F-Secure Freedome VPN and streaming: How to unblock geo-restricted content?

If you travel frequently or you’re simply trying to access content from another country, geo-restrictions can be a frustrating hurdle to overcome. Fortunately, a VPN can help you bypass these restrictions and access the content you want. Further in this article you can read about how to access different types of geo-restricted content.

F-Secure Freedome: in brief

F-Secure Freedome is a reliable and simple-to-use VPN service. This VPN meets the requirements of casual VPN customers. It excels very well in terms of security by using reliable protocols, having a simple layout that works well, and offering a range of features to keep your online privacy as secure as possible. With it you can easily access geo-restricted contents on streaming sites like Netflix or BBC iPlayer. Read more about the features and performance of F-Secure Freedome.

Types of geo-restricted contents

Content providers employ geo-restrictions (also known as geo-blocks) as a way to geographically limit access to their services and platforms. In essence, it enables them to make their websites accessible in particular regions. In practice, you are blocked from accessing these particular websites because of your current location which is determined by your IP (Internet Protocol) address. The following three main areas are in which restricted content typically falls:

Entertainment: Streaming music or video usually makes up this content. Netflix, HBO Max, Disney+, Hulu, and iTunes are just a few of the entertainment websites that place geographical restrictions on who can use their services. While browsing the Internet, this is by far the most often requested content.
Read more about how to bypass geo-restrictions on Netflix.

News and Social media: Facebook and Twitter are two popular social media platforms where many people read news daily. Some regions limit access to Facebook and Twitter for everyone who lives there, even though neither service blocks content based on a user’s geographic location. Also, some major news websites ban users after a specific amount of page views and demand payment if they want access to more content.

Online shopping: Certain products you want to buy might not be offered locally, or at least not at the same price. Depending on where you reside, big businesses may occasionally overcharge you. Consumers in favored markets are unfairly benefited by this.

How to access geo-restricted content?

1. VPN Services

The most efficient approach to get around geoblocking and other kinds of internet censorship is via VPN service. Your actual IP address is hidden and replaced with one from a different country. A solid VPN will make all of your internet actions private and is, therefore, more dependable and universal. It enables you to bypass geo blocking and change your location online easily. In addition, a VPN can offer a wide range of other useful tools above geo blocking that contribute to your online privacy.

2. Proxy Servers

A proxy server works as an intermediary between you and the internet site. It receives your connection requests and sends them on your behalf to the appropriate website, by substituting your IP address to its own. Hence it makes it simple for you to go around geo-blocks. In some cases, it can also provide results more quickly if the site you are accessing is stored in the server’s local database. By proxy servers that don’t utilize encryption your web speeds shouldn’t be slowed down. Nevertheless, most proxy servers come with bandwidth limitations and are overcrowded making it not very user efficient and safe.

3. Smart DNS Services

In general, Smart DNS is a different kind of proxy service. But a Smart DNS covers the DNS address given to you by your ISP (internet service provider) instead of your IP address. This contains information that can reveal your location to websites. While a Smart DNS covers the DNS address given to you by your ISP, which contains information that can reveal your location to websites, it does not hide or change your IP address. The Smart DNS mostly substitutes your DNS with a fake one that leads to a certain location. Additionally, this service detects your connection requests and deletes any information that might be linked to your real location. In contrast to a VPN, Smart DNS uses no encryption. So, it causes no slowdowns but your data and online connections are not protected.

4. Tor (The Onion Router) Browser

Another method to get around geo-restrictions is the Tor browser. Just like Chrome, Safari, and other browsers, it functions similarly. You can access both common webpages and unique “.onion” websites that are only accessible via the Tor network. It’s free to use but it’s not possible to choose the specific server so for unblocking geo-specific content and streaming it is not suitable. The onion routing protocol, which encrypts your data and conceals your IP address, is one of the reasons why the Tor Browser is widely used. However, Tor does have limitations, users of Tor are still susceptible to online dangers like malware and phishing attacks.

Most antivirus software has a VPN feature to prevent cyber threats and provide a sense of security and privacy. Read more about our top 8 antivirus of 2023.

How to use F-Secure Freedome VPN to access geo-restricted content?

With F-Secure Freedome VPN it is fairly easy to access different kinds of geo-restricted content. To be able to use this service you need to follow the following steps:

1. Log into your My F-Secure account. If you don’t have one, create one first.
2. From the F-Secure account download and install F-Secure Freedome onto your device.
3. Connect to a server in the country you want to change your IP address to.
4. Click the main button to turn on the protection.
5. Once the VPN is active, just head to the website you would like to access.

Read more to find out about different version of F-Secure products. At Lizenso we offer different packages of F-Secure products, click here to see our assortments.

Conclusion

The availability of different online services and content is limited by the use of geo-restriction technology by content providers. Hiding your geolocation on the web is the best method to get around geo-restrictions. Masking your IP address (with a proxy, VPN, or Tor) or DNS address (with a Smart DNS service) can be restricted content easily accessed. All in all, the safest and most reliable way to bypass geo-restrictions is to use VPN since it encrypts your data and provides additional security tools for your online browsing.