Geo-Restrictions
Many of us have often faced an error on the screen saying this content is not available in your country while accessing a website. This error is known as geo-blocking. While geo-blocking has its own valuable duty to perform but it acts as a hindrance to people’s entertainment. In this article, you will know about geo-restrictions, how it operates, and how to get past them using a VPN.
What is geo-restriction, and how to bypass it using a VPN?
Geo-restriction is the practice of limiting internet material access based on your location. International boundaries are frequently subject to these constraints. Geo-restriction is also employed to block allowance to websites that advocate illegal activities in certain regions.
Through tracking and geolocation technology, Geoblocking operates by knowing and tracking your Internet Protocol (IP) address location. Your IP address is comparable to your home address in that it serves the same purpose, in that it provides information about your location. Suppose your IP address is linked to an area or country where access to some websites is prohibited. Geo-blocking is turned on in that situation, and you won’t be able to visit the website.
VPNs can let you overcome geo-blocks and other content restrictions by routing your connection through a server in another country. Because your IP address is the foundation of all geo-blocking, you’ll need to conceal your actual IP address if you want to get around the restrictions. A Virtual Private Network (VPN) substitutes your current IP address with one from a different location. When you connect to a VPN server, your traffic comes from the VPN server rather than your home server.
If you’re going to utilize a VPN, ensure it has robust security features and encryption techniques to protect your privacy. Some people are willing to pay a lot of money for your information. People in the corporate sector, such as marketers, are the most obvious of those who can benefit from knowing what sites you visit and when. With a VPN, though, most of that digital trail is disguised, allowing you to restore the privacy you need.
If you’re not sure which VPN to use, Urban VPN is a good option because it has fast connection speeds and safe encryption.
Steps to use a VPN to get past a geo-restriction:
Step 1: Go to the website or app store of the VPN service you want to use.
Step 2: Get the app on your device.
Step 3: Follow the instructional steps for setting up the VPN.
Step 4: Log in or create an account.
Step 5: Select a server from which you may access the website you’re looking for.
Step 6: Link to the server and surf the web!
That is all there is to it.
What is Geo-Restricted Content?
Geo-restriction refers to the practice of restricting access to specific websites depending on your IP address, which determines your location. Entertainment, news, social media, and internet shopping are the four broad types of restricted content. And when we say “content,” we’re referring to anything you want to watch, listen to, read, or purchase.
Video streaming apps like Netflix, Youtube, HBO, etc., use geo-blocking. They block access to their content for users from certain countries.
Why is content geo-restricted /blocked in some locations?
Licensing or copyright issues are the most typical reason for geo-blocking. A service must own the distribution rights to a given market to release a specific piece of content in your region legally. It’s typical for streaming services to have distribution rights to some markets but not others for numerous content.
Geo-blocking is also used to separate marketplaces. Because different markets have varied prices, languages, and favored content, a streaming service will personalize their experience. It’s also why some services are entirely unavailable in particular areas.
Censorship is another reason for using geo-restrictions. Governments could use Geo-blocking to prevent access to unlawful content such as porn and gambling. Repressive countries also use this technique to restrict the internet. This one is caused by the local government’s dissatisfaction with the service, website, or content you’re attempting to access. No matter what their intentions are, they’re in the way of you seeing something you would like to view as an audience.
Is bypassing geo-restricted content legal?
It’s natural to ask if it’s illegal to overcome these barriers as people seek ways to get past them. The answer is that bypassing geo-restricted content is not “illegal” in and of itself. On the other hand, many streaming providers consider avoiding geo-restrictions to be a violation of their terms of service. It isn’t unlawful, but it violates their company’s policies.
What are the steps to access geo-restricted content with urban VPN?
VPN connection functions by passing your data through a server located in another country. This replaces your actual IP address with a temporary, country-specific IP address, which can be used to determine your location. Hence, the majority of geo-restricted platforms are unable to distinguish between VPN users and users who are physically present in the needed region.
Like every other VPN service provider, Urban VPN works similarly. Regardless, it’s an entirely free VPN that ensures your privacy and security.
The following is a step-by-step guide to installing Urban VPN on Windows:
- Download Urban VPN for windows
- Select the Urban-VPN taskbar icon with the right-click menu
- Choose the VPN location you want
To install the Urban VPN on any browser, simply follow these steps:
- Install the browser extension from the official store of your browser or the Urban VPN website
- Log in using the browser extension
- Connect to a server you’ve chosen
With instant activation and limitless bandwidth, the Urban VPN browser extension allows you to view and download geo-restricted content without any hassle.
Conclusion
Content providers employ geo-restriction technology to limit which countries can access different online content and services. Concealing your geolocation on the internet is the most outstanding technique to avoid geo-restrictions. You may accomplish this by using a VPN that will mask your identity.
