Netflix finally blocking VPN's?

[2fishin2]

Netflix doesn't appear to care where your account is. If I access it without a VPN, I get the Thai version. If I connect to a VPN server in a different country, I get their version.

I use Kodi too - I've used it for years. It's great, but it isn't the last word in TV like some people make out.

That's what I thought about VPNs with Netflix which has me wondering what this thread is about?? I dont use Kodi for live TV because of the time difference. I use it to watch TV and media after the programs have been aired. Problem with Netflix is that everything is old where Kodi has up to date media.

[SoiBiker]

Presumably Netflix, like some other streaming services, have begun to block some VPNs. That's what the thread is about.

[2fishin2]

I havent used Netflix since it first came out years ago. Im in the UAE and just signed up for Netflix again. Logged into my VPN and everything working just fine. Im using SoftEther VPN client

[hawker9000]

If you have a US-based subscription, you can now stream it in Thailand; no problem. (But I realize that if you're stuck with a subscription obtained in Thailand, your options are limited. VPN isn't going to be of any help with that. 'Sounds like the media rights follow the subscriber, not the actual viewing location.)

...for Netflix that is.

Edited February 28, 2016 by hawker9000

[MAZ3]

I have an UK subscription and view the US site as well for more content,no problems with hotspot shield VPN(yet!).

[SoiBiker]

If you have a US-based subscription, you can now stream it in Thailand; no problem. (But I realize that if you're stuck with a subscription obtained in Thailand, your options are limited. VPN isn't going to be of any help with that. 'Sounds like the media rights follow the subscriber, not the actual viewing location.)

...for Netflix that is.

No - it's the other way around.

[IMHO]

Yes, they are starting to block. I have seen it myself on both Ghost and Express VPN services, when trying to connect via Spain so I can watch Season 3 of Black Sails. The app shows an error screen that prompts you to visit www.netflix.com/proxy for more information.

USA seems to still work though, so they haven't figured out all of the IP's yet I guess - but USA Netflix doesn't have Black Sails at all...

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

It might be helpful, for those reading and posting here, to do a quick post with the name of their VPN and whether or not it's currently giving access to Netflix U.S. That way, folks would get an idea of what's working and what's not.

[FracturedRabbit]

Using Unlocator which works with altered DNS codes rather than a VPN; no problems for me to date and they are offering alternative DNS numbers for those who do suffer problems.

[GinBoy2]

I think we need to be a little careful in describing whats going on. Yes they are systematically blocking IP addresses that are tagged to data farms, but in addition they are starting to go after US based DNS services.

Unotelly has in the last few weeks been eviscerated and the rumors are they are going after unblock-us in a similar way.

I'm currently using a combo of VPN & DNS, both companies not based in the US (the Seychelles seems to be the jurisdiction of choice for many of these services). I use the VPN for the privacy aspect because of the Thai restrictions, then use the DNS unblocking to avoid the geo locations issues with Netflix Hulu etc.

[MAZ3]

I have an UK subscription and view the US site as well for more content,no problems with hotspot shield VPN(yet!).

Oops,I tempted fate.

Netflix USA states I'm using a VPN or unblocker and the UK Netflix just doesn't load any programmes.

I've reported this to Hotspot Shield and hopefully a fix will be available soon,this how is was handled before,when sky blocked me.

[Langsuan Man]

I don't know why all the surprise, the company announced that they were going to expand overseas and the only way that would be profitable is if they can get overseas customers, not current customers that use VPN's

Different offerings in different markets, many times shaped by content providers and distribution restrictions

[SoiBiker]

I don't know why all the surprise, the company announced that they were going to expand overseas and the only way that would be profitable is if they can get overseas customers, not current customers that use VPN's

Different offerings in different markets, many times shaped by content providers and distribution restrictions

But they still let customers use their home accounts, so nothing really changes apart from the available content. I think this is more about rights than anything else.

[Ludacris]

Well, it's been two weeks since Netflix started getting serious about geo-blocking.

