Have you ever tried listening to music or streaming a movie only to be told that it is unavailable in your area? Or perhaps, your attempts to access a website failed as you discovered that you could not do it from your location. Most of us encounter these situations when using various streaming services and social networking platforms.
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It occurs due to something called geo-blocking, which leads to the restriction of online materials to specific locations. Due to laws or regulations, some content may be restricted to a specific region or prohibited in a particular location. The best part about this setup is that it is not illegal to circumvent geo-blocking, and the methods listed below will teach you how to do it effectively and acquire access to the material you want.
Different Ways of Bypassing Geo-Blocking
You can use several ways to access content that is restricted when using geo-blocking. Most likely, by implementing just one of these solutions, you’ll be able to resolve this problem:
- make use of proxy servers;
- download a VPN app or use a VPN browser extension;
- use a Tor browser;
- change your DNS with a Smart DNS.
Here’s a quick rundown of what you can anticipate from each of them so that you can choose the best match for you.
1. Make Use of Proxy Servers
Using proxy servers is a simple approach to avoid geo-blocking. Proxy servers operate as a go-between for you and the Internet service providers. There are many different types of proxy servers, and each of them provides you with varying levels of anonymity as you surf the Internet.
To access whichever prohibited online material you’d like to obtain, you can use a proxy to spoof your location with one that has access to the content you seek. For example, if there is content you can only access in the UK, you can get a proxy server in UK, and just like that — it’s at your fingertips. Some proxies may be configured in-browser; popular browsers such as Firefox, Chrome, and Internet Explorer all enable the usage of proxies.
2. Download VPN App / Use VPN Browser Extension
A VPN is another option that gives you access to content that is not available in your place. VPNs connect your device to servers in the locations with the content you are trying to access. These apps are even better than proxy servers when it comes to securing your anonymity online.
Also, VPN services offer some kind of encryption to protect your data and boost your online security. The only downside of using a VPN is that most websites and streaming services have also added restrictions that block any IP connected to VPNs. Some browsers also support adding a VPN extension.
3. Use a Tor Browser
An alternative method to access online content restricted to specific locations is the Tor browser. It is a browser specifically used to surf the net anonymously. It connects to various nodes that work together to keep your activities online private. To keep your information private, these nodes utilize numerous encryption layers in a process known as onion routing. The main downside of this is a slow Internet connection.
4. Change Your DNS with a Smart DNS
A DNS, also known as a Domain Name Server, is essentially a connection to an IP address. When you use a smart DNS, the geo-blocked site becomes accessible to you by rerouting the traffic going through your DNS. It is similar to when you use a proxy server, but changes are made to the DNS, not the IP address. Despite the similarities a smart DNS may share with a proxy server, the major contrast is that the first option can function on all devices on a network, whereas a proxy server can only work on one device.
Explore the Internet Without Restrictions
People should access whichever content they need on the Internet, no matter where they reside, without any censorship or restrictions. The resources listed in this article can access the content you are looking for. However, some geo-restricted and subscription-based content may require you to pay with a credit card issued in the region you are spoofing. For that, you need a service that can offer you a credit card from that region. It is very easy to find one online.
While all of the tools outlined above are beneficial, VPNs are typically the best chance for gaining access to the desired content, and they are the easiest to set up after the Tor browser. Hopefully, this article has provided you with some helpful information. Have you ever used any of the services mentioned above? How often do you run into the need to use a proxy when using the Internet? Please share your thoughts in the comments section below.
