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Tips for choosing a reliable VPN
Use a reputable VPN provider
Avoid free VPNs
Free VPN services tend to have smaller server networks and get their IP address ranges blacklisted more easily by anti-VPN measures. Paid providers are generally better at bypassing blocks.
Enable VPN obfuscation
Many VPNs offer an obfuscation or camouflage mode that disguises VPN traffic as regular internet traffic, helping evade deep packet inspection used to identify VPNs.
Use a browser plugin
Some VPN providers offer browser extensions that can sometimes bypass VPN blocks when the desktop app fails. The extensions route only the browser traffic through the VPN.
No VPN is 100% unblockable, but following these tips can help find a service that minimizes the chances of being blocked when trying to access restricted websites and services.
MORE: HOW TO USE VPNS WITHOUT COMPROMISING YOUR BANKING APPS
Reasons why VPN connections are blocked
Regarding your online privacy, it’s true that companies like Google have been caught taking information they were not given permission to access. However, it’s important to note that websites have the right to block VPN connections if they suspect fraudulent activities. This is because VPNs can be used to mask the identity of the user and bypass geographical restrictions, which can be used for illegal activities. Below are the top 4 reasons VPN connections are blocked:
1) Transparency: Financial institutions, in particular, often block VPNs because they want to preserve the transparency of transactions.
2) Limiting services: Streaming services do not want users to use VPN because it bypasses specific region-based restrictions. Certain content is only available to specific regions of the world, and VPN would mask the user’s location. Streaming services actively block VPN IP addresses, and if it is discovered you managed to bypass their IP blacklists with a regular VPN or VPN obfuscation, you can come under ‘fire’ from the streaming services.
3) Preventing illegal activities: Some governments and companies utilize VPN blocking to ensure that they are protected against misuse, fraud, and other illegal activities.
4) Control: Some governments and companies use VPN blocking to monitor and trace back activities by individuals online. For instance, some companies ban VPN use, limiting non-work access online, etc.
MORE: HOW TO SECURE YOUR HOTSPOT PRIVACY AND SECURITY WITH A VPN
Changing the VPN server location
One effective way to bypass VPN blocking is to connect to a different VPN server location or city. Many websites and services that attempt to block VPNs do so by blacklisting known VPN IP address ranges. By switching to a VPN server in a different city or country, you can obtain a new IP address that may not be blocked.
Most reputable VPN providers have a large global server network spanning hundreds or thousands of servers across dozens of countries. This gives you many options to try different server locations until you find one that is not blocked by the website or service you’re trying to access.
The steps are usually:
- Disconnect from your current VPN server
- In your VPN app, browse the server list and select a new city or country
- Connect to the new VPN server location
By changing your virtual location frequently, you make it much harder for anti-VPN measures to keep up with blacklisting all the IP addresses associated with a particular VPN service.
ExpressVPN is a top VPN with vast server networks well-suited for location switching. Its apps make it easy to quickly cycle through different server cities and countries to regain access to blocked sites and services.
How to choose a VPN that keeps you connected
Consider using a VPN to protect against being tracked and to identify your potential location on websites that you visit. Many sites can read your IP address and, depending on their privacy settings, may display the city from which you are corresponding. A VPN will disguise your IP address to show an alternate location.
My top recommendation is ExpressVPN. It has a quick and easy setup, is available in 105 countries, and will not log your IP address, browsing history, traffic destination or metadata, or DNS queries.
Right now you can get 3 extra months FREE with a 12-month ExpressVPN plan. That’s just $6.67 per month, a savings of 49%! Try 30 days risk-free.
MORE: WILL A VPN PREVENT APPS FROM TRACKING ME?
Kurt’s key takeaways
Do you think the benefits of using a VPN outweigh the inconvenience of potentially being blocked by some websites? Why or why not? Let us know in the comments below.
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