Country

Everyone loves to veg out on some good Netflix. Nothing makes homework better than completely ignoring it and binge-watching Breaking Bad for the fourth time this year.

Unless, of course, you live in Australia.

Yes, it’s true. Australian Netflix doesn’t include Breaking Bad, or countless other binge-worthy series and thrilling films. Unfortunately, Aussies have to endure a much blander Netflix experience than their American friends across the way.

It all comes down to licensing laws that regulate what Netflix is allowed to share in which countries. The good news is, however, that we’ve unlocked the secret of how to get American Netflix in Australia.

This post will cover it in and out, so gear yourself up to finally access all the shows and movies that have been missing from your life.

How to Get American Netflix in Australia with a VPN

The trick lies in using a little something called a virtual private network (or VPN) to sort of trick Netflix into thinking that you’re connecting from the U.S.

The VPN allows you to connect your internet service provider through several other servers. Effectively, it works like a pipe or tunnel that redirects your internet traffic to a server elsewhere in the world. So, when you log on to Netflix through the VPN, your signal bounces to the U.S. before going to Netflix.

Here’s a step-by-step guide for how to get American Netflix in Australia:

1. First, sign up for a VPN provider. Choose one that offers a trial period or money back guarantee, because they don’t all work with Netflix.
2. Next, launch your providers VPN application and log in to your VPN account.
3. Then, use your VPN application to connect through a U.S. server.
4. Finally, navigate to Netflix as normal.

Which VPN Provider is Recommended?

As I mentioned before, not all VPNs are created equal, and some don’t even work to watch American Netflix in Australia.

While we’ve tried a lot of different VPNs in our day, the best that we recommend is ExpressVPN. They provide high-speed connections, which are important due to the fact that you will experience some slow down on a VPN (because of the extra encryption).

ExpressVPN is also well known for being user-friendly, which is important if you don’t really use this kind of technology much. You don’t want to spend hours setting up a VPN. You just want something that you can log in to and get to watch your Netflix.

Most importantly, ExpressVPN includes a 30-day money back guarantee. So, if for any reason it doesn’t work for watching American Netflix in Australia, at least you haven’t wasted your hard earned cash.

How To Get American Netflix in Australia with Smart DNS Proxies

Another method to unlock all those awesome American Netflix movies is by using Smart DNS Proxies. These proxies don’t reroute you the same way VPNs do. Instead of redirecting all of your traffic to a server across the world, they only reroute traffic that gives away your geolocation.

This means that you can connect to American Netflix from Australia without being located, but the system won’t slow you down as much. We can all agree that speed is of utmost importance when it comes to binging on reruns of Twilight Zone at 3 A.M.

Which Smart DNS Proxy Provider is Recommended?

There are plenty of Smart DNS Proxy providers out there, so let us offer our number one recommendation: Unlocator.

Unlocator was designed exactly for your purposes. It is marketed towards people looking to stream video services in regions where they are blocked.

Furthermore, their software is incredibly easy to set up, and you should be running in less than 10 minutes. If you do get stuck, Unlocator’s massive knowledge base of videos and tutorials will get you back on track in no time.

Finally, they are priced just right. They’ve got a very affordable monthly plan that even a broke college student who subsists on nothing but Ramen could afford. Their 7-day free trial even gives you time to make sure you like their product before committing.

How To Change Your DNS Settings

One skill you’ll need to have in order to get the most out of your Smart DNS Proxy is changing the DNS of your router in order to connect your devices properly. It’s pretty simple. Just follow these steps:

1. Use your internet browser to connect to your router (check your user’s manual for the address).
2. Log in using your username and password.
3. In your network settings, change the DNS to whatever is indicated by your Smart DNS Proxy provider. (If Unlocator, use 185.37.37.37 and 185.37.39.39)
4. Save your changes and then restart any of the devices connected to your router.

Smart DNS Proxy vs. VPN

Since we’ve offered two methods, you might be wondering which one is best for you.

The decision really comes down to what you need. If all you are trying to do is watch American Netflix in Australia, then going with a Smart DNS Proxy from Unlocator is ideal. It’s cheaper and doesn’t come with a lot of extras you don’t need. Unlocator was specifically created to bypass video streaming geo-restrictions. So you are getting exactly what you are looking for.

Using a VPN could be recommended if you also want your browsing to be more secure. Unlocator is only really going to mask your geo-location. A VPN from ExpressVPN is helping to encrypt your data and keep you safe from hacking. The major downsides to a VPN are that they are going to cost you a little bit more and they could lead to a slower video streaming experience.

Is It Legal to Get American Netflix in Australia?

Absolutely!

There’s nothing illegal about using a VPN (unless you happen to live in some sort of totalitarian regime). People use them all the time for added security and privacy.

