The company represents one of the top broadband providers in the UK based on the number of current subscribers. It is in close competition with other companies, such as BT, TalkTalk, and Sky. It also has a streaming service, Virgin TV Go, offering live TV and on-demand content on up to 4 devices. The service is available for free to all Virgin TV customers and supports all major devices. As many Virgin Media users, you may have considered using a VPN to bypass ISP throttling, geo-blocking, and censorship. It can also help keep your devices secure and your online traffic private. Unfortunately, Virgin Media blocks many VPN services and restricts access to certain websites and services. So, you need to get a reliable VPN, effective at circumventing the Virgin Media VPN blocks and other geo-blocks. However, there’s no need for you to worry. We compiled a list of VPNs proven to work well with Virgin Media, so all you need is to pick.

Why does the Virgin Media policy block VPNs?

Virgin Media blocks many VPNs as they can hide your IP and provide access to geo-restricted content. Although VPNs are not illegal in the UK, Virgin Media chooses this policy, thus preventing their use. Virgin Media blocks many VPN services and certain websites that review VPNs and promote Internet privacy. Usually, when users try to access restricted websites, they will see one of the following pop-up screens:

Web Safe parental control SSL error message Connection reset message

Apparently, Virgin Media blocks VPNs randomly, so there are no clearly-known criteria for its choice. While the ISP has blocked many services, you can still use the ones it overlooked. Popular streaming services such as Netflix block the use of VPNs because they have licensing agreements with local content distributors. Therefore, they can’t allow users outside the designated areas to stream their content. As Virgin Media also includes online streaming services, it’s likely it doesn’t allow non-UK users access because of licensing reasons. Also, if you experience packet loss or bad ping, using a VPN might be just the solution.

How does Virgin Media block VPNs?

Virgin media most likely uses a method known as DNS sinkhole to prevent VPN access.  Namely, every time you try to visit a webpage, your browser sends a DNS request. Then, the ISP decides where to redirect it.  So, if you want to visit a blocked site, Virgin will send you to a particular IP address, leading nowhere. To notify you of the issue, it’ll display one of the above-mentioned error messages. It’s an efficient strategy that many other ISPs utilize to control access to VPN sites that help users bypass restrictions.

What are the best VPNs that don’t get blocked by Virgin Media?

CyberGhost VPN – Tools optimized to fix Virgin Media VPN issues

CyberGhost VPN is operated by Kape Technologies – the company behind PIA. The service is headquartered in Bucharest, Romania, and is subject to its jurisdiction only. That is very good since the country is not a member of any signal intelligence alliances. Its reliability, performance, and reputation are confirmed by a large number of users – more than 15 million worldwide – who trust it on a daily basis while carrying out their typical online activities. PIA comes with an easy-to-use interface and is available on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS operating systems. Added to that, it can also be used as a browser extension for Chrome, Firefox, and Opera. Installing it directly on your router in order to protect every single device connected to the Wi-Fi network is also a possibility, so it only comes down to your preference. Whether you want to bypass geo-blocking, browse the web anonymously and securely, or shield your private information or sensitive data, Private Internet Access will effectively help you achieve all of these with no effort on your part. One of the important aspects that distinguish PIA from other VPN competitors is that it has the largest server network, offering servers across many locations all over the world. Having so many possible server choices at hand is especially useful when it comes to avoiding geo-restrictions, as it allows you to connect virtually anywhere. In order to ensure your online security and privacy, Private Internet Access routes your entire Internet traffic through a secure tunnel, so you don’t need to worry about hackers, trackers, or advertisers collecting your data. This is achieved through AES-128 (GCM) or AES-256 (GCM) military-grade encryption, which represents the industry gold standard and is used by governments, militaries, and intelligence agencies worldwide. PIA routes data between your device and the VPN servers using the OpenVPN and WireGuard VPN protocols. The former has been around since 2001 and is open-source, stable, and very reliable. The latter was launched in 2018, is faster, and has the chance of becoming the new standard. Given all these powerful security and privacy features, you can rest assured that your devices, online identity, and browsing habits will be protected and concealed at all times. PIA also comes bundled with many useful features that will significantly improve your online experience, the following being the most important.

