Skype is a very well known application both for private, business and many other uses. Though the company’s software is available on many devices, this article is going to focus partially on mobile ones and partially on Skype as a video/VoIP provider. Unfortunately, there are governments around the globe that, for various reasons, favor their own similar types of services to prevail. VoIP is an easy replacement for calls over the cellular network, and those who still want to profit from the latter are against the former. Consequently, many countries restrict Skype. Next to elaborating on specific reasons for this, we are also going to present you how a VPN service helps you make Skype available on any location and network.
Skype is among the most frequently blocked and regulated video/VoIP services. There are several ways countries achieve this. Pakistan for example charges a fee for every minute spent in a call. Financial interest is another factor, and countries like Egypt, Brazil or South Korea restrict the app’s optimal working through various means. Some of the areas where Skype is completely blocked are Oman, Kuwait, Syria and North Korea. Most middle-eastern countries prohibit the usage of Skype altogether – respective leaders not wanting to expose their people to other cultures is a main driving force behind those blocks. In general, it can be said that the users’ actions very rarely prompt countries to put up a stop sign. It is rather the fear of the loss of economic power and cultural influence that said leaders want to avoid.
It is also worth mentioning that even in countries that allow the usage of Skype via mobile devices you could run into problems. Public Wi-Fi spots or even strictly localized ones like a restaurant’s own internet connection might restrict the app. The good news is that any VPN service helps you in overcoming these obstacles. Further below you will find a few organizations that are the best at this job in our opinion.
A VPN service is the most effective way to bypass restrictions because it simultaneously allows access to content you otherwise cannot reach and protects you while doing it. The access part is really simple: the VPN company of your choice supplies you with client software that will change the IP address of your device for the duration of your VPN connection. The trick is that the IPs you change to point to countries that have better, or different kinds of internet freedom. For Skype, you should of course connect to a country that allows it to run. Switzerland or Japan are great examples.
The safety side of things relies on encryptions. These protocols hide your regular online traffic behind a layer of protective data that is next to impossible to crack open. Parties that try to monitor you will have no idea about your identity or your actual activities.
For another method of access, you could also take a look at some smart DNS providers. The advantage of this type of service is that, unlike encryption-enhanced VPN, you will not suffer from a slight speed loss. However, you are also less safe as a result.
VyprVPN, provided by Swiss-based Golden Frog, is one of the longest standing VPN services in the world. They own and manage both their server and their client software under one roof, without outsourcing anything to third party companies. Thanks to this, they not only guarantee unlimited bandwidth and stellar server uptime, but it has also allowed Golden Frog to come up with a set of innovative features. VyprVPN users have access to a unique network protocol called Chameleon, which scrambles metadata allowing you to bypass restrictions. Those who regularly run into unwanted malware sites, could prevent malicious redirections with the built-in VyprDNS feature and you can even manage your own VPN network via VyprVPN Cloud. The fast and secure routing is made complete with a large group of possible server locations, counting more than 70 countries and 200,000 IP addresses. VyprVPN is available for every major home device, smartphone and operating system. The subscription cost starts from $5 per month, but you can give it a go for free thanks to the 3-day trial.
IPVanish made a strong entrance as a VPN service provider in 2012, long before VPNs became so common, and it’s been further improving its service ever since. Fundamentally, this solution specializes in providing customers with secure and encrypted internet connections across all devices.
Offering customers an impressive 2,200 servers worldwide to choose from, IPVanish is both comprehensive and reliable. It’s also one of the few VPN providers that manage a big portion of its infrastructure in-house, owning 80% of its servers and only using self-developed software for its service. This reduces the company’s reliance on third parties, making it an even more trustworthy option.
As one of the strongest VPNs on the market, IPVanish also boasts a vast range of features that not only provide faster speeds but also permit a custom encryption level and all other elements of a VPN connection. With prices starting as low as $2.99 per month, users certainly get a lot for their money.
First of all, please do not feel intimidated: the perhaps vulgar name of the UK-based company is intended to be a pun. HMA VPN has a mascot in the form of a donkey, and thus this little wordplay is nothing to worry about. You should rather pay attention to the fact that HMA VPN is easily one of the best VPN companies today; they offer much more than a standard package. You are also welcome to try out the free web proxy, an anonymous e-mail service and an IP:Port premium service, which is essentially a more elaborate proxy product. On top of this, you also have VPN browser extensions for Chrome and Mozilla to use. HMA VPN does all this while still maintaining decent speeds and healthy prices. These are coupled with the fact that HMA VPN remains one of few providers who still enable access to Netflix. But the most impressive thing about this organization is the number of locations provided – it is unprecedented today.
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