In fact, during our research, we came across one user who actually chatted with Netflix support about this and shared the transcript. Netflix said that connecting via a VPN isn’t recommended because it may hinder the user experience, but that they had no reason to forbid users from doing so.

The same can be said of Smart DNS Proxies. All they are doing is masking your IP address. That’s private information that you have every right to protect.

So stop worrying and start watching. Whether you choose ExpressVPN, Unlocator, or some other provider, now you know exactly how to watch American Netflix in Australia.

If you want to watch All 4 (4oD) in Australia, (or anywhere outside of the United Kingdom), this detailed guide is perfect for you. We’re going to share instructions to make streaming All 4 easy.

What is All 4?

All 4 is a video-on-demand service offered by Channel 4. Initially launched as 4oD, short for “4 on demand”, streaming only worked via a home computer. Online channels are now accessible via gaming consoles and apps for both iOS and Android operating systems.

All 4 allows access to watch up to thirty days of the programming, just as you’re able to do with BBC iPlayer.

Channel 4’s ‘All 4’ platform doesn’t cost a cent to access. If you live outside of the United Kingdom, non-UK residents can use a virtual private network (a VPN).

How to Watch 4oD with a Virtual Private Network (VPN)

Luckily there’s a simple, cheap workaround – use a VPN. VPNs bypass the block from Channel 4, making your device appear as if you’re in the UK, even though you’re watching from Sydney, Perth, Bangkok or Los Angeles.

Our recommended VPN providers below all support, Windows, iPhone, iPad (iOS), and Android.

	ExpressVPN	VyprVPN	PIA
Servers	London, Berkshire, Chessington, Kent, Maidenhead	London	London, Southampton
Features	Easy to setup software, very reliable network	Recommended if you're streaming in China	Great price, reliable service
Money Back	30 Days	3 Day Trial	7 Days
Pricing	$8.32 monthly	$6.67 monthly	$3.33 monthly

Use one of the UK VPN servers to avoid being blocked from enjoying All 4. VPNs aren’t just useful for watching All 4 out of the UK. Just select a server in the UK to stream 4oD content easily.

The Best VPN for Channel 4

From our testing, we’ve found ExpressVPN offer the best streaming performance at a competitive price.

Pros

Watch Channel 4 Abroad With VyprVPN

VyprVPN is one of the oldest providers on the market. In this time they’ve built a fast, reliable network across the globe. If you’re based in China, they’re our number #1 pick.

China’s high-tech firewall often causes havoc with low-cost VPN providers, causing network connection issues streaming Channel 4. We recommended using the VyprVPN ‘Pro’ service, it’s been the most reliable Virtual Private network service for access outside of China.

Pros

Budget-Friendly VPN Option

Our budget-priced option for streaming 4oD is Private Internet Access (PIA). In speed testing, they’re slightly slower than ExpressVPN, but in real-world situations, it doesn’t affect the viewing experience.

Pros

Which All 4 Live Channels Are Available in Australia?

You’ll be able to watch all Channel 4 content, in its original format.

Check out E4, for younger viewers between the ages of sixteen and mid-thirties. E4 provides some great shows including Hollyoaks, Desperate Housewives and Big Brother.

Another option is More4, suited for viewers between the ages of thirty-five and sixty. More4 is all about going beyond news headlines and offering opinions and facts which are in-depth.

At one time, Film4 was available via subscription. Now, it’s free to access and its features excellent digital television options from Britain. It also provides films, in standard definition (they aren’t high-definition movies).

Another choice to consider is 4seven. This channel is so convenient, as it gives viewers the opportunity to catch up on the last week of TV broadcasting.

If you love music, you should take the time to enjoy 4Music. This channel is the best place to view new releases of single. As well, it offers a countdown show. If you every enjoyed MTV, when MTV was new and all about music and music you’ll, you’ll love 4Music.

Another option is 4Shorts. It displays a host of shorter pieces on a dizzying array of topics.

Which Streaming Platforms Work With 4oD?

This streaming platform is currently available on Windows, Android, Mac/PC, Apple iPhone/iPad, Roku, YouView, Now TV, TiVo, Xbox One/Xbox 360, Samsung/Panasonic Smart TV and PS3/PS4. It’s also available via SkyBox.

** Due to Channel  4’s encryption, Kodi doesn’t currently have any add-ons for viewing Channel 4. **

4oD Has An On-Demand Service

In addition to all of the perks and benefits that we’ve already discussed, 4oD provides on-demand service, via Channel 4. This service is one hundred percent free to access and it comes with More4 and E4.

