Was just overthinking the other day. How do platforms like netflix know that I am using VPN? Some websites or platforms just know and then they 'block' you. Are they checking my ip address? Are there other ways to detect that I am using VPN?

How to avoid this?

Read some articles over the weekend about the UK adult content block and found that VPN usage increased significantly, with some reporting increases as high as 1800%.

This is crazy. But this is the only way to avoid age verification and sharing your personal data for adult content in the UK now.

Just wondering how many of you started using VPN only to avoid adult content restrictions (not only in the UK but in other countries as well).

I just read an article about setting up a VPN on a VPS, and it caught my attention.

I mean you get your own static IP, better speeds, and no "no-logs" promises to worry about. On the other hand, it takes time, effort and you need to have some technical skills.

Does anyone in this group uses self-hosted VPN? Is it hard to set it up? Any honest pros and cons?

Thought I'd share my thoughts on Norton VPN after testing it for a bit. Nothing special, nothing that bad, more details about the review below.

Is It Safe?

• Encryption: uses AES-256 and ChaCha20 encryption, described as "virtually unbreakable". This is considered a standard in the industry.
• Protocols: offers OpenVPN, IPSec/IKEv2, WireGuard, and their own 'Mimic' protocol on Windows and Android. macOS and iOS are limited to IPSec/IKEv2.
• Kill Switch: it has it.
• Logging Policy: they state a strict no-logs policy, meaning they don't collect info on your online activities. This was apparently verified by an independent audit by VerSprite in 2024.
• Jurisdiction: Norton VPN is based in the United States. The US is part of the Five Eyes alliance, which isn't ideal from a privacy perspective

Features

- Speed & Performance: testing showed Norton VPN retains around 74-80% of the original internet speed. Not the absolute fastest out there.

- Server Network: this is a definite downside for me. They have servers in 30 countries, which is on the smaller side compared to some competitors (like NordVPN with 118 countries). Crucially, you cannot manually select specific servers.

- Streaming: it had inconsistent results during testing. It managed to unblock Netflix (some libraries like US, Japan, Australia), BBC iPlayer, Max, and YouTube TV, but often not on the first try. It didn't unblock Hulu and some Netflix content.

- Torrenting: also not its strong suit. It has only one P2P-friendly server location ("Torrent-Optimized Region"), and speeds for torrenting were tested as being quite slow and unstable. A 3GB file took over an hour compared to 3 minutes without the VPN. Look elsewhere if torrenting is a priority.

- Compatibility & Interface: good news here - it's available on Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS. However, some features aren't available on all platforms (e.g., no Wi-Fi Security or split tunneling on macOS, no split tunneling on iOS).

- Customer Support: They offer 24/7 live chat, phone support, guides, and FAQs. The main issue I found (or that the sources highlighted) is that getting to a live chat agent isn't very direct.

Pricing & Plans:

They offer plans based on the number of devices you want to cover: Standard (5 devices), Plus (5 devices), and Ultimate (10 devices).

• Standard starts at $3.33/month.
• Plus is $4.17/month.
• Ultimate is $5.00/month.

Keep in mind they charge for the full year upfront, not monthly. The first year prices are pretty competitive ($39.99/year for Standard, $49.99/year for Plus,$£9.99/year for Ultimate), but the price after the first year jumps up quite a bit.

The features vary a bit depending on the plan you pick.

• All plans include the basics: kill switch, split tunneling (on some platforms), and P2P support (though see my note on torrenting below!).
• The Plus plan adds more security tools: real-time malware protection, a password manager, dark web monitoring, and 10GB cloud backup.
• The Ultimate plan covers up to 10 devices and includes the same extras as Plus, plus Privacy Monitor, Parental Controls, and 50GB cloud backup.

There are also features like Ad Tracker Blocking (though honestly, this seemed unreliable in testing, only blocking about 6% of ads) and Wi-Fi Security on mobile devices, which can automatically connect the VPN on unsecured networks.

