The whole world is connected through the internet. Most of the content and websites on the internet can be accessed from any part of the world, but some parts of the internet are inaccessible to specific regions. All of this happens due to geo-blocking. There are easy ways to bypass Geo-Blockin, and in this article, we will explore What it is Geo- Blocking and how to Bypass Geo-Blocking without a VPN. Please make sure that you stay tuned till the end of this article.
What Is Geo-Blocking?
Geo-Blocking is the process of restricting access to certain content or websites on the internet. This can be done from two ends. Either the website has blocked its access from your location, or the Government, due to laws and regulations, has banned the certain website or the type of content as a whole. Certain ISPs may temporarily restrict their users from accessing websites to manage traffic.
Examples Of Geo-Blocking
You might still not have a clear idea of what exactly geo-blocking is. The most common example of Geo-Blocking is OTT platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, HBO, and Hulu, which restrict users from specific regions from accessing certain content on their platforms to adhere to licensing terms.
Ecommerce sites also use Geo-Blocking to show pricing relevant to your region. Another prime example of geoblocking is torrenting sites which have been long banned in many countries. But there are still regions where these sites can be freely accessed.
Now that you have a clear idea about what Geo-Blocking is let us proceed with understanding the methods to bypass it without a VPN.
How to Bypass Geo-Blocking Without a VPN
The one question that arises for everyone is the legality of bypassing Geo-blocking. Well, it depends on the country’s laws and regulations. In the case of Streaming sites, it is not illegal. However, it does go against their terms and conditions. If you bypass geo-blocking for accessing illegal or banned sites, it can be punishable under the law.
The easiest way to get around Geo-blocking is with the help of a VPN. But VPNs can slow your internet speeds and also change your IP address. Let’s have a look at methods to bypass Geo-Blocking without a VPN:
1] Tor Browser
Tor Browser is a web browser based on privacy and restriction-free internet fundamentals. When you use the Tor browser to visit a specific website, no part of your internet identity is disclosed to the website server, and you can visit the websites anonymously.
Many popular websites have dedicated Onion addresses that can be used to access these websites anonymously and without any Geo-blocking restrictions. So let’s say the New York Times is blocked in your country. Then you can use the Onion address to visit the website entirely anonymously.
The same goes for other websites like Facebook and even some streaming platforms. Tor browser does not require you to pay a premium or get a subscription. It is a free and open-source project.
2] Proxy Servers
Proxy servers are one of the closest and direct alternatives to VPNs as they work more or less the same way. Like VPNs, proxy servers also reroute your traffic and assign you an IP address from a different country. The only way that Proxy servers don’t work in the same way as VPNs is because proxy servers work only in web browsers and have a dedicated website for them.
To access a website through a proxy server, you first visit the Proxy server website, paste the address of the website you want to visit, select a server location from the ones available, and proceed. VPNs allow you to change the IP address system-wide. There are quite a lot of Free proxy servers available out there, but here are some of the most popular ones:
- HideMYAss Proxy Server
- Hide.me Proxy Server
- Hidester Proxy Server
- Proxysite Proxy Server
3] SmartDNS
The DNS servers resolve complex web addresses to human-readable forms. The DNS servers for your ISP are situated locally and prone to geo-blocking. By switching to SmartDNS, you can prevent this. SmartDNS assign you a DNS server situated in a remote location.
SmartDNS allows you to stream media content with geo-blocking even on devices that don’t support VPNs, as DNS servers can be changed for almost every device out there. There is a huge upside to using SmartDNS as they don’t encrypt your internet traffic and so don’t slow your internet speed at all. However, your IP address can be at risk of exposure. Here are some of the best SmartDNS services out there:
- StrongDNS: StrongDNS is a SmartDNS service, a complimentary product you get when subscribing to StrongVPN. StrongDNS prevents DNS hijacking hence preventing your identity from getting exposed. It has 950 anonymous DNS servers situated worldwide. StrongDNS provides unrestricted access to media streaming sites on devices that don’t support VPNs.
- Surfshark With SmartDNS: SurfShark is one of the leading VPN service providers out there, and Surfshark SmartDNS is a curated complimentary product offered with a Surfshark VPN Subscription to allow users unrestricted access to media streaming sites on devices like Smart TVs, Xbox, and others.
- ExpressVPN With Mediastreamer: ExpressVPN is considered one of the best VPN services to stream unrestricted media content. The service further improves by providing a perfect solution for devices that don’t support VPN. The Mediastreamer DNS gives blazing-fast access to streaming sites.
Conclusion:
Surfing the web is not as simple and safe as it used to be years ago. There are countless threats, censorship, and tracking. Taking a few intelligent steps can protect you from all of that. We hope you found the article to be insightful. Please make sure that you share it with everyone.
Is SmartDNS Same As VPN?
SmartDNS is not same as VPN. SmartDNS work by changing your DNS servers to one located in a different country, providing unrestricted internet access. Unlike VPNs, SmartDNS also don’t slow down your internet speed as they don’t encrypt your traffic. However, while using SmartDNS, your IP is constantly exposed.
Is VPN the Same As The Proxy Server?
VPNs are not the same as proxy servers as VPNs change the IP address system-wide, while proxy servers are dedicated websites that allow you to access websites with an IP address of different regions. You can use them only within a browser.
