How To Access Geo-Blocked Content [Tips & Precautions]

Are you a fan of streaming or surfing the web? If so, you’ve probably run into a common obstacle – geographic blocking. Whenever you receive a message saying a website isn’t available in your location or that you can’t watch your favorite show on Netflix, you’re witnessing geographic blocking in action.

Geographic blocking is a technical process with a purpose. It’s often used to safeguard licensing agreements, like those involving media properties. For instance, it’s the reason you need to use a VPN with Netflix to watch a show. But beyond business interests, it’s also employed as a gatekeeping mechanism, restricting access to information in countries under authoritarian rule. Let’s delve deeper into how to remove geo-blocking.

What Exactly is Geo-Blocking?

Geo-blocking is all about limiting your access to online content based on where you are in the world. These limitations typically apply to international borders. Streaming services such as Netflix, and Amazon Prime employ geo-blocking to stay compliant with licensing agreements across various countries, legal frameworks, or other rules and regulations. 

Now let us know some effective tips to bypass geo-blocking and access restricted content. 

1. VPN

A VPN, or virtual private network, which works by hiding or changing your IP address and encrypting your connection. By redirecting your internet traffic through a server in a different location of the world, This means you can connect to servers in the USA, the UK, or Australia, depending on your preference.

Particularly when using unprotected or public WiFi networks, their intuitive user interfaces provide a simple setup process, allowing you to secure your data swiftly. Make sure you choose the right VPN according to your requirements. 

2. Using Kodi with VPN

Kodi is an open-source media player that lets you stream free content through add-ons. Kodi does not have its own content, but it lets you stream from different platforms using addons. Some Kodi add-ons are geo-blocked to allow content streaming only in specific countries or locations. However, you can stream geo-blocked content on those add-ons using a VPN. 

When you use the Kodi app, your data might not be safe, and you need a VPN made for using addons and third party apps. A VPN protects your streaming activities from ISPs, hackers, and other authorities to keep you safe. 

There are different VPNs, and you need to choose the one that allows streaming on Kodi addons. When you choose the right VPN, you can stream geo-blocked content and experience good streaming speeds. In addition, you can stream free content from a variety of platforms. Choosing the right VPN for Kodi also offers you enhanced security while streaming premium content. 

2. Smart DNS

Smart DNS (domain name server) is your go-to tool when you open a web page that’s geo-blocked. It’s an international network of DNS servers, and when you connect to one of these servers, it magically conceals your IP address. It reroutes your DNS requests, effectively outsmarting attempts at geographical blocking.

Setting up Smart DNS or DNS changers may vary in difficulty depending on the DNS service you use, but they’re often recommended when it comes to getting around geo-blocking. Anyone with a bit of technical know-how can tweak DNS settings on their routers.

3. Proxy Servers

Proxy servers act as intermediaries, accessing information on your behalf and passing it back to your device. You’ll receive a proxy server’s address to dodge regional restrictions. If a proxy server resides in a country with access to licensed content, you can use it to gain entry.

Most proxy servers are free and offer varying levels of anonymity. They’re also easy to set up and maintain decent download and upload speeds. However, they don’t go the extra mile to encrypt your data, which can affect server performance.

On the flip side, proxies don’t encrypt data during the geo-blocking bypass process, making your online activities more transparent and visible compared to VPNs. Using proxies comes with privacy risks, so be cautious.

4. Tor Browser

The Tor browser offers another avenue for circumventing geo-blocking. It connects to the Tor network, a network of nodes that collaborate to shield your online actions by routing your connection through multiple layers of encryption. This heightened security, however, can lead to slower internet speeds due to the added complexity of routing through these layers.

Is Geo-Blocking Legal?

Geo-blocking access to websites and services is perfectly legal and widely used in countries like China to limit access to banned content. It also serves as a legitimate means of enforcing licensing agreements and other legal contracts. Companies employ geo-blocking for business reasons, including dynamic pricing.

Summing Up

Geoblocking is essential for companies and streaming services to stay compliant with licensing agreements, legal frameworks, or other regulations in the countries where they run their services. However, using the above methods, users can pass geoblocking and access geo blocked content on their devices. However, they should take care of the legal restrictions for access content and streaming services in their location. 

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