How to Use a VPN to Spoof Your Location and Avoid Geo-restriction?
Change your location online in four simple steps.
Want to overcome the geo-blocking barricades and access region-locked services like Netflix and BBC iPlayer from anywhere?
Here comes the solution for you! We explain how to use a VPN to spoof your real location and access geo-blocked content.
You have experienced region-locked troubles that are preventing you from getting the most from your streaming subscriptions. During this treacherous virtual time, major streaming services, as well as sports, gaming, and gambling sites are region-locked. This means only users in specific locations can access such sites and services.
We have also heard that some countries, like China, do not permit cryptocurrency trading. China prevents it with The Great Firewall of China.
In addition to that, Gulf countries like Qatar and Saudi Arabia restrict access to a wide range of services, some of which are incredibly popular elsewhere. So, it is important to know by now that your geolocation is linked to your IP address.
Freedom of information: This is a basic human right.
Fortunately, there’s an easy way to bypass geo-blocking: connect your device to a Virtual Private Network (VPN).
How to Use a VPN to Get Around Geo-Blocking
Generally, a VPN works by safely routing your traffic through a server in another country. In this way, your real IP address can be kept anonymous. Hide your IP address. This will prevent someone from determining your exact location. Your original IP address is replaced with a temporary, country-specific IP address.
As a result, it will be difficult for the most geo-restricted platforms to tell the difference between a VPN user and someone who’s actually in the required location. Most online services and websites will confirm that you are in another location.
As an extra advantage, VPNs encrypt your data traffic, forming a virtual tunnel so that your employer, government, and Internet Service Provider (ISP) can’t see and monitor your online activities. This is very helpful if you’re in a country with strict internet censorship.
Steps to use a VPN to Beat the Hell Out of Geo-blocking?
It is a simple task to evade virtual roadblocks by using a reliable VPN server provider. In this way, you can access any geo-blocked content.
Let’s start with the following steps:
Step 1. Sign up for a trustworthy VPN provider (SPL VPN is a strong recommendation as it doesn’t need to sign up).
Step 2. On your connected device, download and install apps from your provider of choice.
Next step,
Step 3. Connect to a VPN server that is located in the country where you want to access geo-blocked content. For instance, if you want to view US Netflix, you have to connect to a server inside of the United States of America.
Step 4. Finally, Connect to your favourite streaming platform and enjoy the show! (If you face any issue while viewing your desired content, clear your browser’s cookies and content cache and reload the site.)
If the issue still persists, contact your VPN customer support team to ask if you should use a particular server to access the streaming site.
How Does a VPN Change the IP Address?
A VPN has a network of servers located in key locations. After selecting your desired server, connect your device to a free Android VPN App. The VPN creates a virtual private tunnel through which your traffic passes. Here comes the magic of VPNs. The VPN redirects and re-routes your traffic through your chosen server. During this time, your IP address will be changed in order to match the location of your selected server. And finally, you will appear to be located in the country where the server you connected to is situated.
What is Geo-blocking?
Geo-blocking is a technology used by content providers to restrict access to their sites or any other services on a geographical basis. That means specific content for a specific location or location-wise discriminatory practice. This occurs due to the licensing regulations.
Why such discrimination is based on location?
Every channel or provider is entitled to secure the rights to certain content in the country. For this purpose, they pay a bulk amount. That’s why they implement such restrictions to protect their content from being viewed abroad.
How Do Web Services Identify Your Location?
It is through your IP address! Have you ever wondered where you got your IP address? It is the ISP that provides you with an IP address when you connect to an internet service. Every device subscribed to the internet has a specific IP address that helps determine the device’s location.
Let’s simplify things. Whenever you access any website, anyone can determine your current whereabouts by first examining your IP address. If your IP address is not valid for the website you’re visiting, you’ll get a message stating that this content is not available in your region.
You might have experienced region restrictions whenever you used Netflix US. If you are an Indian user, you’ll be redirected to the content library assigned in your region rather than the American one, again based on your IP address.
Nowadays, a lot of data spying takes place with your IP address. So, it’s an advised practice to hide your IP address just like you would secure your money in a locker.
Geo-blocking Is a Discriminatory Practice
Geo-blocking is a strange thing to happen even in the 21st century. Isn’t it? Geo-restrictions come because of the outdated copyright laws and agreements that only permit licensing for specific parts of the world. However, it made a lot of sense when content was distributed on cassettes, CDs, and DVDs. Nevertheless, in today’s world of global digital connectivity, territorial restrictions are just an unnecessary nuisance for end users.
The World Wide Web is an interesting place to obtain anything you want. However, it is highly irritating when the trouble comes in the form of geo-restriction.
Take another instance: whenever you try to purchase an item or service online or stream a movie, you get an error stating that your geographic location doesn’t allow such action.
There comes the power of SPL VPN. Generally, it is believed that the function of a VPN is to protect your privacy whenever you are connected to the internet.
But when you choose SPL, you will get multiple advantages.
In addition to protecting your devices from regional restrictions, you can bypass location-based restrictions with SPL VPN.
It offers free and unlimited service with high-quality WireGuard implementation. This is a peculiar name in the VPN market known for its zero logging feature and easy one-click connectivity. SPL is the most trustworthy free Android VPN App.
What Geo-blocked Sites Can I Access with the Help of a VPN?
This depends upon your VPN server. If your VPN is qualitative and reliable, you’ll surely get access to a large number of geo-blocked sites and services.
These consist of:
- Video streaming sites
- Audio streaming sites
- Sports streaming sites
- Gambling and gaming sites
- Social media network sites
- Dating services
- Messaging sites
- News sites, and many more.
The list goes on.
Conclusion
Let’s draw a conclusion! Now you have to understand that only quality and reputed VPN providers can easily spoof your location and break the great geo-blocking walls set up by content providers and overly restrictive governments.
A top-notch VPN like SPL enables you to unblock any website with a single click. The VPN’s merits do not end there!
In addition to encrypting your internet connection, a VPN protects your online activities from the prying eyes of your ISP, the government, snoopers, and other internet fraudsters.