Kill Switch PIA MACE Split Tunneling Request Port forwarding Multi-Hop (Multi-hop and Obfuscation) Connection Automation Dedicated IP Unlimited bandwidth. P2P and torrenting support

The Kill Switch is a security feature that disconnects you from the Internet when the VPN connection drops unexpectedly. This way, your IP, identity, and data will stay secure and won’t leak online. It has two options: VPN Kill Switch and Advanced Kill Switch. The former blocks traffic outside the VPN when the VPN is on, whereas the latter stops all Internet traffic when the VPN is off. PIA MACE is PIA’s proprietary ads and malware blocker that will provide you with complete protection against ads, trackers, and malware. Split Tunnel allows you to split your connection by excluding specific apps or IP addresses from going through the VPN tunnel. For example, when you connect to a PIA server, all of your traffic is routed via the secure tunnel. However, some websites or apps are not VPN-friendly at all. Therefore, with split tunneling, you can exclude them from the VPN and allow them to access the Internet openly with your ISP-assigned IP address. Port Forwarding forwards Internet data going from a certain port to another port. In other words, it allows traffic to flow to a certain device faster and more efficiently. With port forwarding, incoming connections are rerouted in such a way that they bypass the NAT firewall so that connection speeds are increased. It can be useful for torrenting as well as accessing your home devices remotely. Multi-Hop adds extra encryption by rerouting your data twice: the first time via a VPN server and the second time via a proxy server (Shadowsocks or SOCKS5 proxy). The feature is also called Multi-hop and Obfuscation. This means that, when you enable it, you will also hide the fact that you’re using a VPN by obfuscating your connection. Connection Automation allows you to create rules to automatically connect or disconnect Private Internet Access when you join a particular network, such as a wired connection or a Wi-Fi. A Dedicated IP option is also offered by PIA, but it comes as an extra price to your premium subscription. Usually, when you use a VPN, you will share the same IP address with other users on the VPN server. However, a dedicated IP will be only yours to use. With a dedicated IP, you can work from home safely, easily access accounts for online banking, and protect your IoT devices. Also, you will see fewer CAPTCHAs since you no longer share your IP with others. Thus, protection systems are less likely to treat you as a bot. More about PIA:

32,000+ servers in 101 locations across 78 countries No traffic or request logs Up to 10 simultaneous connections Risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee 24/7 live chat customer support

As you can notice from the above description, Private Internet Access is a strong, reliable, and feature-rich VPN, so if you like what it offers, then you should confidently try it out. Since it comes with powerful security and privacy features, as well as effective unblocking capabilities, PIA can be a great VPN solution for Virgin Media, no matter if you want to bypass ISP throttling, stream online content available on Virgin TV Go, or access other geo-blocked websites. This VPN service is already a household name on the VPN market and boasts more than 36 million users worldwide. This means it does its job very well, so we can safely recommend it for Virgin Media. It has user-friendly clients and is available for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, and popular Smart TV devices. Also, it includes extensions for Chrome and Firefox and can be configured on Roku TV, Google Chromecast, Xbox, and PlayStation. CyberGhost VPN provides global server coverage, granting you access to an open Internet without worrying about geo-restrictions anymore. All you need to do is connect to a server and you’ll circumvent all geo-blocks. Moreover, if you wish to stream Virgin TV Go, choose a UK location and watch without limitations. CyberGhost VPN’s global server infrastructure is simply state of the art. Its NoSpy servers are out of the jurisdiction of the Five Eyes or the Fourteen Eyes alliances. That’s why they can protect you from mass surveillance and third-party meddling. They operate independently, with the highest security standards in place, and the CyberGhost VPN team manages them end-to-end. In addition to its globally-distributed servers, CyberGhost VPN also comes with dedicated servers for certain activities, like gaming and torrenting. For example, there are dedicated servers for popular streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, or BBC iPlayer. Also, the servers for torrenting will allow P2P activities safely, anonymously, and without bandwidth limits. CyberGhost VPN is great for Virgin Media, as it ensures a smooth online experience and easily bypasses VPN and geo-blocks. It also provides fast speeds without buffering or throttling. Privacy, anonymity, and security are also key factors when picking a VPN service. CyberGhost VPN provides AES 256-bit military-grade encryption and can resists brute-force attacks. To ensure the routing of traffic via a secure tunnel, it uses the OpenVPN, IKEV2, and WireGuard VPN tunneling protocols. WireGuard is the newest addition in the industry, and is very fast and secure, being capable of increased performance. Given all these powerful encryption and privacy features, you can fully trust CyberGhost without worrying about cyber-attacks, trackers, or surveillance. CyberGhost also includes the following important VPN features:

