Geo-blocking is a process designed to limit access to online content based on a geographical location. Streaming platforms such as Netflix, Amazon, Hulu, HBO, YouTube, BBC, and others, use geo-blocking to block access to content from a particular location in order to protect licensing and copyrights.
Some platforms also use geo-blocking to enforce price discrimination, a strategy used to charge customers worldwide the most money they will pay for the same product. For example, content that’s cheaper in certain countries is blocked from other locations with higher per capita income through geo-blocking.
Many totalitarian states also use geo-blocking to cut off access to content against the interests of the establishment. Such authorities use geo-blocking technology to silence journalists and activists and to run propaganda unchallenged. It’s no coincidence that geo-blocking bypassing tools are the most popular in many South Asian, Middle Eastern, and Eastern European markets.
The list of countries that outlaw software used to circumvent geo-blocking are also the countries that use geo-blocking extensively, such as North Korea, Cuba, Egypt, and Myanmar, to name a few.
So, How Does It Work?
Every device connected to the Internet is assigned a unique numerical label called the Internet Protocol (IP) address. An interested party can use your IP address to check your country, city, and postal code. Geo-blocking technology simply blocks IP addresses from countries that aren’t allowed access to the content.
How Do I Bypass a Geo-Block?
The easiest way to bypass a geo-block in order to access new entertainment content and e-commerce opportunities is to change your IP address. Unfortunately, your Internet Service Providers (ISPs) will never assign you an IP address from another country, leaving you with two popular options.
- Virtual Private Networks (VPNs): A VPN is the best and safest way to bypass a geo-block. It secures your connection and masks your IP address with a VPN server address, giving you access to new content. If you have more questions like what is a VPN and how does it help me? — then refer to the right cybersecurity experts for answers.
- Proxy:A Proxy acts as a middleman between you and the web and masks your IP address. Unfortunately, a proxy offers little security and low bandwidth speeds — using a proxy to stream a video is sometimes like watching a slideshow.
Is It Dangerous to Bypass a Geo-Block?
Surprisingly, it’s not illegal to use a VPN to bypass geo-blocks in many countries. In Europe, geo-blocking itself is controversial. Although the act of circumventing a geo-block isn’t dangerous, the means can be. Many Internet users don’t realize that free VPNs and free proxy services carry cybersecurity threats such as malware designed to breach their security and privacy. These services are also infamous because they log your activities and sell them to third parties. Some free VPNs even sell your bandwidth to make a buck!
Your best option is to use a paid VPN service that uses the latest encryption technology to protect your data, has a no-logging policy, and offers the quickest VPN servers across the world. With the right VPN, you can bypass geo-blocks and enjoy lightning-fast speeds.
