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Four Ways to Unblock Websites Which are not Available in Your Country

There are four methods to unblock websites: using a VPN, a proxy server, the Tor browser, and Smart DNS. However, the simplest option is often a VPN. In this article, we will introduce four ways to unblock such websites and detail the steps for using VPN services. Additionally, we will provide recommendations for specific VPNs.

The Best VPN Services for Unblocking Websites
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Why Aren’t Some Websites Available in My Country?

Two common reasons that websites aren’t available in certain countries are:

  • Video owners have chosen to make their content available only to certain countries/regions (usually due to licensing rights)
  • Specific websites or content may be blocked to comply with local laws.

The practice of restricting access to websites based on your location is also called geo-blocking. For example, some streaming services which are available around the world, like Netflix and Amazon Prime, display content differently country by country. If you access websites unavailable in your country, you may see the wording below or something similar.  

This video is unavailable in your country

In the case of YouTube, if you access a video unavailable in your country, you will see the screen below.

“Video unavailable” on YouTube  
Source: https://www.youtube.com/

How Do Websites Block Access?

Websites determine where they are accessed from based on the location of the IP address, and show content based on that determination. This includes language, pricing, and so on. For example, an IP address accessed via an internet provider in the US is shown below.

IP address in the US

If you access websites restricted to Japan from this IP address, the content will not be shown.

access from Japan

Four Ways to Unblock Websites Which are not Available in Your Country

There are four ways to unblock these kind of websites.

Four Ways to Unblock Websites Which are not Available in Your Country:
  1. Use a VPN
  2. Use a Proxy Server
  3. Use Tor Browser
  4. Use Smart DNS

1. Use a VPN

A VPN, or Virtual Private Network, is a secure connection method between your device and the internet. By using a VPN, your online activity goes through an encrypted tunnel. So, you can keep your online activity private and safe, and ensure that hackers can’t steal your data. Using VPN services is helpful in terms of privacy and security. 

Using a VPN changes your IP address. Using a VPN allows you to access content as if you were in a different country. For example, if you connect to a VPN server in Japan and access websites restricted to Japan, you can get access to their content even if you are outside of Japan.

access-from-japan
Pros of using a VPNCons of using a VPN
Easy to use just by downloading an app
Access to a lot of information about unblocking websites because there are many VPN users in the world
Offers other benefits by unblocking websites
No worries about privacy and security (unless using a free VPN)
Need to pay a VPN subscription fee


After you’ve registered with a VPN, you can easily browse the internet just by downloading their app.

There are free VPNs. But we recommend paid services in terms of privacy and security because we don’t know how free VPNs manage our log traffic data. Using paid services costs, around  $2.50 – $7.00/month. It’s quite a low price. For more detailed information, please refer to the following articles.

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Pros and Cons of Using a VPN for Personal Use Here are some pros and cons of using a VPN for personal use. PROS Protect your online activity from outsiders while using free public wi-fi Use internet as i...

2. Use a Proxy Server

A proxy server is an intermediary between you and websites that you browse. You connect to the proxy site, which then accesses websites directly, receives data from websites, and then shows you the content. By using a proxy server, you can shield your IP address and unblock websites. In addition, using a proxy server does not require installation of software because it can be managed through a web browser.

However, most data which goes through proxy servers is not encrypted. So, there may be worries in terms of security and trustworthiness.

Pros of using a proxy serverCons of using a proxy server
Doesn’t require installation

Worries in terms of security if using a free proxy server
Limited servers
free web proxy server

3. Use Tor Browser

Tor Browser is a web browser similar to Chrome and Edge. Using Tor browser, your traffic is relayed and encrypted via multiple servers over the Tor network. So you can keep a high degree of anonymity while browsing, including shielding your IP address.

But, encrypting and routing your traffic through the Tor network can slow down your internet connection. This may cause trouble while watching videos.

Pros of using Tor serverCons of using Tor server
Free to useMuch slower connection
Has the possibility of going through vicious servers
proxy server

4. Use Smart DNS

Smart DNS is a technology that allows you to access content as if you were in a different country while hiding your IP address. Smart DNS is not the same as a proxy or VPN. Smart DNS only helps to provides access to streaming content. Smart DNS doesn’t encrypt your traffic data, so it provides fast internet speed while watching TV and playing games. On the other hand, it’s less secure and less capable of unblocking websites.

Pros of using smart DNSCons of using smart DNS
Fast internet speedWorries in terms of security
Limited websites which can be unblocked

An Example of Unblocking a Website by Using a VPN

If you access ITVX from outside of country where access is allowed, like UK, you will see a screen which displays, “Not available. Sorry, this show isn’t available right now”.