You’ll love the on-demand viewing choices. Watch the gripping drama, Homeland, or laugh it up while enjoying The Big Bang Theory. Other shows to consider include Made in Chelsea. Gogglebox, 24 Hours in Police Custody, Hollyoaks, How Rich Are You?, Catch Up, Speed With Guy Martin, Car S.O.S., Glue, Come Dine With Me and NFL: American Football Live.

There are stations which aren’t accessible via All 4. However, lots of channels may be enjoyed via the online All 4 platform. You’ll find that there is a TV show, single or film available which is perfect for the mood that you’re in, whether your mood is light-hearted or a little darker! There are so much breadth and variety to All 4. You’ll never, ever get bored!

Check our guide for watching Hulu in Australia or other geo-blocked content.

Foxtel streaming is practically a ‘must-have’ app for Australian Summer sports lovers (or Wentworth fans).

But if you’re wondering does the Foxtel go app work overseas? – no, it doesn’t due to Geo restrictions. Expat Aussies or travelers soon find that Foxtel ‘block’ their app with Geo Restrictions, so you can’t watch Foxtel Go.

This is what you see when opening Foxtel Go abroad

Luckily there’s a simple, cheap workaround, VPN services. VPNs bypass the limitations set up by the Pay TV network, by making your device appear as if you’re in Australia, even though you’re watching from Bali, Thailand, USA or Europe. The recommended VPN providers below all support, Windows, iPhone, iPad (iOS), and Android.

Service Provider Comparison

	ExpressVPN	VyprVPN	PIA
Servers	SYD,MEL	SYD,MEL,PER	SYD,MEL
Features	Easy to setup software, very reliable network	Recommended if you're streaming in China	Great price, reliable service
Money Back	30 Days	3 Day Trial	7 Days
Pricing	$8.32 monthly	$6.67 monthly	$3.33 monthly

Best VPN for Foxtel Go

Our recommended VPN for watching Foxtel Go overseas is Express VPN.

Pros

Watching Foxtel Go in China

China’s high-tech firewall often causes havoc with low-cost VPN providers, causing network connection issues streaming Foxtel Go. We recommended using the VyprVPN ‘Pro’ service, it’s been the most reliable Virtual Private network service for access outside of China.

Pros

Other VPN Providers

Another good option for streaming Foxtel is Private Internet Access. In speed testing, they’re slightly slower than Express VPN, but in the real world, this doesn’t affect the viewing experience.

Pros

Does Foxtel Go Work Overseas in any Country?

Generally yes, but it’s difficult in countries with slow internet infrastructure (yes, there are countries that have slower Internet than Australia… but not many).

In the countries that I’ve traveled to, Cuba and Central America struggled to steam Foxtel Go. I also couldn’t get streaming to work while in a few African countries.

Best Practices for Streaming.

There are a few steps you can take to improve the viewing experience of Foxtel Go, that can make the difference between watching your favorite A league team or not.

These are:

1. Test your VPN connection can successfully stream Foxtel before you leave Australia. All of our preferred VPN suppliers include a money back guarantee so if you’re not happy with the viewing experience, or the app just doesn’t work. Ask for a refund and try one another recommended provider.
2. If you’re using a laptop with a Network (Ethernet) port and have access to a wired port, use it! WiFi networks, although they only add marginal latency, sometimes this is enough to prevent steaming.
3. Use WiFi rather than your local mobile carrier. You probably wouldn’t use a Telco carrier anyway, because the data downloads will be expensive. 4G connections will handle Foxtel Go, but 3G, GSM or CDMA will provide a frustrating streaming experience.

One of the other bonuses of watching Foxtel Go over a VPN is you won’t need an expensive VPN provider because you don’t require the complicated logging or security features with buyers concerned about privacy.

Enjoy watching Aussie Foxtel overseas!

Would you like to watch The Ashes on BT Sports from outside the UK?

Our guide shows how to avoid broadcast geo-blocks in any country. Don’t miss an over of cricket across any of the five test matches starting the 23rd November 2017 to the 8^th of January 2018.

Who’s Streaming The Ashes in 2017?

BT Sports and Sony are pay-TV broadcasters and require a login account for their streaming apps. Australia’s Free to Air streaming channel ‘9Now’ have decided not to stream the 2017 Ashes.

Cricket Australia are streaming The Ashes. Plans range from $29AUD for the 5 Tests or $5.99 a day. Optus customers also get access via the CA website. (more info)

Service Provider Comparison

	ExpressVPN	HMA	PureVPN
Rating
AU Servers	SYD,MEL	SYD, MEL	SYD, MEL
UK Servers	London, Berkshire, Chessington, Kent, Maidenhead	London, Glasgow, Donkey Town	London, Maidenhead, Leicester, Gosport
Features	Easy to setup software, very reliable network	Easy to Setup Reliable Network	Affordable price Many software options
Money Back	30 Days	30 Days	7 Days
Pricing	$8.32 monthly	$6.69 monthly	$2.45 monthly

Best VPN for Streaming The Ashes Live

#1 – ExpressVPN

Our recommended VPN for watching the Ashes coverage on BT Sports is Express VPN.