Block content Prevent DNS leaks Automatic Kill-Switch App Split Tunnel (Android) Private DNS Smart DNS Dedicated IP P2P support

Block content protects your privacy and security by blocking domains used for ads, trackers, and malware. It functions as an ad and malware blocker and returns the IP addresses of unwanted domain names as an address that cannot be routed over the public Internet. When you enable Prevent DNS leaks, your system will use the CyberGhost DNS (Domain Name Server) instead of those assigned by your ISP. This feature provides DNS leak protection and eliminates the risk of having your browsing activities tracked or monitored. The Automatic Kill Switch is a feature that, when activated, will automatically shut down your entire Internet connection in case your VPN connection drops unexpectedly. This will take proactive measures to maintain your online security and privacy at all times, even when the VPN experiences connectivity issues. App Split Tunnel is the split tunneling feature available for Android only. It allows you to choose which apps will access the Internet via the VPN secure tunnel and which ones will have direct access to the Internet using the main connection. You can use the feature by choosing one of the two available modes, namely, to either protect all your applications or establish custom rules to determine which ones of them will be protected. CyberGhost VPN also allows you to get your own Dedicated IP address to stay protected and access IP-restricted networks while also maintaining the highest level of privacy and security. The dedicated IP is token-based and can be easily activated after the purchase. Unlike shared, dynamic IPs, a dedicated, static IP will be used exclusively by you and will remain the same every time you connect. While both give you the same level of privacy and security, a dedicated IP can give you access to IP-restricted networks and is also great for secure online financial activities. More about CyberGhost VPN:

7,200+ servers in 91 countries No-logs policy Up to 10 devices connected simultaneously 45-day money-back guarantee 24/7 email & live chat customer support

All in all, CyberGhost VPN is a very affordable VPN option for Virgin Media, no matter if you use their Internet service and want to get rid of throttling or VPN blocks, or you want to simply watch Virgin TV Go from outside the UK without restrictions. Great server options, strong security, and privacy, as well as other features, are the things that make this VPN so attractive. If you want to test it out and experience its performance firsthand before getting a subscription, you can use its 1-day all-features free trial and decide whether it’s worth your money or not.