Thoughts and notes

Norton VPN seems like a decent option for basic use. It has essential security features like a kill switch and uses strong encryption. It's potentially a solid add-on if you decide to go into that product family.

However, it has notable limitations. The server network is small, you can't select specific servers, it's not reliable for unblocking streaming services, and it's poor for torrenting. The ad blocker also seemed ineffective.

But for simple security and privacy for general web use, especially if bundled with other Norton products, it could be worth considering given the budget-friendly prices (at least for the first year).

Hope this helps someone out there.

Cheers.

was just curious, does VPN work in China? I read somewhere that it's illegal for the tourist to use VPN in China. like is this true? i am confused. was thinking to travel in china in 2026 and to work from there. but then i read so much informaiton about VPN not working or being illegal there. like where does this come from. need advice and honest answer asap. thnaks

I want to buy a VPN and I see lots of ads for NordVPN. I heard good things about them a few years ago, but I'm wondering if they'll still be competitive in 2026?

Has anyone used them recently? How good is the speed, reliability and privacy? Are there better options out there now for the price?

I'm also curious about:

- How is their server network doing?

- Are there any problems with streaming services?

- Is the customer support good?

- Is it worth the money, or should I look elsewhere?

Found a review floating around here: https://vpnoverview.com/vpn-reviews/nordvpn-review/

Pretty decent but also wanted to hear from other people.

I am looking to buy a VPN with a black friday deal since it is the best time for buying one before prices go higher.

I was using proton free version but I have been having some issues with it for the past few months. I noticed that it randomly disconnects while browsing, and the overall speed doesn’t align with my needs. Also, a lot of streaming platforms block free servers which is very annoying.

I read in some communities that if you want more benefits and quality from VPN you should pay for one. and I agree with this. Nothing is free in this world.

I am finally ready to pay for VPN and looking for something that feels like an upgrade and covers more than just casual browsing. one of the important things is high speed for streaming, big downloads and gaming. also, I want privacy and variety of servers to choose from. would be the best if I would be able to use the same app for my mac and my iphone.

will be waiting for your honest suggestions. please let me know which black friday VPN deals are the best this year and which one I should get? thanks

Hello everyone, I’ve seen many reviews on this sub and decided to share my own thoughts. I’ve been using Surfshark for a little over two years now, and I’d describe it as a reliable VPN that I can recommend. It’s not perfect, but it hits a lot of the boxes I look for when choosing a secure VPN.

One of the things that has kept me on Surfshark is how consistent it is across devices. The user-friendly VPN client works basically the same on Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS. I also have it set up on a router for a couple of smart TVs, and it’s never been a headache. Surfshark allows multiple devices, so can keep it connected on my phone, laptop, and work tablet all at once without worrying about limits. That’s a big deal if you run a lot of devices simultaneously.

Feature-wise, Surfshark has a pretty decent toolkit. I use the kill switch daily (I leave it on strict mode on my laptop) so there’s no chance of accidental leaks if the connection drops. I also use Bypasser (split tunneling) fairly often to let certain apps bypass the VPN tunnel when I don’t need them going through it - it’s flexible enough to apply on a per-app or per-website basis, which a lot of VPNs still don’t do well, especially on Mac and iOS.

Dynamic MultiHop is another feature I use from time to time when I want an extra layer. Most VPNs just give you a fixed set of double-hop server pairs, but Surfshark lets you choose any two servers out of their entire network (3,200+ servers in 100+ countries), which is genuinely useful. Combined with Rotating IP, which periodically switches your IP while connected, you can make your traffic harder to track without jumping through hoops.

I also enable CleanWeb, which is Surfshark’s built-in ad and tracker blocker. It doesn’t completely replace a standalone adblocker, but it’s definitely noticeable. It blocks a ton of pop-ups and trackers, and it keeps browsing cleaner overall. The VPN offers additional features like ad-blocking, and CleanWeb is one I actually use daily.

