How to Get an Austrian IP Address in 2020 to Watch Public Television
If you’re traveling or you’ve relocated, you probably can’t access everything you’re used to online. Perhaps you get an error message or the content is different. That’s because some content is restricted to certain countries and the only way to view it is by changing your IP address. In this article, we’re going to show you how to get an Austrian IP address.
Think of your IP address as an identity tag. It’s unique to your device and tells the websites you visit what country you’re in. If content is restricted to a country, you’ll only be able to access it if you’re there. Changing your IP address will make it look like you’re there and enable you to view the content.
There are reasons why you’d benefit from doing so. Perhaps you’re missing the variety of programs provided by ORF or you want to access the Austrian version of Netflix.
The restrictions you’re facing are known as geoblocks. Broadcasters need a license for each show they intend to broadcast in each country they want to show it in. It’s not viable for every show to be broadcast in every country because of language and cultural differences. That’s why Netflix’s library varies so much around the world. Read our piece on the Netflix ban for more.
If Netflix is what you’re after, check out our best VPN for Netflix guide for more recommendations.
There are other reasons to get an Austrian IP address, too. For example, some banks don’t let you log in from outside the country. Those restrictions are there to help stop fraud. Once you change your IP address, you’ll be able to log in as usual.
How to Get an Austrian IP Address
You can change your IP address by using a proxy — read our best free proxy guide for a few options — but they’re unreliable. They also don’t have security features to keep you safe. Take a look at our VPN vs. proxy vs. Tor comparison to learn more.
We recommend using a virtual private network instead. It will not only change your IP address, but it’ll also keep you safe with VPN protocols that offer high-level encryption. The majority have a no-logs policy, too, which means they won’t keep a record of your online activities.
Most of the providers in our best VPN list are a good choice, but some are more suitable for Austria than others.
You’ll need the VPN to have servers in Austria, otherwise, you’ll be stuck in the same situation. If you want to stream, make sure the VPN can get into the services you want, too. Netflix has a world-class VPN detection system that most services can’t bypass. Take a look at our piece on the Netflix proxy error for more information.
CyberGhost
CyberGhost is a great choice for getting an Austrian IP address because it has 69 servers there, which is more than any provider we looked at. It has good security and respects your privacy with a no-logs policy. You’ll benefit from unlimited bandwidth, decent speeds and the ability to use streaming services, such as Netflix, too.
CyberGhost is compatible with Windows, macOS, Android and iOS. You can connect up to seven devices simultaneously, which earned it second place in our best VPN for multiple devices piece. You can test the service with its seven-day trial. If you need more time, there’s a money-back guarantee, too. Read our CyberGhost review for a better look.
NordVPN
Another good choice for getting an Austrian IP address is NordVPN because it has a huge server network that includes 35 servers in Austria. Its security is among the best and it doesn’t keep a log of your online activities. It has good speeds and no bandwidth limits. Plus, it gets into Netflix and most other streaming services.
You can use it on Windows, macOS, Android and iOS with up to six devices connected at the same time. There’s a 30-day refund period, so you get plenty of time to decide if you like it. Take a look at our NordVPN review for more details.
HideMyAss
You can also use HideMyAss to get an Austrian IP address. Its server network is massive, covering 190 countries, and it has seven servers in Austria. It has good security and a privacy policy, but it keeps connection and disconnection logs for 30 days. Its speeds are adequate for most activities and there’s unlimited bandwidth. Plus, it can access most streaming services.
HMA can be used on Windows, macOS, Android and iOS. You can connect up to five devices in one go. There’s a seven-day trial that you can use to see if you like it, plus a 30-day money-back guarantee. Our HideMyAss review has more information on the service.
Dangers of Using an Austrian IP Address
Though it isn’t dangerous to use an Austrian IP address, there are things you should keep in mind. Government surveillance, free speech and user privacy vary from country to country.
The Austrian government is able to conduct surveillance. It’s able to monitor internet communications, even if they’re encrypted. That includes apps such as WhatsApp and Skype (read our guide on how to backup and restore WhatsApp chat history, and our best VPN for Skype can help keep you safe).
Austria’s defamation laws are among the strictest in the EU, with the penal code criminalizing insulting the state and its rulers. Journalists are most at risk, but you should still be careful. If you’re a journalist, read our online privacy guide for journalists.
No matter where you are, you’re at risk of cybercrime. There are lots of public WiFi hotspots, but you can’t tell how secure they are. You’re at risk of getting hacked, getting viruses or getting malware when using one, so it’s a good idea to install a decent antivirus along with the VPN. Our best antivirus software guide has recommendations.
Final Thoughts
Hopefully, we’ve helped you get an Austrian IP address. You should use a VPN to get one because you’ll be protected by good security and your activities will be kept secret.
Any of our recommendations will work, but CyberGhost is the best choice because it has 69 servers in the country. You can use the seven-day trial to see if you like it, and there’s a 30-day money-back guarantee if you need more time.
If you have tips or experience getting an Austrian IP address, tell us in the comment section below. Thank you for reading.
Sandra Pattison is from the rolling hills of the United Kingdom where, when she’s not enjoying that one day of summer, she researches and writes on online security and censorship around the world. Writer by day, mother morning, noon and night, during her little free time she enjoys photography and likes to be spontaneous, but mostly ends up sipping tea with her pinky out.