If you prefer British commentary of The Ashes, BT Sports is available by following these steps:

1. Sign up with ExpressVPN
2. Select their London, Berkshire, Chessington, Kent, or Maidenhead server
3. Select protocol: L2TP – IPsec
4. Connect your PC, Mac or Phone
5. Open the BT Sports app on your phone or tablet

Pros

In our testing, ExpressVPN achieved the fastest streaming performance, which is the most important feature when judging a VPN provider for watching sports (who wants the Test Match buffering every few minutes)

#2 – HideMyAss

Another VPN provider which handles video streaming really well is HideMyAss. HMA has been around for years and built an extremely reliable high-performance network.

Pros

How to Stream the Action in China

China’s high-tech firewall causes havoc with most VPN providers, causing network connection issues streaming BT Sports and Channel 9. We recommended using the VyprVPN ‘Pro’ service, it’s been the most reliable Virtual Private network service for access outside of China.

Pros

Ashes Test Fixture Dates

1st Test

23–27 November 2017

The Gabba, Brisbane

2nd Test

2–6 December 2017 (D/N)

Adelaide Oval, Adelaide

3rd Test

14–18 December 2017

WACA Ground, Perth

4th Test

26–30 December 2017

Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne

5th Test

4–8 January 2018

Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney

How Do I Improve Video Streaming on My Devices?

There are a few steps you can take to improve the viewing experience of sport, that can make the difference between watching your favorite innings during the Aussie summer or not.

These are:

1. Attempt streaming BT or Channel 9 via your VPN connection before The Ashes start. Ideally, before you leave Australia or The UK. Our preferred VPN suppliers include a money back guarantee so if you experience technical issue you can either ask for your money back or work with their support staff to fix any problems. Ask for a refund and try one another recommended provider.
2. If you’re using a MacBook, or Laptop with a Network (Ethernet) port use a wired port where possible! WiFi networks, especially in crowded areas like cricket grounds, add additional latency, which is sometimes enough to cause dropouts and buffering while steaming.
3. Use WiFi rather than a local mobile carrier. You probably wouldn’t use a Telco carrier anyway, due to data limits. 4G connections can handle SET and BT Sports, but 3G, GSM or CDMA networks will cause a frustrating experience.

Enjoy watching The Ashes from Thailand, Germany, Hong Kong, Singapore, Dubai, Canada, or anywhere overseas!

References:

http://live.cricket.com.au/#/1974/41918

http://sport.bt.com/cricket/the-ashes-01364105694448

Are you tired of downloading Torrents which are slow, contain malware, or can’t be bothered with the ever-increasing legal risks?

Our Usenet guide was written to show Aussies how to access movies, documentaries, and TV shows via a messaging system almost as old as the internet.

What is Usenet?

Usenet is a collection of Newsgroups or messaging boards used as the first internet forums.

News messages or posts get saved across a distributed server network, called Usenet.

Newsgroups included discussions about almost any topic on the internet, with files uploaded to the ‘binary’ section.

These binary groups contain Linux Distro’s, TV Series, Movies, and PS4 games.

Top Newsgroup Providers for Aussies

	NewsGroupDirect	TweakNews	GigaNews
Rating
	Perfect combo of file availability and affordable price	Team with USA Usenet provider to fill files	Premium Usenet provider. VyprVPN included
Location	USA	EU	USA
Speed	Unlimited	100Mbit	Unlimited
Bandwidth	Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited
Retention	3000 Days	2500 Days	3000 Days
SSL	Yes	Yes	Yes
Block Accounts	Yes	Yes	No
Money Back	7 Days	7 Day Trial	14 Day Trial
Connections	50	40	20
Price	$7.95 USD mth	€7.95 EUR mth	$19.99 USD mth

NewsgroupDirect

A Cost effective Usenet Provider that Performs Great!

Newsgroup Direct is my preferred Usenet provider for a few reasons.

The download speeds are terrific. Here’s a screenshot of the throughput downloading via a 100mb NBN cable connection in Australia:

NGD retention times are a perfect mix between reasonable price, but still having all files available.

Keep an eye on their site for Terabyte Tuesday deals, which seem to occur every few months. Terabyte Tuesday deals include 2TB of downloads for under $100USD.

Tweak News

Netherlands based provider that’s perfect for finding difficult to access content

What makes a Top Usenet Provider?

