How to Get a UAE IP Address in 2020: A Dubai DNS

When you’re out of Dubai or Abu Dhabi and want to access content you normally do, you could be hit with an error message. That’s because you’ve encountered a geoblock. They’re annoying, and the only way to get around them is to change your IP address to the given country. In this article, we’re going to show you how to get an IP address in the UAE.

Your IP address might look like a weird telephone number to you, but to the websites you visit and online services you use, it’s basically your location ID. If you try to access content that’s restricted to a country you’re not in, you’ll get blocked. That said, by changing your IP address, you can make it look like you’re in that country.

Perhaps you are trying to watch local Arab TV or fancy streaming your favorite series on Icflix. If it’s restricted to the UAE and you’re not there, you’ll be blocked. The same goes for Netflix. Though it is available in other countries, there may be programs or movies that aren’t shown in Dubai. Read our piece on the Netflix VPN ban for more on that.

The reason for those blocks is license restrictions. To broadcast a show, the company must obtain a license for each country in which it wants to air it. Some programs may not be suitable for certain countries. For example, they may be in a particular language or there may not be enough demand for them.

If Netflix is the thing you’re after, you can dive straight into our best VPN for Netflix article.

There’s also the possibility you’ll want to access a financial service. Maybe you want to log in to your bank account online. Chances are you won’t be able to do so. Many banks and other companies forbid logins from other countries as a precaution against fraud, so you may need to change your IP address to gain access.

How to Get a UAE IP Address

If you want to go the easy route, you can use a proxy to get a UAE IP address — read our best free proxy guide for suggestions — but we don’t recommend it. Proxies are unreliable, sometimes don’t work and they don’t include security, meaning you are vulnerable to cyberattacks. Plus, your IP address is unprotected, so your activities can be traced back to you. Our VPN vs. proxy vs. Tor has more on the subject.

Using a virtual private network is the best way to change your IP address. They have their own security and most don’t keep a log of your online activities. Plus, your IP is protected, allowing you to browse anonymously.

Though most of the providers among our best VPN reviews will do the job, you need to choose one that’s suitable for the UAE. It will have to have servers there, otherwise you’ll still be stuck. If Netflix is your concern, you’ll also need to make sure it can get past Netflix’s VPN detection system. Read our piece on the Netflix proxy error for more.

NordVPN

NordVPN is a good choice for getting a UAE IP address. It has a huge network of servers and there are four located there. You’ll be protected by its top-notch security, including double-hop encryption, and you can rest assured that it doesn’t keep a log of your activity.

Its speeds are decent and there are no bandwidth caps. Plus, it has no trouble getting into streaming services, such as Netflix.

You can use it on most major operating systems and connect up to six devices at the same time. There’s a 30-day refund period, too, giving you plenty of time to decide if you like it. You can read our NordVPN review for more details.

Private Internet Access

Private Internet Access has a large server network, with 10 servers in the UAE. That said, it has trouble getting into streaming services, so if that’s you main objective, you’d be better off with our first selection.

Its security is good, but it’s set at 128-bit encryption by default. You can change that to the more secure 256-bit, though. There’s a no-logs policy, too. Speeds are good and it has unlimited bandwidth.

You can use it on major operating systems, including Linux, which is why it’s our best VPN for Linux. Five devices can be connected simultaneously, too. PIA has a seven-day money-back guarantee, allowing you to try it before committing. Read our PIA review for more on the service.

VyprVPN

VyprVPN is another decent choice because it has servers in 60 countries, including Dubai. It has good security, with its own Chameleon protocol adding extra protection. The company doesn’t keep logs, so there’s no need to worry about your privacy. Its speeds are good, but it can get slow at times, and there’s no limit to how much bandwidth you can use.

You can use it on most major operating systems, though the desktop version doesn’t have the best layout, and connect up to five devices at a time. That said, VyprVPN doesn’t have a refund policy. Instead, there is a three-day trial, which should still be enough time to give it a spin. For a better look, read our VyprVPN review.

Dangers of Using a UAE IP Address

It’s okay to use a Dubai IP address, but you should be aware of some things. Online discussions that may seem innocent can be punished if they are deemed to insult religion or offend the state. Under different laws, punishments range from up to 10 years in jail to fines of up to 2 million dirham ($540,000).

Government surveillance is a possibility, too, with social media being monitored. Plus, Abu Dhabi launched Falcon Eye in 2016, which is a surveillance system that enables the monitoring of people.

You should also keep in mind the risk of cybercrime. In 2016, Symantec reported that the UAE was the victim of the second highest number of cyberattacks in the Middle East. Another report by Norton Security showed that almost 4 billion dirham ($1 billion) had been stolen from victims in 2017. Check out our best VPN for UAE for more on the country.

Final Thoughts

You should now know how to get an IP address in the UAE safely. For the best protection you should use a VPN because they have great security and your activities will be kept private.

Any of our recommendations above will do the trick, but NordVPN is the best choice. It has four servers in the UAE and will get you into streaming services. The 30-day refund should give you enough time to try it.

If you have other ideas for getting an IP address in the UAE, post them in the comment section below. Thank you for reading.