Broadband ISP Onestream Boosts UK Online Security via NordVPN
Hampshire-based internet access provider Onestream, which sells broadband packages using Openreach’s national UK full fibre network, has today announced a new partnership with Virtual Private Networking provider NordVPN that will give customers access to the VPN service “at a discounted rate“.
According to the blurb, NordVPN’s service “encrypts users’ internet traffic, making it virtually impossible for third parties to track their online activity“. This is said to “ensure that users’ personal information, such as browsing activity, remains secure, even on public Wi-Fi networks” (assuming you trust the VPN provider and your computer/device hasn’t already been compromised via another method, that is).
VPNs also allows users to access home content while travelling, granting them access to websites and content that may otherwise be blocked in their region.
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Steve Evans, Operations Director of Onestream, said:
“At Onestream, we prioritise our customers’ security and privacy above all else. This partnership demonstrates our unwavering commitment to protecting our customers’ online activities, whether they’re at home or on the go. We are thrilled to partner with NordVPN to offer our customers a comprehensive solution.”
The announcement doesn’t, however, mention what kind of discount(s) customers will be able to take, which is important because it’s often possible to take a NordVPN plan via one of the many big discounts that can already be found promoted online (e.g. if you follow the Nord links in this article, they’re currently offering “73% off 2-year plans + 3 extra months” – making it £2.39 per month).
We also had a quick look at Onestream’s website before publishing and couldn’t see any obvious mention of the new partnership, thus it may be that they haven’t yet got all of the details sorted or online.
Mark is a professional technology writer, IT consultant and computer engineer from Dorset (England), he also founded ISPreview in 1999 and enjoys analysing the latest telecoms and broadband developments. Find me on X (Twitter), Mastodon, Facebook, BlueSky, Threads.net and Linkedin.
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NordVPN isn’t a recommended VPN, also signing up for it via your ISP or debit card means all your traffic is still associated with your name and address, you are just moving the trust from your ISP to NordVPN and there’s no reason to trust them.
Sign up for ProtonVPN or Monero with no personal details, paying with Monero or Cash.
“NordVPN isn’t a recommended VPN”. Recommended by who? Google “best VPN” and all of the reputable websites that review such things will give it a mention as being a decent product.
“making it virtually impossible for third parties to track their online activity“
so not your ISP, but Nord still can….
As a VPN, Nord is okay, just need better software.
As for Nord tracking your online activity, depends on who you trust more. Your ISP or VPN provider.
Onestream are scamming their customers over this. Just got the email and it infers that they have signed you up automatically and will also automatically start charging you every month on your bill unless you unsubscribe.
Even the help page on their site says so:
https://onestream.co.uk/support/technical/nordvpn
“What happens if I do not activate my trial?
At the end of your free trial, you will be charged £4.95 per month. This will show on your bill each month and can be cancelled anytime in the services area of your MyAccount portal.”
Surely this is illegal? Things like this should be opt-in not opt-out right?
Even if it’s not setup that way, the email and the help pages certainly make it seem that way.
Just had the same email from onestream. Signed me up for a free one month trial of NordVPN without asking and then charge me £4.95 a month if I don;t cancel. Surely this is against the rules.
Just had another email from them “clarifying” their offer, saying:
“We want to clarify and reassure you.
No Action Required: You Will Not Be Charged Unless You Activate Your NordVPN Trial ”
Hopefully it goes out to everyone, as right now the email is written as if its addressing me directly about this matter, but that could just be the way they word all the emails.
e.g.
“We understand that you may have concerns about being automatically enrolled in the NordVPN free trial.”
Which is what I would expect, but their original email is very non-comittal and non-specific about the trial offer, and their website is even more badly worded. They should have been very clear in the original email to start with.