Retention – The number of days a file will be available on the Usenet servers. Providers need to balance the amount of hard drive capacity with by deleting old content to free space for new uploads. Premium providers obviously have greater disk capacity so retain binary files for longer.

Download speed – Premium providers host their servers in high capacity data centers. Another case was you get what you pay for with Usenet

Maximum connections – This is an essential consideration for anyone using Newsgroups, but especially Australians. Most Usenet servers reside in the USA or Europe. The geographical distance between your device and Usenet server causes high latency.

So each ‘connection’ is slower than if you could access a server based in Australia. Usenet protocol NNTP helps avoid this problem by allowing multiple simultaneous streams, for example 40x 2Mb which can reach  80Mbp/s throughput.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Network_News_Transfer_Protocol

https://www.switch.ch/network/tools/tcp_throughput/

SSL – Makes snooping on what you’re downloading more difficult. Although you should always assume ASIO, NSA and GCHQ can see what you’re doing if they want too.

What are the Advantages of Usenet?

The primary advantage of Usenet for downloading is leveraging the massive storage capacity and high bandwidth internet links.

Downloading Torrents gets limited by internet connections and location of the person(s) you’re downloading a file.

Usenet files achieve significantly higher bandwidth by hosted on redundant servers with 10Gig internet connections.

Pros

What are the Challenges with Usenet?

In recent years copyright holders have started issuing DMCA takedown notices to Usenet companies. Usenet hosts, especially in the US remove the offending files very quickly. The preferred Usenet setup uses 2 or 3 providers. By purchasing a premium US provider account, and using a European Usenet provider as the backup for accessing deleted files.

Here’s a screenshot showing how to set up multiple Usenet servers in Sabnzbs:

How Do I Find Content in Newsgroups?

Newsgroup boards exist for thousands of topics, so finding what you’re looking for can be difficult. Newsgroup indexers help find files. The search every News board, just like an Internet search engine like Google. So all you need to do is enter what you’re looking for, and the indexer will display a link to the Newgroups that contains the file.

Binsearch.info is one of the best free indexing tools.  The downside of free-to-use sites is they’re slower to find content and take longer to flush deleted files from its database. Paid, or invite only index sites are better at finding the latest data and displaying less ‘deleted files.’

Which Software Do I need for Downloading Files?

Once you’ve found content the next step is to set up a newsgroup reader, which helps download files.

Newgroups have a 15MB file limit, so readers utilize Winrar or Tar compression software for joining files and extraction.

My recommendation for the best Newsreader software is Sabnzbs. It’s opensource and free, with integrations into 3^rd party tools such as:

All these Newsgroup software are great for building a library of your favorites Movies and TV Shows for Sabnzbs to automatically download when new content is released.

I’ve been using Sabnzbs for almost ten years; it’s so customizable that it practically sits in the corner and you’ll never need to touch it.

Conclusion

There you have it. Usenet can be cheap, fast, and provide as much content as you could ever want.

If you’re still not sure, sign-up with Tweaknews for a trial account, setup Sabnzbs and try Newsgroups. I’d be surprised if Usenet didn’t become a part of your Tech ecosystem.

Enjoy watching or listening to your favourite content!

Hulu has assembled a vast library of programming, but unfortunately, geo blocks restrict sign up for US residents only.

We’ll show you some easy steps to get Hulu in Australia and have a confirmed account in under an hour.

How to Get Past Hulu Region Blocking

Hulu’s servers automatically recognize when your smartphone or Mac is connecting outside any of the 50 US states.
We can quickly work around the geo block, using a Smart DNS service, Unlocator. Unlocator provides a free trial, so it’s easy to check if their service suits your needs.

Just provide your name, email and payment details, and you’ll be ready in a few minutes.
See the screenshot below; you‘ll need the three green arrows displayed, so it seems for Hulu you’re in America.

How do you know Unlocator is working? Visit Hulu and if you see a button to ‘Start Your Free Trial’ this confirms you’re ready to signup.

How to Get American Hulu in Canada, Aus, NZ or UK

How to Sign Up for Hulu in Australia

Step #1 – Enter email, password, date of birth

The next obstacle is Hulu’s verification of your payment billing address. Australian credit cards will fail at the final step, as your Aussie address will fail the verification check. So how do you signup to Hulu Plus without US credit card?

So how do you signup to Hulu Plus without US credit card? Here are two different methods, I prefer the first as it’s quicker and requires brainpower.

Buy a prepaid US debit card from this seller.

Purchase $25USD credit for $40, which is enough for 3 months of Hulu Plus. Importantly the pre-paid credit card provides a US Zip code which Hulu accepts during signup. Remember that Oregon and Delaware addresses are sales tax exempt, so you save approximately 9%.

