In its default state, Virgin Media blocks access to websites and services, including many VPNs using its "child-safe" filter. Also, when Virgin Media users subscribe to certain VPNs, they sometimes experience an inability to log in to the VPN app using their credentials. This can be a massive source of confusion and frustration.
In this guide, we explain which VPN providers are guaranteed to work on Virgin Media, even in its default state. We will explain why Virgin Media subscribers have trouble accessing VPN websites, and we will guide you through updating your Virgin Media account so you can log in to any VPN app.
What are the Best VPNs for Virgin Media?
Below, you can take a quick look at the VPNs we'd recommend using alongside any Virgin Media account – even if it's in a default filtered state. We also have more in-depth reviews, so click here for more information.
- ExpressVPN - The best overall VPN for Virgin Media It's a lightning-fast and highly customizable service, with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
- NordVPN - The best value for money VPN for Virgin Media. Offers strong encryption with a great choice of VPN protocols, and plenty of customization.
- PrivateVPN - The best cheap Virgin Media VPN. It's loved by its subscribers because is very private and unblocks plenty, despite its cheap price.
- Surfshark - An all-around VPN for Virgin Media. Offers blazing fast service and unlimited simultaneous connections, perfect for tech-savvy families.
- CyberGhost VPN - An easy-to-use VPN for Virgin Media. Slick apps, with inbuilt guides, and cheap plans make it a great choice for VPN for beginners.
Best Virgin Media VPNs – In-depth Analysis
The best VPNs for Virgin Media need to meet a few simple, but vital, criteria. For instance, the VPN needs to be quick, so that you're not waiting endlessly for your shows to buffer. A wide selection of servers also comes in handy for bypassing geo-restrictions. Luckily, the providers we've shortlisted tick all these boxes. For a closer look at each VPN service and a breakdown of their features, keep reading!
ExpressVPN is the best Virgin Media VPN. It's a superb all-rounder with impressive servers network, customizable apps, and consistent speeds. Offers a 30-day money-back guarantee. ExpressVPN Demo Being based in the British Virgin Islands keeps ExpressVPN well out of the reach of invasive jurisdictions like the UK and USA – so rest assured that your data is never going to be parceled around. In addition to this favorable location, Express is incredibly secure and offers a watertight no-logs policy. There won't ever be records of what you do online, when you do it, or for how long – and even if Express was served a warrant, it also means there'd be no data for them to even pass on to the authorities. Although ExpressVPN’s website is blocked on all default UK Virgin Media accounts, you can actually log in without issues once you have installed its software. The software provides a lot of high-end features such as OpenVPN encryption, a kill-switch, DNS leak protection, and obfuscation. It also unblocks sought-after international services such as Netflix US, Hulu, HBO Go, Crunchyroll, and much more. And if you go on vacation outside of the UK, you can access BBC iPlayer, BT Sport, ITV Hub, and any other UK subscription services you have paid for. We love that this VPN has apps for all platforms, and that it has 24/7 live chat support. And even if you can’t get the filters on your Virgin Media account lifted for some reason (an annoying landlord, for example), this VPN will allow you to bypass those restrictions once you have installed its apps on your devices. A superb VPN that you can test risk-free using its 30-day money-back guarantee. NordVPN is the best value for money Virgin Media VPN. You get robust encryption, super-fast servers worldwide, and watertight privacy, at a great price. Nord Demo NordVPN is based in Panama, one of only a few countries that still respects user privacy. In addition, this VPN provider offers a truly no-logs service and has even undergone an independent audit to prove it. So, you don’t have to fear that any of your data will fall into the wrong hands – because NordVPN stores none. The VPN is affordable and you get an allowance of up to six simultaneous connections per subscription. This may not sound like an awful lot, but taking into account the sophisticated service you get and its affordable price, NordVPN is still excellent value for money. The VPN comes with a military-grade AES 256-bit encryption and the most advanced security features, so you can get the best out of Virgin Media content and browse with peace of mind. Choose the industry-leading OpenVPN protocol or NordVPN’s proprietary NordLynx protocol, and enjoy even better speeds with your data-intensive online activities, like streaming in HD. And, for even greater peace of mind, NordVPN offers features like Tor over VPN, Double Protection (routes your online traffic through two VPN servers instead of one), and Threat Protection (protects you against ads and malware, even on public networks). This service is great at evading detection – so Virgin Media’s blocking mechanisms stand no chance. Besides, it consistently tops all our speed charts, so you can enjoy the smoothest online experience. All in all, NordVPN is the best buy service on this list, definitely worth giving it a try, especially with its 30-day money-back guarantee. PrivateVPN the cheapest VPN for Virgin Media on this list. It offers intuitive apps, with advanced privacy features, and up to ten simultaneous connections. PrivateVPN Demo PrivateVPN is a provider that is often praised by consumers around the world. It is a relatively cheap service considering what you get, and its apps will allow you to log in and begin using the service even on a default Virgin Media account. With Private VPN you get servers in over 63 countries