Geo-blocked-ITVX
Source: ITVX

After registering with ExpressVPN, download and launch the app and connect to a VPN server in the UK. Click the power icon in the middle. Now, you can connect to a server in the UK easily.

Expressvpn from the UK

You will be able to see the content.

how-to-watch-itvx
Source: ITVX

For more detailed information, please refer to the following articles.

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The Best VPN Services for Unblocking Websites Which are not Available in Your Country

Here are some excellent VPN services we recommend.

Prices1-Month: $12.95
6-Months: $9.99/month
12-Months: $6.67/month
1-Month: $11.99
12-Months: $4.99/month
24-Months: $3.99/month
1-Month: $12.95
12-Months: $3.99/month
24-Months: $2.39/month
Money-back Guarantee30 days30 days30 days
Countries10560100
Servers3,000+5,800+3,200+
Maximum devices supported810Unlimited
Connection SpeedUltra FastFastFast
SecurityAES-256
Kill Switch
AES-256
Kill Switch
AES-256
Kill Switch
PrivacyNo-loggingNo-loggingNo-logging
Support24/7 Live Chat Support24/7 Live Chat Support24/7 Live Chat Support

ExpressVPN: Ultra-fast Internet Speeds

Top page of ExpressVPN
Prices
1-Month: $12.95
6-Months: $9.99/month
12-Months: $6.67/month
Money-back Guarantee30 days
Countries105
Servers3,000+
Maximum devices supported8

ExpressVPN offers some of the fastest internet speeds among the VPNs we have used. All VPNs may slow down your internet connection, but ExpressVPN is one of the fastest, and you rarely notice the difference. Review sites consistently rank ExpressVPN as one of the fastest VPNs. Additionally, with over 3,000 servers in 105 countries, you have a wide choice of countries to change IP addresses to. Real humans are available 24-hour live chat support to help you with setup and troubleshooting. ExpressVPN also has a no-log policy.

After you’ve registered with ExpressVPN, you can use it to easily browse the internet just by downloading their app.

Ideal for those who:
  • Place a high importance on internet speed

\30 day Money-Back Guarantee/

NordVPN:  The Ultimate Balance of Price and Internet Speed

Top page of NordVPN
Prices (standard plan)1-Month: $11.99
12-Months: $4.99/month
24-Months: $3.99/month
Money-back Guarantee30 days
Countries60
Servers5,800+
Maximum devices supported10

NordVPN’s excellent service, and balance of price, internet speed, servers, and countries, has allowed it to gain the greatest market share in the world. Overall, NordVPN consistently receives great reviews from leading experts. NordVPN has more than 5,800 servers in 60 countries, so you also have a lot of choices for which country to change your IP address to. You can et help and advice from our friendly customer support team through email or live chat for your 24/7. And NordVPN also has a no-log policy.

After you’ve registered, you can easily browse the internet using NordVPN just by downloading their app.

Ideal for those who:
  • Want to balance price and internet speed

\30 day Money-Back Guarantee/

Surfshark: Impressive Performance with a Lower Price

top page or surfsharkvpn
Prices (standard plan)1-Month: $12.95
12-Months: $3.99/month
24-Months: $2.39/month
Money-back Guarantee30 days
Countries100
Servers3,200+
Maximum devices supportedUnlimited

Surfshark offers impressive performance with a lower price. You can get Surfshark much cheaper than other services if you apply for the 24-month plan. Furthermore, Surfshark has no connection limits. So, you and your family can connect and use all your devices simultaneously. Surfshark has more than 3,200 servers in 100 countries. Just like the other VPNs, you also have a lot of choices for which country to change your IP address to. Customer support experts are there for you 24/7, if you need a helping hand with them via live chat or email. And SurfsharkVPN also has a no-log policy.

After you’ve registered, you can easily browse the internet using Surfshark by downloading their app.

Ideal for those:
  • Who are budget conscious and want to want to connect with lots of devices

\30 day Money-Back Guarantee/

Conclusion

Conclusion
  • Geo-blocking is a mechanism used by content distributors and countries to restrict access to certain content based on geographic location.
  • Geo-blocking is activated by detecting the user’s IP address.
  • There are four methods to unblock websites: using a VPN, a proxy server, the Tor browser, and Smart DNS. However, the simplest option is often a VPN.
The Best VPN Services for Unblocking Websites
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VPN Life is managed and operated by a team of four members: one Japanese (administrator) who has been using VPNs since 2011, two Chinese members, and one Singaporean member. Our articles are written based on 'actual VPN usage experience' and 'global VPN information.

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