassing works

Whitelists are a mode in which only approved sites and apps work on mobile internet. How it works, what's usually on the list and why an ordinary VPN doesn't work under whitelists.

·1 minGamesBlocking

Epic Games not working in Russia: launcher, Fortnite and game servers

The Epic Games Launcher won't start, Fortnite can't reach servers, games show connection errors. What's happening with Epic Games and foreign game servers in Russia in 2026, and what helps.

·1 minStreamingBasics

Is Netflix available in Russia? How to watch in 2026

Netflix left Russia in 2022: you can't subscribe with a Russian card and part of the catalogue is unavailable. How to watch from Russia, handle your account and payment, and why you need a VPN.

·1 minAndroidHow-to

Google Play not working: why apps won't download and what to do

Google Play won't open, shows an error, or won't download or update apps. Causes from cache and account issues to payments and restrictions in Russia, and what helps.

·3 minComparisonBasics

How much a VPN costs in 2026 and what you actually pay for

VPN prices in 2026: free ones, subscriptions from $1 to $12, the App Store markup, per-device pricing versus "premium" tiers. What the price is made of and where you overpay.

·1 minBlockingHow-to

Is Snapchat banned in Russia? Yes — here's how to get in

Snapchat won't open, send snaps or load stories. When and why Roskomnadzor blocked Snapchat and FaceTime, and what you need to make the app work again.

·1 minStreamingBlocking

Is Twitch banned in Russia? Why streams won't load and what to do

Twitch won't open or streams buffer. What happened with Twitch in Russia in 2026, how to tell an outage from an ISP problem, and how to get smooth video back.

·1 minAndroidHow-to

VPN not working on an Android phone: causes and fixes

The VPN on Android won't connect, hangs or is on but nothing loads. Causes from a blocked protocol and battery saving to carrier allow-lists, and what to do.

·1 minHow-toBasics

VPN not working over Wi-Fi: why it works on mobile data but not at home

The VPN works on mobile data but won't connect or keeps dropping on home or office Wi-Fi. Causes from the router and ISP to network settings, and what to do.

·1 minBlockingHow-to

WhatsApp not working: why and what to do on Android and iPhone

WhatsApp won't send messages, load photos or connect calls. Causes — from restrictions in Russia to phone settings — and what to do in each case.

·1 minAIHow-to

Is Claude available in Russia? How to sign up and use it in 2026

Claude doesn't open from Russian addresses and doesn't accept Russian phone numbers. What you need to register, how the free tier works, why accounts get banned and how to avoid it.

·1 minAIHow-to

Is Gemini available in Russia? Why it fails even with a VPN

Gemini is unavailable from Russian addresses, and since August 2026 it stopped opening through VPNs for many users. How Google detects the country and what you need to make it work.

·1 minBlockingHow-to

Why your VPN isn't working today: find the cause in five minutes

The VPN worked yesterday and today it won't connect. How to tell a blocked protocol from a server outage, carrier restrictions and phone settings.

·1 minGamesBlocking

Is Steam banned in Russia? Outages vs blocks and what to do

Steam won't open, the store doesn't load or it can't connect. What happened with Steam in Russia in 2026, how to tell a global outage from an ISP problem, and how to get back in.

·1 minTelegramHow-to

Telegram not working even with a VPN: causes and fixes

The VPN is on but Telegram hangs on Connecting, won't send messages or load media. Causes — from an old proxy in settings to a blocked protocol — and a simple way to do without a VPN.

·1 minTelegramHow-to

Telegram not working: what to do, including with a VPN

Telegram won't connect, hangs on "Connecting…" or won't load messages. How to tell a global outage from a local problem, and what to do if Telegram doesn't work even with a VPN.

·3 minBlockingBasics

VPN on mobile data: why it works at home and dies on the carrier

Mobile carrier whitelists: what they are, why a VPN works on Wi-Fi and fails on mobile data, and which connection type passes through Russian mobile carriers.

·1 miniPhoneHow-to

VPN not working on iPhone in Russia: causes and fixes for 2026

The VPN on your iPhone hangs on Connecting or is on but nothing loads. The causes — from a blocked protocol to apps removed from the App Store — and what to do.