Step #2 – Enter credit card or Paypal

How to Use Paypal for Hulu

1. Connect to US VPN server and confirm you have an American IP address. (Search google for what is my IP address, and your location is displayed).
2. Visit Paypal.com and register a new account. Use an email address which isn’t connected to your Australian Paypal account.
3. Now enter a valid US address and phone number. This address doesn’t have to match your Australian credit card. Use a site such as http://www.fakenumber.org/ to generate a US phone number.
4. Create a US postal address for free at myusaddress.ca.
5. Now your Paypal account is almost set up. Add your credit card into Paypal, but importantly you’ll need to use these details:
6. Australian street address. Example: 21 George Street
7. Use the US City and State that you used previously. These are the details supplied by myusaddress.ca.
8. Convert your AU postcode, to a US Zip Code by adding ‘01’ to the end. Example: 2038 = 20301
9. Check the city and state this zip code is located:
10. https://www.unitedstateszipcodes.org/
11. Washington, DC
12. Enter Washington, DC into your new Paypal account in the city, state and zip code fields.
13. Submit your billing details, and your US Paypal account should now be confirmed.

There you have it. By using a Smart DNS service such as Unlocator or VPN you can watch American Hulu Pro from anywhere.

We hope you enjoy streaming your favourite Hulu shows.

A new scheme for data retention in Australia is now in place. It’s been active since April 2017 and is the brainchild of the Australian federal government.

According to the new laws, metadata from online communications and mobile devices must be gathered and stored for 24 months or more, to be available for scrutiny by national security agencies, as long as it’s considered necessary by said agencies.

Meta Data Implementation

The first wave of laws for data retention happened two years ago. During this first wave, the Aussie federal government let telecommunications provider companies and Web service providers know that their team members would have to collect data on their clients for 24 months.

At the time, government officials let the public know that the new rules were about protecting Australians from the threat of terrorist acts. The laws are due to a rise in the number of jihadists cases reported.

In the UK, similar regulations for data retention have been active after the intelligence agency, MI6, suggested tighter rules due to a higher terror threat level in Europe.

How Do These Laws Affect You?

You may be curious about what data is gathered and how its collection and retention may affect you. Many people are wondering about this. Detractors feel that the Australian federal government is much too vague regarding defining the type of data which will be gathered and stored.

In general, it appears that Web and mobile provider companies will need to gather and keep your metadata for twenty-four months. In case you’re unfamiliar, metadata is digital information about your digital information.

To cite an example, if you made a phone call, the metadata for the particular call would show gatherers who you called and how long the conversation lasted. However, it won’t record what is discussed, which is a good thing regarding personal privacy.

It will also show your Web activities. For example, if you went to websites and did some illegal downloading, this activity would be tracked. As well, records of all emails that you sent and whom they were sent to will be gathered and stored. Also, the times that the electronic communications were sent, where they were sent to and what their subjects were would be tracked.

As well, records of all emails that you sent and whom they were sent to will be gathered and stored.

Also, locations, where you took digital photos, may be traced and picture location (GPS) data will be captured. The model of your camera may also be recorded depending on EXIF settings.

At this point, it’s not legally mandatory for ISPs to store information about IP addresses of websites that you visited. However, some ISPs may do this anyway, which means that they’ll have records of your Web history.

The process of tracking this metadata will cost money. It’s a burden on provider companies, such as Telcos and ISPs. They’ll need to spend a fortune on tracking and data storage. As well, the taxpayers of Australia will take a hit, since the government is going to put one hundred and thirty-one million dollars (all from taxpayers) into the new initiative.

Once the program is up and running, companies which need to pay for expensive data gathering and storage will probably jack up their prices. They need to turn a profit, so the consumers will end up paying for the tracking and storage of their metadata, via higher prices for Web service and mobile plans/products.

Are These Laws Necessary?

It seems like a protective measure which is positive. At least, it seems beneficial at first glance. However, it’s worrisome on a variety of levels. Those who are concerned with digital privacy believe that this new info-gathering regulation is intruding on the lives of Aussies who have a right to privacy and will be deprived of that basic right.

As well, some critics of the new plan feel that it’s a huge risk to security. In particular, one provider company, Telstra, has called the new initiative a “honey pot” for those who hack digital systems. Many data centers will be found offshore, and they are particularly vulnerable to being hacked.

A whistle blower in the USA agreed. This law enforcement source thinks that the new scheme will fail to prevent terrorist activity. The insiders are convinced that the new data retention scheme is a way for the government to find out almost everything about its citizens.

The Police May Access This Data

It concerns many citizens that law enforcement from local police stations to the highest agencies in the land (ASIO, Australian Federal Police) will have access to this data. As well, security agencies will be able to access it.

