VPN for BT virus protect

[Steveee]

Hi, I’m using the latest BT virus protect from Norton on Apple devices. Whenever I use a WiFi service that has no password it suggests I also use a VPN.

What VPN service can I use that doesn’t also come with services like scam protect, virus protect etc that I’m already getting for free from BT/Norton? For instance I can install the Norton VPN but that cost £25 and gives me what I’ve already got!

[Kimberlin]

@Steveee  To be fair, there’s no need to even install a third party anti-virus on any Apple device. My own MiL wasted £80 doing that. I’ve been using Apple phones since they were first released and never once has any Apple device I’ve ever used had a virus installed on it from anywhere.

I do use a VPN occasionally on my iPhone, one that I subscribed to for two years that cost me £30 and it does exactly what I need it to. You can install a free VPN such as ProtonVPN (there are other free VPN providers) but you generally get better server choices with a subscription VPN. Use a search engine, do your own research.

[gg30340 · Accepted solution]

Using a wireless network that does not have a password leaves you wide open to your device being hacked and others using the network able to view and access anything you are viewing and doing using that network.

Using a VPN gives you a secure encrpted tunnel on the unsecure network.

It does not stop viruses or malware being installed if you were to download them while using a VPN that includes on Apple devices.

You should if possible not use non password protected wifi networks even if using a VPN but if you must use one it is safer with a VPN and is a must if doing anything such as accessing your banking.

[Steveee]

@Kimberlin I understand about apple devices and viruses, but the BT cybersecurity app provides a lot more so I’ll continue to use it. The other issue i was looking to fix is that one wifi I regularly use is NHS WIFI (no choice as  most hospitals  block mobile signal). NHS wifi blocks access to icloud. I’m hoping that by using a VPN I can overcome bypass this restriction. I need the icloud access as its used by a medical app I use.

[Steveee]

@gg30340 sometimes you have no choice as the building (in this case a hospital) effectively blocks mobile network access. NHS WiFi also seems to block iCloud access which I need to access a medical app I use. 

[gg30340]

If you have no option and must use an unsecure wifi I would advise that you do not use it for anything that involves you logging onto any sites that if compromised would cause you serious problems and most definitely do not use it for any banking applications and where possible implement two factor authentication which makes it more difficult for your account to be compromised.

As has already been suggested you can download and use the free Proton VPN which will cover when you use your device and the Opera web browser has a built in free VPN that you can use when browsing the Internet if you only require it for browsing.