·1 minHow-toBasics

Why your VPN keeps disconnecting on the phone and how to fix it

The VPN turns itself off: when the screen locks, when you switch from Wi-Fi to mobile data, or just after a few minutes. Causes on iPhone and Android and the settings that fix them.

·1 minBlockingHow-to

Is Discord blocked in Russia? Yes — what to do when even zapret doesn't help

Discord won't start, hangs on checking for updates, can't join voice channels or stopped working with zapret. Causes and fixes for both chat and voice.

·1 minBlockingHow-to

Is Instagram banned in Russia? Why it fails even with a VPN and how to fix it

The VPN is on but Instagram won't refresh, load stories or keeps asking you to log in. Seven causes and how to fix them.

·1 minHow-toBasics

How to turn on a VPN on your phone, computer and browser

A plain guide for first-timers: Android, iPhone, Windows, Mac and the browser. What to download, what to tap, how to check it works.

·2 minNewsTelegram

A personal Telegram proxy from Surok: Telegram works with the VPN switched off

Every Surok subscription now includes a personal proxy for Telegram. One button in the bot, works on phone and desktop with no VPN running. How to get it, what it does and what it doesn't.

·1 minBlockingGames

Is Roblox banned in Russia? The 2025–26 block, outages and what to do

Roblox won't start or shows a connection error. What happened with Roblox in Russia in 2025–2026, how to tell an outage from restrictions, and what helps.

·1 minHow-toBasics

Is Spotify banned in Russia? How to listen in 2026

Spotify left Russia, the app is gone from local stores and accounts ask to log in from their country. How to listen from Russia and what's up with Premium.

·1 minBlockingHow-to

Does TikTok work in Russia in 2026? Why a VPN alone doesn't help

TikTok shows only old videos and a VPN changes nothing. How TikTok detects that you're in Russia and what works on Android and iPhone.

·3 minPrivacyHow-to

How to tell your VPN leaks your IP or DNS: a two-minute check

Three kinds of leaks with a VPN on: IP, DNS and WebRTC. How to check each without installing anything, what the results mean, and how to close leaks on phone and computer.

·1 minTVHow-to

How to set up a VPN on a Samsung or LG TV: four working ways

Samsung and LG TVs have no VPN apps in their stores. Four ways to put the TV behind a VPN — router, PC hotspot, Android box and screen mirroring.

·1 minYouTubeHow-to

YouTube not working even with a VPN: 7 reasons and fixes

The VPN is on but YouTube still won't open or videos won't load. Seven causes — from the protocol and split tunnelling to the app's cache — and how to check each.

·1 minComparisonBasics

AdGuard VPN in Russia: does it work, what does it cost, and alternatives

AdGuard VPN comes from the makers of the AdGuard ad blocker. How it works, the free plan's limits, how to check whether it works for you and what to look for in an alternative for Russia.

·1 minAndroidSecurity

Free VPN for Android: what you really pay with, and honest options

Free VPN for Android" is the most popular VPN search. How free services make money, their risks, why they often fail in Russia and how to use a VPN for free safely.

·1 minHow-toBasics

Does ChatGPT work in Russia? Access, the app and avoiding scams in 2026

ChatGPT doesn't work from Russian IP addresses — OpenAI itself restricts it. How to use ChatGPT from Russia, install the app and why cheap "shared subscriptions" are risky.

·1 minBlockingComparison

Discord and YouTube in Russia: zapret or a VPN?

Discord is blocked in Russia and YouTube is throttled. Many people use zapret, others a VPN. How zapret works, where it shines and where it falls short compared to a VPN.

·1 minSecurityComparison

Free VPN: which free VPNs are safe and why most don't work in Russia

The four kinds of free VPN, how they make money, which are safe and which to avoid, and what actually works in Russia.

·1 minHow-toApps

Happ on PC: how to download and set it up on Windows and Mac

Happ isn't only for phones. Where to download Happ for a computer, how to add a subscription, route the whole system through the VPN, and what to do if Happ on PC won't connect.

·1 minBasicsComparison

Radmin VPN: what it is, how it works and why it doesn't bypass blocks

Radmin VPN is a popular free program, but it's not the kind of VPN that opens YouTube or Instagram. What Radmin VPN is for, how to set it up for LAN gaming, and what to use to bypass blocks.

