Geo-restriction refers to the practice of limiting user access to certain online content because of their geographical location. You’ve probably come across geo-restrictions while browsing the Internet without even realizing it and it often shows up when you try to stream or download certain content. That’s when you know you need to bypass geo blocking.
Governments are usually to blame for geo-restrictions and it’s usually because they want to keep their citizens from accessing certain information.
How Does Geo-Blocking Work?
Every device you use comes with an Internet Protocol address or IP address for short. This includes your laptop, tablet, and smartphone. This IP actually comes from your internet service provider (ISP) which is why your ISP will always have access to your IP.
How does your IP address work? Well, your IP address allows your server to send content across the network.
ISPs cannot use your IP address to track your online data, but it can leverage it using specialized software. This is what allows third-parties to monitor your online activity including the websites you visit and this makes it difficult to bypass geo blocking.
Web administrators use this information to apply geo-blocking. This is why some users can’t access YouTube or Netflix content based on their location and this is regardless of the device. It doesn’t matter if you have a Firestick, Fire TV Stick, Apple, Android, Windows or Linux device. Your IP address gives the website information about your geographical location in order to limit your access to certain data.
Geo-blocking is particularly prevalent when you travel because the content you have access to abroad depends on what’s available to users in that region.
Why Geo-Blocking Exists?
- Censorship
- Control of malicious traffic
- Prevention of the spread of illegal content
- Regulation of irrelevant content
- For copyright and licensing purposes
How to Access the Open Internet?
The good news is that you can bypass geo blocking using a VPN like IPVanish. This particular service is super easy to use and allows you to change your location so that you can access content that users in your region cannot access. So, if you’re in China and you are trying to access Facebook which is illegal in the country, then you can change your location to say that you’re in New York so that you can access this social network.
What is a VPN? VPN stands for Virtual Private Network and it refers to a private network that encrypts your data by sending it through a virtual tunnel, thus hiding it from anyone who’d want to track your online activity.
Using a VPN hides your IP address by allowing you to choose a remote VPN server in another country or region. This is what enables you to bypass geo blocking no matter who has enforced them because no one will be able to see your online activity.
How to Enjoy Unrestricted Internet
The first step to bypass geo blocking is to get a VPN like IPVanish which includes several great features. It’s super easy to use regardless of how tech-savvy you are.
- Start by signing up for an IPVanish account and select your preferred package
- Download and install the VPN
- Log in and select a virtual location from the available servers
- Surf the net and bypass geo blocking and other limitations
We all know that geo-restrictions can be a pain in the ass. Let us know what your experience has been in the comments section!
