There is nothing as frustrating as trying to access a service or content and finding out that you can’t simply because of your location. What can be more infuriating is the fact that this restriction can apply to you simply because you are traveling, and not necessarily because you are not the target market for the content or service in question.
If you are one of the people who are frustrated with geo-blocking restrictions, you shouldn’t despair. Getting around these restrictions is easy. What is even better is the fact that you can do this by using either free services or services that are extremely affordable. Here is what you should know about how to unblock Skype, VoIP, YouTube, and all blocked content.
Unblocking by using a VPN
Virtual Private Networks are effective at unblocking restricted content or services because they mask your IP address. These networks have servers that are distributed over different geographical locations and it is these servers that they make available to you. Therefore, by using a VPN, you can essentially access any content on the internet because they will make it seem as if you are accessing it from their servers– which are literally located in your country of choice.
The process of using a VPN to get around geo-restricted content is quite easy. The process starts with you choosing a good VPN for your needs. Making sure that the VPN has servers in your favorite locations, and that it offers great connection speeds are two of the most important things that you should consider when making this decision.
After zeroing down on your VPN of choice, you need to download it and then install it. After that, sign up for an account, get the details that you will need to set up your VPN, and then connect your device to the internet.
In the application provided, you should see the option to turn the VPN on. Tap or click on this option to activate it. Thereafter, select the region you want to access the content from. For example, if the content that you are trying to access can only be accessed when working with IP from Malaysia, then you need to select Malaysia as the server location. This should be enough to remove any restrictions on the content or service that you are trying to access.
Unblocking by using proxies
Another way of bypassing restrictions is through the use of proxy servers. When you use a proxy server, you are essentially hiding your IP address. The anonymity that it gives you also allows you to add a location. Therefore, you can choose to make it seem like you are accessing content from locations that do not have restrictions that you do.
While proxy servers and proxy extensions can still get the job done, they a little bit less convenient when compared to using a VPN. They are also less secure since proxy server service providers typically don’t encrypt your traffic. This, in addition to the fact that proxies don’t offer added security blankets that protect both your privacy and anonymity, makes using a VPN a safer bet for those who prioritize privacy and security.
However, using a proxy server has an edge when you are trying to bypass restrictions imposed by a school or any other institution. In such a case, you will not be able to install a VPN since you will not have the administrative privileges necessary to do so. Therefore, using a VPN will not be a viable option.
To make the process easier, you will need to use a browser extension. Therefore, start the process by first going to the Chrome store and then add the extension to your browser. After installation, click on its icon and then activate the proxy service by clicking the ‘Turn On’ button. After that, complete the process by selecting the location from which you want to access the content.
It is important to note that you can get access to both free VPNs and free proxy servers. However, using free versions of these services always comes with limitations in terms of effectiveness in unblocking restricted content. Connection speeds also tend to be slow on free services, and this can be quite frustrating. Therefore, it is always advisable that you go for the paid services since they tend to go the extra mile to ensure that you get a smooth experience when surfing the web. And if you consider the fact that these premium services are incredibly affordable, there is really no reason why you should suffer under the inconvenience of not being able to access any content on the internet.