·1 minAndroidHow-to

A Russian-language VPN for Android: how to choose and download one in 2026

Looking for an Android VPN in Russian, with payment in rubles and support that answers in Russian? What a "Russian VPN" really means, how to choose one, where to download it safely and how to set it up in minutes.

·3 minBasicsBlocking

VLESS, Reality and XHTTP in plain words: why they work where WireGuard goes silent

What VLESS, Reality and XHTTP are without jargon, how they differ from OpenVPN and WireGuard, and what to check when "VLESS doesn't work" on your carrier.

·1 minAndroidHow-to

An Android VPN without sign-up: download and connect in a minute

Don't want an account, a password and an email just for a VPN? The kinds of "no sign-up" VPNs, their catches, and how to connect on Android in one tap without email or password.

·2 minHow-toBlocking

zapret-discord-youtube from GitHub: download, install and fix common errors

A step-by-step guide to zapret for Discord and YouTube on Windows — where to download it on GitHub, how to run it, what to do if it doesn't work or your antivirus complains, and when a VPN is the better choice.

·3 minBasicsPrivacy

Can my ISP see which sites I visit: without a VPN, with a VPN, with DoH

What exactly your internet provider knows about the sites you visit in 2026: DNS, SNI, addresses. What a VPN hides, what encrypted DNS hides, and where traces remain regardless.

·1 minYouTubeHow-to

How to speed up YouTube in your browser in a minute

Installing "Surok · Accelerator for YouTube" in Chrome, Yandex Browser or Edge, granting access, turning on acceleration and the ad blocker, plus common questions.

·3 minComparisonBlocking

Which VPN works in Russia in 2026: signs, not brands

Best VPN" lists go stale in a week. Seven signs that tell you whether a service will keep working in Russia in 2026, checkable before you pay.

·2 minComparisonHow-to

BlancVPN not working: what to check and what to use instead

BlancVPN won't connect, connects without internet or is very slow. A step-by-step checklist — from subscription to mobile carrier — and what to do if nothing helps.

·3 minBasicsHow-to

Two VPNs on one phone: why the second one fails and how to switch

Android and iPhone hold a single VPN tunnel. What happens when you turn on a second one, how to tell that another VPN is in the way, and how to switch between services quickly.

·2 minYouTubeHow-to

“Something went wrong” and other YouTube errors: what they mean and how to fix them

“Connection lost”, “An error occurred. Please try again”, endless loading and a black screen. Common YouTube errors on phone and computer and what to do about each.

·2 minYouTubeBlocking

Why YouTube is slow in Russia and how to fix it

Videos take a minute to start, quality drops to 360p, thumbnails don't load. Where the YouTube slowdown in Russia comes from and which fixes actually work in 2026.

·2 minTelegramComparison

Proxy for Telegram: MTProto, SOCKS5 or VPN — which to choose

Telegram's built-in proxies are free and take two taps to set up, but they have limits. Comparing MTProto, SOCKS5 and VPN on reliability, speed, calls and security.

·2 minTelegramHow-to

Telegram won't load photos and videos: causes and fixes

Messages arrive but Telegram photos and videos keep spinning or never open. Seven causes, from phone storage to carrier restrictions, and what to do about each.

·2 minYouTubeSecurity

How to watch YouTube without ads: an honest look at the options

Premium, extensions, alternative apps, DNS-level and VPN blocking. What actually removes ads from YouTube videos in 2026 and what only cleans up the banners around them.

·2 minYouTubeTV

YouTube not working on your TV: what to do

The YouTube app on a Smart TV won't open, videos spin forever or show "No connection". Causes for Samsung, LG, Android TV and set-top boxes, and how to get normal speed back.

·2 minYouTubeBrowser

YouBoost not working or slow: causes and alternatives

The YouBoost (ЮБуст) extension stopped speeding up YouTube, shows a connection error or ads. How such extensions work, why they break and what the alternatives are.

·2 minTelegramBlocking

Telegram and WhatsApp calls not working: what's going on and what to do

A Telegram or WhatsApp call won't connect, hangs on "Connecting" or drops after a few seconds. Why this happens in Russia and how to get voice and video calls back.

