The importance of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) in today’s digital age can’t be overstated. These powerful tools are essential for securing your online activity and protecting your privacy from ever-evolving cyber threats. Despite their widely recognized benefits, many users, like Beth, who contacted us recently, face challenges in using VPNs effectively.
“Hi, some bad guys recently hacked my Amazon account and it’s caused a lot of problems. I also think my Etsy account got hacked as well. … Anyway, I spend 99% of my time online both at work and at home, and so does my son and husband, so I wanted to start using a VPN. But I’ve noticed that there are so many sites that try to block people who use a VPN. Do you have any suggestions for a VPN that’s less likely to be blocked or noticed, or that actually works?” — Beth, Verbena, Alabama
Beth, I’m sorry you had to go through this ordeal. It’s natural to want to use a VPN to protect your online privacy and security. However, some websites block VPN connections to prevent fraud and protect your security. Here’s why your VPN connection might be blocked and how to get around it.
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Tips for choosing a trustworthy VPN
Use a reputable VPN provider
Major paid VPN services devote significant resources to circumventing VPN blocks by websites and services. These services have large server networks and constantly rotating IP addresses, making blacklisting difficult.
Avoid free VPNs
Free VPN service They tend to have smaller networks of servers and their IP address ranges are more susceptible to being blacklisted by anti-VPN measures, and paid providers are generally better at circumventing blocks.
Enable VPN Obfuscation
Many VPNs offer an obfuscation or camouflage mode that disguises VPN traffic as regular internet traffic, helping to evade deep packet inspection used to identify VPNs.
Use a browser plugin
Some VPN providers offer browser extensions that can help you get around VPN blocks if the desktop app fails: the extension routes only your browser traffic through the VPN.
No VPN is 100% unblockable, but by following these tips, you can find a service that minimizes the chances of you being blocked when trying to access restricted websites and services.
Woman’s smartphone VPN (Kurt “Cyberguy” Knutson)
Read more: How to use a VPN without compromising your banking apps
Why is a VPN connection blocked?
When it comes to online privacy, it is true that companies like Google have been caught obtaining information that they are not authorized to access. However, it is important to keep in mind that websites have the right to block VPN connections if they suspect fraudulent activity. This is because VPNs can be used to hide a user’s identity and circumvent geographical restrictions, which can be exploited for illegal activities. Below are the four main reasons why a VPN connection may be blocked:
1) Transparency: Financial institutions in particular often block VPNs because they want to maintain transparency in transactions, meaning they have a vested interest in knowing where and to whom their funds are going. PayPal can also permanently ban VPN users, citing that VPNs violate their terms of use.
2) Service Restrictions: Streaming services discourage users from using VPNs because they circumvent certain geo-based restrictions; certain content is only available in certain parts of the world, and VPNs hide your location; streaming services actively block VPN IP addresses, and you may be “attacked” by streaming services if they find that you’ve managed to circumvent their IP blacklists using a regular VPN or VPN obfuscation.
3) Prevention of illegal activities: Some governments and companies use VPN blocks to protect against abuse, fraud, and other illegal activities.
4) Control: Some governments and companies use VPN blocks to monitor and track individuals’ online activity. For example, some companies ban VPN use and limit online access outside of work.
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Learn more: How a VPN can help protect your hotspot privacy and security
Change your VPN server location
One effective way to get around a VPN block is to connect to a different VPN server location or city. Many websites and services that try to block VPNs do this by blacklisting known VPN IP address ranges. Switching to a VPN server in a different city or country gives you a new IP address that won’t be blocked.
Most reputable VPN providers have a large global server network spanning hundreds or even thousands of servers across dozens of countries. This gives you plenty of options to try different server locations until you find one that’s not blocked by the website or service you’re trying to access.
The steps usually go like this:
- Disconnect From the current VPN server
- Browse the server list in your VPN app New Town or Country
- Connecting New VPN server locations
Frequently changing your virtual location makes it difficult for VPNs to blacklist all IP addresses associated with a particular VPN service.
How to Choose a VPN that Stays Connected
To protect you from being tracked and to identify your potential location on websites you visit, consider using a VPN. Many sites can read your IP address and, depending on your privacy settings, may be able to see the city you’re communicating from. A VPN disguise your IP address to show a different location. Read our expert reviews of the best VPNs to browse the web privately on your Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS devices.
Learn more: Does a VPN stop apps from tracking you?
Important points about the cart
Given the vast amount of personal data collected through your daily online use, it’s only natural that you’d want to take advantage of a VPN service. Unfortunately, some companies and government agencies block VPN users, which is completely legal. VPN obfuscation isn’t perfect and can slow down your connection speed, but it could help you continue using a VPN without being blocked.
Do you think the benefits of using a VPN outweigh the inconvenience of it potentially being blocked by some websites? Why or why not? Cyberguy.com/Contact Us.
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