Does Netflix detect VPN?
Due to the abundance of blockbuster titles available on Netflix, it is difficult to picture one’s life without it. As digital media has grown in popularity, Netflix has become the most well-known way of the above platform among its consumers for offering the best entertainment and content. As a result, It has a million subscribers worldwide. It is one of the top streaming hubs due to its exclusive and diverse content collection and high-quality streaming.
If you’ve been using Netflix for a while, you’re probably aware that not every Netflix movie is available for you to watch. This is primarily due to your location. If you live in Canada, for example, you won’t be able to watch Netflix shows that are only available in the United States.
People use Virtual Private Networks (or VPNs) to get around this. These VPNs allow you to watch movies and TV shows from another country’s library. This is made possible by their multiple servers located in various countries.
However, Netflix quickly detects the user’s VPNs. Due to this, you only get a streaming error once it finds it. Or occasionally, it leads to a Netflix account ban.
You might be curious to know how Netflix recognises a VPN. So in this blog post, I’ll give some good insight on ‘How Does Netflix Detect A VPN?’
How Can A VPN Be Detected By Netflix?
A shared IP address is what you use when you connect to a VPN. There are thousands of VPN IP address users who share a single host. Netflix’s services can identify and collect data on IP addresses, particularly those linked to VPNs. When Netflix’s database discovers a VPN user, your IP address is blocked. Additionally, the code error appears.
Detection Methods for VPNs by Netflix
When a video is streamed from an unlicensed region or country, Netflix identifies VPNs in order to save the revenue that the content creators lose. Incentives like these encourage Netflix users to use VPNs and find ways around the limitations imposed by the service.
So continue reading as I’ll peel away each layer of this ‘onion’ to give you a more complete understanding of the current situation of Netflix’s location-based restrictions.
1. Identifying Shared IP Addresses
VPN service providers typically have a significant client base. As a result, many users are assigned the same IP address. This means you end up sharing the same IP address with various users, which Netflix detects. Netflix flags these users and disables their VPN.
2. Detecting IP Addresses of Known VPN Providers
Netflix maintains a database of all previously known VPN IP addresses. As a result, if they detect IP addresses that belong to previously discovered VPNs, they will block them. You will not be able to access Netflix content in another region if your VPN service does not keep updating its addresses.
3. Netflix Has Your Location Data
It is easy for Netflix to determine whether you are using a VPN if you are aware of your GeoLocation. This is due to the fact that your billing address discloses your precise location. The IP address that is identified, however, will be entirely different while utilising a VPN. This makes it obvious that you are using a VPN, which is why Netflix has disabled your account.
Furthermore, Netflix stores the location information when a customer registers in using their desktop browser rather than a web browser. Netflix will be aware that you might be using a VPN if your location changes.
4. Inconsistencies between DNS and IP Address
Netflix can also determine that you’re using a VPN by comparing the locations of your Domain Name Servers (or DNS). Your genuine IP address may be concealed by some VPN services, although DNS issues can occur.
Netflix is aware that you’re using a VPN because of these discrepancies between your IP address and DNS. By putting the VPN on your network rather than on your gadget or device, you may prevent this.
Why Does Netflix Block Use of VPN Servers When It Detects Them?
Netflix blocks VPNs due to territorial licensing. You may be asking why certain Netflix content is not available in certain locations and why the Netflix system works so hard to identify anyone using a VPN to obtain stuff that is restricted.
They don’t want you to watch any Netflix video that is restricted in your area, which is a really straightforward explanation. This is so that Netflix can benefit from streaming its limited material.
When their content is streamed from an unlicensed area, the copyright holders do not receive any money. Therefore, when Netflix doesn’t prohibit VPN users, there is a significant financial loss.
Summary
Netflix does not want its subscribers to use VPNs to stream. It detects VPNs based on their IP addresses, geolocation, and DNS servers. Thus, Netflix blocks VPN access. However, many VPNs are available that bypass Netflix’s VPN ban. So how do you watch Netflix streaming with or without using a VPN?
