Top Ways to Stay Safe while Accessing Geo-Restricted Sites

The internet is a vast and wonderful place, filled with endless opportunities for entertainment, information, and communication. However, not all of the content that's available on the internet is available to everyone, everywhere due to geo-restrictions.

Geo-restrictions limit access to some sites and services based on your physical location. Contemporarily, leading streaming services such as HBO Max, Disney Plus and Hulu use location firewalls to restrict users living in geo-restricted areas from using its services. To overcome these restrictions, many people use free Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) to watch their favorite content.

However, free VPNs are risky, exposing you to the dangers of the internet if you're not careful. You must use a premium VPN to access streaming services such as Disney Plus Philippines to protect your digital footprint and online identity as it masks your virtual location with another IP address and re-routes all the data through the secure VPN tunnel. Moreover, premium VPN also safeguards you while accessing geo-restricted sites. There are many VPNs available in the marketplace and you must select your VPN smartly. Along with a premium VPN, you must take the following measures to stay safe while surfing geo-restricted websites.

Select a Trusted and Premium VPN Provider

One of the most important steps you can take to stay safe when accessing geo-restricted sites is to use a trusted VPN provider. You must select the VPN service intelligently because there are many VPNs available in the market claiming to have the best and most comprehensive security protocols but are unable to bypass the geo-restriction of the renowned sites. Therefore, you must research the VPN’s features such as the number of servers, security protocols, encryption, unblocking capabilities, multi-logins and most importantly price points before making a decision.

Enable two-factor authentication

Two-factor authentication is an extra layer of security that requires you to enter a code in addition to your password when logging into your VPN account. This extra step makes it much harder for cybercriminals to access your account, even if they've obtained your password through the data from free VPNs. Two-factor authentication ensures that your data is safeguarded while you are watching your favorite shows on different geo-restricted platforms.

Use a Peculiar Password

The password you use to access your VPN is the key to your online safety. Be sure to choose a strong, unique password that's difficult for cybercriminals to guess. Avoid using the same password for multiple accounts, and change your password regularly to stay ahead of potential threats. Currently, majority of the cyber breaches happen due to easy passwords. Make sure to increase the difficulty of your password by adding capitalized alphabets, symbols, and numbers so cybercriminals are unable to guess it.

Update your VPN Service

Like any software, VPNs need to be updated regularly to fix bugs, add new features, and enhance security. Be sure to keep your VPN software up-to-date to ensure that you're protected from the latest threats. Using outdated VPN software would increase the threat of identity and data theft because it might have bugs that are vulnerable to cyber-attacks. Moreover, it might not offer the complete range of servers available on the VPN. Therefore, update your VPN timely to ensure a secure streaming and browsing experience on the geo-restricted sites.

Avoid Public Wi-Fi

Public Wi-Fi networks are convenient, but they're also a primary target for cybercriminals. When accessing geo-restricted sites, avoid using public Wi-Fi whenever possible, and instead use a private network or your mobile data connection. Public Wi-Fi is vulnerable to cyber-attacks because they are not password protected and cybercriminals can easily access your data through public Wi-Fi. Even if the private network is not available, make sure to use a premium VPN that has leak protection and AES-256 encryption while using public Wi-Fi so that the probability of being hacked is curtailed effectively.

Use a Secure Browser

To stay safe while accessing geo-restricted sites, be sure to use a secure browser, such as Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, or Apple Safari. These browsers have built-in security features that protect you from malicious websites, pop-ups, and other potential threats. Using a vulnerable browser can expose you to the risk of being cyber-attacked and becoming a victim of phishing. Moreover, don’t forget to clear your cache and cookies if the geo-restricted websites are not working on your device. Many geo-blocked websites use your cookies to identify your location and prohibit your access based on that information.

Watch out for Phishing Scams

Phishing scams are a common tactic used by cybercriminals to steal personal information and login credentials. When accessing geo-restricted sites, be wary of emails and pop-ups that ask for your login information, and never enter your credentials on a website unless you're sure it's legitimate. If you receive any form of communication from a non-trusted anonymous source, don’t open it because it will redirect you to phishing sites and persuade you to give up your credentials.

In conclusion, accessing geo-restricted sites can be a great way to access the content you want, but it also comes with some risks. By following these tips, you can stay safe while accessing geo-restricted sites, and enjoy all the benefits the internet has to offer. The more vigilant you are while streaming the geo-restricted sites, the more secure you are. Do remember vigilance is a cornerstone to protect your identity.