to allow you to unblock anything you desire. And this VPN is well-known for being able to unblock more international Netflix catalogs than almost any other service. We love this VPN’s live chat support, which can help you iron out any problems. When it comes to privacy, this VPN is fantastic because of its zero-logs policy. It also implements important features such as a kill-switch, DNS leak protection, and obfuscation. This ensures that the VPN is suitable for sensitive tasks such as torrenting. We are always impressed by this VPN and it is easy to see why it gets so much praise from consumers. Definitely worth testing using its 30-day money-back guarantee. Surfshark is a great all-around Virgin Media VPM. It's a super fast service that has quickly risen to be many consumer’s favourite. Offers unlimited simultaneous connections. Surfshark Demo Surfshark, despite only having been around for a few short years, has already made a name for itself by providing one of the best cost-to-performance ratios on the market. After you've subscribed and installed the VPN software, you'll be able to log in – even on a filtered Virgin Media account. The service offers easy-to-use apps for all devices, and you'll be able to access torrent sites like Pirate Bay, restricted streaming sites, and geo-restricted international services, including Netflix US, Hulu, and BBC iPlayer. Thanks to Surfshark's unlimited bandwidth, you won't need to worry about constant buffering or sluggish downloads, either. Impressively the VPN can be installed and used on an unlimited number of devices simultaneously, which makes it great for students living in a shared house or for larger families. The apps are fully featured with OpenVPN encryption, a kill-switch, and obfuscation. As a result, you can trust the privacy you get with this VPN and you can use your account to torrent safely. We also love the 24/7 live chat you get with this VPN. You can give Surfshark a test run using its 30-day money-back guarantee. It's a truly spectacular VPN that is hard to beat considering the low costs involved. CyberGhost is a beginner-friendly VPN for Virgin Media. It's based in Romania (great for your privacy) and is easy to set up and use with Virgin Media. Plus, it has servers everywhere! CyberGhost Demo If you're new to VPN technology and a bit wary of where to begin, then CyberGhost is a great pick. Its user-friendly apps have an incredibly low learning curve, so you'll get connected in a few clicks, and be familiar with the ins and outs of the app in no time. CyberGhost lacks some of the features of other providers in this list (or the wider market), and this might be enough to put off potential customers, but the features it does provide are generally all that an average user would need. All in all, CyberGhost is a no-fuss service that'll suit you, regardless of what you use it for. In terms of privacy, CyberGhost certainly doesn't skimp. The provider adheres to a zero-logs policy and implements OpenVPN encryption as well as a kill-switch. Combined, these features will allow you to access content without ISP or government snooping. You'll also stay secure when using risky public WiFi hotspots. Although CyberGhost’s website is blocked by default on Virgin Media, its app will let you log in without issues – which is great news. Plus, this VPN can unblock Netflix US, Prime Video, Hulu, YouTube videos, and other geo-restricted content. We think CyberGhost offers fantastic value for money, particularly when you spring for its 24-month subscription. And you can test it risk-free thanks to its generous 45-day money-back guarantee.
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Why is ISP tracking on behalf of the government a problem?
Your web browsing habits can reveal far more about you than might you expect. As a result, whoever accesses this information will be able to make deeply personal secondary inferences about you.
For example, your browsing history can reveal the following information:
- Health status
- Religious beliefs
- Sexual orientation
- Political affiliations
- Daily habits and movements
- Desires
- Past
Data experts agree that the sum of this information – known as Big Data – can be used to destroy your privacy and encroach on your human rights. The level of information that can be extracted from your web browsing habits is believed to hold the capacity to lead to prejudice, discrimination, and even a loss of opportunities.
