Smart DNS

DNS server has to recognize what sort of site or service (Smart DNS also works with Android, iOS, WIndows 8, Mac OSX and other) you wish to open or start, and if your traffic should be redirected via our VPN / Proxy network. Such redirection of traffic is made in order to present your device as originating from specific country like US (to unlock Netflix via SmartDNS) or UK (to unlock BBC iPlayer via SmartDNS). Because you do not “log in” to SmartDNS server as you did to VPN one, the only way for us to check if user should have access to the service is through original IP address.

Users whose ISP has assigned them static IP address are in a bit better position. As mentioned, their home IP address is always the same. This means that they need to update / save their IP address in our Smart DNS system only one time.

In most cases however users have access to the internet via service with dynamic IP. What it means is, that each time you reset your modem (router) your ISP assigns you new IP address. When this happens (you have rebooted your router or your internet connection has been reset on your access device) you will have to update your IP address again in our data base (as Smart DNS will “remember” your previous IP).

Only one IP address can be register per user. So, if you are travelling with mobile device – iPad, Android device, etc. and you want to use SmartDNS service away from home, you have to update your current IP address. Since only one can be registered (at one time) per user, remember to (again) update your home IP when you are back.

For our customers this is nothing new, they simply connect to selected VPN server in UK and watch BBC Live or on demand via BBC iPlayer. For those of you who are first time on our blog, few words of explanation.

VPN server acts as an intermediary between you and the target site/service. It hides your IP address and replaces it with it own IP. Site like BBC (geo-restricted for UK users only) simply sees our UK based VPN (thinking it is you) but not real you in any other country in the world.

Hopefully, next Grand Prix in Monaco you all will be able to watch att BBC vie our upcoming SmartDNS service. It is scheduled for start in May and we are doing our best to keep up with our promise. Smart DNS will be even easier to use than VPN and will allow you (but not anonymously or with improved safety as does VPN) to access geo restricted sites even on devices without VPN support like Windows Phone devices!

Now, the most important part - Gran Premio de ESPAÑA 2013 in Catalunya – how to watch. So, as we said – connect to any UK VPN server and follow those links:

11.05.2013 at 12:10 (UK time) - F1 2013, The Spanish Grand Prix – Qualifying

Spotify allows you to stream unlimited number of song to your computer for free (ad supported model). But if you want to listen to your favourite music on different device, offline, etc. well than you have to pay monthly subscription.

With free service via VPN there is no problem. You start VPN connection on your Windows PC or Mac and that’s it. But if you want to pay for the service, beside VPN you will also need  credit card. Why would one want to pay for Spotify. Well, you will gain access to all your playlist on mobile devices (data charges apply) but also you can download music to listen to it offline. Probably because of that (Spotify plans do not look that expensive) someone has created and add-on for Chrome browser called Downloadify. This add-on will allow you to download all song from your playlist in mp3 format. Add-on has been taken down by Google from Chrome Web Store, but as it is with all thing in the internet, we have no doubts that you can still find it out there.

And don’t forget… we hope to be ready with Smart DNS service this month. Follow the link to find out more about Smart DNS functionality.

]]> http://www.hideipvpn.com/2013/05/spotify-vpn-smartdns/feed/ 0 http://www.hideipvpn.com/2013/05/spotify-vpn-smartdns/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/hideipvpn/FFYM/~3/wEyjZdOnCds/ http://www.hideipvpn.com/2013/05/smart-dns-vpn-unlock/#comments Fri, 03 May 2013 18:33:20 +0000 Tomasz http://www.hideipvpn.com/?p=6397 Continue reading →]]> Smart DNS service is coming to HideIPVPN very, very soon. We are hard at work to provide you with the most versatile and easy to use alternative to common VPN. Because we want to make sure you are completely happy with our SmartDNS servers, we would like to ask for your help. In our previous posts on our VPN news blog, we have told you, what Smart DNS service is, how it works and what differs  VPN & SmartDNS. Smart DNS should allow you to unlock geo-restricted sites on larger number of devices including Smart TV’s, multimedia players like Roku, Boxee or any other with XMBC software, game consoles like PS3 and Xbox. Of course all your VPN enabled devices like smartphones, tablets and computers will also be able to use it. As we have mentioned in our latest post, even devices with no VPN or DNS support can use such service in certain conditions. All you need to do is to change your ISP’s DNS servers to HideIPVPN Smart DNS servers in your home router. This way we have enabled Windows Phone 8 based Lumia 920 to access US Netflix from Europe. But there is one, very important condition for Smart DNS service to work this way. Services and sites that you wish to access have to be predefined on Smart DNS server.