However, there are controls about who can see the information. There has to be a good reason. There is a trio of possible reasons which might justify access to the metadata.

One is if a person’s life may be at stake, another is to protect income that belongs to the government and the third is to investigate criminal activity which may result in a punishment lasting twenty-four months or more (in prison).

How to Beef Up Privacy

If you want your information to stay as private as possible, we encourage you to beef up data security immediately. Good communication services which are relatively secure include WhatsApp, which features encryption, and Facebook Messenger, which now offers a “secret conversations” setting to users, whereby both parties in a conversation have keys that encrypt their conversation data.

Also, invest in our recommended VPN services which shield your Web activity.

If you’ve stumbled upon our guide, you’ve probably trying to work out how to how to get a Chinese IP address, and access content only permitted in China.

Best VPN into China

Anyone looking to VPN ‘into’ China notices most Baidu or Google searches return results for VPN providers which are set up to do the opposite, VPN ‘out’ of China. So web users can bypass the China firewall filtering restriction.

Chinese government regulations don’t permit foreign-owned VPN providers to own servers in the mainland. This limitation makes VPN provider offerings limited, but there are a few VPN services who have managed to work around these constraints.

It’s worth noting there’s a lot of VPN servers based in Hong Kong and Macao, but these servers in the special administrative region don’t offer a 100% of the Chinese online content.

We recommend two VPN providers for quickly setting up a China IP address and downloading from CH based sites.

China VPN Comparision

	Hide My Ass	Proxy.sh	PureVPN
Servers	Beijing Shenzhen Chengdu	Beijing	Shanghai Shenzhen
Features	Easy to Setup Reliable Network	Highly configurable	Low price Speed unreliable
Money Back	30 Days	Lifetime*	7 Days
Pricing	$6.99 monthly	$10 monthly	$3.25 monthly

#1. HideMyAss

Our first choice provider is HideMyAss. This is for two reasons:

1. Network reliability. Many PureVPN customers have been reporting slow response across Asian servers. The HideMyAss seems not only quicker but has less ‘downtime’, which is just what you need with any VPN provider.
2. HMA has three server locations, in Beijing, Shenzhen, and Chengdu.

This increased network availability means you’ll never have to worry about finding new videos or music.

#2. PureVPN

PureVPN is one of the cheapest providers on the market – usually available for approx $3USD each month. Personally, I’d rather pay a small price and enjoy the benefits of a paid VPN service.

There are two data center locations in China – Shenzhen, and Shanghai.

The Shenzhen network is very reliable, and I haven’t experienced many issues. But if your connectivity ever seems slower than usual, connect to their Shanghai server and enjoy Youku.

How to Fake a China IP Address

How to Setup HideMyAss Get a Chinese IP address on Your PC, Android or iPhone

1. Sign-up with HideMyAss
2. Download their software client on your Smartphone or PC
3. Open the HideMyAss software client and connect to a server in either: Beijing, Shenzhen, and Chengdu
   
4. Now you’re ready to use your favorite apps or website.

Which Devices Are Compatible With PureVPN?

Unblock Chinese Apps and Websites

So how do you unblock Chinese online content, when based abroad? Servers determine your location by checking your IP address when connecting to their site. Any IP address based outside of mainland China is only permitted to watch the appropriative globally licensed content.

By using a VPN with servers based in China – Youku, KuGou, and QQ music servers allow streaming of all content, including Korean, US, UK or Japanese shows (with Mandarin subs).

What is the Chinese IP Address Range?

A simple method to check if you have a China IP address is connecting the VPN client to a PureVPN CH server, and then opening the following Website:

whatismyipaddress.com

Your location will show Shenzen (Guangdong) or Shanghai.

For an accurate listing of China-based IP addresses, check this link from IPdeny.com.

Does My VPN Always Need To Be Connected?

Once disconnecting from your VPN, your IP address will revert to the physical location that you’re based.

Some Chinese services like QQ Music require a China-based IP address when opening the app. In layman’s terms, this means you can enjoy your music without sending all of your phone’s web traffic via the VPN.

One of the downsides of connecting via China 24/7 is sites by Google and Facebook will be blocked, due to the ‘Great Firewall of China’ filtering policies. But for most Chinese applications to function correctly, it’s advised to keep your VPN client always connected.

If you’ve stumbled upon our guide, you’ve probably discovered one of your favorite episodes on Youku isn’t available for streaming outside of mainland China.

Many posts across the internet report Youku block content, due to government restrictions. This is incorrect, the video is blocked due to licensing rights, from the Korean, US, UK or Japanese owners. Most of the Chinese produced content on Youku is available to watch anywhere in the world without restriction.

