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Essential Security: What is it and how can I use it?

Stay safe online with Essential Security – the new name for Virgin Media Web Safe – and get the important security tools you need already built into your home WiFi network.

What does Virgin Media Essential Security do?

Essential Security keeps you and your family safe online by protecting any device that’s connected to your home broadband network. It does this by blocking access to sites it believes are unsuitable for children, fraudulent or that contains viruses. The best bit? Because it’s built into your home WiFi network, you get it at no extra cost and without having to lift a finger.

Blocks hackers and harmful content

Blocks hackers and harmful content

Our base layer of protection is here to give you peace of mind when browsing online by protecting you and your devices from petty scams and persistent hackers. Plus, if there are any nasties already on your devices, Essential Security will ensure none of your data is shared with anyone outside of your network – so long as you’re connected.

Provides adjustable parental controls

Provides adjustable parental controls

Stop kids from accessing stuff they shouldn’t by setting timers to block out harmful content during certain hours of the day and night or choosing specific website categories to block altogether – including topics like drugs, crime and any others you consider inappropriate for your children. Learn more about our parental controls.

Offers built-in protection

Offers built-in protection

Our online security tools are available at no extra cost with all our broadband packages. Built-in and ready to go, Essential Security is always turned ‘On’ for our customers – unless you’ve asked us otherwise. This means automatic protection for every device connected to your home WiFi network without have having to do anything – so you’re always covered.

How to use Essential Security?

One of the best things about Essential Security is that it’s easy to use. The tools are already set up for you – all you need to do is to make sure it’s switched on by logging into My Virgin Media and going to Account Settings > Online Security.

Essential Security is automatically turned ‘On’ by default to ensure the safety of you and your family online. If you’re looking to customise your settings, you can do that from your My Virgin Media account too.

How to turn Essential Security on or off?

Essential Security is built-in and set up to work without you needing to do a thing. But we understand there may be situations where you don’t need it – in this case, you can opt to turn ‘Off’ Essential Security if you want. Simply go to your My Virgin Media account, then Account Settings > Online Security. From there you’ll have the option to turn on and off the settings you want.

Just remember that turning Essential Security ‘Off’ leaves your devices vulnerable to malicious and fraudulent content.

Essential Security FAQs

Want to know more about Essential Security? We've pulled together some of the most popular questions.