Parental controls for internet use

Virgin Media Essential Security comes as standard on all Virgin Media broadband packages.

Essential Security slots straight into your home life, so you and the kids can enjoy all the stuff you love on the internet in a safer, healthier way. No more scam websites or unsuitable content – just head to your My Virgin Media account to customise what to block and when.

Essential Security is always on guard, warning you before your devices are exposed to anything malicious. So your family can browse to the max, knowing we’ve got your backs. The best bit? It’s built into your home’s WiFi network, at no extra cost – and it’s automatically activated when you join us, so you don’t need to lift a finger.

Essential Security’s parental controls lets the account holder block sites that they consider inappropriate for their children, for added web safety and online security. You can manage the parental control settings for your family in the Account Settings section of My Virgin Media. Parental controls are easily customisable by clicking on the Categories, Websites or Set timer filters, so that you can control the level of protection. By turning on and opting in to parental controls, Virgin Media will block the following unsuitable site categories automatically:

• Pornography
• Violence
• Crime
• Hate
• Drugs
• Hacking
• Suicide and self-harm
• Address hiding
  
  

These categories will remain blocked until you turn parental controls off. If parental controls are turned off, the settings are saved until parental controls are turned on again. Only the main account holder can turn parental controls on or off.

Find out how to set up Essential Security

The Connect app is the control unit for your WiFi that lets you optimise your WiFi to your needs. You can see all your connected devices and pause WiFi to individual ones whenever you like – perfect for when it’s the kids’ bedtime.

Find out more about the Connect app here.

Although Essential Security protects all your devices connected via our WiFi Hub, Virgin Media Advanced Security, protects the device it’s installed on – wherever you are in the world. Advanced Security is powered by F-Secure, our award winning security partner.

Keep kids safe online and help them find a healthy balance with flexible family tools, including customisable blocks on stuff they don’t need to see. If you’re not sure where to start, you can always select pre-defined rules depending on the age of your child. Plus, you can protect family time by hitting pause on digital content by putting time limits on kids’ devices.

Advanced Security is powered by F-Secure – our award winning security partner. Browse, bank and buy worry-free with watertight antivirus checking and instant alerts against phishing websites, so you’re warned long before anyone can steal your identity, passwords or bank details.

Sign up today and get Advanced Security on all your devices for three months at no extra cost – then download it on all your online devices to get going. We won’t ask for any payment info – so you don’t need to worry about sneaky auto-renewals or unexpected bills.

For the best protection, we recommend using both Virgin Media Essential Security and Advanced Security.

Go to the Virgin Media Advanced Security help page to find out more and register for Advanced Security to start your 3-month trial today.