The tech industry has designed VPNs software to keep users’ data safe, hide identity and geo-locations. However, there are also anti-VPN services that are utilized by websites, government, and organizations. To restrict users from accessing some internet content. Some streaming media channels such as Netflix occasionally send warning like “you seem to be using an unblocker or proxy.” This message is often especially for users streaming content through an online device like Firestick.
The internet provides legitimate and scam VPN services, which are difficult to differentiate. There are claims of best free VPN for Firestick or free VPN for Netflix. However, some of the insights are false and misleading. Netflix and other streaming channels using strong anti-VPN services to curb users from accessing the content freely. This dismisses the logic of using a free VPN on such a website. However, some of the pro version or premium versions hide user identity and location. This makes it easier to bypass the geolocation and access restricted contents.
The website using anti-VPN can identify IP addresses and burn them from accessing online content. The act happens even when you have a VPN service in place. It’s advisable to check the VPN features, services, and reviews before purchasing the service. However, one can use different tricks to access streaming sites such as Hulu, Netflix, Amazon prime video, and more. To bypass any blocking set by your organization school or ISP.
Why VPNs are blocked
The government, ISP, schools, organizations, etc., might opt to block VPN for various reasons.
- Licensing issues
It’s common to find specific content from Netflix available in one region and blocked in the other countries. The primary issue is the broadcasting license, prompting users to implement VPN. This is also the reason streaming services block VPNs. To avoid streaming content from outside their region. Netflix and other streaming media can only stream in specific regions. However, the internet still provides ways to bypass the restriction.
- Copyrighted material
The majority of online users stream premium content for free. This violates the copyright laws and might lead to legal trouble. Many countries don’t allow users to interfere with copyright materials, thus blocking VPN services. Some governments don’t encourage torrent websites as they promote piracy. Using a VPN is not illegal, as many people use it to browse and stream online legally. However, investing in the correct VPN will help avoid legal problems and keep your identity from the public eye.
- School or organization interests
Many institutions block VPNs to ban students and employees from accessing some websites. This helps in avoiding distractions and improves work efficiency. Employees connected through the organization router cannot access blocked information or social networks like Facebook, YouTube, or access game sites. It’s frustrating but also beneficial to employers and school management.
- Government surveillance and censorship
Every government in the world has its restrictions on online content. Some of the streaming apps encourage the government and ISP to monitor your online activities fully. It’s annoying but very beneficial to the country. Since the government can follow in illegal trades through online surveillance. However, VPN is the best solution to hide your identity from ISP and the government. In countries using anti-VPN, users should be careful not to tamper with the restrictions. One requires high technology to bypass the government VPN blockage.
Types of VPN blocks
IP blocking
All devices connected to the internet have a unique IP address. The address helps websites located in your region. The IP address will determine whether you can access a specific service from Netflix or not. Using a VPN provides the IP address of the server but not your location. To block your VPN, the website checks your list and compares it VPN IP addresses used in the past. If your IP address is found on the list, the website will automatically block your VPN.
Port blocking
All website servers have several ports for different kinds of traffic example, “HTTPS uses port 443 while HPPT uses port 80. The majority of VPNs have their portal; this makes them an easy target to block. However, quality VPN has many ports, and one is blocked; they can use a new port.
Deep packet inspection DPI
The ISP and government might use the DPI service to get and filter all the data which goes through their network. This helps them detect VPN traffic, making it easy to block, re-route or log the user’s data. The technic is mainly used in countries with high VPN censorship.
How to bypass VPN blocks
To bypass any VPN blocks, the user needs to use strong and reliable VPN services. One can also use alternative methods as follows:
- Upgrading to high-quality VPN
Upgrading your VPN service should be the first choice; a quality VPN is hard to detect or block. The VPN developers have implemented ways for VPN to evade the restrictions through advanced technology. The VPN provider should constantly change the IP address to keep you anonymous. The VPN service should also offer different VPN protocols and have obscured servers to bypass the government and ISP surveillance.
- Use a different VPN server.
You can try a new VPN server that is experiencing issues with the current server. The website blocking your VPN has already detected your IP address and needs to change it.
- Switching between different VPN ports
The users should check whether the VPN allows switching between different ports using the same protocol. Suppose the VPN has the feature you can interchange the ports and remain undetected.
- Set up a dedicated IP
The majority of quality VPN has a dedicated IP address for their users. However, the user must pay for the extra service. The IP address is hard to detect since you’re the only person using the address.
- Using different software
To bypass VPN blocks can work by changing your service provider and using different software. The user can opt for services such as Tor, obfsproxy, shadowsocks, etc.