If a site can tell that I’m using a VPN, it kind of defeats the whole purpose, right? I guess this might depend on the VPN you choose, but it’s pretty concerning.
I face the same issue sometimes, especially with AXS and Ticketmaster being super strict about no VPNs.
For sites that don’t allow VPNs, I use a different browser to reduce fingerprinting related to my actual IP.
For most other sites that block VPN use, I usually find an alternative.
@Nate
Us regular folks can’t compete with tech companies and governments that always want to track us for no good reason.
Isan said:
@Nate
Us regular folks can’t compete with tech companies and governments that always want to track us for no good reason.
VPNs remind me of a game of whack-a-mole. A streaming service may find a VPN server and blacklist it, but usually within a day or two, the VPN provider figures it out and changes the server’s identity.
@Shea
I know that some companies like Private Internet Access have “streaming friendly” VPN servers that are supposed to be less likely to be blocked. They probably change IPs more often or do something innovative.
@Shea
It’s true that using a popular VPN server can easily get you flagged. Your IP address can give you away. Even setting up your own private VPN might not be enough to go unnoticed. It seems some networks are using deep packet inspection to look into your traffic. They might analyze patterns that show you’re trying to hide your true location or activity. So while VPNs are helpful, it’s good to know their limits and the risk of detection.
I can’t say for sure why most sites do this. But on a site I managed, our fraud rate was way higher for VPN users.
We didn’t ban VPNs, but we viewed their transactions as being riskier.
VPNs serve more purposes than just bypassing geo-restrictions.
Mack said:
VPNs serve more purposes than just bypassing geo-restrictions.
I understand that. I want to use them for privacy and to stop tracking. Even Reddit has issues when I use a VPN. My account on several sites was flagged as suspicious and banned after I accessed them via a VPN, forcing me to contact support to sort it out.
@Isan
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Floyd said:
@Isan
[deleted]
I’ve always used a VPN for Reddit too. They’ve been getting stricter lately. One of the nodes I usually use is now blocked. This doesn’t even account for the forced login nonsense.
@Isan
You might just have a poor VPN. I’m posting this without any trouble using mine.
@Isan
Which VPN are you using?
@Isan
I use a VPN on Reddit all the time, and it works perfectly!
@Isan
Just use an ad blocker and NextDNS, and you won’t need a VPN (and VPNs can’t do that).
@Isan
It’s frustrating when my Google searches get interrupted, and I have to verify myself first. Switching to Bing helps, but at times, I really want Google’s results.
@Isan
Just wait until you discover that your VPN isn’t actually private at all.
Everyone says, ‘Just get a VPN.’ That’s why that simple advice is frustrating.
After reading some comments here, it’s wise to invest in a good VPN. If a site doesn’t work with mine (Express VPN), I typically just disconnect and reconnect to a different region in the US without further issues.
Even if a site can tell you’re using a VPN, it doesn’t exactly ruin the purpose—because it doesn’t know your original location before the VPN, and all VPNs will have your traffic mixed with others.
I hate it too when many places ban VPNs, and issues like this mean that one bad user could make it so millions of others get blocked from using it.
One solution is to get a static IP with a good reputation, but that does lower your privacy. I operate WireGuard on my VPS, and I don’t face those issues anymore while browsing—but I do lose some security since my browsing goes through my private server.