ExpressVPN – Best features to bypass Virgin Media VPN blocking

ExpressVPN is owned by Kape Technologies, which also owns two other respected VPN services on our list: PIA and CyberGhost. The service’s headquarters are in the British Virgin Islands, and it operates under its jurisdiction. This is an optimal location for privacy since the country does not have mandatory data retention legislation. Therefore, you can confidently entrust ExpressVPN with your online data. as it won’t allow any third-party meddling. More than 3 million users around the world have used ExpressVPN so far. Its outstanding reputation is based on positive customer feedback and reviews, which make it one of the top VPNs in the industry. As such, if you need a reliable VPN option that isn’t blocked by Virgin Media, you can’t go wrong with ExpressVPN. Also, you can use it on your smart TV to enjoy your favorite Virgin TV Go content without limitations both from the UK and outside the country. The supported smart TV devices are: ExpressVPN supports router configuration to protect all the devices connected to your home network. This will also allow you to use it on your PlayStation, Xbox, or Nintendo Switch gaming consoles. Besides, it also offers browser extensions for Chrome, Firefox, and Edge that you can enable in your browser to access Virgin TV Go from the web version. ExpressVPN includes many VPN servers spread across multiple locations and countries. Whether you use the Internet from Virgin Media and want to get around any VPN blocks or want to watch Virgin TV Go from outside the UK, just connect to a UK server, and you’ll be all set. Not only is ExpressVPN an effective option for Virgin Media to evade VPN blocks but also for a restriction-free online experience on the whole. It uses advanced anti-geoblocking technology that will allow you to watch Virgin TV Go or stream content available with popular streaming services from everywhere. ExpressVPN uses AES with 256-bit keys next-generation encryption that is also used by the NSA and other intelligence agencies for securing classified information at the top-secret level. In addition, it uses the OpenVPN (UDP and TCP), IKEv2, L2TP/IPSec, and Lightway (UDP and TCP) VPN protocols to determine how data routes between your device and the VPN server. ExpressVPN developed a proprietary protocol called Lightway. It is the recommended protocol since it’s lightweight, runs faster, uses less battery, and can be easily audited. This protocol is highly secure given its open-source wolfSSL embedded SSL library that was audited by third parties, including against the FIPS 140-2 standard. Since ExpressVPN uses strong encryption and protocols to establish an encrypted connection between your device and the destination on the web, you can rest assured that your sensitive information and data will be protected at all times. Consequently, your ISP will not be able to track your Internet activity anymore. Also, hackers won’t succeed in getting inside your devices to steal data. Finally, governments will no longer be able to carry out surveillance on you. In addition to high-end security, strong privacy, and great unblocking capabilities, ExpressVPN also includes the following features:

Network Lock (Windows, Mac, Linux, routers) Split tunneling (Windows and Mac) Speed Test (Windows and Mac) TrustedServer technology Private DNS on every server MediaStreamer (smart DNS) P2P and torrenting support

Network Lock is the name ExpressVPN uses for the kill switch – a security feature that protects your devices by stopping any Internet connection outside the VPN. For example, your VPN connection may drop unexpectedly for various reasons. However, when you turn on Network Lock, it will stop Internet traffic to prevent data leaks when the VPN disconnects. Split tunneling allows you to select specific apps that can either go through the VPN or bypass it. Sometimes, when you want to access local content or websites you trust, it may not be necessary that all of your Internet connections be routed via the VPN tunnel. So, this feature will let you add different apps to the list and choose from two options: allow the selected apps to use the VPN or disable the VPN for the selected apps. The Speed Test is a built-in feature available with ExpressVPN apps for Mac and Windows. It allows you to test for performance metrics such as speed index, latency, and download speed so you can connect to the optimal location. TrustedServer is a technology used by ExpressVPN which uses servers that run entirely on volatile memory (RAM) instead of hard drives. What this means is that anytime a server is powered off, all information stored on it will be erased, thus eliminating the risk of sensitive data ending up in hackers’ hands in case they hack the servers. More about ExpressVPN:

3,000+ servers in 160 locations across 94 countries No activity and connection logs 5 simultenous connections Risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee 24/7 help via email and live chat

Overall, ExpressVPN is an excellent VPN solution for Virgin Media that will help you evade VPN blocks, bandwidth throttling, restrictions, and censorship. Last but not least, it will protect your devices against snoopers, hackers, and surveillance both at home and on public Wi-Fi, as well as allow you to watch Virgin TV Go outside the UK.

