Long Haul Flight - WiFi & VPN 8 August 2022 at 1:20PM in Techie Stuff 14 replies 391 views

RedBalloon

Hi, I wonder if anyone can advise a VPN I can download on my mobile for the internet whist I'm on a long haul flight?

Free WiFi is fab and all, but not very secure.

I think I saw a free option for NordVPN, but would love some advice please. Any other better/secure/free VPN's people have had experience with please?

I would feel safer with the hotel connection as well....

TIA

Neil_Jones

Hotel connection is going to be exactly the same as the Wi-Fi on the plane, except on the ground and not in the air.  Yet you're happy to use the hotel one but not the plane one?  Am I reading this right?

If that's right then why do you need a VPN?  or have I misunderstood?

Technically speaking the plane will be just a glorified access point up to a satellite (most likely) and out to the internet which on its own makes it slightly more secure than any ground solution, at least up to the point where it bounces back to the plane.

RedBalloon

Neil_Jones said:

Hotel connection is going to be exactly the same as the Wi-Fi on the plane, except on the ground and not in the air.  Yet you're happy to use the hotel one but not the plane one?  Am I reading this right?

If that's right then why do you need a VPN?  or have I misunderstood?

Technically speaking the plane will be just a glorified access point up to a satellite (most likely) and out to the internet which on its own makes it slightly more secure than any ground solution, at least up to the point where it bounces back to the plane.

You have misunderstood. I would like a VPN on my mobile for all the above reasons.

Apologies for not being clear.

debitcardmayhem

RedBalloon said:

Neil_Jones said:

Hotel connection is going to be exactly the same as the Wi-Fi on the plane, except on the ground and not in the air.  Yet you're happy to use the hotel one but not the plane one?  Am I reading this right?

If that's right then why do you need a VPN?  or have I misunderstood?

Technically speaking the plane will be just a glorified access point up to a satellite (most likely) and out to the internet which on its own makes it slightly more secure than any ground solution, at least up to the point where it bounces back to the plane.

You have misunderstood. I would like a VPN on my mobile for all the above reasons.

Apologies for not being clear.

Why don't you have one when you're home, the reasons are the same surely?

benson1980

Windscribe has a generous free data allowance. I downloaded it to stream BBC etc whilst abroad- seemed decent. Sometimes had to play around a bit flicking between the different connection options due to some buffering but I guess one can't have everything with a free VPN....it will do you fine for basic browsing though.

I had been using Nord which in fairness had a more reliable connection speed, but that was generally just paying for the one month subscription option and then cancelling as I was only using it for a couple of weeks whilst on holiday.

RedBalloon

benson1980 said:

Windscribe has a generous free data allowance. I downloaded it to stream BBC etc whilst abroad- seemed decent. Sometimes had to play around a bit flicking between the different connection options due to some buffering but I guess one can't have everything with a free VPN....it will do you fine for basic browsing though.

I had been using Nord which in fairness had a more reliable connection speed, but that was generally just paying for the one month subscription option and then cancelling as I was only using it for a couple of weeks whilst on holiday.

Thank you - the latter may be a good option!

RedBalloon

debitcardmayhem said:

Why don't you have one when you're home, the reasons are the same surely?

My home connection is secure and not public.

moneysaver1978

I used http://www.vpnunlimited.com and it works great not just for iOS but also for my laptop. They regularly run promotions where you buy a one-off lifetime license.

shiraz99

I use the free version of ProtonVPN but it only gives you access to a limited number of servers in NL, USA and Japan.

tallmansix

Mullvad is my go to VPN.

Flat fee £5 pay as you go per month so no silly long term contracts or pricing that changes depending on how long you sign up for.

They actually care about your privacy and you don't even have an account as such, just an account number with no personal details attached, they don't know your email address which means you don't get spammed with offers either.

Loads of payment options including cash and bitcoin if you are really privacy conscious.

Apps for all platforms including iOS / Android.

Even better it allows the Wireguard protocol which is more secure than OpenVPN, lower processor overhead to save battery on portable devices.

Sicard

I use these. I live in Europe but can watch BBC Iplayer and all the different UK channels. Can install on various devices.

Payment details

• Date: 2021-03-28
• Plan: 24 month
• Price: €59.40
• Payment method: Credit card

Once your plan renews, you will be charged €59.40.

 

Stay safe,

The Surfshark Team