How to Get an Afghan IP Address in 2020: Cabling to Kabul

Connecting to Afghanistan through the internet to watch TV shows or use online services from abroad can be frustrating. You’ve probably noticed the annoying error messages that pop up, which just means you’ve encountered geoblocks. In order to bypass these blocks, you’ll need an Afghan IP address. This guide will show you how to get one without too much trouble.

An IP address is a unique set of digits that tells every online service or website your location, ISP, the device you’re using and browser information. Changing your IP address to an Afghan one tricks websites into thinking you’re in the country so you can access services and watch public TV.

How to Get an Afghan IP Address

There are several ways that you can get an Afghan IP address, but the two common ones are using a proxy or a virtual private network, or VPN.

A proxy is free to use and works in your browser, but it doesn’t offer security features. It is also unreliable and doesn’t really hide your IP address, so it exposes your true identity.

The best method is using a VPN. Not only will you get an IP address for Afghanistan, you’ll also browse safely and your connection is secure, thanks to security features found in most VPNs. 

It’ll also unblock streaming services like Netflix and other online services, so you can access the content you want. Our VPN vs. proxy vs. Tor article explains the core differences between proxies and VPNs.

You can choose a VPN from our best VPN providers, but it has to have servers in Afghanistan if you want to get an Afghan IP address. If Netflix is your priority, very few VPNs can bypass its smart filters and detectors, so choose one that can do so reliably. Read our Netflix proxy error article to learn more.

We’ve picked two providers that have servers in Afghanistan, VPN security features and can bypass geoblocks. 

HideMyAss

HideMyAss is a good VPN with a massive network of more than 960 servers covering 280 locations in 190 countries, including Afghanistan. It offers good security with 256-bit AES encryption and a kill switch.

One of its unique features, called “app kill,” lets you apply the VPN to your choice of applications, instead of securing the entire connection. The only other VPN service offering this feature is Astrill (read our Astrill review).

It also offers a “freedom mode,” which automatically routes you through to a country with free-speech laws. This will come in handy if you want to bypass Afghanistan’s online censorship and freedom-of-speech restrictions. It also unblocks Netflix, but you may experience a few inconsistencies with BBC iPlayer, or not be able to access it at all.

Its main drawbacks are its speeds, which aren’t on the level of the fastest VPN providers, and its questionable privacy policy, as it keeps activity logs for 30 days.

You can install HideMyAss on Windows, macOS, Android and iOS, and simultaneously connect up to five devices. Support is available via live chat and email, as well as a helpful community forum and knowledgebase for troubleshooting issues.

It may not be the cheapest service, but it offers a free seven-day trial and a 30-day refund window, so you can try it before subscribing. Read our HideMyAss review for more on the service.

PureVPN

PureVPN can also get you an Afghan IP address, but that’s the only reason it makes this list. If you’re carrying out sensitive activities online, we don’t recommend using it. You’re honestly better off with HideMyAss for that purpose.

Its security is okay, though you’ll need to set it to 256-bit encryption, plus there’s a kill switch in case your connection drops. Its speeds are also fair, and there aren’t any bandwidth limits. Its privacy policy is quite inconsistent, though, as you can read in our PureVPN review.

You can install PureVPN on Windows, macOS, Android and iOS and simultaneously connect up to five devices, however it isn’t on our best VPNs for multiple devices list. Support is available 24/7 and there’s a 31-day money-back guarantee, so you can try it. 

The Dangers of Using an Afghan IP Address

There’s no real danger in using an Afghan IP address, but there are a few things you need to be aware of about the country’s internet usage.

According to advocacy body Freedom House, internet freedom in Afghanistan is currently under attack, as the government has imposed censorship in an effort to police what citizens can or can’t access. Civil liberties and political rights are practically curtailed by corruption, violence, patronage and flawed processes.

The government filters sites like Facebook, Twitter and YouTube, among others, for any content related to alcohol and drugs, gambling, violence and sex. Plus, any language considered an affront to Islam — among a variety of objectionable topics — is also strictly prohibited in the country.

Despite having freedom of speech enshrined in the country’s constitution, Afghanistan’s Media Law forces media houses to block any news deemed to be anti-religious. They also can’t discuss taboo topics, including ones that slander or insult individuals, or expose the identities of violence victims.

The Taliban regime may not be in power any more, but Afghans have yet to enjoy true online freedom because of internet censorship. However, there’s been some progress toward opening the web, albeit slowly. 

Despite this, some restrictions still exist as to what citizens can view or share online. The government is also working on cybersecurity laws that’ll protect internet users in the country.

Final Thoughts

Getting an Afghan IP address isn’t difficult. We hope this guide has helped ease the process of getting one. Using a VPN is the best method, as it’ll keep you safe online by hiding your identity and true IP address while securing your connection from online threats. Check out our online security archive for more tips on how to protect yourself.

HideMyAss is a good VPN with servers in Afghanistan and decent security, plus, it gets into Netflix and other streaming services. We recommend using it to get an IP address for Afghanistan. You can also try it with its free seven-day trial and 30-day refund window.

If you have experience or recommendations on how to get an Afghan IP address, we’d love to hear about it. Share them in the comments section below. As always, thanks for reading.