Servers are one of the most essential pieces of technology in business. They host websites, store data, and keep everything running smoothly. So it’s no wonder servers are often angry when companies try to use VPNs to protect their data. Check out this blog post to discover two main reasons servers hate VPNs and how you can get them to play nice!
- Licensing Contracts by Streaming Sites
There are various recommendations for best-streaming VPNs. However, Netflix, Amazon, Hulu, and the BBC are the most well-known VPN blacklisters. These websites are all streaming media and have VPN blocklists to uphold local license agreements.
A license agreement must be signed by streaming services and the licensing firm that owns the desired programming before they can add a TV show or movie to their collection. Currently, licensing businesses can earn hundreds of millions of dollars by selling hit shows to the highest bidder in the fiercely competitive world of streaming services.
However, the licensing agreements that online streaming sign are typically regional rather than international. Because of this, Netflix and Hulu cater their programs to various nations. Because the value (and thus the popularity) of series and movies vary by location, streaming providers sign regional contracts. It’s a given that culturally particular programming, like Korean dramas, has a higher market value in some places than in others. Because K-dramas aren’t highly successful outside of Korea, Netflix doesn’t have to spend much to obtain an American license for one.
The value of Korean television will drastically decrease if Koreans begin to use VPN services to get their preferred series on American Netflix. Because American Netflix currently receives all of the Korean traffic for these episodes at a far lower price, licensing companies won’t be able to persuade Korean streaming providers that these shows are worth million-dollar contracts.
For obvious reasons, TV networks and licensing businesses do not want the value of their programs to decline.
Blacklisting VPNs is the only option available to streaming services. As a result, they include provisions in their contracts requiring streaming providers to lock down material according to the area. Of course, we have no access to any of these formal contracts. But if they resemble Apple’s contracts in any way, licensing companies will be free to yank programs anytime if streaming providers cannot preserve their value.
- Websites Want to Reduce Fraud and Spam
The most justifiable justification for a website to restrict VPN access is to prevent illegal or bothersome behavior. This method has the drawback of punishing more innocent individuals than offenders.
Paypal has drawn criticism for blacklisting VPNs, but to be fair, they have solid reasons for doing so. Criminals who use VPNs to conceal their IP addresses are frequently hard to find since IP addresses serve as a sort of identity. Not to add that PayPal is a bank and is subject to local money and tax rules.
Some websites, including IRS.gov and Craigslist, occasionally stop working when using a VPN service. However, these websites often run and contribute to publicly available blacklists that detect IP addresses linked to spam and suspicious activity rather than blacklists that exclusively target VPN IP addresses.
However, how do these IP addresses become listed on these open blacklists? Let’s say you’re working on account security at IRS.gov when you discover something odd. The same IP address has been used for logging in to 100 different users. People may be using VPN services during tax season, but it’s also possible that a rogue hacker has compromised 100 distinct accounts. Even though it could potentially violate people’s right to privacy, adding that IP address to a blacklist is generally a good idea.
What To Do if a Server Blocks Your VPN
Most VPN users aren’t criminals or smugglers. They are regular folks who worry about their privacy or who feel the desire to avoid geo-restricted information and government restrictions. Businesses that blacklist VPN providers deny you privacy rights and information, which is more than just a small inconvenience.
There are a few ways to bypass these blacklists; however, things are constantly changing, so be ready to search for new answers when ineffective ones arise:
- Use only high-end VPN services, and don’t use anything that seems fictitious.
- Select a VPN protocol that is more secure but slower.
- Acquire a personal VPN address.
- Do not use 1194 port, which is simple to find and is used by most VPNs. Change the port on your VPN to 80, 433, 41185, or 2018.
- Use obfuscated servers in case your VPN provider offers them.
- Try testing TLS, SSL, or SSH tunnels if your VPN service supports them. They move slowly but are safe.
- Use Tor browser if you can.
Continuing to fight against these blacklists is the greatest method to ensure they are unsuccessful. Don’t hesitate to use your money to speak for you when you want to communicate to corporations that your rights are valuable.
Conclusion
So, the next time you fire up your VPN and notice that websites are loading a little more slowly than usual, remember that it’s not just your connection being slowed down. Your favorite websites are probably fighting back against the extra load put on them by all of the people using VPNs to avoid geographic restrictions. And while we can understand their frustration, we don’t apologize for wanting to watch our favorite shows without having to jump through hoops.
