Geo-blocking is censorship technology limiting access to online content per jurisdiction. Geo-censorship bots have the intelligence to scrutinize your computer or phone’s IP address to block or give a pass. Websites block user access per geo-location depending on copyright, licensing, or red tape rules on the play. A gambling website will block users from regions they don’t have a license to operate in, like streaming platforms. News websites put jurisdiction blocks or paywalls on some or all articles in adherence with copyright or red tape rules.
How Does Geo-Blocking Work and How to Avoid It
Geo-blocking utilizes responsive geo-location and tracking technologies to check the Internet Protocol (IP) address a device uses to access geo-censored websites. A device’s IP address is its location identifier. It’s what websites check to determine your current location to authorize or deny a search request. Your IP address is not static as it changes when your location and ISP address changes. That said, a computer user browsing from a geo-locked location can still access censored website content when they use the right tools. So which tools or services can you use to bypass geo-blocks? Let’s find out.
Tor Browser
Tor browser is free, open-source software that prioritizes your security and anonymity. The software was created with the user’s privacy in mind, making it impossible for websites to track your internet activities. The browser is used globally by over two million people every day. When you send a search request on the Tor browser, it directs the traffic to a worldwide volunteer overlay network with thousands of relays. That hides your location from traffic analysis and network surveillance bots.
If you come across a blog, article, news, podcast, or video website with a geo-blocking feature, use the Tor browser to bypass it. Through its onion routing technology, the browser provides multi-layers of encryption, masking the source and destination of search requests. Tor browser does not have complex setup or multi-configuration functions that require technical skills and knowledge. Just download and install the browser to access geo-censored websites.
Proxy Servers
Proxies are the safest and surest tools for bypassing geo-censorship. They can bypass multi-layer geo-blocking walls regardless of the robustness of the technology used. Although there are free and shared proxies, they are not secure and may leak your IP address. Also, free proxy servers may not have a kill switch, so they will reveal your identity once the network disconnects.
Paid proxies are strongly recommended as they have multi-layer security and anonymity features to keep your identity private regardless of the circumstances. Most subscription or pay-per-service proxy servers have a kill switch and other crucial features that terminate your connection immediately after the proxy server develops issues.
Additionally, pay-per-service proxy servers offer high uptimes and increased internet speeds to ensure you can stream those movies or access those websites fast and smoothly. However, not all paid proxies are equal, but researching the credibility and excellence of a proxy server provider can save you from the wrong providers. Are you searching for reasonably priced proxies to bypass Canadian geo-blocks? Order Canada proxies now for seamless connections!
Smart DNS
The last free but technical way to bypass geo-censored websites is smart DNS. Smart DNS is not the same as proxies or VPNs, as you might have been made to believe. Most smart TVs and smart decoders have integrated smart DNS. However, setting up a smart DNS server on these devices to bypass geo-restrictions is not a simple process. The complex settings adjustments and DNS configurations aren’t for the fainthearted.
Smart DNS redirects your DNS queries via a remote server, concealing your true identity. They switch the local DNS address issued by your internet provider to those of the smart DNS server. That ensures the device website or platform you connect to cannot identify your IP address. Some proxy and VPN providers offer free or paid Smart DNS, but you can access them for free on modern smart devices.
Conclusion
Are you blocked from streaming movies or accessing content online because of your location? Don’t worry. The right tool, especially a proxy server or Tor browser, will let you access the geo-blocked content within minutes. However, before deciding which method to use in bypassing geo-blocks, know your budget and needs. Tor browser is free and won’t affect your internet speed, but it cannot bypass all websites. Proxies are paid but offer extra layers of protection and anonymity.