Windows: If you want access to streaming media that is only available in specific locations, want to browse web sites that display differently depending on where you are, or are just seeking a little privacy, SafeIP can help. The utility lets you select where your IP address will appear to be located, and can even rotate them regularly if privacy is your goal.
SafeIP has IP addresses in 10 locations, including multiple servers in the US and the UK, as well as Hong Kong, the Netherlands, Canada, Austria, Poland, Italy, Germany and France. You can select any one you choose to have your traffic routed through their servers so any site you visit or app you open thinks you’re in that location instead of where you are. SafeIP even lets you change your IP without disconnecting and reverting to your original one first, and can be told to run at startup, or automatically change your IP on a schedule you set (the default is every 10 minutes). The lack of an Australian option is annoying for travelling Aussies, but iPlayer access via the UK is definitely tempting.
By default, SafeIP works as a proxy — there is an option to encrypt your traffic in the settings, the way a VPN would, but it’s not on by default. Take note: SafeIP is built for private browsing and getting around location restrictions, not security.
The app boasts some enhanced features includng malware protection and ad blocking (although those features really just try to block items via your HOSTS file; it’s not worth enabling when you have better options available). While the app is free, there is a “Pro” version ($30) that adds Wi-Fi protection (much like what Disconnect already does), and some other features we don’t really think are worth the cash. If the app sounds interesting, stick to the free version. You can grab it at the link below.
SafeIP [via Addictive Tips]
Comments
9 responses to “SafeIP Swaps Your IP Address To Provide Private Browsing”
> for private browsing
> not for security
the difference being..?
(though I get what you mean..)
Private would mean that the content provider, ie website owner wouldn’t know who you are.
Different from security in that it is still vulnerable to people in the middle being able to interfere
This is basically just a proxy. Won’t work if you want to watch Hulu or Netflix
The ‘Hola Unblocker’ extension for Chrome and Mozilla works pretty well for Hulu and Netflix. They recently took the BBC iPlayer off the supported list which sucked. Just sayin’…
Would this service or any other VPN etc. have any effect on a VOIP phone service?
Depends on the VoIP/VPN service really.
If you are talking about a business specific VPN service, then it is standard to allow a VoIP service go over VPN to connect to the business PBX, giving remote workers the ability to make/receive calls from their softphone client, as if they were at their desk. Check with your network admin and company policy.
As for public VPN proxies, you might find the ports blocked, or they do not have QoS prioritisation set for VoIP, not to mention the extra lag you are introducing, plus any security concerns you might have.
The only VoIP service I can think of that this would offer any benefit, is Google Voice, as most of the other SIP services allow you to connect directly, or you can use via IPKall..
Works well for streaming such as Pandora and Netflix. For Netflix videos, it seems that keeping SafeIP connected via Proxy until after 20% of the content has loaded then disconnecting SafeIP will allow streaming of the entire movie at full speed.
I’m able to stream Pandora natively on both desktop and mobile, what is the benefit of using a VPN ?
Is there anything that Aus is reallyyyy missing out on?
I currently use Unblock-US.org
Anyone know if this is better/same/worse?