For this reason, it is vital for consumers to protect their digital footprint not only from their ISP and the government but also from the websites and businesses they visit online. A VPN is, therefore, a valuable tool for Virgin Media users who do not want their ISP and the British government to place them under constant surveillance.
How can I visit the VPN's website?
Since 2014, the UK government has published guidelines that permit ISPs to engage in website filtering on all new internet subscriptions. This is done to ensure that even if parents forget to implement child blocks, children are protected against accessing adult websites and content that is considered inappropriate for minors (sexually explicit, violent, or dangerous). Below is a list of the kinds of websites that UK ISPs filter on brand new internet accounts:
- Drugs
- Pornography and nudity
- Terrorism
- Suicide and self-harm
- Violence
- Hate speech
- Gambling
- Alcohol
- Tobacco
- File sharing
- Anonymising services like Tor and VPNs
The default filters on a brand new Virgin Media account will prevent access to anonymization and obfuscation services like VPNs. You won't even be able to visit the VPN's website to purchase a subscription. The good news, though, is that you can reach out to Virgin Media to remove these filters – and this is by far the best way to remove pesky blocks on your account. We'd definitely recommend doing so if you're a Virgin Media customer – otherwise, your account will remain unnecessarily restricted and subject to filters.
Alternatively, you can use a free proxy service like StartPage to access the website and get a subscription. To access a VPN's website, simply head over to the StartPage search engine and type in the VPN you are interested in.
When the search results appear, click the relevant result using the "Anonymous View" feature. The website will now load via Startpage's proxy – allowing you to use the website, subscribe, and download the VPN application onto your machine.
Why can't I log in to my VPN application?
Some ISPs, such as Virgin Media, choose to include VPN websites in their default filtering. This is to stop children from being able to bypass those age-centric website restrictions easily.
If you're a Virgin Media customer and are struggling to log into your VPN provider's app, it's almost certainly because you haven't contacted Virgin Media to ask that the default filtering be switched off. It's important to do so, as it'll allow you to check out any VPN app!
However, the VPNs we have featured in this article do not suffer from the kinds of blocks that stop you from being able to log in to their apps. As a result, once you have downloaded and installed the VPN apps from any of the recommended providers in this article, you can log in to those services to use them.
How can I disable Virgin Media's automatic filtering?
If you want to access VPN websites, adult content, or gambling sites – and you have a new Virgin Media connection still in its default state – you need to contact Virgin Media to ask them to disable that filtering.
If you are an account holder and you pay for your subscription, this can easily be achieved by either logging into your account and disabling the filters, or contacting Virgin Media support by telephone to ask them to remove the blocks. Once those blocks are disabled, you can access VPN websites. You will also be able to log in to your VPN account using the VPN software.
If you live in shared accommodation where the internet is provided by your landlord, it is possible that the internet will still be in its default state. As a result, you cannot access VPN websites and other age-restricted services. If this is the case, you need to contact the account holder (your landlord) to ask them to remove the child filters.
If your landlord refuses (or forgets) to remove those blocks, you can use a VPN to get around Virgin Media's default filters. You may wonder how this is possible if you can't visit any of the VPN websites recommended in this article. That is a fair question, and the answer is that there are three possible methods for you to get a VPN subscription:
- Leave your house and subscribe to the VPN on public Wi-Fi or from a friend's house. As soon as you've connected to the public hotspot, you'll be able to visit VPN websites and subscribe to a plan to download the software. Once you've logged into the VPN client on your mobile device or laptop, you'll be secured and ready to go, even when you return home to your Virgin Media Wi-Fi. Using public Wi-Fi can be dangerous, though – so keep an eye out for the risks!
- Use a proxy website or browser extension to access the VPN's website and subscribe. So long as you're using one of the VPNs we've recommended in this guide, you'll be able to subscribe to the VPN and download the client by using a proxy. Because these VPNs allow you to log on to the software (even on a default Virgin Media account), you'll be able to get a setup without leaving the house.