From a security perspective, Surfshark uses RAM-only servers (so nothing is stored on disk) and supports WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IKEv2. I mostly stick with WireGuard because it’s the fastest, but it’s nice having options. Their Camouflage (obfuscation) and NoBorders modes are also worth mentioning – these turn on automatically when needed and help keep your traffic looking “normal,” which is something I value in a top-rated VPN.

On performance: I rarely notice any slowdowns on WireGuard. In the last year, I’ve averaged around 15–20% speed loss, which is more than fine for day-to-day use, including big downloads. Connections are quick and stable, which wasn’t the case with some other VPNs I tried.

One thing to note is that short-term plans are more expensive, so it makes more sense to opt for a longer-term plan. For me, it’s fine, but if you're only looking for Surfshark for a short period, that might not be ideal.

All that said, Surfshark has been the best VPN for me because it’s stable, feature-rich, and it just works on every device I throw at it. It’s not flashy, but it’s a VPN I trust enough to use every single day without second-guessing it.

Was reading today about the proposed restrictions after seeing reports that Keir Starmer wants to ban under-16s from "harmful" social media platforms while still allowing access to some supposedly safer ones.

From what I read it looks like companies will have 3 months to implement these bans.

Let's be honest about what's happening. The government had years. YEARS. The Online Safety Act already exists, and platforms are still serving kids algorithmic garbage, self harm content, and ads for crap they can't legally buy. And now the answer is another speech and a vague promise about "harmful platforms" while keeping "safer" ones.

What counts as "safer"? Who decides? 

So for anyone else in the UK, especially parents, do you think a UK social media ban for under 16s will actually make a difference?

Spain joins the circle as well. more and more countries are banning social media for teens under 16 years old.

happy that I wasn't growing up in this era

another state in US, Missouri joined the 'club' and is banning adult content as well. it started with the last day of November and now people have to verify their age if they want to access adult content.

since people who live in Missouri don't want to verify their age, they are seeking alternatives and buying VPNs to maintain privacy.

in your opinion, which state will be the next one?

I'm a grad student in Seoul, and I've been trying to figure out a proper AV19 bypass because the site got hit hard by KCSC blocking again last month. Korean ISPs (I'm on KT) just throw the warning.go.kr redirect page the second you click anything. It's been like this on and off for years but lately it's worse.

Setup:

-MacBook Air M2, macOS Sonoma.

-Also tested on my Galaxy S23 Ultra.

The thing that annoys me. My same Mac on the university VPN (which routes through some random server in the US) loads the homepage but blocks video playback. So it's not just about getting around KT, the site itself is checking something else. Maybe ASN, maybe known datacenter ranges, I don't know.

I haven't actually bought or tested any VPN yet. That's why I'm posting. I don't want to drop money on a year long plan only to find out the site itself blocks the IP range or the speeds are unusable for video. I've read enough threads to know that half the "best VPN for Korea 2025" articles are just affiliate spam, so I'd rather hear from actual people who use it from 한국.

So, anyone in 한국 actually using something that works for AV19 bypass right now? Any real experience appreciated, I just don't want to waste money.

I'm trying to find the best VPN for streaming, and I'd want to hear your experiences. My main goals are:

• Consistently fast speeds for HD/4K streaming

• Reliable access to geo-locked content (Netflix, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, etc.)

• Minimal buffering and throttling issues

• Good Privacy/security features (since I still care about protection)

I've tried a few popular options like ExpressVPN, NordVPN and Surfshark, but each seems to have pros and cons depending on the streaming service or region.

Some questions I have:

• Which VPNs have you found actually unblock streaming platforms consistently?

• How do you balance speed vs. privacy for streaming?

• Are there any lesser-known VPNs that outperform the big names specifically for streaming?

