Unblock-Us no longer works with US Netflix using smart DNS
@pabischoff UPDATED: September 12, 2021
UPDATE: Unblock-Us no longer exists, having been absorbed by StrongVPN. Read on for details of the most reliable alternative to Unblock-Us.
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Did you know that Netflix has different content in different countries? Unfortunately, this approach means that you might not be able to keep watching your favorite show if you go on vacation. This could be why so many users resort to VPNs and smart DNS proxies to regain access to their usual Netflix catalog while traveling abroad.
Smart DNS provider Unblock-Us was previously one of the most popular ways to access Netflix. However, Shortly after Netflix rolled out globally, it began blocking these proxy services using a firewall. Users who connected using a DNS proxy or VPN were greeted with an error message:
“Whoops, something went wrong. Streaming error. You seem to be using an unblocker or proxy. Please turn off any of these services and try again. ”
While a handful of VPNs can still work, smart DNS proxy providers were hit hardest. Once blocked, changing IP addresses to something Netflix hasn’t blocked yet is a time consuming and expensive undertaking–one that wasn’t worth the cost for most smart DNS providers. It just didn’t pay off to put up a fight, especially with the threat of another block always looming.
Unblock-Us was one of the providers affected. In fact, StrongVPN’s own Smart DNS service, StrongDNS, is now blocked too. We now recommend NordVPN for Netflix.
StrongDNS is blocked by Netflix
StrongDNS does not currently work with Netflix.
However, NordVPN allows users to securely access Netflix from anywhere in teh world. For the moment at least, using a VPN is a more reliable way of accessing regional Netflix catalogs.
We’ll be sure to let you know if StrongDNS begins working with Netflix.
How to Bypass Blocked Sites and Internet Restrictions – MakeUseOf
It doesn’t matter where in the world you live; there are times when you’re going to come across blocked sites and a restricted internet.
If you come across an internet block, don’t panic. Keep reading to find out more how to bypass barred sites and internet restrictions.
Why Do Blocked Sites Exist?
The possible reasons for the blocks are numerous.
Firstly, lots of services use geo-blocking tools to restrict access to their content in certain countries. The issue is perhaps most commonly associated with Netflix’s catalog. However, it can also apply to videos on social media (such as sports clips), news articles, and even entire services which are not available outside of their country of origin (like Hulu).
Secondly, governments often block access to sites to suit their agenda. The Twitter block in China is perhaps the most famous example, but we’ve also seen Turkey block access to social media in an attempt to quell protests in 2016 and Sri Lanka stop access to Facebook in the aftermath of the April 2019 terrorist attacks, supposedly to prevent the spread of fake news.
Thirdly, employers often block sites on their internal networks. Heaven forbid that you waste a few minutes of their time checking Facebook…
Lastly, some countries have odd laws that can restrict access to certain types of material. The UK’s controversial porn ban, which required users to verify their age, and Germany’s crusade against YouTube are two of the most notable cases.
How to Bypass Blocked Sites
If you run into a restricted site, what can you do? Here are the best ways to bypass blocked sites.
1. Use a VPN
The most popular way of accessing blocked internet sites is to use a high-quality paid Virtual Private Network (VPN).
VPNs have many benefits, but from a blocked sites standpoint, it’s the technology’s ability to provide you with an IP address in another country that’s the most important. The foreign IP address makes it appear as though you are based in a different location. Thus, you won’t trigger a site’s geo-blocks and can circumnavigate restrictions.
Some services theoretically block access from VPN IP addresses. In practice, this has resulted in a massive game of cat and mouse, in which the VPN providers are generally victorious.
VPNs are incredibly easy to use: download the app onto your phone or computer, enter your login credentials, and choose the network that you want to connect to.
Need a VPN? You can score discounted plans with CyberGhost and ExpressVPN if you sign up using these links. Both are reputable, performant, and mindful of your privacy.
2. Use a Smart DNS
The recent clampdown on VPNs by services like Netflix and BBC iPlayer has resulted in a growth of smart DNS providers.
Smart DNS services have some pros and cons when considered in contrast to VPNs.
