How to Unblock the Geo-restricted sites? Certain countries restrict users from other countries to access their own websites. This may be for a variety of purposes. Some of them are to enable their citizens to enjoy a hassle free internet usage, to avoid any intruders to steal their data, to be free from any socio-political issues that can be created when their portraits go overseas, etc. There may be hundreds of reasons for a geo-restriction but from a user point-of-view, all we wish to do is to enjoy the World Wide Web across the countries.
Furthermore, To unblock geo-restrictions, we are gifted with a technology called the VPN. Virtual Private Networks act as an intermediate between us and the remote website with an encryption for our data. We can even think that does VPN is the only solution to unblock the geo-restrictions? Of course, we do have other solutions as well. Let us briefly discuss and identify the Pros and Cons with each of them, So that we can come to a conclusion that VPN is the only best option to unblock the geo-restricted sites. Here is a list of VPNs that helps you overcome geo-restrictions in a better way!
Best VPN Services to Unblock Geo Restricted Websites in 2016
1. NordVPN
2. ExpressVPN
3. Surfshark
4. CyberGhost
5. Private Internet Access
How to Unblock the Geo-restricted sites?
Ways to Unblock the Geo-restrictions
- Proxies
- SmartDNS
- Browser Add-on
- VPN
Proxies
Proxies substitute a different Internet Protocol (IP) address in the place of the original IP. The new IP address resembles the local IP from a country, though the request is from a foreign country. When there is no need for data security, for e.g., while viewing online contents, using streaming services, etc, then proxies are of helpful. Yet this is not a reliable source to unblock a network.
Pros
Proxies are easier and faster as well. They do not require any authorizations or login permissions at all. This can be useful to an extent for personal uses but comprising the data security.
Cons
They do not encrypt the data we send and hence the chances of hacking are much higher here. Anybody could easily log, capture and track your online activities when you use a proxy. Hence, it is absolutely not fit for business purposes.
SmartDNS
Domain Name System (DNS) is a hierarchical decentralized naming system with which a particular network or a resource connected to the internet can be identified. A SmartDNS changes the DNS of a request and unravels the geo-restricted websites easily. It seems to be a quicker method to gain access to unblocked websites but it does not encrypt your data traffic.
Pros
It is an effective method to unblock the geo-restricted sites with a greater speed of access. If you need to really a fast download or surfing, it is a good option but does not rely on it if the data is really valuable.
Cons
It does not mask the Internet Protocol (IP) address from where the request originates. Hence, the chances of tracking our IP and blocking it by the website owner or the country authorities are always possible. Also, the data we send is not encrypted and it is vulnerable to hacking.
Browser Add-on
As the name suggests, it is an Add-on facility which can be installed in a browser like Firefox, Internet Explorer, etc. Different Add-ons are available to suit one’s needs. When we enable such browser add-ons, they replace the actual IP with a local IP of the server from where we access contents.
Pros
They are really an easier option to unblock the geo-restricted sites. Just a single click can get you what you need. Also, we can even encrypt data if we wish. But always be cautious when you use it as you never knew that what kind of cyber crimes you would face later.
Cons
Though browser add-ons can encrypt data, the time lag is one of the major problems when we opt for encryption. A variety of such Add-ons are available and we should be very careful in choosing what is required for us. It is because the unnecessary ones may further delay the process by doing further tasks. Simpler Add-ons are always better but again we should comprise the security of the data we send.
Virtual Private Networks (VPN)
A VPN is a technology which allows us to unblock and unravel the geo-restricted websites without compromising the data security. It acts as an intermediate between the requester and the server from where the data is fetched. It masks the IP we send and hence we are completely free of logs or data tracking. A VPN encrypts the data from the requester and decrypts at the server side. Similarly, it encrypts the data from the server and decrypts at the user side. Hence, it establishes a reliable and a secure two-way connection that too with no or lesser time lags.
The reliability and speed of a VPN are dependent on a variety of factors such as the protocol used, the encryption algorithm used, device compatibility, browser compatibility, number of simultaneous connections, etc. Pricing plans also play an important role while choosing a VPN. The VPNs that we have listed in the above table is few of the best with respect to the mentioned parameters. They also offer a money-back guarantee and excellent customer support around the clock.
Follow the simple steps to get a VPN connection:
- Select a VPN provider and choose a subscription plan.
- Install the VPN client for your browser and device.
- Log in with your ID and password.
- Now you are ready to unblock and unravel geo-restrictions.
Pros
VPN is the reliable and faster method to unblock and unravel a geo-restricted web page. It encrypts data and masks the IP address of the user. It supports user anonymity and hence we can enjoy a hassle-free internet browsing experience. The time lag is really zero or we can a very little lag when we use a VPN. Business dealings which involve secured transactions across the globe can be carried out with a VPN. Also, it is one of the best-suited methods even for personal uses by protecting one’s anonymity.
Cons
There are no such cons with a VPN except for the money we pay. In fact, the services we get are really worth the money we pay!
Final Words- How to Unblock the Geo-restricted sites?
VPN seems to be the best method to unblock or to unravel geo-restricted websites both for personal as well as for business purposes. All the other methods do not guard our anonymity and security, but a VPN can do both. Why should we be vulnerable to data hacking when we are left with an excellent option to protect our data i.e. the VPN? So, be wise and use the VPN technology!
Love your website. Found everything I need to make a decision. FWIW Nordvpn is an excellent choice.