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If you've had a broadband connection with Virgin Media for a long time... you could be due a free upgrade. Broadband customers who still rely on some of the oldest Wi-Fi routers sent out by Virgin Media will be contacted in the coming days and weeks, inviting them to switch to the newer Virgin Media Hub 4 "at no extra cost".
The free upgrade is taking place because older hardware from Virgin Media no longer receives security updates — leaving those wireless networks vulnerable to hackers and bugs.
Switch to EE, and get 3 months of FREE full-fibre broadband
For a limited time, EE is offering free broadband for the first 3 months of your contract. Available on full-fibre packages starting from £32.99, which unlocks the Full Fibre 150 plan, up to the all-singing, all-dancing Made For Gamers package with the new Wi-Fi 7 hub included as standard. If you're not outside of your current contract, EE will contribute up to £300 towards early exit fees
EE Full Fibre 150
$32.99
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Aside from the security improvements, Virgin Media's Hub 4 boasts an additional two wireless antennas compared to its predecessor. If you're struggling with poor connection in parts of your home — or a congested Wi-Fi network because of the sheer number of gadgets connected to a single router — the additional antennas should help keep everything running smoothly.
Virgin Media Hub 4 runs on Wi-Fi 5, which isn't the newest standard by a long stretch... but could offer some speed boosts if you're switching from a really old Wi-Fi router. You'll need a device that supports the Wi-Fi 5 standard to take advantage of these improvements.
If you own a Virgin Media Hub 3 or older, you're probably eligible to switch to the newer Virgin Media Hub 4 as part of the latest push to ensure broadband subscribers are running up-to-date hardware
VIRGIN MEDIA O2 PRESS OFFICE
The flagship Hub 5 from Virgin Media boasts speedier Wi-Fi 6 technology, but it's still lagging behind the all-singing, all-dancing Wi-Fi 7 router from EE — the first nationwide broadband supplier to offer this perk. Of course, you can buy a standalone Wi-Fi router and connect it to your existing system to unlock these newer speeds. Amazon-owned brand eero is one the market-leaders and recently announced its Wi-Fi 7 lineup.
Virgin Media has offered free upgrades to those reliant on its oldest Wi-Fi routers for some time. However, the latest campaign is linked to a new law passed by the UK Government that forces all Internet Service Providers, or ISPs, to protect their customers from hackers and cybercriminals.
Starting this month, manufacturers will be legally required to protect consumers from hackers and cyber criminals from accessing devices with internet or network connectivity — from phones to game consoles and connected fridges — as the UK becomes the first country on the planet to introduce these laws.
Upgrade to the latest Wi-Fi 7 speeds with eero router on Amazon
Stop relying on the Wi-Fi router sent from your broadband provider, and switch to the cutting-edge new eero 7 wireless router from Amazon. With the latest wireless technologies, it supports internet speeds up to 2.5Gbps with two auto-sensing 2.5 GbE ports and wireless speeds up to 1.8 Gbps. A single eero 7 can support 120+ devices and 190 m² of coverage
eero 7
Under the new regime, manufacturers will be banned from having weak, easily guessable default passwords like ‘admin’ or ‘12345’ and if there is a common password the user will be prompted to change it on start-up.
According to the UK Government, this will help prevent threats like the damaging Mirai attack in 2016 which saw 300,000 smart products compromised due to weak security features and used to attack major internet platforms and services, leaving much of the US East Coast without internet. Since then, similar attacks have occurred on UK banks including Lloyds and RBS leading to disruption to customers.
Since some of the oldest Virgin Media routers still powering household broadband can no longer receive software updates or bug fixes, these fall foul of the new legislation.
Speaking at the time the legislation was announced, then-UK Data and Digital Infrastructure Minister, Julia Lopez said: "Today marks a new era where consumers can have greater confidence that their smart devices, such as phones and broadband routers, are shielded from cyber threats, and the integrity of personal privacy, data and finances better protected.
"Our pledge to establish the UK as the global standard for online safety takes a big step forward with these regulations, moving us closer to our goal of a digitally secure future."
This new regime intends to increase consumer confidence in the security of the products they buy and use, delivering on one of the government’s five priorities to grow the economy. The new laws will be included as part of Downing Street's £2.6 billion National Cyber Strategy to protect and promote the UK online.
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If you're eligible for the free upgrade from Virgin Media, you'll be contacted by the broadband supplier in the coming days. The message will read: "We're aware you've got one of our oldest Hubs, either a Hub 1, Hub 2 or a Hub 2 AC. Although they still work, they no longer receive security updates.
"The UK Government has updated the law about telecommunications networks and keeping you safe online, and we need to offer you a free Hub replacement.
The good news is, our Hub 4 is more secure, faster and offers improved power consumption. There's no need to change your current package or sign a new contract."
If you haven't heard from Virgin Media, but you think you might be running an older piece of equipment, you can check whether your hardware should be switched to something newer by heading to virginmedia.com/hubupgrade today.
