Virgin Media is a British telecommunications company that provides customers in the United Kingdom with broadband, television, landline, and mobile services.
Based on the number of current subscribers, the company is one of the top broadband providers in the UK. It is in direct competition with companies such as BT, TalkTalk, and Sky.
Virgin Media also offers Virgin TV Go, a streaming service that allows users to watch live TV and on-demand content on up to four devices. The service is free for all Virgin TV customers and is accessible from any major device, including computers, smartphones, and tablets.
Whether you have a Virgin Media Internet plan or want to watch Virgin TV Go from outside the UK, you may have considered using a VPN service to avoid ISP throttling, geo-blocking, and censorship while also keeping your devices secure and your online traffic private.
Unfortunately, Virgin Media restricts access to certain websites and services by blocking many VPN services. As a result, you must obtain a highly reliable VPN capable of circumventing both the Virgin Media VPN blocks and other geo-blocked content.
However, there is no need for you to be concerned because we have provided a list of VPNs that have been proven to work very well with Virgin Media, so all you need to do is choose a service and you should be fine.
NordVPN
NordVPN is the best Virgin Media VPN for the money. At a low cost, you get strong encryption, lightning-fast servers around the world, and impenetrable privacy.
NordVPN is headquartered in Panama, one of the few countries that still values user privacy. Furthermore, this VPN provider provides a truly no-logs service, as evidenced by an independent audit. So you don’t have to worry about your data falling into the wrong hands because NordVPN stores none. The VPN is reasonably priced, and each subscription allows for up to six simultaneous connections. This may not seem like much, but when you consider the sophisticated service you get and the low price, NordVPN is still excellent value for money.
The VPN includes military-grade AES 256-bit encryption and the most advanced security features, allowing you to get the most out of Virgin Media content while browsing with confidence. Choose the industry-leading OpenVPN protocol or NordVPN’s proprietary NordLynx protocol for even faster data-intensive online activities like HD streaming. And, for added security, NordVPN provides Tor over VPN, Double Protection (routes your online traffic through two VPN servers rather than one), and Threat Protection (protects you against ads and malware, even on public networks).
This service excels at evading detection, so Virgin Media’s blocking mechanisms are doomed. Furthermore, it consistently tops all of our speed charts, ensuring that you have the smoothest online experience possible. Overall, NordVPN is the best buy service on this list, and it’s definitely worth a shot, especially with its 30-day money-back guarantee.
ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN has a large number of virtual locations: the company has over 1,700 servers in 94 countries, including the United Kingdom, where Virgin Media is headquartered. The service provides a downloadable client for all platforms, including routers. ExpressVPN has smart connections and automatically finds the last server when the device is booted, making it even more convenient.
ExpressVPN also has a kill switch and supports all available protocol types to match any router settings. The service not only aims to improve security and privacy protection, but it also focuses on unblocking streaming services like Netflix and any other websites you may want to access.
SurfsharkVPN
Surfshark, a relatively new virtual private network, is nearing the end of the list.
This VPN, like the others, provides everything you need in a dependable VPN, from DNS leak protection and a kill switch to a strict no-logs policy and secure internet traffic. Of course, it unblocks Virgin Media as well as anything else.
It is possible to access streaming services such as Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, and even torrent sites. Virgin TV, like other apps, is inaccessible.
It can even unblock many Netflix regions while keeping your online activity private and protecting you from malicious websites.
It also has’military-grade’ encryption, a kill switch, unlimited bandwidth, and is one of the few VPNs that allows for unlimited simultaneous connections.
This means it can protect an unlimited number of devices at the same time. Furthermore, this is most likely your best stealth VPN option.
It has 3,200 servers located in 65 different countries around the world, and you can connect to any of them from anywhere in the world.
Surfshark has servers in London, Manchester, and Glasgow in the United Kingdom.
One issue you may run into is that its system, which is supposed to identify the fastest servers that can secure your online presence and maximise your VPN speed, does not always appear to work.
Aside from that, it is a good VPN that can provide private internet access, conceal your true location, and protect your personal data while using the internet.
CyberGhostVPN
One of CyberGhost’s distinguishing features is its massive server network, which earns it a spot among the best VPNs for Virgin Media. It is also security-conscious, thanks to features such as an automatic kill switch, IP & DNS leak protection, a no-logs policy, and AES 256-bit encryption.
The VPN provides fast speeds and unlimited bandwidth to ensure buffer-free and lag-free streaming. For added online security, the provider includes ad and malware blockers. CyberGhost is a top VPN that works on a variety of devices and operating systems, including Amazon Fire Stick, Android, Android TV, iOS, macOS, and Windows. There is also the option to manually configure it on routers. Even inexperienced users will find it easy to navigate its apps.
When you need to get away from Virgin Media’s TV service, CyberGhost can unblock streaming services like Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Sky Go, and ESPN. With up to 7 device support, you can avoid restrictions on all of your devices and access any streaming content you want. The VPN offers a 1-day free trial and is very affordable at $2.25 per month with a 45-day money-back guarantee.
Private Internet Access
Consider setting up a subscription with PIA if you want an affordable and effective VPN service. The annual plan costs just $3.33 per month and gives you access to over 3200 servers in 25 countries. They cover popular locations such as the United States and the United Kingdom, and the service is fast and secure. PIA is another service provider that does not log your online activity.
