Why a VPN is useful when travelling internationally

[admin]

Read our article which explains how you can use a VPN to access Australian websites (such as iView) which are geo-blocked so therefore not usually available to viewers overseas. And that is in addition to other benefits such as enhanced security and privacy.

NordVPN have a great deal at the moment - just $2.99 per month when paying upfront for 3 years. There is a 30-day money-back guarantee, so there is no reason not to trial it on your next trip. Simply cancel for a full refund.

I have been using NordVPN for the last month, and am generally happy with the service. My only complaint is that I’m unable to access the BBC’s iPlayer (similar to our iView) using their UK IP address. So its not 100% fool-proof - but at under $3 a month, I can live without iPlayer!

(This is an example of a “Sponsored Thread”. Any AFF member can - from just $25 - purchase a Sponsored Thread to promote their company's goods and services, or even their personal referral/affiliate code as I have done in this example. More..)

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Used my VPN to watch the AFL while I was away in Greece/Croatia recently via KayoSports...which I had gained a cheap deal of only $5 for 2 months .

Netflix ( for both .au and other counties) worked fine too. Though SBS online did not , not sure why no.

 

[AisleSeat]

NordVPN is one of the best. Good thread.

 

[RB]

We are using Private Internet Access and very happy with how it works. Used a free trial with a couple of others & encountered a few problems with getting them to work. Think the trials are a good idea

 

[Hvr]

I too use Nord VPN and would never connect any of my devices to an external internet source without it.

Too many WiFi sources can be compromised way too easily leading to data loss and identity theft.

 

[RooFlyer]

I too use Nord VPN and would never connect any of my devices to an external internet source without it.

Where do you put yourself during ordinary browsing in Australia, and what's your usual speed hit?

 

[Hvr]

Where do you put yourself during ordinary browsing in Australia, and what's your usual speed hit?

In Australia I choose fastest connection. For my home ISP maybe 2-3 Mbps, occasionally a little more but nothing worth getting concerned about.

 

[equus]

Any one who uses Cashrewards and is interested in NordVPN should note that the cashback is currently 60% (yes over half). Seems to work with the discounted rates, but haven't pulled the trigger, as I already have about 3 years paid for.

 

[AisleSeat]

We are using Private Internet Access and very happy with how it works. Used a free trial with a couple of others & encountered a few problems with getting them to work. Think the trials are a good idea

Speaking of which, here's a wild story about the creator of PIA.

The fresh prince of South Korea is real, and he’s American

Five years ago, Andrew Lee found out his relative Yi Seok, ‘The Singing Prince’, was the last emperor of Korea’s Joseon dynasty. Today, Lee is the official successor to the crown. This is his Cinderella story

www.scmp.com

 

[bobe]

Read our article which explains how you can use a VPN to access Australian websites (such as iView) which are geo-blocked so therefore not usually available to viewers overseas. And that is in addition to other benefits such as enhanced security and privacy.

NordVPN have a great deal at the moment - just $2.99 per month when paying upfront for 3 years. There is a 30-day money-back guarantee, so there is no reason not to trial it on your next trip. Simply cancel for a full refund.

I have been using NordVPN for the last month, and am generally happy with the service. My only complaint is that I’m unable to access the BBC’s iPlayer (similar to our iView) using their UK IP address. So its not 100% fool-proof - but at under $3 a month, I can live without iPlayer!

(This is an example of a “Sponsored Thread”. Any AFF member can - from just $25 - purchase a Sponsored Thread to promote their company's goods and services, or even their personal referral/affiliate code as I have done in this example. More..)

Hi I have been with Nord VPN for the last 5 years and can get Bbc iplayer ok, sometimes I have to change servers around a little, if I have a problem with iplayer I just do online chat with them , on my iPad I usually clear Safari History, close Ipad down and restart, and that usually does the trick, try1057, 1058,1042, servers , hope this helps

 

[admin]

Hi I have been with Nord VPN for the last 5 years and can get Bbc iplayer ok, sometimes I have to change servers around a little, if I have a problem with iplayer I just do online chat with them , on my iPad I usually clear Safari History, close Ipad down and restart, and that usually does the trick, try1057, 1058,1042, servers , hope this helps

That solved my problem! Being new to VPNs, I didn't realise I could change IPs. The default UK NordVPN IP address is blocked by the BBC, but I did find an alternative which works like a charm! Thanks for you help.

 

[VPS]

I use my VPN for watching BBC so thanks for that info

 

[Pleb Status]

I have used PIA for numerous years. This includes within Australia due to the mandatory data retention laws. I generally use a VPN for anonymity and to access geo blocked Australian sites when overseas.

Speed is normally pretty good but really depends on the speed of the network in general (i.e. how fast the hotel WiFi etc is to begin with).

Without a VPN (over an 802.11ac 5GHz WiFi network and minimal other traffic) -


With PIA VPN on the PER node (and I am in PER) -


Being overseas extensively for the last few months, I have found that obtaining access to the various Australian based streaming sites has been a bit hit and miss though (I will not name names so the ones which slipped through do not tighten their security). I may change provider when my annual subscription is due is a more reliable VPN is available.

One 'free' workaround that will always work for access to Australian streaming sites when overseas (if you have enough bandwidth) is to use OpenVPN to configure your compatible home network router as a VPN. As this setup routes all data through your home network, the various streaming sites etc will never block your IP as they do not know you are not at home. You need a fast upload speed (say a 100/40 connection) and preferably unlimited data to make it work well however. I have been able to stream in HD from the UK using this setup without any issues.

 

[ramboflyer]

I used a VPN for the first time to watch Kayo overseas. Next time I'm taking a Chromecast to watch on the TV.

 

[moa999]

Next time I'm taking a Chromecast to watch on the TV.

Just be aware that Chromecasts struggle on most hotel WiFi due to the login.
Unless you bring your own WiFi AP.

Glad that most of the above focuses on geo-blocking, and data retention as main uses for VPN.

Most of the other reasons touted around the web are pretty incorrect in the day of almost all major sites using https encryption.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

I used a VPN for the first time to watch Kayo overseas. Next time I'm taking a Chromecast to watch on the TV.

You might be surprised at how many TVs are still not smart TVs.....

 

[ramboflyer]

You might be surprised at how many TVs are still not smart TVs.....

True. So that's where the Chromecast comes in. All you need is an HDMI port and wifi.

 

[JohnK]

I was looking for a VPN last month in Thailand and especially in Hong Kong for betting websites. In Thailand I could access Sportsbet, Ladbrokes and BetEasy without VPN but could not access Neds.

At this stage I don't want to pay to use VPN.

I discovered TunnelBear in April but as I found out in June the data limit is reached quickly and I tried a few oterr VPNs with limited success.

Last month I came across VPN Australia and this works perfectly. There is a 60 minute session limit but if wanting more disconnect and reconnect and it gets the job done.

 

[bobe]

In Thailand now, Have Nordvpn and had them for three yrs, and can get ( for me ) 100 % Aust apps, , Also UK apps ie bbc , itv , sofor me very very happy, just connect hdmi from laptop to TV and got it on big screen .

 

[RooFlyer]

I went for NordVPN a while back, for geoblocking purposes. Like to leave it on all the time (sorta for extra security), but have discovered that UTAS IT doesn't like it - or most VPNs, for that matter. They use Microsoft 'Azure' for e-mail and stuff I don't understand, and that doesn't work when I'm on the VPN.