Our favourite Netflix has decided to ban subscribers who are from countries out of the USA from using various methods to fool their system to access USA only content. This blog allows you to perform a few simple steps to watch USA Netflix content again.
Background :
Netflix is enforcing their ban on the use of VPN.
Although Netflix has just expanded their services to 130 countries, the content accessible is severely restricted to local content which is limited and oftentimes censored. This is due to the restrictions the content owners imposed on Netflix.
Most subscribers use various techniques to gain access to the much wider USA range of programming. The most used are VPN and smart DNS. We will not be going technical on the solutions offered but rather on the security of our internet traffic.
The dangers :
There are 2 main techniques most people use to circumvent the Netflix content restrictions. VPN and smart DNS. Both techniques are using different technologies and both pose a potential security threat to users.
Most of the solutions are not free. But regardless, there is a huge question with regards to the security of the users who bypasses their internet traffic through their services. Do the service providers “listen” to the internet traffic to sniff out our passwords and personal data? Will they hack into our home network and create havoc?
With VPN, the connection between your computer (or home network) is secured to an unknown server in the USA. With VPN, you are actually giving the remote server trusted access to your local network when connected. Basically, you are inviting a foreign server access to your private home network.
With smart DNS, every request for an IP resolution on a domain name goes though an unknown DNS server. When you change your DNS, you are allowing your browser DNS requests to load any webpage from any IP that the DNS has translated to you. The IP address may not be the destination web site and may easily be spoofed. Your password and login details may be easily obtained by the fake destination IP address that the DNS provides.
How to do it safely :
If you prefer using VPN, you can request for a trusted friend in the USA to allow you access to Netflix through his internet connection. To minimise your exposure, you can disable all other network protocols except IPV4. However, it will still expose your home network to your friend’s network and all computers connected to both networks can be at risk.
Furthermore, if your friend’s USA internet has limited bandwidth, he may be in for a rude shock when his internet provider sends him a warning! Netflix streaming is bandwidth intensive and with a VPN, it is actually double the bandwidth usage for your friend!
One note is that for a VPN connection, it is generally slower as the Netflix streaming goes through the VPN server.
If you prefer a simpler, safer and faster solution, I will recommend a smart DNS with a simple 3 Step process. You can choose a Free or Paid service you are comfortable to begin with. For this blog, I will choose the currently free solution from tvunblock.com.
I have done the tedious work of translating IP of the netflix service related web addresses into the following list :
69.30.245.50 www.netflix.com
176.34.239.57 movies.netflix.com
184.72.231.78 cbp-us.nccp.netflix.com
46.137.88.50 movies2.netflix.com
176.34.239.57 netflix.com
204.236.227.67 moviecontrol.netflix.com
176.34.188.143 api-global.netflix.com
54.235.137.170 api-us.netflix.com
54.235.196.124 api.netflix.com
23.21.209.141 redirects-us.nccp.netflix.com
69.30.214.234 nccp-nrdp-31.cloud.netflix.net
176.34.237.190 ios.nccp.netflix.com
81.200.64.50 atv.nccp.netflix.com
46.137.125.213 uiboot.netflix.com
54.247.80.109 signup.netflix.com
23.209.209.176 secure.netflix.com
23.21.111.17 api-user.netflix.com
69.30.245.50 movies1.netflix.com
46.51.181.229 www2.netflix.com
46.137.99.125 redirects-eu.nccp.netflix.com
23.21.88.211 nccp-fuji.cloud.netflix.net
23.21.143.234 nccp-nato.cloud.netflix.net
107.21.215.7 nccp-ps3.cloud.netflix.net
54.255.221.155 api-public.netflix.com
- Just edit your host file at the following windows location : C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc. The file may be marked as Read only. Just change the file access properties (by righ clicking and selecting Properties) and unselect Read-Only. Open the host file with Notepad and insert the list of IP addresses above to the end of the host file and save it.
- Either reboot your computer or open a commnd terminal (cmd) and type in the instruction : ipconfig /flushdns
- Visit tvunblock.com and then open netflix.com with your favourite browser. Log in to your netflix account and enjoy your USA netflix content!
For this solution to continue working, you will just have to visit their main website once every 30 days for them to register your IP address with their DNS. Furthermore, your DNS remains the same as those supplied by your internet provider.
This service is currently free and available since 12 Feb 2016. We hope it will remain free.
Enjoy!