Surfshark – Budget-friendly VPN for Virgin Media

Owned by Surfshark Ltd., with headquarters in the British Virgin Islands, Surfshark VPN is already a well-established VPN service ever since its launch in 2018. Many users worldwide acknowledge Surfshark as one of the most reliable VPNs with budget-friendly subscription plans. This service provides unlimited traffic data and lets users connect unlimited devices. It has a large global server coverage, providing high-speed rates all across the world. Users can access any geo-restricted service and enjoy a private and unrestricted online experience.  If you’re traveling or living outside the UK and want to watch Virgin TV Go, just connect to one of the available UK servers, and you’ll get around geo-blocks in no time. Surfshark has many performance and security-oriented features. It’s compatible with all major platforms, and you can also install it on your router to secure your household. The VPN service also offers free and highly-reliable browser extensions for Chrome and Firefox. Surfshark VPN covers over 65 countries across the globe, ensuring high-speed traffic for all users.  As you are well aware, Virgin Media blocks its content outside the UK, so it is important that this VPN can cover this area. Surfshark has multiple server locations in the United Kingdom. You can connect to Lonon, Manchester, and Glasgow servers and access restricted content with no issues. Plus, Surfshark offers a Multi-hop feature that routes your traffic twice via VPN. It adds an extra security layer and ensures your ISP won’t be able to tell that you use a VPN. This also eliminates the chances of Virgin Media blocking your access. Some platforms detect VPN users and block them, but this double protection removes the risk. You will be able to consume online content without worrying about getting tracked down. Surfshark encompasses a set of security features called CleanWeb that ensure your connection is always private. It includes an Adblocker that gets rid of intrusive popups and lets you get straight to the point. Besides, it may also boost loading rates as the pages won’t be cluttered with banners or product listings.  It is especially useful when you navigate on mobile, as it can save big on your data. CleanWeb also removes and blocks trackers and malware, removing phishing and infection attempts from the get-go. Such a well-rounded privacy and security feature set guarantees you can navigate freely without leaking any personal information. Other notable Surfshark features include:

Split Tunneling (Bypasser) Private DNS on every server Secure Kill Switch Strict no-logs policy Camouflage mode NoBorders mode

The Split tunneling feature (Bypasser) lets you divide your traffic and use two different IP addresses at the same time. You can pick which apps get VPN traffic and which connect to your local IP. This can help you get better speed rates for your local pages whilst being able to access restricted content. Private DNS on every server means that your connection has no risk of data leaks.  Note that Surfshark VPN lets you connect to multiple protocols, including IKEv2, WireGuard, and OpenVPN. DNS security is at its best when using the IKEv2 stack. It is already clear that this VPN provides secure and private VPN connections with multiple strong privacy and performance implementations. It’s also important to note that your data is safe even if the VPN temporarily loses connection. Surfshark is able to protect your traffic data even when the connection drops. If you activate the Kill Switch option, it will block all traffic data until the connection is up again. NoBorders is a special Surfshark feature that allows you to bypass government censorship and freely use the Internet anywhere. Every time Surfshark detects network restrictions, it will enable the NoBorders mode and give you a list of suitable servers. The Camouflage Mode ensures your ISP won’t be able to tell that you use a VPN. You will get no restrictions on your traffic regardless of how much you use. This feature activates itself automatically anytime you connect to a Surfshark VPN server using the OpenVPN (UDP or TCP) protocol. More about Surfshark:

3 200 servers in 65 countries Connects to an unlimited number of devices Compatible with all major platforms 24/7 customer support Lets you connect to OpenVPN Industry-leading AES-256-GCM encryption

All things considered, Surfshark is a full-featured VPN service that allows free use of the Internet, without data and bandwidth restrictions. At a lower price than other similar services, it lets you access pages worldwide and enjoy true privacy. Surfshark has three major subscription plans. You can get the best deal with the 2-year plan. Each plan comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Does Virgin Media block NordVPN?

No, Virgin Media doesn’t block NordVPN as a whole service. However, as mentioned before, the platform may block certain VPN IPs, in an effort to comply with copyright laws. So if you use NordVPN and cannot access Virgin, try another server. The ISP can block some IP addresses, but it’s impossible to restrict the entire service. We recommend you enable the obfuscation feature. It’s handy when facing strict blocks because it makes it appear as if you don’t use a VPN at all.

