What’s the difference between Virgin Media Essential and Advanced Security?

Staying safe online shouldn’t require a degree in scamology. That’s why every Virgin Media broadband package comes with Essential Security built-in to help keep your home network secure, working quietly in the background to protect you.

And if you’re looking for an extra layer of defence, there’s more on offer. Our Advanced Security option is designed to suit different needs and match how you live online, from everyday browsing to managing multiple devices on the go.

From simple, set-and-forget protection or more hands-on control across your devices, we’ve got you. Here’s how Essential and Advanced Security compare, so you can choose the level of protection that’s right for you.

With Essential Security, you’re protected from the moment you plug in our Hub. It’s like a silent guardian that you can imagine donning a cape and a grapple gun and doing battle with online nasties without you ever noticing.

It’s included at no extra cost with all our broadband packages, and it works at a network level to help keep your household safe online, picking up scam websites and warning you before they can do any harm – and without you needing to install a thing.

What you get with Essential Security:

• Content filtering: Blocks scam, phishing and harmful websites before they load.

• Data protection: Stops malware and viruses from sending your data to hackers.

• Parental controls: Lets you screen time limits and content rules via My Virgin Media.

• Whole-home coverage: Protects every device connected to your home WiFi.

It’s simple, effective, everyday protection that runs in the background. There are plenty of dangers lurking on the web, and it can be tricky to stay on top of them all – so let Virgin Media Essential Security do the hard work for you.

Find out more about Essential Security in our FAQs.

Advanced Security builds on everything Essential Security offers, adding powerful, device-level protection that goes further for you – both at home and on the move.

If Essential Security is your safety superhero, then Advanced Security is the full team assembled. It’s our top-level security solution that helps you stay safe with all kinds of clever, easy-to-use tools provided by F-Secure – our award-winning security partner – that keep your personal data out of anyone else’s hands.

What you get with Advanced Security:

• Identity Protection: Helps you store your credentials securely to protect your identity and keep it out of the scammers’ hands.

• ID Monitoring: Constantly scans the internet for any leaked personal information, and lets you know quickly with a Breach Alert.

• Password Vault: Includes secure storage for multiple new entry types like phone numbers and passport numbers.

• Remote device disruption: Helps prevent unauthorised access to your devices.

• Banking and shopping protection: Blocks unsafe connections when you’re handling sensitive information.

• Virus removal: Detects, scans and removes existing malware and spyware.

• Scam protection: Protects against scams that try to steal your money with the latest AI based protection.

• On-the-go protection: Keeps you safe across WiFi networks, even outside your home.

• Unlimited devices: Covers all your devices, wherever you use them.

It’s designed for people who want more visibility, control and reassurance across their digital lives. You can sign up today to start your no-commitment three-month trial (no bank or credit card details are required for the trial). Then simply download it on all your online devices to get going. 

Find out more about Advanced Security in our FAQs.

The key difference comes down to how and where you’re protected.

Essential Security acts as your front line. It works at a network level, blocking threats before they reach you. If most of your browsing, streaming and shopping happens at home, Essential Security does exactly what you need. It’s automatic, it’s always on, it works in the background and it keeps everything that’s connected to your WiFi protected without you having to think about it. And it comes at no extra cost.

Advanced Security is the step up, and it’s the perfect solution if your online life is just as much outside the home as inside it. It gives you protection that travels with you, with more visibility and control, as well as tools to manage what’s happening on multiple devices – not just your home network. That means it can actively scan for and remove threats already on your devices, while continuing to protect you wherever you go.

For many households, Essential Security will do a great job of keeping everyday threats at bay. But if your online life extends beyond your front door, Advanced Security gives you an extra layer of confidence.

If you’re shopping on public WiFi, or you’re managing multiple devices, or you just want stronger protection against evolving threats, upgrading means your security travels with you. With features like ID monitoring and a secure password vault, you get a clearer view of your digital safety and more control over how each device is protected.

It’s an easy way to step up your protection, and the first three months are free – after that it’s just £3.50 per month or £35 per year.

Whichever you choose, you’re covered. But if you want that extra layer of confidence wherever you go, Advanced Security is built for it.

We offer a range of broadband deals across the UK, all with Virgin Media Essential Security included at no extra cost. You can also bundle broadband with our TV and phone deals for the ultimate connected home.