Netflix blocked your VPN? Smart DNS could be the answer

Netflix has recently started blocking almost all VPN connections in order stop customers from watching shows that aren’t available in their home countries (UPDATE: ExpressVPN is still working with Netflix and offers a 30 day money back guarantee, full details here). VPNs were a popular means for people living outside the US and UK to gain access to the larger archive of shows available to Americans and Brits. But in order for Netflix to honor geographic content licensing restrictions, the workaround has come to an end.
Thankfully, there’s an alternative. Meet Smart DNS, a type of proxy service that obscures the IP address–and thereby the location–of the user, making it possible to bypass geographic restrictions. Netflix brought the hammer down hard on VPNs, but it seems to still be turning a blind eye to Smart DNS. Smart DNS is also known as a DNS proxy.
We have confirmed that Smart DNS works during our testing of IronSocket, a paid VPN provider that also includes a Smart DNS service specifically for accessing streaming video websites in its subscription plan. A range of free and paid Smart DNS services are available on the web and we haven’t had time to test the whole lot, but I was personally able to watch Attack on Titan and Parks and Recreation, two shows not available from my home in Bogota, Colombia. UPDATE: we’ve had a few comments about inconsistent connections with IronSocket so are now recommending ExpressVPN as the safest option.

Some users have reported Netflix’s Android app does not work with Smart DNS services, as it forces the user onto Google DNS instead. UnoTelly and Unblock-Us have both reported Netflix has blocked them, so Netflix seems to be in the process of cracking down. Smart DNS still seems to be working on other platforms, however, and we’ll update this post if that changes.
Keep in mind that a Smart DNS service is not a full replacement for a VPN. It does not encrypt internet traffic and therefore lacks many of the security features of a VPN. But because it lacks encryption, Smart DNS is usually faster than a VPN, which means higher quality streams and less buffering.

Setting up Smart DNS

How to set up Smart DNS can vary depending on which provider you choose. First, you’ll need to authorize your computer’s IP address so the provider can verify that you’re a customer. This is done on the provider’s website. Here’s a quick tutorial using IronSocket’s service with Windows 10 after authorizing your IP.
First, right click the wifi or ethernet icon in your system tray and click “Open Network and Sharing Center.”

Click the link that says “Wifi” or “Ethernet” next to Connections.

Click Properties.

Uncheck Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6). Click on Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) so that it’s highlighted, then click Properties.

On the lower half of the next window, check “Use the following DNS server addresses:”. Input the preferred and alternate DNS servers (servers should be in the United States), which should be given to you by your Smart DNS provider.

Press OK and restart your computer. Now you should be able to use Netflix as if you were in the US.

Angry Birds Space - How to find the Golden Eggsteroids

In some Angry Birds Space levels, you'll spot a special eggsteroid. If you smash it open with a bird, a wormhole will appear, which takes you - mid-stage - to a special level.

You can always play these levels again by tapping the Eggsteroid planet on the stage select screen.

In our guide, we'll tell you which levels hide golden eggsteroids, show you where the shiny blighters are hiding, and then explain how to beat the bonus level you've just unlocked.

Eggsteroid 1


Location: World 1 (Pig Bang) - Level 9

You can see this egg poking out of the grass on Level 9's planet. Simply fire a Blue bird towards it to crack the egg and open the wormhole.



Bonus Level 1: Space Invaders

Use one bomb bird to smash some of the Space Invaders out of the way. Now, wait until the pig in the UFO is hovering above the opening you just made, and fire a bomb bird at the swine.

Eggsteroid 2


Location: World 1 (Pig Bang) - Level 20

The egg is buried deep in this grass. Use the Lazer bird's laser-guided attack to smash it open and activate the wormhole.



Bonus Level 2: Super Mario Bros.

Hit the top-most concrete block to make a pig appear. It will then fly off to the right, and land on the floor at the bottom. Wait until it moves left, then hit it with a blue bird.

