Netflix has become a household name since its launch in 1997. The streaming service offers movies and TV shows from around the globe. If you want to watch Netflix outside of your country, you’ll need to connect through a virtual private network (VPN). Our main question today is how does Netflix detect VPNs?
How do they know what and where from you’re watching? It turns out that Netflix detects VPN connections and blocks them. This guide will show you exactly how Netflix works and how to bypass this detection so you can enjoy all of Netflix’s content wherever you are in the world.
With over 100 million subscribers worldwide, Netflix is one of the biggest names in entertainment. And it’s no surprise why. Its vast library of films and TV shows is unmatched by any other streaming service.
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How Does Netflix Detect VPN Traffic?
The first thing you should understand about Netflix is that it doesn’t stream anything. Instead, it downloads the entire movie or TV show before playing it back to you. So when you use a VPN connection, Netflix thinks you’re connecting to another server instead of your home internet provider.
This means that Netflix won’t be able to give you access to their content unless they have an IP address for every single device connected to your VPN. That’s because each device connected to your VPN gets assigned an IP address from the VPN’s pool of addresses.
This makes sense if you think about it. You wouldn’t expect a company like Netflix to allow people to stream content without paying for it. They’d lose money on every customer who didn’t pay up.
So to prevent this, Netflix uses a technique called “IP blocking” to block devices that aren’t using a valid IP address. This includes VPNs.
What Happens When I Connect Through a VPN Connection?
When you connect through a VPN, your computer sends information about itself to the VPN server. For example, it might say that your operating system version and browser type.
These details are then sent back to Netflix as part of the traffic being routed through the VPN. But because these details don’t match the information that Netflix already knows about you, it assumes that you’ve changed your location and stops giving you access to its content.
If you want to continue accessing Netflix, you’ll need to change your VPN settings so that the server sending data matches the information that Netflix already has about you.
Why Do You Need a VPN for geo-Restricted content?
Netflix usually imposes regional or geo-restrictions due to licensing agreements with the content producers that can be circumvented using this guide. In simple terms, the content available for Netflix users in Kenya can vary greatly from Netflix users in different states of the United States.
So what if you want to travel for a two weeks business trip with your dad to the United States? Does it mean you cannot watch Netflix anymore because all the content will be geo-restricted?
You can still get around this restriction by changing your region. To do this, you need to connect to a VPN and hide your current location. Once you do that, you can choose any country in the world to view Netflix’s content.
How Can I Hide My Current Location?
There are several ways to hide your current location. The most popular one is to use a Virtual Private Network (VPN).
A VPN encrypts your Internet traffic and routes it through a secure tunnel. This prevents anyone else from seeing where you’re currently located.
Using a VPN also hides your actual IP address. If you’re worried about someone tracking your activity online, hiding your real IP address is a good way to protect yourself.
What VPNs Are Blocked by Netflix?
Netflix Blocks most of the VPNs. That’s the truth and determining which among the hundreds of them available online can be blocked by Netflix is difficult.
The reason why is because many VPN services offer free accounts. These free accounts are often used by novice users to test out the service before purchasing a paid account.
Once you purchase a paid account, however, you’re expected to keep using it. And that means keeping your subscription active.
In other words, if you stop using the service after testing it out, Netflix may consider you an inactive user and terminate your subscription.
Can a Free VPN Unblock Netflix?
Yes, some free VPNs work well enough to unblock Netflix. However, they aren’t always reliable. They tend to have fewer servers than their paid counterparts.
And since they’re not charging you anything, they don’t care much about customer support. As such, they might go offline at times without notice.
So unless you’re willing to risk losing access to Netflix, it’s best to stick with a paid VPN.
Which Paid VPN Is Best For Netflix?
There are many VPNs out there that can work exclusively well to unblock Netflix content. Here are the best VPNs for Netflix;
ExpressVPN (Highly Recommended)
We recommend ExpressVPN. It offers unlimited bandwidth and no speed restrictions. ExpressVPN also provides 24/7 customer support via live chat and email. It’s been tested on multiple devices including Android, Windows, Mac OS X, Linux, iOS, and more.
NordVPN
Another great option is NordVPN. It has over 675 servers worldwide and works on every device. You can try its 30-day money-back guarantee to make sure it meets your needs.
Surfshark
If you’re looking for a cheap VPN, SurfShark is a solid choice. It’s affordable and comes with a 7-day money-back guarantee.
CyberGhost
CyberGhost is another excellent VPN that doesn’t cost much. It promises fast speeds and an easy setup. Plus, it supports all major platforms like Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, etc.
FAQs
How Do I Get Around Netflix Restrictions?
There are two main methods to getting around Netflix’s restrictions. One method involves using a virtual private network (VPN) while the other uses proxy sites.
What is a VPN?
A VPN encrypts your data so it cannot be intercepted or read by others. In short, it makes your connection appear as though it’s coming from somewhere else. This allows you to bypass geographic restrictions imposed by Netflix.
How does Netflix know my Location even with VPN?
When you use a VPN, your IP address changes. Your ISP knows where you’re located based on this information. However, when you connect to a VPN server, your IP address will change. So, Netflix won’t know where you are.
Conclusion
Netflix is one of the most popular streaming services in the world. But it isn’t available everywhere. That’s why people need to find ways to get around Netflix’s geographical limitations. The good news is that there is plenty of options and VPN is one of them.