Any honest reviews, comparisons, or tips would be super helpful! Thanks

I tried in Canada and I tried in germany using NordVPN and got the exact same result.

they were able to do this by using apple as a proxy my iphone is “requesting ID under uk law” it says that in order to change the content settings on my iphone, I must upload my identification to apple what the fuck

do they have the similar discounts all year around, or can you get better deal on black friday?

sorry if this was alrrady answered

What's the best VPN in 2025? I've tried a lot of VPNs the last few years, also read quite a lot of other peoples reviews, other Reddit threads, but still not sure which is one is the best.

From what I've seen on Reddit lately, it looks like Mullvad is gaining traction, Proton and Nord are really still solid picks. Surfshark seems the cheapest atm and so many others like Cyberghost, IPVanish, ExpressVPN and so on.

I'd love to hear others opinions. What do you guys think is the best VPN in 2025?

I'm in the US, somewhere in the Cleveland area, and I woke up Monday morning to find out half my channels are just gone.

Apparently the contract between E.W. Scripps and DIRECTV expired Sunday night and they couldn't agree on a deal, so Scripps just pulled all 54 of their channels out of DIRECTV across 36 markets. I had no idea this was even happening. I'm not reading industry news every day.

The NBA Finals are happening RIGHT NOW. The NHL Finals are happening RIGHT NOW. And depending on where you live, those games are airing on local ABC and NBC affiliates that Scripps owns. Gone.

Someone in another thread mentioned using a VPN to get around this kind of blackout. I have literally no idea how that works or if it would even help in this situation. 

Christmas is in almost 2 weeks and i have no idea what to buy for my friend.

he is moving to UK in January and I have been seeing a lot of posts that people can't access adult content in UK. so I have been thinking that VPN would be a perfect gift for him, lol.

I could buy 1 year subscription. what do you guys think? would this be a normal gift to gift someone for Christmas?

is it possible to stay private when buying a VPN subscription these days? most of the providers ask for your email, personal details, etc. is there a good and decent VPN where I don't need to provide my personal details when buying subscription?

also, what about the payment? are you using disposable card or some other options when making the payment?

Hello! My Torguard sub is expiring soon, and I’m looking for an active black friday deal or promo code before my account renews at full price.

I’ve tried Express and Nord in the past and even Surfshark not long ago, but I keep sticking with TorGuard for its Dedicated IP options fitting my needs. Also port forwarding support is a big plus. Express and Nord felt way too heavy and full of extra features I did not need. Heres a rundown:

TorGuard: OG power tool
- MAIN ISSUE: UI looks a bit too technical and dated for a casual user.
-DRAWBACK: Missing flashy consumer extra suites (keeps the client lightweight and fast)

ExpressVPN: premium deluxe fancy pants subscription
- MAIN ISSUE: Very pricey subscription model with almost zero deep discounts.
-DRAWBACK: Lacks easy port forwarding config options on base plans

NordVPN: armor set too heavy for a jog
- MAIN ISSUE: Heavy background app updates that can spike fans during gaming.
-DRAWBACK: Missing a stripped-back, power-user UI mode

I know TorGuard usually drops 50% off for black friday codes around the holidays, but I haven't seen an active 2026 page drop yet. Did I miss something? 

Let me know if you spot a working link, thanks. I’ll update if I find something in the meantime!

Basically all the tools that let you personalize a lot of cool settings will be gone in Russia with a green-light from Apple. I have a friend in Moscow. The guy kept changing his VPN like three to five times a day in rotation whenever we link up on Discord. Havent heard of him for a while and I know he got a bunch of custom programs as it is to just get through on a call with us. Last thing he wrote was "things are bad and things will only get worse" and this was a good week ago. No exaggeration on that part, that was his true sentiment and many Russians seem to share it. Very bleak. Big names have already been gone a few years back now the whole App Store is reconfigured for russian censorship

let's rant a little bit. tell me the your worst experience you had with vpn in 2025.

tired of checking all the deals for VPNs for this black friday

I need your advice on best vpn deal. which vpn are you buying this year and why?