My desktop is still working with the VPN, but I haven't been able to get my ROKU working yet.

I found out what's happened is the updated Netflix app on the ROKU has hard-coded in Google DNS servers. I'm able to block those servers through the router (the ROKU is connected to a separate router before the desktop with the VPN), but it's not enough.

I signed up for a free trial of Unlocator DNS and put those in the router but Netflix won't even load (even tried with the desktop and Netflix won't load either). Unlocator says on their support page not to even write them about the Netflix issue. It's not like anything they have seen before and they are working in it.

I even messaged StrongDNS and they confirmed their service isn't working with Netflix either, but they hope to have a fix in a few days.

It looks like this is a difficult issue to get around but I'm sure at some point someone will come up with something. For the time being I'm just using the desktop connected to the TV, but I prefer the ROKU and having the desktop free.

If anyone hears anything please update this thread.

[GinBoy2]

Roku apps have for a while hard coded the DNS forcing either 8.8.8.8 or 8.8.4.4 regardless of what you have in your router for unlocking. The option to change the DNS in the Roku setup disappeared several firmware revisions again.

You need to run some script in the router to force the DNS redirect to your DNS service.

I run ddwrt so can only comment on that, similar options are available on other routers.

For a ddwrt router this is the workaround:

From the router status page go to Administration>Command tab

In the command shell type the following command;

iptables -I PREROUTING -t nat -p udp -d 8.8.4.4 --dport 53 -j DNAT --to-destination xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx
iptables -I PREROUTING -t nat -p udp -d 8.8.8.8 --dport 53 -j DNAT --to-destination xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx

where xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx are the DNS address' from your provider

Click 'Save Firewall'

Reboot the router

That will force the DNS lookup from 8.8.8.8 & 8.8.4.4 to your preferred DNS

Now as I stated in a previous message, don't confuse VPN with DNS unblocking, they are not necessarily the same, although some VPN's are offering combo services, just be aware

Edited March 11, 2016 by GinBoy2

[Ludacris]

From the router status page go to Administration>Command tab

In the command shell type the following command;

iptables -I PREROUTING -t nat -p udp -d 8.8.4.4 --dport 53 -j DNAT --to-destination xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx

iptables -I PREROUTING -t nat -p udp -d 8.8.8.8 --dport 53 -j DNAT --to-destination xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx

where xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx are the DNS address' from your provider

Click 'Save Firewall'

Reboot the router

That's exactly what I've tried. I think the problem now is Netflix has started blocking US DNS services, which is why Unlocator and StrongDNS don't work anymore.

[GinBoy2]

From the router status page go to Administration>Command tab

In the command shell type the following command;

iptables -I PREROUTING -t nat -p udp -d 8.8.4.4 --dport 53 -j DNAT --to-destination xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx

iptables -I PREROUTING -t nat -p udp -d 8.8.8.8 --dport 53 -j DNAT --to-destination xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx

where xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx are the DNS address' from your provider

Click 'Save Firewall'

Reboot the router

That's exactly what I've tried. I think the problem now is Netflix has started blocking US DNS services, which is why Unlocator and StrongDNS don't work anymore.

Then it's your DNS service. It's always going to be a cat n mouse game. They have already gone after and successfully shut down a few US & Canadian DNS unblockers.

My suggestion would be try a service registered in an untouchable jurisdiction. The Seychelles seems a favored choice right now

[Ludacris]

Looks like even Seychelles DNS are having problems.

https://www.smartdnsproxy.com/Contactus

[GinBoy2]

I use SmartDNS, still working for me.

Remember there is a difference between the cat and mouse games played with the unblockers and the legal approach.

With the offshore guys it's simply a techincal game, which for the likes of Netflix is tiresome but unwinnable. For the ones within the reach of US litigation then it's a different story, Unotelly, us-unblock are being shut down through legal methods, not technical

Edited March 11, 2016 by GinBoy2

[SoiBiker]

I'm happy to just stick to the Thai version of Netfilx. I only use it for the convenience when I just want to stick something on. If there's something specific I want to se I'll find it by other means.

