VPN - who uses one?

[dannyboy]

There were a couple of programmes on BBC that my recorder failed to record last week. I thought I would log into the BBC iplayer to watch them. I can not do that as the BBC knows I am not in the UK  . I have read about circumventing this problem by using a VPN. Doing a search, some get good write ups, others don't. And a lot of them have a free trial but then have to be paid for. Does anyone use a VPN to get round the restrictions and any recommendations or knowledge to share?   

[MarshLane]

I have used the Avast VPN service which appeared to work ok with iPlayer in the past - that had a 30 day free trial and worked fine for me.  I only needed it as I was out of the country for three weeks, so didnt continue the paid version as I was back home!  But it worked well when I had it - I think you can configure it to give you an IP address for a specific country or region, but I'm not totally sure.  When I used it, it just came up as London.

Rich

[Bealman]

Yeah, obviously I can't use the BBC thingy living where I do. The good people of this forum have suggested this VPN stuff to me in the past, but it's yet more computer stuff to addle my poor brain cell, so I haven't bothered with it.

[njee20]

I've used Tunnel Bear (among others) when out of the UK, works alright, IIRC you get a 1GB allowance.

[AJP]

I use Windscribe, 2 Gb  free per month, and every now and then there are offers, like the last one a years subscription for 12 Euros (which I jumped at), unlimited and umpteen different connections around the world if you go pro.

[EtchedPixels]

There's an ongoing battle between the VPN providers and the BBC. So the BBC keeps blocking them and they keep moving.

Going the other way the cheapest approach I've found for getting a US address is actually a cheap crappy 'virtual machine' from on of the low end providers and run my own VPN to that.

Alan

[dannyboy]

I tried Avast last night before I posted my question. Me and Avast do not seem to get on, I had problems a year ago so deleted the anti-virus programme. The Avast VPN last night just locked up and I got the 'Not responding' message, which stayed on screen until I switched off ! . I have just installed Tunnel Bear, (thanks @njee20 ), but when I went on to the iplayer site, the BBC know I am using a VPN so will not let me access any programmes, (as @EtchedPixels suggested). Will have to do without the missing programmes.   :'(  for the suggestions.

Just had a thought - will see, tomorrow, if there is anything on youtube .

[Adam1701D]

I use Cyberghost VPN to keep my connection secure.

You probably won't be able to view BBC, Netflix, etc from another country, as the providers have a list of the VPN server addresses and keep blocking them.

[EtchedPixels]

Tried PureVPN ? They have  a very large pool of changing addresses all over the world ?

[Railwaygun]

PIA VPN ( private internet access) works well on iPhone and pc/ Mac

Better than cyber ghost and faster

[Fardap]

I've used Tunnel Bear (among others) when out of the UK, works alright, IIRC you get a 1GB allowance.

I used this for the years I was living in France, really easy to use and worked perfectly, just tweet about them and they bung another GB onto your account.

[Delboy]

PIA VPN ( private internet access) works well on iPhone and pc/ Mac

Better than cyber ghost and faster

I also use PIA. Works out at less than £3 per month if my memory serves me correctly. I have never experienced any problem with it to date.

[Chetcombe]

I use OverPlay which works well. You have the option of using it as a web based app which avoids the need to download any software.