Best VPNs for School - Stay Safe on Public WiFi

Using a VPN in school is a good idea for several reasons.

Many schools block access to several websites like Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and Netflix to keep productivity in check. 

But what if you want to watch a movie or stay connected with your friends during your lunch break?

Moreover, when you are in school, you often find yourself in libraries, dorms, bars, coffee shops, and other places you keep on connecting to public WiFi networks.

These public networks are notoriously dangerous. Therefore, you should definitely think about protecting your identity and web traffic.

These are all valid reasons you should be using a VPN for schools. However, you may wonder how to choose the best VPN for school. Is it legal to use a VPN while in school?

This article will walk you through some VPNs that offer great performances for students. Moreover, we will even consider the legalities of using a VPN in schools.

Why do you need a VPN in school?

The most important reason to use a VPN in school, college, or university is to protect your personal data and privacy while connected to the school-shared WiFi.

You can’t know for certain whether the Wi-Fi router is secured and, since the service is free, it is pretty unlikely that the school is investing money to protect it.

Therefore, using a VPN will keep your connection safe by encrypting your data and hiding your web traffic from hackers and prying eyes.

Moreover, many schools block access to several websites, and for good reasons.

It wouldn’t be correct for a student to use Facebook, Twitter, or Netflix during the lessons. However, you may want to access these websites during your break or after classes.

Again, some blocked websites might even be helpful for study and research purposes. For instance, YouTube has many educational videos, but this is one of the websites most often blocked by schools.

Some school networks even ban selected phrases and words. However, word-based firewalls are far from perfect instruments and may accidentally block your search even though perfectly inoffensive.

With a VPN, you can bypass all these blocks granting you access to all online resources. In fact, the VPN will mask your real IP address and assign you a different one.

The new IP address will prevent the school firewall from detecting where you are connecting so that it won’t block you.

The best school VPN

1. NordVPN

NordVPN is our favorite option to access restricted or blocked content in your school. This VPN is renowned for its lightning-fast speeds, which are ideal for streaming content like, for instance, educational YouTube videos.

NordVPN offers military-grade encryption that will hide your data when you connect to your school Wi-Fi.

The built-in killswitch, IPv6 leak protection, and DNS leak protection add an extra layer of security to your connection

Thea 30-day money-back guarantee is perfect to try the service with no commitments. If you are not happy or the VPN doesn’t work at school, you just request a refund. 

Main characteristics

• Streaming platforms that NordVPN unblocks:
  • Netflix, Hulu, HBO, Amazon Prime Video, Showtime, Sling TV, DAZN, BBC iPlayer, and TVPlayer.
• Torrenting
  • All NordVPN servers support P2P activity.
• NordVPN is compatible with all devices
  • Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Android TV, Linux, Chrome, Firefox.

NordVPN

Want to be anonymous and protected while you’re using school Wi-Fi? Check out NordVPN.

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2. CyberGhost

CyberGhost is another great VPN to use in school. It ensures a strict no-log policy, and 256-bit AES encryption that will keep you under the radar while connected to your school network.

Moreover, features such as IP and DNS leak protection, coupled with an automatic kill switch make it very easy to bypass the school block and stay safe online.

Thanks to a large list of server options (5,000+ servers in 90 different countries) you can access and enjoy region-locked apps like Netflix, Hulu, and BBC iPlayer. Of course, it will work even with YouTube.

As a student, you will be happy to know that CyberGhost offers a 45-day money-back guarantee which gives you plenty of time to test the service. 

Main Characteristics

• CyberGhost unblocks:
  • Netflix, SkyGo, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, YouTube, Comedy Central, Eurosport, ESPN, and others.
• Torrenting:
  • CyberGhost is actually one of the best VPN for torrenting
• Compatible devices:
  • Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Android TV, Amazon Fire Stick, Linux, and Chrome.

CyberGhost

Afraid that your connection to school Wi-Fi is being monitored? Use CyberGhost VPN.

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3. Surfshark

Surfshark offers unlimited connections and an ever-expanding VPN servers network. Thanks to its highly competitive price, Surfshark is a solid choice for using a VPN to unblock school WiFi.

Its servers are fast, allowing you to stream content on Netflix, HBO, Hulu, and more without buffering. Even though this VPN might be cheaper than its competitors, the security features are also top-notch.

It features 256-bit encryption, which is the most secure in the industry.

Unlimited bandwidth and server switches, plus a user-friendly app makes Surfshark a popular choice with students.

As with the other top VPNs, the 30-day money-back guarantee allows you to test the service for free. 

Main Characteristics

• What you can unblock with Surfshark:
  • Netflix, Hotstar, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, HBO, and Amazon Prime Video.
• Torrenting:
  • Torrenting and P2P activity is supported on all servers
• Surfshark works on these devices:
  • Windows, iOS, macOS, Android.

Surfshark

Secure any online connection, whether at home or on public Wi-Fi with Surfshark.

Try Now Visit Website

Will my school know if I am using VPN?

Please note that some schools, colleges, and universities may detect you’re using a lesser VPN. Therefore, you need to use premium services like the ones we selected; otherwise, the VPN may fail at unblocking your connection.

Is it illegal to use a VPN in school?

Protecting your privacy and personal data when using the internet is your right. Therefore, using a VPN is entirely legal. Of course, you must not use the VPN for illegal activities online.

Moreover, your school may have set specific rules about using a VPN that you may decide to comply with. Therefore, if you are worried about getting in trouble because of some school rules, you can discuss VPN usage with your teacher or school administrator.

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