Netflix’s efforts to prevent VPNs from avoiding local content restrictions could have an unintended effect, TorrentFreak reports(Opens in a new window), restricting access to content to users who aren’t using VPNs. VPN.
VPNs are typically employed to enhance the security of internet connections that depend on public networks, such as cafes, hotels, and libraries. However, an increasing amount of VPN companies have marketed their capability to create the illusion that the traffic on the internet is coming from a particular area to get around the streaming platform’s limitations based on location.
Certain VPNs accomplish the trick by using their residential IP addresses as proxy addresses to trick streaming services such as Netflix into thinking that the connection is a user on their Wi-Fi network. However, cracking down on these IP addresses could block users who do not use the VPN from streaming Netflix’s full catalog.
TorrentFreak was first tipped off to the issue via VPN provider WeVPN and has reported several complaints posted via Reddit and Twitter. “The consequence is that you’re dealing with thousands of genuine residential Netflix users restricted from accessing Netflix’s local complete catalog from their home,” WeVPN tells TorrentFreak.
VPNs and Netflix
If you are familiar with how VPNs function, it is clear that when you utilize one, you’re routing your connection through an account associated with your VPN provider. When you do this, you assume the address of that server, which makes it appear to be accessing an internet site from a different location than where you are.
This is beneficial for many motives. However, it’s ideal for those who want to get the most value from the benefits of their Netflix subscription. Selecting movies or shows on Netflix is limited to what’s available in your country of residence. Netflix offers more than just what you can see on your home screen. It’s located just behind an area block.
Since the VPN lets you disguise your location (usually referred to as “spoofing”), This allows you to bypass the restrictions of regional regions. When you connect to Netflix, the method of operation will check your IP address–a series of numbers that establishes your “address” on the internet to identify where you’re accessing the website from. If you’re located in the US, however, you disguise yourself as a UK IP address, you’ll be able to access UK Netflix.
Netflix VPN Ban: Which VPN Services Beat the Ban in 2022?
If you are looking for the most effective VPN to bypass the Netflix ban, some aspects must be considered. The first and most obvious one is that it has to be able to spoof the location of your computer and hide the fact that the IP address originates from a VPN. These are the best VPNs that can consistently deblock Netflix.
- ExpressVPN
- NordVPN
- CyberGhost
- Surfshark
- Windscribe
Apart from Netflix being a good example, the service should also stop leaks in DNS requests. A nice bonus is that the service can generally be immune from VPN bans (like the case with Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, and many more).
As you likely don’t want to blow your budget to access a VPN that works with Netflix and other streaming services, a lower price is preferable. A 30-day money-back guarantee on your purchase is appropriate to test the VPN.
Suppose you intend to use a VPN to connect to Netflix libraries in certain geographical locations, like UK or America. In that case, You should check the server lists to ensure that the region you want to access is represented.
Prohibiting residential IP addresses
VPN has informed TorrentFreak about Netflix’s latest crackdown after the VPN provider discovered that the streaming service’s latest geofencing system was also blocking its IP addresses for residential use.
Contrary to IP addresses(opens in a new tab) given when using the VPN, IP addresses for residential use can be assigned to AT&T, Xfinity, Verizon, and other Internet service providers (ISPs). While Netflix’s decision not to block IP addresses for residential users is logical for business reasons, a few common internet users suffered collateral damage because of the change.
According to a VPN spokesperson who spoke to TorrentFreak, the company has informed us that hundreds of thousands of legitimate Netflix users have been prevented from accessing the full local catalog of countries. When they sign in for the VPN service, they’ll only view Netflix Originals(opens in a new tab). That’s also the situation for VPN and proxy service users.
While Netflix has not issued an official statement regarding the issue, however, the company did provide some suggestions to those who are affected by the changes in an earlier tweet(which opens in a new tab) that reads:
Netflix Doubles Down on VPN Ban
Although Netflix’s policy has banned VPNs and proxy servers for about six years and more, premium VPNs have been able to bypass the limitations. Although VPN providers remain silent regarding the technology and how they do it, experts suggest VPNs use private IP addresses for residential use to appear that their users are using a normal Internet Service Provider (ISP).
By International licensing arrangements, customers can only access specific content depending on their area. To stream content licensed by the US, customers must use an ISP situated in the US or VPN.
The Netflix crackdown of this week has left leading providers scrambling to find solutions. As TorrentFreak revealed, Netflix has taken its VPN-blocking measures to a higher level and is now putting non-VPN users in the crossfire.