- Use a free VPN that works on Virgin Media to subscribe and log in to a premium VPN. This workaround can come in handy – but you'll need to use a free service that'll let you log in from your Virgin Media account. Download a free VPN app or browser extension first, and connect to a server. Now, launch your paid VPN app and log in with your credentials. As soon as your paid VPN logs you in, you can disconnect from the free service and use your premium account without restrictions.
If a free VPN works, why can't I just use that?
It's a fair question! Ultimately, you can use a free VPN with Virgin Media. It's important to understand that these services are usually limited, and that some are outright dangerous.
Most free services do not provide the level of privacy and security you get with a premium service. They do not unblock online accounts and services such as Netflix US, Hulu, etc. And they have download restrictions, server location restrictions, and connection speed limitations. The ones that seem too good to be true usually are, by either collecting information from you or putting you in danger – so it's best to stick to our free VPN recommendations.
Are all VPN apps blocked by Virgin Media?
No. Virgin Media blocks some VPN websites and apps, but not all. The VPNs we've hand-picked in this article are not blocked by Virgin Media, meaning you can download them easily, without a fuss.
Can a VPN speed up my Virgin Media internet?
Yes. In both the UK and the US, Virgin Media customers experience some bandwidth throttling. Depending on where you live, Virgin Media may use bandwidth throttling to ease congestion on its network.
This is most common in areas where internet usage surges at certain times of the day, putting a strain on the network. The result of this throttling is that Virgin Media subscribers will have slightly slower speeds than they usually encounter at other times of the day.
A VPN encrypts your data so that Virgin Media can no longer detect exactly what you are doing online. This makes it much harder for the ISP to throttle users who are streaming Netflix or YouTube, downloading P2P, or connecting to resource-intensive game servers. Check out our VPN for Netflix guide for more information about the benefits of using a VPN with the streaming service.
However, you should be aware that a VPN can not increase your speed allowance from Virgin Media, it will only help you get the most out of that allowance. Using a VPN also adds an extra step in the process of your internet by encrypting and decrypting internet traffic. Because of this, you will sacrifice a small amount of speed in the process, but by using a VPN with fast servers and by bypassing bandwidth throttling, you can get the most out of your internet speeds while keeping yourself private and secure online.
The truth is, that when you use a fast VPN service, you'll hardly even notice any difference in your connection speeds.
What else can I do with a VPN for Virgin Media?
Besides providing online privacy and allowing you to bypass website censorship imposed by Virgin Media on behalf of the government, a VPN can allow you to conceal your IP address from the websites you visit. This allows you to conceal your actual location.
It also permits you to pretend to be in a different country, to bypass geo-restrictions, and use country-specific services. Below we have included a list of the kinds of things you can do with a VPN:
- Access blocked streaming websites like 123Movies and Putlockers
- Access torrenting repositories and download torrents in privacy
- Unblock Netflix US, hulu, HBO Go, or any other geo-restricted service from around the globe
- Use geo-restricted services from the UK, even when you go on holiday or travel for business
- Use public Wi-Fi privately and with added security against cybercriminals
Conclusion
A VPN is a powerful security tool, and besides preventing ISPs and governments from snooping on your personal information, they're able to unblock regional content – letting you browse a free, unrestricted internet. A VPN is also a great way to get around Virgin Media's censorship. All the providers we've highlighted here can be downloaded without trouble – even if your Virgin Media account is still in its default blocked state. However, we'd recommend calling Virgin Media to request that these blocks be removed.
So, all that's left to do now is pick a provider! Here's one last reminded of our top five VPNs for Virgin Media:
- ExpressVPN - The best overall VPN for Virgin Media It's a lightning-fast and highly customizable service, with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
- NordVPN - The best value for money VPN for Virgin Media. Offers strong encryption with a great choice of VPN protocols, and plenty of customization.
- PrivateVPN - The best cheap Virgin Media VPN. It's loved by its subscribers because is very private and unblocks plenty, despite its cheap price.
- Surfshark - An all-around VPN for Virgin Media. Offers blazing fast service and unlimited simultaneous connections, perfect for tech-savvy families.
- CyberGhost VPN - An easy-to-use VPN for Virgin Media. Slick apps, with inbuilt guides, and cheap plans make it a great choice for VPN for beginners.