·4 minHow-toBlocking

VPN says "timeout" and won't connect: 8 causes and fixes

Why a VPN app hangs on "Connecting" or reports a timeout, and how to find the cause yourself in five minutes: another VPN, device limit, stale subscription, carrier filtering, DNS, wrong server.

·2 minComparisonBasics

How to compare VPNs in 2026: a ten-point checklist

Ten questions for comparing VPN services for Russia: protocol, in-country entry, devices, Russian sites direct, payment, support and a five-minute test before buying.

·2 minHow-toBrowser

VPN for Yandex Browser: an extension in a minute, no sign-up

How to turn on a VPN in Yandex Browser with the Surok extension from the Chrome Web Store, what to do about Russian sites, and why the browser's built-in "Protect" is not a VPN.

·2 minHow-toBlocking

Hiddify: subscription setup and the pitfalls

How to add a subscription to Hiddify on Android, Windows and iPhone, which modes to choose, why the app sometimes picks the "wrong" server and how to fix it.

·2 minBlockingBasics

Outline VPN doesn't work in Russia: why, and what to do

Why Outline stopped connecting for many people in Russia, how the Shadowsocks protocol differs from modern ones, and how to keep the "one button" habit with a service that works.

·2 minHow-toBlocking

Streisand on iPhone: adding a subscription and fixing connection problems

Setting up the Streisand app on iPhone and iPad in three steps: subscription, server choice, refresh. Plus the errors that keep the VPN from turning on or opening sites.

·2 minComparisonPayment

HideMy.name VPN: price, what it is known for, and a simpler alternative

What HideMy.name offers, what makes up its price, who it suits and when Surok is the better deal with Russian sites direct and SBP payments.

·2 minHow-toBlocking

v2RayTun: setup, errors and what to do when it won't connect

How to add a subscription to v2RayTun on Android and iPhone, where to enable server updates, why connection errors appear and how to fix them in a minute.

·2 minHow-toBlocking

Happ: set up a subscription VPN in a minute

Step-by-step setup of the Happ app on Android and iPhone: adding a subscription, choosing a server, refreshing the list and the usual reasons it "won't connect".

·2 minHow-toComparison

Amnezia VPN: how to set it up and when a ready service is simpler

What Amnezia VPN is, what you need to run it, what it really costs and when a ready subscription beats your own server.

·3 minComparisonPayment

BlancVPN: price, plans and what to get instead

How much BlancVPN costs, what you pay for and how Surok compares on price and features. An honest comparison without a "one true VPN" pitch.

·2 minNewsBrowser

Surok in your browser: 7 days free, no sign-up

The Surok VPN extension for Chrome, Yandex Browser and Firefox now has a “Try for free” button: a week without an email, password or card. What the free mode includes, where its limits are and how to remove them.

·3 minNewsBrowserServers

Surok in Firefox and a new exit in Spain

The Surok VPN extension is published in Mozilla's add-on store, and Spain has appeared in the server list. How to install Surok in Firefox, how it differs from the Chrome version and why a ninth exit is useful.

·2 minNewsPayment

How to pay for Surok: card, SBP, YooMoney, Stars and a subscription for those outside Russia

All the ways to pay for Surok VPN in one place: SBP, a Russian bank card via YooMoney, a YooMoney wallet, Telegram Stars, cryptocurrency, and for customers outside Russia a subscription with a card of any country and three free days. Where each method is available and how to choose.

·2 minNewsBrowser

Surok's extension is out in the Chrome Web Store

Surok VPN now installs from the Chrome Web Store in Chrome, Yandex Browser and Edge: one button, eight exit countries, Russian sites directly, your own site rules, WebRTC leak protection and password-free sign-in from your account.

·2 minSecurityNews

The built-in ad blocker: how it works and what it doesn't do

Surok VPN now has a server-side ad and tracker blocker: the EasyList, EasyPrivacy and RU AdList lists, over a hundred thousand domains, updated weekly. What it cuts, what it doesn't and how to check.

·3 minComparisonBlocking

VPNs for Russia compared in 2026: Surok, BlancVPN, Proton VPN and DureVPN

An honest comparison of four VPNs for Russia on what matters here: does it work on mobile with whitelists, are the apps its own, price per device, payment without a foreign card, logs and support.