Question: What sites & services would you like to use through HideIPVPN Smart DNS service?

As we have just said, SmartDNS service is only as smart as people who responsible for its configuration. In order for Smart DNS to work, it has to “recognize” that IP address (specific site or service) you or your application wants to access, is “the special” (geo-restricted) one. Such site (its IP address) has to be added to DNS server list. If it is not, your traffic will not be redirected (you will not be able to gain access). The way it works is both advantage and disadvantage of Smart DNS system over VPN connection.

It is advantage over VPN, because if you do not need to hide your IP address and access just your “local” internet, your browsing speed will not be affected in any way.

It is disadvantage at the same time. With VPN connection active you can (anonymously) access any site or service you wish, but all your traffic (even if fake IP is not needed) will be routed via VPN server. Through Smart DNS service only when server is configured to do so.

This is where you activity is needed. We need to know what sites and services you would like to access in order to add them to our DNS servers. Otherwise, as stated it will simply not work.

“Smarter” Smart DNS with your help!

We are looking to hear from you. Please, use comment section under post or visit us at Facebook or Google Plus. Tell us what sites you wish to use through Smart DNS servers. List of all DNS unlocked sites will be published before service is operational, but if you want your favourite service to work on day one, please tell us now.

 Not that long ago we have told you about new service coming to HideIPVPN – Smart DNS. We are almost ready with all features of the new service and as promised we will bring you more news about all its features. Right now, we can tell you that service should be fully operational in May. In previous posts we have told you, that Smart DNS will allow to access geo-restricted services, devices and systems without VPN support. One of such systems is Windows Phone and all devices based on it.  We have just told you that until now Windows Phone users, unlike their iOS and Android friends were in a very poor situation. On both older system, it is not a problem to setup and use VPN connections as well as download applications from different regions like Netflix or Spotify. What’s more Windows Phone will not allow you to change DNS setup as well. But SmartDNS is so flexible, that it will allow you to watch Netflix movies (in 720p) on your WP device anyway.

Here is how….

First of all you will need to download Netflix app from Windows Marketplace. The easiest way to do this, is through your phone. Because you are not in USA and your Live account is registered in different country, Windows Store will not allow you to download requested app. Don’t worry.

In your phone go to Settings -> Language + region and change field Country/Region to USA. Restart your phone. When you enter Marketplace after reboot you should have no problems in finding and downloading Netflix application. You are now half-way through.

Second step will be to change address of DNS servers on your home router. Once we will open access to Smart DNS service for all our Premium VPN account holders you will find out exact IP addresses of those servers. At the same time we will tell you what you need to do in order to activate this type of access for all your devices.

With DNS IP in hand you will need to login to your router (usually through addresses like 192.168.1.1 or similar). Look for options to configure your internet connection. If you can not find it, we would suggest to contact you ISP – they will tell you exactly where you can find option to change DNS numbers.

If you are concerned  – “What will happen to my internet service if I use HideIPVPN DNS servers?” don’t be. Nothing will change. All your favourite sites will work as they did, with small exception…

Once your router DNS setup is changed, saved and device rebooted go back to your phone. Start Netflix application and enjoy Netflix on device without VPN or DNS support. After this change, all devices in your LAN network (like Xbox, PS3 or multimedia player will no be able to access Netflix, BBC iPlayer and all other geo-blocked services from US and UK.

With all that in mind Netflix has decided to take an action and slowly will be moving its streaming from Silverlight to HTML5. One of the first devices to take advantage of this move will be Google’s Chromebook with Chrom OS onboard. For more detailed information go to Netflix Techblog.