One of the most significant advantages of using a smart DNS to get around a website block is internet speed. Unlike VPNs, which route all your web traffic through a different network, smart DNS providers only need to reroute information about your location. This process results in a faster browsing experience.
On the downside, DNS services do not offer any of the same privacy benefits as VPNs. They do not encrypt your traffic, nor do they change your IP. If authorities in your location are likely to prosecute based on the sites you visit, a smart DNS provider is not right for you.
One of the best smart DNS providers is Getflix.
3. Use a Free Proxy
If you need to quickly access a blocked website on a one-time basis, a free proxy might be the way to go.
A proxy will hide your IP address, thus helping to disguise your location. It will not, however, encrypt your traffic. The lack of encryption means proxies are not as secure as VPNs; they are an excellent option to get around blocks on work and school networks but are not suitable for browsing which requires anonymity.
Proxies are typically much slower than VPNs. You’ll also find they often have issues with page formatting and images. Both of these problems preclude them from being a reliable long-term solution.
Check out our guide to some of the best proxies for geo-blocked content if you’d like to learn more.
4. Use a Site’s IP Address
When you think of web addresses, you probably think of the domain name (e. g. ) that you type into your browser’s address bar.
In practice, the domain name is like a veneer for the IP address. It’s the IP address that points at a server and directs your traffic. DNS servers are responsible for converting domain names into their associated IP addresses.
However, if you know a site’s IP address, you can enter it directly into your browser, and you will still end up viewing the site.
Because many networks only block domain name URLs and not their underlying IP addresses, this trick is often a great way to circumvent internet restrictions.
The same principle applies to short URLs. It’s unlikely that a small employer or school has blocked all the short URLs that point to a site. You’ll often enjoy some success in bypassing school-blocked sites if you try to use them.
You can find the IP address of a site by opening Command Prompt as an admin, then typing tracert followed by the domain name; for example, tracert
5. Use Tor
When you use the Tor network to browse the web, your traffic is taken on a long journey through thousands of nodes all around the world.
This process makes it almost impossible for a regular website to know where the request originated, so it’s unlikely to get caught in any blocking filters.
Be aware that Tor and the dark web is not completely anonymous. Government authorities can, and do, monitor persons of interest on the network.
Learn More About How to Get Past Blocked Sites
Our preferred method for accessing blocked sites and bypassing internet restrictions on a regular basis is to use a VPN.
If you would like to learn more about using VPNs (along with some of the other methods for getting round online blocks), you should learn more about how to bypass Wi-Fi and internet restrictions.
How to Bypass Blocked Sites: 5 Methods to TryYou’re at work or school, but you want to check on Facebook, or watch something on YouTube. It’s blocked – so how do you get around this and ruin your productivity?
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About The Author
Dan Price
(1607 Articles Published)
Dan joined MakeUseOf in 2014 and has been Partnerships Director since July 2020. Reach out to him for inquires about sponsored content, affiliate agreements, promotions, and any other forms of partnership. You can also find him roaming the show floor at CES in Las Vegas every year, say hi if you’re going. Prior to his writing career, he was a Financial Consultant.
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AT&T Wireless Internet (MF279) – Block & Unblock Wi-Fi Devices
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Frequently Asked Questions about unblock us setup android
Does unblock us still work?
UPDATE: Unblock-Us no longer exists, having been absorbed by StrongVPN. Read on for details of the most reliable alternative to Unblock-Us. BEST VPN FOR NETFLIX:NordVPN is our #1 choice for Netflix. We’ve extensively tested and researched many VPNs to find out which VPNs work with Netflix.Sep 12, 2021
How do I unblock my IP address?
ProcedureTo block an IP address, enter the address in the IP address field, and click Add. The address is added to the BLOCKED IP ADDRESSES list.To unblock an IP address by removing it from the list, click delete alongside the address that you want to unblock.Apr 9, 2021
How do I unblock WIFI restrictions on android?
How to Bypass Blocked SitesUse a VPN. The most popular way of accessing blocked internet sites is to use a high-quality paid Virtual Private Network (VPN). … Use a Smart DNS. … Use a Free Proxy. … Use a Site’s IP Address. … Use Tor.Apr 28, 2021