·2 minBlockingGuides

VPN for Telegram: when photos won't load, calls don't work or channels won't open

Why Telegram lags or fails in Russia, how throttling differs from blocking, how a VPN helps and how to set up Surok VPN so Telegram always works while everything else goes direct.

·2 minWindowsGuides

VPN for Windows: how to install Surok and what it does to the system

The Surok VPN installer for Windows 10 and 11, the service and the adapter, the SmartScreen warning, one-button connection and updates without user involvement.

·2 minAndroidGuides

How to set up a VPN on Android in two minutes

Step by step: installing Surok VPN on Android without Google Play, the system warning, the VPN permission and what to do if it won't connect.

·2 minSecurityBasics

Can my provider see that I use a VPN, and what can it do

What the provider sees with a VPN on, what it doesn't, whether it can tell Surok VPN from an ordinary site, whether VPN use is legal in Russia and how "sees" differs from "blocks".

·2 minBlockingBasics

Why sites won't open and what to do about it

How sites and VPNs are blocked in Russia, what mobile carriers' whitelists are, why throttling happens, and which bypass methods work in 2026.

·2 minGamesGuides

VPN for gaming: ping, Discord, Steam and when a VPN gets in the way

Does a VPN help in games: access to Discord, Steam and regional servers, the effect on ping, which exit to pick for European servers and how to keep a game out of the tunnel when you don't need it.

·2 minBasicsSecurity

How to choose a VPN and not fall for a fake

Why free VPNs from app stores are dangerous, which permissions an honest app should ask for, what a no-logs policy really means and what to look at in a plan.

·2 minSecurityBasics

Kill switch: what it is and whether Surok has one

What a kill switch is in a VPN, why you need it, how leak protection works in the Surok VPN apps for Android, Windows, macOS and in the extension, and why on a phone the system itself handles it.

·2 minTVGuides

VPN for your TV: Android TV and Apple TV without router tricks

How to connect Surok VPN on a TV: Happ for Android TV and Apple TV, adding the subscription by QR code from your phone, choosing a server with the remote and YouTube without throttling.

·1 minBrowserGuides

VPN in the browser: when an extension is enough and when you need the app

How the Surok VPN extension for Chrome, Yandex Browser and Firefox differs from the app, how it opens Russian sites directly and protects against WebRTC leaks.

·1 minBasics

What is a VPN, in plain words

A VPN explained for people who don't want to study protocols: the tunnel, entry and exit, what the provider and sites see, how a VPN differs from a proxy and from incognito mode.

·2 minBasicsBlocking

Which VPN protocol is best in 2026: VLESS, Reality, WireGuard, OpenVPN

A comparison of VPN protocols for Russia: why OpenVPN and WireGuard get blocked, what VLESS with Reality and XHTTP are, how entering through a CDN helps, and which of these Surok VPN uses.

·1 minSecurity

Public Wi-Fi in cafés and airports: why you need a VPN there

Why open Wi-Fi is dangerous, what the hotspot owner and your network neighbour can see, and why a VPN closes those holes. Simple rules for cafés, hotels, stations and airports.

·1 minBlockingGuides

VPN for YouTube: how to get normal video speed back

Why YouTube lags in Russia, whether a VPN helps, which server to pick for 1080p and 4K, and how to turn the VPN on for video only and leave everything else as is.

·2 minSecurityGuides

How to check that your VPN works and nothing leaks

Three one-minute checks: IP address, DNS and WebRTC. What should change after turning the VPN on, where to look and how Surok VPN closes leaks on phone, computer and in the browser.

·2 minmacOSGuides

VPN for Mac: Surok's app and what it asks of the system

Installing Surok VPN on macOS: the DMG, allowing the system extension, connecting from the menu bar, auto-updates and why the app appears as a "VPN profile" in settings.

·1 miniPhoneGuides

VPN for iPhone and iPad: set up in a minute without an App Store from another country

How to connect Surok VPN on iPhone via the Happ app from the Russian App Store: sign-in, adding the subscription with one button, choosing a server and what to do if it won't connect.

·2 minBasicsBlocking

The best VPN for Russia in 2026: how to pick one that actually works

Which VPN works in Russia in 2026: protocols providers don't cut, a whitelist bypass on mobile, honest pricing and what to check before you pay.