Unblock Youku VPN Outside Mainland China

So how do you unblock all Youku content, even when located abroad? Youku’s servers determine your location by checking your IP address when opening their website. If your IP address is based outside of mainland China, then you are only permitted to watch the content licensed for overseas viewers.

By using a VPN with servers located in China, Youku allows any content, including Korean, US, UK or Japanese shows (with Mandarin subs).

Best VPN for Youku

	Hide My Ass	Proxy.sh	PureVPN
Servers	Beijing Shenzhen Chengdu	Beijing	Shanghai Shenzhen
Features	Easy to Setup Reliable Network	Highly configurable	Low price Speed unreliable
Money Back	30 Days	Lifetime*	7 Days
Pricing	$6.99 monthly	$10 monthly	$3.25 monthly

Chinese government regulations don’t permit foreign VPN companies to set up servers in the mainland. So there aren’t many providers available, but luckily there are a few quality services that have found a workaround (don’t ask us how they managed this).

It’s worth noting VPN services based in Hong Kong and Macao won’t work. Connections in the special administrative zone regions won’t unblock Youku content.

Which VPNs Do We Recommend into China?

We recommend two VPN providers for watching and downloading from Youku.

PureVPN is one of the cheapest providers on the market – usually available for under $3USD each month.

Personally, I’d rather pay a small price and avoid the hassle of using an unreliable ‘free’ VPN.

PureVPN using two separate data center locations in China, Shenzen, and Shanghai. PureVPN Shenzen network is very reliable, and I haven’t experienced many issues. But if the connection seems slower than usual I just connect to their Shanghai server and enjoy Youku.

Our second recommendation is HideMyAss. They have three server locations, in Beijing, Shenzhen, and Chengdu. This increased network availability means you’ll never have to worry about having videos available.

How to Watch Youku on iPhone and Android

1. Sign-up with PureVPN
2. Download their software client on your Smartphone or PC
3. Open the PureVPN software client and connect to a server in either: Guangdong or Shanghai
4. 
5. Open the Youku app or website and watch your favorite shows

Which Devices Are Compatible With PureVPN?

• Windows
• Mac
• iOS
• AndroidPureVPN is compatible with routers, gaming consoles, BoxeeBox, Roku, Apple TV, Android TV,
• Browsers and 20+ other OS and devices

Conclusion

PureVPN offers one of the cheapest VPN services on the market (under $3 a month). Their network performance is perfect for streaming video and music.

If you want to unblock Youku outside mainland China – check out PureVPN. If you’re not happy, there’s money back guarantee.

Anyone who tries to use QQ music outside of China will soon find the app has a geo-restriction, which prevents use overseas. Our tutorial will show how you can use QQ music, to listen to your favorite songs by using a VPN.

How Does a VPN Unblock the QQMusic App?

QQ music servers check your phone or tablet’s IP address, to confirm you’re in mainland China. VPN software bypasses this geo check because your device is tunneled via China so that your device gets a local IP address.

Best VPN for Listening to QQMusic

	Hide My Ass	Proxy.sh	PureVPN
Servers	Beijing Shenzhen Chengdu	Beijing	Shanghai Shenzhen
Features	Easy to Setup Reliable Network	Highly configurable	Low price Speed unreliable
Money Back	30 Days	Lifetime*	7 Days
Pricing	$6.99 monthly	$10 monthly	$3.25 monthly

We recommend two VPN providers for listening and downloading from QQ.

#1. HideMyAss

Our first choice provider is HideMyAss. This is for two reasons:

This increased network availability means you’ll never have to worry about finding new videos or music.

#2. PureVPN

PureVPN is one of the cheapest providers on the market – usually available for approx $3USD each month. Personally, I’d rather pay a small price and enjoy the benefits of a paid VPN service.

There are two data center locations in China – Shenzhen, and Shanghai.

The Shenzhen network seems the most reliable, and I haven’t experienced many issues. But if your connectivity seems slower than usual, connect to the Shanghai server and enjoy Youku.

How to Listen to QQ Music outside China

1. Sign-up with HMA VPN
2. Download their software client on your Smartphone or PC
3. Open the HMA software client and connect to a server in either: Beijing or Shanghai
4. Open QQ music app and listen to your favorite music tracks.

Which Devices are Compatible with HMAVPN?

Does My VPN Always Need to Be Connected?

No, your IP location only gets checked when you open the QQMusic app. So once you’ve opened the app, the VPN connection can be disconnected. (Play Store) (iTunes).

Conclusion

HMA offers one of the cheapest VPN services on the market (under $7 a month). Their network performance is perfect for streaming music or video.

If you want to unblock QQ outside mainland China – check out HideMyAss. If you’re not happy, there’s money back guarantee.