How to Watch Netflix or Hulu Through a VPN Without Being Blocked
Do you travel frequently and subscribe to a service like Netflix or Hulu? If you do, you must have run into the annoying issue of content restrictions more than once already. Streaming services restrict some of their content to specific parts of the world, either for localization or due to legal issues. And while it’s understandable from the publisher’s side, that doesn’t make the problem any less annoying for those who have to deal with it.
Virtual Private Network is a common solution to this problem, and it’s becoming a popular choice among streaming service subscribers nowadays. There are a few important points that you might want to keep in mind when looking for a good VPN service for streaming. That’s because not every product on the market will be ideal for your needs.
Find a Reliable VPN Provider
The first step is to find a VPN provider that can be trusted in the long run. This might sound like a simple tip that shouldn’t even need mentioning. But the reality is that it can be a bit tricky to find a company that you know you can rely on. Remember that you’ll be sending a lot of traffic through their service, including sensitive data like private chats and passwords.
It’s important to know who’s handling your data and to take the extra time to do your research on each company before finalizing your decision. It’s something that will have long-lasting implications on your streaming habits, so pay attention to what you’re signing up for.
Ensure the Exit Nodes Are Not Blocked
A common problem with cheap and unreliable VPN providers is that they rotate over a small list of nodes. These may end up blocked by various services once it becomes clear that they’re operated by VPN services. Most streaming services have some clause in their terms of service that prohibits the general use of VPNs. It is typically meant to dissuade hackers and other types of attackers.
There’s nothing wrong with using a VPN to circumvent regional restrictions for your personal use. But you should be careful not to get flagged by the service you’re trying to access. That might end up affecting your entire account!
Can You Easily Change Nodes on the Go?
Some VPN providers are a bit difficult to work with if you frequently need to change your exit node. You should pay attention to the service terms in this regard to ensure that you’re not about to fall into a trap. You might face some limitations with regards to how often you’re allowed to change your exit nodes, and that’s acceptable. But if you can’t change it at all after you’ve set it up once, then that’s something that will be a problem.
It’s not even about travelling around a lot – one of the main reasons to use a VPN in the first place is the freedom it provides to configure your connection. If a company takes that freedom away from you, then there will probably be other issues with their service that are not immediately obvious.
Mobile Device Support
If you’re a mobile user – and who isn’t these days – you will probably want to enjoy the benefits of your VPN on your smartphone or tablet too. Some VPN providers may be restrictive in this regard, so pay attention to what the company has to say about mobile device support. In some cases, you might have to use a specific version of your mobile operating system to be able to connect. So be sure that you have the full capacity to support this on your end before signing up for anything.
A common problem involves outdated devices that don’t support newer, modern security protocols. This might not even be obvious from the terms of the service, requiring you to be a bit more familiar with the technology behind VPN services. On the bright side, at least that’s useful knowledge that will benefit you in the long run in various other ways.
Using a VPN to enjoy your favourite streaming services on the go is not that difficult. You just need to take some time to familiarize yourself with some basic concepts. Make sure that you read the fine print carefully though. Otherwise, you might end up paying a lot of money for something that doesn’t quite work as well as you expected it to.