How to Use a VPN to Watch Virgin Media
While travelling internationally, it is simple to gain access to Virgin Media content. This is what you do:
- Sign up for a VPN service that supports Virgin Media. (NordVPN is my top pick.)
- Download and install the VPN app on your preferred device.
- Access the VPN service.
- Connect to a server in the United Kingdom.
- Launch the Virgin TV Go app or visit the Virgin Media website to watch the show!
Is Virgin Media interfering with your VPN? Here's How to Do It
Many people have difficulty finding a VPN for Virgin Media because the company blocks many VPN websites. If this is happening to you, try one of the following solutions:
Method 1: Uninstall Virgin Media’s Web Filters.
Virgin Media provides child-safe filters that block content deemed inappropriate for children, as well as anonymization services such as VPNs. You can actually contact Virgin Media and request that these filters be removed. This is most likely the simplest option and should allow you to access any website you seek.
Method 2: Share Your Internet Connection From One Device
If you share your internet connection with others in your building or have other internet restrictions, you may be unable to have your Virgin Media filters removed. In this case, you have several options for visiting the VPN site and creating an account.
To download the VPN, connect to another WiFi network. Although I would not normally recommend using public WiFi due to the lack of privacy and risks involved, it will allow you to quickly access the VPN’s website, create an account, and download the app onto your device (preferably a computer so you can use it as a virtual router later). You can also download it at a friend’s or family member’s house.
Make use of a proxy service. A proxy service will not provide the same level of security as a VPN, but it will mask your IP address and allow you to access the VPN’s website. Use a tried and tested proxy site to avoid exposing your computer to trackers or malware.
After installing the VPN on your Windows or macOS device, you can set up a virtual router to share the secure connection. You can then install your VPN app on all of your other devices. You’ll need to configure your VPN on your computer, and the process will vary depending on the device and VPN you use.
Method 3: Change Your Router
Because Virgin SuperHub routers do not support VPNs, you will need to modify the router in order to install the VPN. Simply put, you’ll need to put your router in modem mode and connect a second, VPN-compatible router.
Each router’s setup procedure will be unique. All of my recommended VPNs are compatible with specific routers and include detailed step-by-step setup instructions. Your VPN’s customer service can also assist you with the process.
If your VPN provides one, you can also purchase a pre-configured router. You won’t have to configure anything; simply connect the router to your network and you’re ready to go. I recommend purchasing a pre-configured router from NordVPN. This VPN is one of the few that includes a router app to make switching between locations easier.
Which websites are being restricted?
Virgin Media responds with three distinct blocking messages, which users attempting to access banned sites will see in their browsers instead of the desired site. They are as follows:
- Web Safe’s parental control feature
- An SSL error message from the system
- A message indicating a system connection reset
It is completely random which banned sites are blocked by which error message. They also change over time, but the visitor will always see one of those three blocking messages – never another.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it possible to use a free VPN with Virgin Media?
While you may be able to find a free VPN that works with Virgin Media, we do not recommend it for a number of reasons. To begin with, free VPNs are notorious for their poor performance. This is understandable given the fact that they have too few servers and far too many users. As a result, using a free VPN to watch Virgin Media outside the UK will result in buffering and lag.
A good VPN should be able to unblock services such as Virgin Media. VPNs, on the other hand, should improve your online privacy. Unfortunately, this is not the case with many free VPNs, which bombard users with irrelevant and annoying advertisements and infect devices with malware. Furthermore, some free VPNs log and sell your data and activity to third parties. Free VPNs are simply not worth it due to poor performance and privacy.
Is using a VPN with Virgin Media legal?
VPNs are legal in the UK, and as such, using a VPN with Virgin Media is legal. It may, however, violate Virgin Media’s terms of service. In theory, this gives Virgin Media the authority to close your account and cancel your contract. However, we have found no record of this occurring, so it is more likely that no action will be taken other than VPN IP addresses becoming blacklisted on occasion.
Will using a VPN make my Virgin Media Player experience slower?
Certainly not! While some VPNs will significantly slow your connection, others may actually speed it up! The fastest VPNs provide unrestricted bandwidth. This should allow you to stream Virgin Media Player in high resolution without experiencing lag or buffering issues. Keep in mind that the closer a server is to your physical location, the faster the speeds will be.
What is my Virgin Media IP address?
Whether or not Virgin Media is your ISP, the quickest and easiest way to find your IP address is to use an online IP address checker like whatismyip.com. You can, however, simply Google “What is my IP address?” and find the answer in the search results. To change your Virgin Media IP address, you must first connect to a VPN server.
What is available on Virgin Media?
Virgin Media provides live TV as well as on-demand TV shows and movies. Here are some of the channels available through Virgin Media:
- Terrestrial TV (BBC One, BBC Two, ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5)
- Sky One and Sky Two
- ITV 2, ITV 3 and ITV 4
- Dave
- Comedy Central
- MTV
- Syfy
- Universal
- Fox
- Paramount
You can also use Virgin Media to watch the following titles on demand:
- The Walking Dead
- Supergirl
- The Late Late Show with James Corden
- Grey’s Anatomy
- Atlanta
- Wolf Creek
- Ash Vs Evil Dead
- S.W.A.T.
- Prime Suspect
- Criminal Minds
