South Africa Privacy Guide is an independent resource for safer browsing. We test popular VPN apps, publish step-by-step setup tutorials, and explain common problems like slow speeds, DNS leaks, and connection errors.
New here? Start with our best VPNs for South Africa shortlist, or jump straight to the VPN troubleshooting hub.
More South Africans are turning to VPNs for privacy and online security.
A VPN helps encrypt your traffic, protect your personal data, and reduce the risks of tracking—especially on public Wi-Fi networks.
A virtual private network (VPN) helps you browse privately and access content without restrictions. However, some websites and online services don’t see VPN traffic as legitimate — and will actively block VPN connections. Whether it’s streaming platforms, online banking, or public Wi-Fi networks, VPN detection is becoming increasingly common in South Africa and worldwide.
The good news is that there are several ways to stay under the radar and keep browsing freely.
Why is your VPN being detected and blocked?
If an online service blocks your connection while you’re using a VPN, it’s rarely random. Many platforms use specific detection methods to identify VPN traffic and restrict access.
1) VPN IP addresses are blacklisted
The most common technique is blocking IP addresses linked to VPN providers. Many services maintain databases of known VPN IPs and automatically deny access when they detect one. If you connect through a flagged IP address, the platform may block you instantly.
2) VPN ports and protocols can give you away
Some services go further by monitoring the network ports commonly used by VPN protocols.
For example, OpenVPN often uses port 1194, while WireGuard typically runs on port 51820 by default. That said, WireGuard can also be configured to use other ports — including 443 (HTTPS) — which can help bypass certain restrictions.
If a firewall is set up to detect and filter these ports, VPN traffic can be blocked quickly and automatically.
How do we evaluate our VPNs?
To determine which VPNs are truly worth the investment, we analyze each provider’s features, performance, and overall value.
Security comes first. That’s why we prioritize VPNs that offer military-grade encryption, multiple secure protocols (such as OpenVPN, IKEv2, L2TP, and others), DNS leak protection, and a reliable kill switch. We also evaluate each VPN’s server network — including the number of servers, available locations, and real-world speed performance.
Next, we assess ease of use, from downloading and installing the app to connecting to the best server for the user’s needs. Customer support is another key factor, so we test response time, available contact options, and how effective the support team is at resolving issues.
Finally, we compare all of these results against the cost to determine whether each VPN offers good value. We also review feedback from real users — including both positive and negative experiences — to get a clearer picture of long-term reliability.
Our team reviews VPN services using real subscriptions and hands-on tests. We focus on what matters most: speed in South Africa, server performance, streaming access, and strong security features.
Setup Guides (iPhone, Android, Windows)
A tested shortlist of VPNs that balance privacy, speed, and reliability — with clear picks for streaming and everyday browsing.
Protecting Your Privacy Online
Step-by-step walkthroughs, recommended settings, and quick fixes for common VPN issues — including DNS/WebRTC leak checks.
Not connecting? Slow speeds? Blocked apps? We cover the fixes that actually work — from protocol settings to DNS and firewall checks.
“Online privacy isn’t about hiding. It’s about staying safe — especially on public Wi-Fi, during banking, and when you travel.”