From VPN streaming point of view nothing will change. You can still use any of our VPN plans with access to US based VPN servers (our unlimited VPN plans starts at only $5.99/month). All of them will allow you to watch Netflix outisde USA. Please remember, that if you go for higher plan with access to UK VPN servers, your Netflix subscription will allow you to access also (slightly different from US) UK Netflix library.

We have to say we are proud of quality and speed of our servers and service we deliver to you 24/7. Cheap and reliable VPN that allows you to unlock Netflix, Hulu & BBC as well as keep your data safe and hide your IP makes us really happy!

What is VPN?

We have told you many times already, through different posts on our blog – what VPN is and how it works. But since you might not want to read older posts let us remind you (in short). VPN (Virtual Private Network) is a services that allows for creation of virtual tunnel between to computers. In case of our service it creates such tunnel between you (client device) and our VPN server. Once VPN connection is established all your data exchanged with the internet are send (using different VPN protocols and encryption) through such server. Because of that all servers, websites, etc. are “thinking” that this VPN server you are connected to, it is actually you. They do not “see” what is behind VPN. This means that your real IP and identity are hidden from the world. You can browse the web anonymously or access geo-blocked sites like Netflix or BBC iPlayer. However VPN technology has its downsides. First of all, your own device needs to have VPN support – so that you can configure VPN and establish virtual tunnel in the Internet. Secondly, because all data are encrypted use of VPN requires additional resources – your CPU has to encrypt or decrypt all the date before they can be send or presented to you. If you put privacy and anonymity as a most important, you should stick to VPN.

But what if all you want is to watch a show on TV, PC, tablet… or worse. What if your device does not support VPN protocols?

Smart DNS kicks in!

As we have just said, not all devices support VPN connections. Smart TV’s, game consoles (like PS3 or X-box) do not support VPN. What if you want to connect your Playstation 3 (in Germany, Poland or any where in the world) and you want to watch Netflix on your big TV screen? Now, thanks to Smart DNS system it will be possible. What’s more it will be extremely easy to do.

As you know from our previous post, DNS “translates” domain names (like www.netflix.com) into numbers – IP addresses of servers and websites. SmartDNS goes one step further. It can “understand” that data to some addresses (like your local sites or simply google.com) should be send directly, like it is happening without VPN support, but to some “specific” ones they have to be transferred via intermediary server, that will show it’s IP (for a moment) instead of your own one.

Data you send through DNS are not encrypted, and (depending on the site and service requirements) sometimes your own IP address is actually visible (verification of your geo-location might be happening only once). But because of those “downsides” Smart DNS service is usually much faster than VPN, requires less resources and smaller computing power and works on more devices than VPN. So, if you only want to watch a HULU show or a movie at BBC iPlayer and you are not concerned with privacy Smart DNS is better choice.

Best of all…

You can have the two together :-). In coming post we will tell you how to setup Smart DNS on your devices. Once you do, you will be able to access many sites (list of DNS unblocked sites will be published soon) without any additional action. You’ll enter web address or start an app (on iOS or Windows 8) and “we” will do the rest. But if at certain point you will decide you would wish to connect to VPN… no problem. You can do so, as you are doing now.

If you have any questions about upcoming Smart DNS service, please use comments below or visit us at Facebook or Google+.

Our SmartDNS service should be up and running within two weeks. In coming days we will be bringing you short posts about what is there to expect, how this feature differs from out VPN services, how to use DNS to unlock sites in US and UK and what devices can use our Smart DNS service in order to access geoblocked sites.

What is DNS

For starters, lets start with DNS (Domain Name System) itself. DNS is simply a server and service that do 2 things. First it translates all domain names (names of web sites, eg. www.google.com) into numbers (an I.P. address). Every single web site address that you write in your browser, google.com, netflix.com, hulu.com, etc. is actually a number – an IP address just like your IP that we can hide for you. Now, how many names of websites do you remember? A lot, yes? This is because it is much easier for us humans to remember a name rather than long number. But computers and servers prefers numbers. A DNS server (or system) “knows” which name corresponds to which IP address.

Secondly, thanks to the DNS system, information you send or request can be found. When you enter www.hideipvpn.com, the DNS server knows what number should be enterd and where the site that corresponds with this address is. A second later our site is on your screen.

