One of the more annoying, and really unfair, things that are tied to video on demand services are geographical restrictions. Also known as geoblocking, this is a restriction of content that certain providers, services, and companies can give you. While these are mostly caused by distributors, and not by services, this is still very frustrating.
Namely, the content you can receive from Amazon Prime in America will be significantly different to the content you get if you’re in Korea, or India, or France. However, it’s completely normal and natural that you want to get more out of your subscription, and that you want equal treatment. For that reason, we suggest you read the article below, and find out exactly what you need to do to bypass geo blocking.
Now, your IP address is your online address. Assigned to you by your ISP, it’s a special identifier that allows you to access any content you might have requested. However, this entails one other thing relevant to this article – your location.
Think of the VPN as creating a kind of tunnel for your device. This tunnel protects and masks your data, so you will not only change your IP location, you will also be a bit more protected when you go online.
Now, as far as setting one up is concerned, it’s not nearly as complicated as you would think. First, you want to check this free VPN list, and find a provider that seems to suit your needs. From there, just follow the instructions, install it, set it all up, choose an appropriate server (we suggest a US one for Amazon Prime), and you are good to go.
Now, the core issue with VPNs is that you need to find a good VPN. If you don’t, you might end up with slow speeds, and a generally poor experience.
It works by having your data encrypted through multiple layers, and each successive relay will transmit and decrypt more and more data.
Keep in mind there aren’t that many relays on the Tor network. IN fact, there are around 6000-7000 relays, while over 2 million users. In other words, slow internet speeds are a given. Also know that in certain cases, TOR can actually be blocked by your government.
You need to keep in mind that your internet service provider might block your DNS through your transparent proxy. This, of course, depends on your server.
Now, a problem with a proxy server is that these can often end up being overcrowded, and thus suffer from some serious downtime. Also, a proxy server (website) might not allow you to push through a log-in page. Still, no reason you shouldn’t try your luck.
Namely, the content you can receive from Amazon Prime in America will be significantly different to the content you get if you’re in Korea, or India, or France. However, it’s completely normal and natural that you want to get more out of your subscription, and that you want equal treatment. For that reason, we suggest you read the article below, and find out exactly what you need to do to bypass geo blocking.
Why does this happen?
We already mentioned why this happens – distribution laws and deals. However, how they figure this out is just as important. They use your IP address.Now, your IP address is your online address. Assigned to you by your ISP, it’s a special identifier that allows you to access any content you might have requested. However, this entails one other thing relevant to this article – your location.
Use a VPN (Virtual private network)
One of the best ways you can mask your online presence and location is by using a VPN. Now, a Virtual Private Network is a fantastic encryption measure. By using a VPN, you let your device connect to a relevant internet network through a proxy server. This server masks your IP address, it hides your actual geographical location, replacing it with a virtual one.Think of the VPN as creating a kind of tunnel for your device. This tunnel protects and masks your data, so you will not only change your IP location, you will also be a bit more protected when you go online.
Now, as far as setting one up is concerned, it’s not nearly as complicated as you would think. First, you want to check this free VPN list, and find a provider that seems to suit your needs. From there, just follow the instructions, install it, set it all up, choose an appropriate server (we suggest a US one for Amazon Prime), and you are good to go.
Now, the core issue with VPNs is that you need to find a good VPN. If you don’t, you might end up with slow speeds, and a generally poor experience.
Use a Tor Browser
Another interesting thing you can try is setting up a Tor Browser. Tor relies on Onion Routing. Here, your data is encrypted and transmitted through a variety of servers. These servers, called relays, allow multi-layered encryption, guaranteeing that your identity and your location are encrypted.It works by having your data encrypted through multiple layers, and each successive relay will transmit and decrypt more and more data.
Keep in mind there aren’t that many relays on the Tor network. IN fact, there are around 6000-7000 relays, while over 2 million users. In other words, slow internet speeds are a given. Also know that in certain cases, TOR can actually be blocked by your government.
Smart DNS services
You should consider getting a smart DNS service. Your Doman Name System service translates domain names into IP addresses. Now, without going into details, a smart DNS service will actually override those relevant DNS entries that actually show another relevant service (like Amazon prime, for example) what your location is. So, your connection will be rerouted through a specific proxy server.You need to keep in mind that your internet service provider might block your DNS through your transparent proxy. This, of course, depends on your server.
A proxy server
When you get a proxy server, you get a kind of intermediary between the relevant client device (in your case, your computer) and the server whose services the client device is requesting. It also uses local caching. This allows you to deliver faster responses to a cached website. In other words, the page is returned to the user, without needed to contact the website again.Now, a problem with a proxy server is that these can often end up being overcrowded, and thus suffer from some serious downtime. Also, a proxy server (website) might not allow you to push through a log-in page. Still, no reason you shouldn’t try your luck.
Conclusion
And there you have it folks, a couple of ways you can bypass Amazon Prime's geo blocking functions. Whether you should go and push forward with a good VPN, or perhaps try and experiment with the Tor browser and onion routing. Maybe what you really need is a solid Smart DNS Service, or a proxy server. Just remember to stick to the instructions, and you should be watching your favourite show in no time.
