VPN Leaking?

SamCuddy · 4 Sep 2021 at 22:06

Hey guys!
I have a VPN with private internet access and a dedicated IP, I’ve done every leak test I can online that I can but still when I’m abroad with work if I try to use BT sports or iPlayer or anything it just says I’m in the incorrect location!
Can anyone help with this?
Thanks

Caged · 4 Sep 2021 at 22:07

The providers might just be banning M247 IP space, which is what loads of the VPN providers resell.

SamCuddy · 4 Sep 2021 at 22:12

Caged said:
The providers might just be banning M247 IP space, which is what loads of the VPN providers resell.

I’m presuming there isn’t much I can do about that?

andy_mk3 · 4 Sep 2021 at 22:39

Almost all streaming services actively block VPNs.

SamCuddy · 4 Sep 2021 at 22:43

andy_mk3 said:
Almost all streaming services actively block VPNs.

I am aware of those, but that’s for the standard VPN up’s isn’t it? The one that every one uses, I have a dedicated IP so the VPN IP is only used by me?

Ev0 · 4 Sep 2021 at 23:08

No difference to the streaming services if it’s 1 or 1000 people using that IP, to them it’s likely still just an IP that is owned by a VPN provider, and so is on a deny listing somewhere.

SamCuddy · 4 Sep 2021 at 23:13

Ev0 said:
No difference to the streaming services if it’s 1 or 1000 people using that IP, to them it’s likely still just an IP that is owned by a VPN provider, and so is on a deny listing somewhere.

Makes sense, any suggestions off anyone on how to get around it?

Ev0 · 4 Sep 2021 at 23:15

The DNS services on offer to bypass geo restrictions seem to work in these situations, but would say you’d have to test things out and see what works.

SamCuddy · 4 Sep 2021 at 23:21

Ev0 said:
The DNS services on offer to bypass geo restrictions seem to work in these situations, but would say you’d have to test things out and see what works.

This is like setting up a smart dns? Any links for a good guide on what I’m looking for and setting up etc

APM · 5 Sep 2021 at 08:39

Does your VPN offer UK servers?

SamCuddy · 5 Sep 2021 at 08:57

APM said:
Does your VPN offer UK servers?

Yeah my dedicated IP is a London based server.

Caged · 5 Sep 2021 at 12:02

If you run a Speedtest, what is the ISP identified as?

SamCuddy · 5 Sep 2021 at 13:47

Caged said:
If you run a Speedtest, what is the ISP identified as?

Host 1 plus, and shows my VPN IP address

Rainmaker · 6 Sep 2021 at 15:13

Your static IP will help reduce things like captcha requests, as only you are using that IP. In other words, Google and Cloudflare (for example) aren't seeing thousands of hits from your IP and then flagging it as suspicious. Your static IP itself, however, is in an ASN (IP range) allocated to a datacentre. These are routinely blacklisted by streaming providers.

The answer in your case is to use PIA's "London (Streaming)" server for watching content on demand like BT Sports, iPlayer etc. Then switch back to your static IP for other stuff. A bit of a pain, but it will work. You may wish to re-evaluate whether the static IP option is worth it for you.

Edit: Please note that the "London (Streaming)" server is called exactly that. The other London servers won't work with video on demand services like iPlayer et al.

JohnStewart · 6 Sep 2021 at 16:10

Having worked in places overseas where even whatsapp and FB messenger video and voice calls are banned, it is an issue I understand and can sympathise with.

What I've resorted to previously is having a desktop PC at home or in the office which is on 24/7, or can be switched on via Wake on LAN as required. Then start a remote desktop session using your software of choice. Windows RDP works OK, google chrome remote desktop also works OK most of the time, but there are plenty of other products such as ultraviewer you can try.

Then simply watch the content you want on the remote desktop. I've not tried it with live HD quality content, but I'm assuming there will be pixelation at times and audio drop outs/lag depending on the download/upload bandwidth available at both ends. If you set the remote desktop resolution to be something like 1024x768 instead of full HD or 4K, this will reduce the bandwidth needed. The content might just be bearable to watch which is better than nothing at all.

decto · 6 Sep 2021 at 16:27

I just host a VPN on my ASUS router and connect to that using the free domain you can generate in the router.
All the traffic goes through my home network, fine for streaming.... not so for activities you don't want linked to home.

Enable before leaving, and disable on return. (not via remote web access).

SamCuddy · 6 Sep 2021 at 16:32

Thanks for all the suggestions guys

decto said:
I just host a VPN on my ASUS router and connect to that using the free domain you can generate in the router.
All the traffic goes through my home network, fine for streaming.... not so for activities you don't want linked to home.

Enable before leaving, and disable on return. (not via remote web access).

this isn’t something I’d be aware of as I have a BT Home Hub, I’ll have to look into flashing it maybe

mrbazmondo · 6 Sep 2021 at 16:36

Run your own VPN server in a VM on your home PC and connect to that. Something like OpenVPN and pfSense.

SamCuddy · 6 Sep 2021 at 16:38

mrbazmondo said:
Run your own VPN server in a VM on your home PC and connect to that. Something like OpenVPN and pfSense.

I actually have a non used desktop upstairs , I could use that as a VPN server, are they any good guides on how to set this up?

mrbazmondo · 6 Sep 2021 at 16:44

We use it at work, I haven't set it up myself, but found this with google: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PgielyUFGeQ