Why should I use a VPN for Virgin Media?

VPNs perform differently and can have a wide range of features, which you should consider when choosing a reliable service. Consequently, we encourage you to use an all-around VPN for Virgin Media to enjoy the following benefits:

Secure your sensitive data – the entire Internet traffic is routed via a secure tunnel Surf anonymously – your ISP-provided IP address is masked and a new one will be assigned to you Bypass geo-blocking – access geo-blocked content, such as watching Virgin TV Go outside the UK Access other restricted websites – Virgin Media may restrict your access to certain sites (for streaming, torrenting, etc.) for various reasons. Prevent bandwidth throttling – that is the intentional slowing of your Internet speed by your ISP to limit your bandwidth.

All sorts of services, promising online privacy, overpopulate the VPN market. We made sure to look into the best options that are actually capable of providing the above-mentioned benefits.

Virgin Go not working with a VPN?

Here’s what you should do if you experience troubles with your VPN connection while streaming Virgin Go:

Clear cached browser data — cookies often contain information about your actual location. That’s why you should regularly delete them to ensure nothing interferes with the IP-spoofing features of your VPN. Use a different server — sometimes Virgin Media detects that certain IPs are associated with VPNs and blocks them. Try connecting to a different server to see if that will resolve the issue. Change the VPN protocol — some protocols might not be compatible with the streaming service. Switching to a different one may get you back online. Outdated VPN app — providers often fix vulnerabilities in their software via update patches. If your application is not up-to-date, it might falter. Exceeding VPN connection limit — most services have a cap on the number of devices allowed to connect simultaneously. As browser add-ons also count, you should check if you haven’t surpassed your allowance.

Conclusion

Overall, if Virgin Media blocks your VPN, you should try the solutions we discussed above. All of them can effectively bypass the restrictions implemented by the ISP. Although we offer you the above recommendations that are proven to bypass Virgin Media’s VPN blocks successfully, there are a few factors that you should consider before getting a VPN. Firstly, anonymity, privacy, and security are all of great importance nowadays given the many vulnerabilities that you may be exposed to on a daily basis while browsing the web. As a result, you should look for a VPN service that takes them very seriously and provides advanced features for the best online protection. Strong security is usually obtained through high-end encryption. For example, the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) is the best military-grade encryption algorithm used by top VPN providers, as well as governments, militaries, and intelligence agencies worldwide. Also, strong VPNs use fast and secure VPN protocols, such as OpenVPN, IKEv2, or WireGuard to create a secure tunnel through which your data is routed. Moreover, privacy-oriented VPN services usually have a strict no-logs policy, meaning that they do not log (collect or store) any information about you, whether it be personal details or browsing history. Many of those services are based in countries that don’t have any data retention laws, nor are they members of international signal alliances such as the Five Eyes or the Fourteen Eyes. VPN servers represent a key aspect when reviewing a VPN service. For instance, the number of servers available, how they are distributed and operated, as well as how frequently they are updated are all relevant indicators of the overall quality of the server network. Top VPN providers have a global server infrastructure independently operated and offer many server locations distributed across multiple countries. Also, two VPNs on our list (PIA and CyberGhost VPN) offer specialized servers for streaming, gaming, or torrenting. Thus, if you’re interested in such activities, you can connect to those servers. Having access to many servers greatly increases the chances of bypassing geo-blocking. The more servers spread across different locations and countries, the more chances you have to access content that is unavailable in your location. In addition to keeping your devices safe and your browsing private, you’ll also circumvent the content geo-blocks in the UK. Furthermore, you’ll be able to watch Virgin TV Go when traveling or living abroad. Finally, we hope that our best VPNs for Virgin Media list helped you get access to the Internet without limitations. Loading…

We recommend Private Internet Access, a VPN with a no-log policy, open source code, ad blocking and much more; now 79% off. Name * Email * Commenting as . Not you? Save information for future comments
Comment

Δ