People love Netflix. It has some great movies and television shows that people grew up loving, as well as many new released movies and television shows. It has episodes of Supernatural, The Walking Dead, Flash, Arrow and more. Of course, you can also enjoy quite a bit of original programming such as Stranger Things, Luke Cage, Jessica Jones, Haters Back Off, and a slew of other shows.
1 Use a VPN
However, the Netflix catalog in the United States has far more options than it does in other countries. Many people in the US do not realize this, but those in other countries lament this fact daily. They dislike that they are not able to watch all the same great content because of geo-blocks and restrictions that are in place. This doesn’t mean that people are entirely out of luck though.
A VPN service is the answer they need. The service will make it appear as if the user’s IP address is in the United States, so they can then have access to the US catalog of Netflix and all the great shows they have there. This is a great choice for those who live in other countries, as well as those who are planning to go on vacation or a business trip out of the country and who still want to watch Netflix.
However, you need to realize that technically, when you go around the geo-restrictions, you are breaking the copyright laws. This means it is very important that you take the time to find a great VPN provider that will unblock US Netflix for you.
Some of the VPNs out there don’t do this. Even worse, they provide very little in the way of privacy on the web, which is the entire purpose of a VPN. Let’s look at the things you need to do to watch the US Netflix catalog. It’s easier than you think if you follow some basic steps.
back to menu ↑2 Get a subscription to Netflix
Naturally, the first thing you want to do is to get an account at Netflix. No matter where you live in the world, the account is valid everywhere. This is why the VPN workaround will work. It also means that even though you are technically not following copyright law, the creators and Netflix are still getting money from you.
Head to Netflix.com and choose a plan. The premium plan will allow you to watch the service on up to four screens at the same time in HD, and it is a good value. You can sign up with a credit card, a debit card, or PayPal, if it is available where you live.
back to menu ↑3 Find a VPN
Once you have your subscription up and running, you have to move on to the next part of the plan. You need to find a VPN. Remember, you need this so you can “spoof” your IP address and so Netflix believes you are logging in from the United States. This is what will give you access to the full catalog. Most people will spoof the address to the US because of the size of the Netflix catalog, but you could choose other areas for one reason or another if you wish. When choosing a service, make sure they state that they unblock Netflix and that they offer the OpenVPN protocol, as this will help to keep you the safest and securest.
Of course, when you have a high-quality VPN, you will be doing more than just unblocking Netflix. It can unblock a number of other sites that might be banned in your region as well. This can make it easier to access sports and to access certain social media networks and YouTube.
Most of the VPNs today are reasonably priced, and you may be able to find some discounts if you buy a longer subscription. For example, they could offer a discount if you buy a year’s service rather than just a single month. Some will offer a money back guarantee if you are unhappy with the service. Check to see if the VPN offers this option and how long the offer is good for.
Once you have your VPN, you will install it and connect to a server. Make sure you are connecting to a server located in the US, and then log into your account. You should then see all the movies and shows that are in the US catalog, giving you a whole new world of entertainment.
Keep in mind the location of the server when you are connecting. Ideally, you will want one as close to you as possible. Therefore, if you are in Europe, connecting to a server on the East Cost is a good option. On the other hand, if you are closer to the West Coast of the US, you will want to choose a server on the West Coast. Doing this will give you the best possible connections.
When you are connected properly, you will be able to watch Netflix and they will never know that you aren’t in the US. This is a good thing, as it is against their terms of service. Just make sure you choose a quality VPN that will keep your address hidden, even from your ISP.
back to menu ↑4 Will They Ban Me?
One of the things that stops people from doing this is fear that they will get banned from Netflix. However, bans for this are very rare. There are a couple of reasons for this. First, your VPN will do a good job of keeping you hidden. Netflix will be none the wiser. In addition, you are a paying customer, and they aren’t likely going to go on a banning spree getting rid of paying customers. While there might be a possibility of this happening, it is unlikely.
back to menu ↑5 Get started
As you can see, it’s actually quite a bit easier than many people realize to start watching Netflix when they are overseas. Take the simple tips here and start binging on your favorite shows today.
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