Which VPN service would you recommend?

[FlyingFiona]

There are some older threads on VPN recommendations (Nord seems to come out strong) but in a fast changing scene, I wonder what people are currently using?

I only have the simple desire to stream Australian offerings in the UK and Europe and BBC iPlayer when in Australia. Which VPNs would you recommend for this? (Last I read on here, Nord won't grant access to BBC iPlayer in Australia, but that post is a couple of years old now.)

 

[pyffii]

I use PIA( Private Internet Access ) and have had no issues with this service over many years

 

[mrsterryn]

ExpressVPN is our go to. Had it for quite a few years now . We use it on devices themselves so we can use our and about

 

[kookaburra75]

I've been a long term user of Nord, and happy with the service.

I understand that for some services, like BBC iPlayer, you sometimes have to select a particular server to get it to work. I guess the BBC are mapping some of the VPN servers and blocking them - as do some of the other streaming services too.

 

[jb747]

Long time PIA user.

 

[jbman]

There are some older threads on VPN recommendations (Nord seems to come out strong) but in a fast changing scene, I wonder what people are currently using?

I only have the simple desire to stream Australian offerings in the UK and Europe and BBC iPlayer when in Australia. Which VPNs would you recommend for this? (Last I read on here, Nord won't grant access to BBC iPlayer in Australia, but that post is a couple of years old now.)

If you are looking for bbc iplayer you are better off using a dns service. I use dns4me - The smartest smart DNS which is an Australian company who specialises in streaming services

 

[FlyingFiona]

If you are looking for bbc iplayer you are better off using a dns service. I use dns4me - The smartest smart DNS which is an Australian company who specialises in streaming services

I hadn't heard of DNS before so thank you!

 

[levelnine]

You can usually get NordVPN (and sometimes other providers) for 95+% off through one of the cash back sites. Comes up every so often. Works fine for TV purposes.

 

[jcwhizz]

ExpressVPN is pretty good - used to work in China as well - will find out shortly in a cpupel
Of weeks if the great firewall blocks it

 

[Daver6]

If the primary purpose is to appear in Australia and you don't mind putting a little effort into it, most modern routers then days will provide a basic VPN server. Not overly difficult to configure both the server and client (especially OpenVPN). If you can flash to OpenWRT you can use Wireguard which is even better/faster. Just in case anyone wants to save a buck.

 

[TheRealTMA]

If the primary purpose is to appear in Australia and you don't mind putting a little effort into it, most modern routers then days will provide a basic VPN server. Not overly difficult to configure both the server and client (especially OpenVPN). If you can flash to OpenWRT you can use Wireguard which is even better/faster. Just in case anyone wants to save a buck.

Much easier to use NordVPN IMHO, and works for BBC iplayer.

 

[anat0l]

I've read from some other threads that unless you want to appear in some place when you're physically in another, VPNs are rather pointless from a security point of view (that many Youtubers seem to push as a benefit of the VPNs they are spruiking for ad revenue).

The thread is a bit old, but does that advice still hold?

I used to use NordVPN. I use Dashlane and they have Hotspot Shield VPN (sounds like some run of the mill pedestrian VPN service). The last time I was overseas I used NordVPN where I could, usually connecting to Australia or the local server, though in some cases I found that the connection was slow or unreliable, or even impossible if I used a VPN service (e.g. with some hotel or airport wifi spots).

 

[Daver6]

I've read from some other threads that unless you want to appear in some place when you're physically in another, VPNs are rather pointless from a security point of view (that many Youtubers seem to push as a benefit of the VPNs they are spruiking for ad revenue).

The thread is a bit old, but does that advice still hold?

Not entirely true. All traffic between your device and the VPN provider is encrypted in a tunnel. This can add another layer of security. Say you're at dodgy brothers cafe connected to their wifi (or Qantas lounge). The wifi link is not encrypted. Generally traffic to a website will use HTTPS but they could still potentially use a man in the middle attack to see your traffic. Your web browser should alert you though to a intermediate certificate being used.

So at a Qantas lounge, for example, browsing the news is probably fine, I wouldn't be doing internet banking using that network without a VPN.

 

[prozac]

Issue comes when you want to download a movie or an album for instance. Most VPN services will provide your detail to authorities when requested because they are either in Australia, or are operating out of countries that have agreements to share such data with Australia. It is essential if you wish to download to have a VPN that is in a country that will not share your private details with Australia or any other country for that matter.

 

[anat0l]

Issue comes when you want to download a movie or an album for instance. Most VPN services will provide your detail to authorities when requested because they are either in Australia, or are operating out of countries that have agreements to share such data with Australia. It is essential if you wish to download to have a VPN that is in a country that will not share your private details with Australia or any other country for that matter.

Do you know of VPNs that will not share data?

I'm going to guess they are moderately expensive.

 

[prozac]

ExpressVPN registered in Cayman Islands where there are no agreements.

Edit: Referral gives you 30days free tacked onto your membership period. I should start a thread.

 

[Daver6]

Issue comes when you want to download a movie or an album for instance. Most VPN services will provide your detail to authorities when requested because they are either in Australia, or are operating out of countries that have agreements to share such data with Australia. It is essential if you wish to download to have a VPN that is in a country that will not share your private details with Australia or any other country for that matter.

So basically using a VPN to hide criminal activity. Let's be honest about the purpose at least.

 

[jcwhizz]

I use ExpressVPN occasionally so I can use Google mail when I go to China - and it always works a treat - occasionally have to switch server country but I’ve found it to be reliable. Only issue with it is the repeat subscription - it has this irritating feature that it asks multiple times if you really want to stop auto-renew - such that it is easy to think you have stopped when you have not….

 

[Duffa]

So, I used Nord to watch the Ashes in London last year. Had tickets for 2 days at Lord's but watched the rest at the home of our London hosts who had tickets for all days.
Nord worked fine.
I accessed Channel 9 coverage in Australia while in UK. Is that illegal?