Do you value privacy? Do you want to keep your online activities private? Well, if so then invest in a Virtual Private Network (VPN). Don’t let search engines track your browsing activities and mishandle your personal data. Don’t allow government censorships to deny you access to your favorite content. Use a VPN to beat geo-restrictions. Here is how to set up a VPN or Smart DNS and stream your favorite content.
What’s a DNS?
The DNS (Domain Name System) handles internet requests in the same way as your physical postal office. A request to access a site travels from your IP (Internet Protocol) address to a local DNS server, hence giving that request a location “postmark”. It then travels via the DNS system to the website.
And once access is granted by the website, this access travels back to your local DNS server and to your IP address. The website then appears in your browser with knowledge of your location as well as the time of visit.
When to Use a Smart DNS System
If you want to access geo-locked content from sites with minimal security concerns, consider using a Smart DNS. However, it’s important to note that Smart DNS connections are highly effective at spoofing your location; they don’t hide your IP address.
With a Smart DNS system, it will appear to the websites you’re visiting as though you’re browsing from a different location. Of course, they’ll still be able to see your IP address, but it seems as if it’s originating from a different location. And because of this, your personal data and online activities still remain insecure. You wouldn’t want to access confidential information like your bank account through a Smart DNS service.
However, such systems can be useful on trustworthy websites that recognize your VPN and restrict you from accessing geo-locked content.
VPNs and Smart DNS: The Difference
A VPN typically encrypts the process right from its original point so that your online activities can’t be tracked by your ISPs, hackers, or other third-parties. But with a Smart DNS, your request still remains visible to all these entities due to the lack of encryption. However, Smart DNS services are much faster than VPNs. A VPN, on the other hand, hides your IP address completely and fully protects any data associated with it.
Should You Use A VPN or A DNS?
Both VPNs and DNS services utilize proxy servers. So, you can’t use them at ago. If your request is being channeled through a VPN server, the site might restrict access. In that case, you may want to consider utilizing a VPN service that provides split-tunneling. This will keep your personal data secure while also allowing you to stream popular sites such as Netflix and Hulu without encryption.
If the streaming site is blocking your VPN, try switching server locations first to identify a secure route for streaming. And if you can’t access a website with your VPN server, switch it off or utilize a Smart DNS service.
The Bottom-Line
Restricted access to content can be annoying—especially if you are located outside of the USA. Streaming Netflix or Hulu content can be challenging. However, you can use a VPN or even a Smart DNS beat these restrictions and stream your favorite content. The above information is all you need to know when it comes to using the best VPN for streaming Netflix.