Eggsteroid 3


Location: World 2 (Cold Cuts) - Level 13

The egg is on a planetoid, below the slingshot comet. Fire the Lazer bird backwards, then tap the egg to fire directly into it. This will smash the egg, opening the wormhole.



Bonus Level 3: Breakout

Use your Red and Blue birds to smash away at the central pillar, to make the middle pig drop and pop. Then use Lazer bird to target the top-left, moustachioed pig.

Eggsteroid 4


Location: World 2 (Cold Cuts) - Level 25

This egg is on the same planetoid as the slingshot. To reach it, fire a Lazer bird diagonally down-and-right, then use its laser-guided attack to swing back and smash open the egg. This will activate the wormhole.

Bonus Level 4: Bubble Bobble.



A pretty simple stage. Just use your three birds to smash away at the ice and defeat the pigs.

Eggsteroid 5



Location: World 2 (Cold Cuts) - Level 28

This one is a little more hidden than its predecessors. It's buried under snow, on the far left of the ice planet. Attack it with any bird to open the egg, and activate the wormhole.



Bonus Level 5: Star

Use a Lazer bird to smash your way into the centre of the star. This will cause the structure to collapse in on itself, popping all the pigs along with it. Pick off any un-popped pigs with your leftover Lazer birds.

GAME Files for Administration

GAME has filed for administration today after weeks of trouble, after trouble, after trouble. Essentially, the company seeks to find an administrator to try and help get the company back on track again because, as the board said, “The board has concluded that its discussions with all stakeholders and other parties have not made sufficient progress in the time available to offer a realistic prospect for a solvent solution for the business.”

This follows the only hours old news that the board at GAME asked to be suspended from the London Stock Exchange because they are, “Of the opinion that there is no equity value left in the Group.” Essentially, GAME has been going under all along despite their constant nuh-uhs and finger-plugging “lalala I can’t hear what you’re saying” counterarguments.

It’s worth noting that filing for administration in the UK is similar to filing for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy in the US, there is no concept of debtor in possession; the properties of GAME are in limbo for the time being and not controlled by the company.

Of course, the chances for the video game retailer to recover its previous business model are slim-to-nil after its troubled previous year and disappointing Christmas sales. MCV acquired information yesterday that basically unveiled the plan for GAME: file for administration, close down a bunch of stores, end the Gamestation name, and then hope for profit. Hilariously, GAME still fought back against that. At the very least, they’re scrappy.

The new Angry Birds Space trailer defies gravity!

The birds are back, and they are coming from space! In the official launch trailer of Angry Birds: Space, the birdies slingshot themselves into a warp hole into space! See their fresh new look and those wacky redesigned levels only suited for the outer atmosphere!

Release Date: March 22, 2012
Exclusively on: iPhone 
Genre: Puzzle Action 
Publisher: Rovio
Developer: Rovio  

Chaos Rings II for iPhone out now on iOS

Final Fantasy developer Square Enix’s long-awaited sequel to Chaos Rings has battled its way onto the App Store for £12.99

In Chaos Rings II, the third instalment in the Chaos Rings saga (despite what its name might otherwise suggest), a ruddy great tyrant called the Destroyer has “forced the world to the brink of destruction”.

Cue tale about slaughtering sacrifical lambs (who are actually people), moral dilemmas, exhilarating adventures, and humpback whales. Okay, okay, I made that last bit up. The rest is true, though.

What’s also very, very true is Chaos Rings II‘s rather high price tag. In return for £12.99 precisely, you receive one copy of Chaos Rings II. I repeat: one copy. Nope, no massage.

Cash reserves

On the upside, you get to experience a role-playing game whose storyline is shaped by your personal choices; which contains a new strategic battle system; and which boasts enhanced graphics that advantage of a new rendering engine.

So, are you tempted now? Let us know in the comments section below.

If you still have reservations about forking out that much pocket money on a pocket gaming title, though, note that two free additional missions are promised in future updates in April and May. That might sway you.

Chaos Rings II for iPhone and iPad is available now