What is Smart DNS

Now we come to subject of Smart DNS. You will exchange DNS servers from your ISP with the one we will give you (one more reason why it is worth to have a Premium VPN account with us). Once you do, every time you will enter and address of the site that is geo-blocked (like hulu.com), our DNS server will “know” that such traffic should not go to Hulu, but instead should be re-routed via our network in order to fake your IP. All other data however will go to the internet (under your own IP) as in the past.

Why is it important? Smart DNS will not hide your IP as VPN does nor will it encrypt your data. But it should be much faster (good for video streaming) and your “local” traffic is not affected by it in any way..

More information about DNS, Smart DNS, devices, setup of DNS, differences between DNS and VPN will be publish on our blog in upcoming posts.

Few words of explanation why TVCatchup is not working through any UK VPN (if you will find any other VPN service claiming to grant you access to TVC – it is not true! TVC actively “fights” and blocks all VPN providers). Until recently TVC has been sued by all British broadcasters, claiming that TVC has no right to stream their signal in the internet and service itself was treated as pirate broadcasters. With their case in court, TVC did not wished to give any excuse to their plaintiffs (companies that sued them) to shut the service. This is why TVC was much stricter about VPN’s that any other service (including broadcasters themselves).

Now, time for the trick! We will start with some bad news first. You need to use Windows 8 (fix VPN in Windows 8) in order to take advantage of this trick. How ever you may try the same on other platforms (please let us know if it will work for you).

1. Go to your “Control Panel” and change region for United Kingdom
2. Go to Windows store app and search for TVCatchup (hint: when you change your region to any other you will be able to download any free Windows 8 app not available in your country) or use this link: http://apps.microsoft.com/windows/en-gb/app/tvcatchup/7d3a9c06-a804-4df2-8f9c-04acfa1803be
3. Start TVC app. It will fail to play video as your IP address is not recognized as UK one. Don’t close this app just press “Windows” button.
4. Start HideIPVPN service and connect to any of our awesome UK VPN servers.
5. Hoover your mouse (or swipe from left) on left side of the screen and go back to TVC app, choose desired channel… and “Bob’s your uncle!”

We will be eagerly awaiting to hear if this trick has worked for you, good luck! Seems we have answered important question How to watch TVCatchup abroad in another words How to watch TVC outside UK.

Some of you may have noticed that not that long ago, on our Facebook Wall we have told you about latest in Netflix own productions – Hemlock Grove. It will be second Netflix exclusive production after famous “House of Cards“. Yes, we remember about Lilyhammer – but from what we know, it was also available in TV…in Norway . Today, users from Europe, form all parts of the world actually (thanks to our Netflix VPN) can enjoy all that this service has to offer. We have not watched any episodes yet, so don’t be afraid – no spoilers in this text! From what we have learned reading about the show, this is what you can expect.

“A teenage girl is brutally murdered, sparking a hunt for her killer. But in a town where everyone hides a secret, will they find the monster among them?” – this is what you can find on imdb.com

“In the shadows of a rusted Pennsylvania steel town, the mangled body of a teenage girl is discovered. As they hunt for a monster among them, rumors mount and many of the eccentric residents become suspects, from the newly arrived gypsy family to the wealthy Godfrey clan. In the twisted world of Hemlock Grove, everyone hides a dark secret. From director Eli Roth (“Hostel”) comes a chilling supernatural series based on Brian McGreevy’s novel.” – by Netflix.

We are very curious what we are going to find. Will it be something as cool as “Twin Peaks” used to be many years ago? We can only hope. From little comments we found on the internet it seems like series is good… dark and climatic. We will be very happy if you will care to share your thoughts on the subject.

More VPN news…

But that’s not all we have for you today. In coming weeks (as promised earlier this year on our VPN blog) we have some very exciting, new services for all our Premium users. Soon, thanks to our VPN service your access to the likes of Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, ITV, Pandora, Spotify and many other sites will be even easier. You can expect to see even more devices being able to hide IP and unblock US or UK streaming services.

How would you like to be able to access geo-blocked sties via your Windows Phone, game console like PS3, multimedia player or Smart TV? All this is coming to HideIPVPN very soon. Keep an eye on our blog for more detailed news in coming days.

Something SMART is coming to HideIPVPN! More devices = more fun!