Netflix employs several sophisticated methods to detect and block VPN usage, aiming to enforce its regional content licensing agreements. Here’s how they manage to do it:
IP Address Blacklisting:
- Known IP Addresses:
- Netflix maintains a list of known VPN server IP addresses. If your connection’s IP address matches one on this list, Netflix can block access. They use databases that track IP addresses associated with VPN services. These databases are updated frequently to add new VPN IP addresses as they are identified.
- Traffic Analysis:
- The streaming service looks for unusual patterns in traffic. For instance, if an IP address is accessing content at all hours from multiple countries, it’s a strong indicator of VPN use because a single residential IP would typically not behave this way.
- DNS Mismatch:
- Netflix checks for discrepancies between the IP address and the Domain Name System (DNS) server used. If the DNS server doesn’t match the expected regional DNS for the IP address, it suggests VPN use.
- Geo-location Checks:
- They verify if your IP address corresponds with your device’s reported location, like GPS data on mobile devices. A mismatch here might indicate VPN usage.
- Deep Packet Inspection (DPI):
- Some discussions suggest Netflix might use DPI to analyze the data packets for characteristics typical of VPN traffic, although this method is more resource-intensive and less commonly confirmed.
- Behavioral Analysis:
- Netflix might analyze user behavior for signs of location manipulation, such as rapid changes in location or accessing content that’s unusually diverse in regional origin.
To bypass Netflix’s VPN detection:
- Use High-Quality VPNs: Services like ExpressVPN or NordVPN are known for regularly updating their IP addresses to avoid detection. They might employ obfuscation techniques to disguise VPN traffic.
- Smart DNS: Some VPNs offer Smart DNS services, which are less likely to be detected as they don’t encrypt all traffic, focusing only on changing your DNS server to access content.
- Dedicated IP: Some VPNs offer a dedicated IP address for an additional fee, which is less likely to be blacklisted since it’s used by only one person at a time.
- Disable Location Services: On mobile devices, ensure location services are turned off, as these can reveal your real location to Netflix.
- VPN on Router: Instead of just on a device, configuring a VPN on your router might help bypass some detection methods by applying the VPN to all network traffic.
- Switch Servers or Protocols: If one server doesn’t work, try another, or switch to different VPN protocols like OpenVPN on port 443, WireGuard, or proprietary protocols like ExpressVPN’s Lightway, which are less detectable.
While these methods can help in accessing Netflix via VPN, there is an issue with Netflix’s terms of service. So from time to time Netflix might still be able to disrupt viewing before VPN providers scramble to adjust.