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

I'm not sure it's correct to say Unotelly is being "shut down."

AFAIK, Netflix somehow managed to get Paypal to suspend payments to Unotelly recently, though Unotelly customers still have access to other payment channels. And I'm sure Netflix is taking technical steps to prevent Unotelly and other similar providers from evading their geo-blocks.

But it's not like Netflix has sued those providers or gotten any kind of court order/injunction against them, AFAIK.

[Ludacris]

Looks like my StrongVPN connection is now being throttled from Thailand. I've tested all their severs around the world and can't get more than 100-200 kb/s, with some servers being less than 30 kb/s. This has been going on the past few days. Just last week I was getting 6M/s+.

I wonder if something bigger is going on.

On the plus side, I have checked out Thai Netflix and there's a few new releases that aren't on the US version, but the overall content looks very limited.

[hawker9000]

Looks like my StrongVPN connection is now being throttled from Thailand. I've tested all their severs around the world and can't get more than 100-200 kb/s, with some servers being less than 30 kb/s. This has been going on the past few days. Just last week I was getting 6M/s+.

I wonder if something bigger is going on.

On the plus side, I have checked out Thai Netflix and there's a few new releases that aren't on the US version, but the overall content looks very limited.

Interesting. And you still get 6M/s+ hitting the overseas websites NOT using the VPN?

[Ludacris]

Yup. Just tested again- to San Fran with the VPN 0.45 MB/s and without 9.7 MB/s. I've been with StrongVPN over 2 years and can't remember ever having speeds this slow.

I've contacted their technical support but it's frustrating sending emails back and forth when all you get is the typical canned responses. There may be an issue with their upgraded client 1.6.1 and they're looking into it. For the time being I don't know what else to do...

[hawker9000]

Yup. Just tested again- to San Fran with the VPN 0.45 MB/s and without 9.7 MB/s. I've been with StrongVPN over 2 years and can't remember ever having speeds this slow.

I've contacted their technical support but it's frustrating sending emails back and forth when all you get is the typical canned responses. There may be an issue with their upgraded client 1.6.1 and they're looking into it. For the time being I don't know what else to do...

'Sounds like your VPN is being throttled somewhere along the line, but your VPN provider isn't necessarily the bottleneck.

I've been back in the states now for a couple of weeks. I've been using Witopia for years, and although not all of the protocols worked, the ones I used regularly were comparable to non-VPN rates right up until time I left (actually better in some cases!). No problems streaming video through it (not Netflix, but now don't need to; and not the other well-known providers either who've become adept at blocking VPNs). You might think about changing VPN providers - there are plenty of reasonably reputable contenders in the game. StrongVPN is one such, but does have its detractors.

[fusion58]

Question for Netflix Thailand viewers:

Are you finding that some content is censored?

Statements from Netflix re: the company's intention to comply with local "decency" standards have raised some concerns along those lines.

I, for one, don't want to encounter pixelated titties halfway into a racy movie.

[Chicog]

Question for Netflix Thailand viewers:

Are you finding that some content is censored?

Statements from Netflix re: the company's intention to comply with local "decency" standards have raised some concerns along those lines.

I, for one, don't want to encounter pixelated titties halfway into a racy movie.

If it's Thailand they'll probably let the tits and violence go and ban the smoking and drinking.

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

I was laughing the other day, when I happened to chance across a video on The Nation Channel re the quasi Thai porn actress/pretty and guy who did the "sexy" dance at the BKK auto show recently.

To my amazement, when they opened The Nation Channel talk show by airing a portion of the video of the original dance routine, the channel (or someone else) blurred out the entire full bodies of both the pretty and the guy, from head to toe. They also had a still photo of the pretty as a backdrop on their stage set, and they entirely blurred out all the chest area of the woman wearing what in effect was a fancy bra.

So don't be too sure about the powers that be letting the T***s go,,,,