how to visit us websites from uk

How To Access Blocked American Websites

Need your phone or computer to think you’re in the USA?  Trying to port your phone number to Google Voice ? Or simply tired of seeing this error, “We’re sorry to say that due to the General Data Protection Regulation, visitors from your location are unable to browse our web store.”?  I so am!

Restricted access to US sites from abroad makes managing home country affairs really annoying. International bills to pay, gift giving for nieces and nephews, and even overseas party planning become impossible tasks.

If you are tired of denied access to US websites from the UK too, then read on to never see this error again!

The new European data privacy laws are more strict than ever. And as a result of that, it seems as though some American institutions have decided to just close online doors to anyone located outside of the United States.

After my latest blocked website discovery, hobbylobby.com, I decided it was time to do something about this and help other American expats solve this problem.

Although I consider myself pretty scrappy on a computer, none of the options I tried worked. The idea of a VPN sounded like a hassle so I avoided it. Not to mention that I didn’t want to pay to access a website for simply paying a bill or a quick browse on Pottery Barn.

Instead, I tried other sneaky methods like changing latitude and longitude in Chrome’s developer tools, pinging IP addresses and even websites like hidemyass.com.

With no success, I turned to an American expat mom facebook group in the UK for help. Surely we could crowdsource answers to this growing problem post GDPR. And guess what? We did.

Based on the feedback from other expat moms in the UK, I downloaded, installed and tested three different unanimous approaches: browser-based, free VPN, and paid VPN.

This way you get the lowdown on what works best and save you the time and frustration googling solutions on your own.

3 Ways To Access Blocked American Websites

What description best describes you? 1, 2 or 3?

1 – I occasionally hit a blocked American website and it would be nice to try another way to reach it. It doesn’t bother me that I’m not using a VPN; I don’t need to be anonymous for the types of activities I do online.

Solution : Install Opera Browser & Set The Location To “The Americas”

• Fairly easy install
• Easy-to-use
• The only browser with a built-in “VPN” solution, so if you are already an Opera browser user a switch of a setting is all you need to do.
• It doesn’t reliably work for every blocked website. I had a 25% success rate out of 4 blocked websites tested: Hobbylobby.com, potterybarn.com, dickssportinggoods.com, and farmers.com.
• It’s not really a VPN, which is likely why some American websites remain blocked. Read more here about Opera’s technology and why it’s unreliable here .

If installing an easy-to-use browser is your preference and you don’t mind the inconsistent nature of disguising your location or not, then Opera might be the one for you. Otherwise, don’t waste your time and skip to the next two options.

2 – I need to occasionally access a website to keep up affairs I have in the USA, light shopping and other publications I enjoy reading. The benefits of VPN sound great but it’s not why I’m reading this post.

Solution : Install Tunnelbear Free VPN

• Free 500mb of data a month, with the option to upgrade at any time. An annual subscription is one of the lowest on the market at $59.88.
• Easy install
• It’s not on TechRadar Pro’s Best VPNs for a Mac in 2019 list.
• 500mb is easy to get through fast if you don’t monitor your use.

To help evaluate if 500mb is enough bandwidth, consider your monthly mobile phone data usage. Will you use VPN for the same purpose as your mobile device or just a fraction on your Mac? Something to consider.

Either way, Tunnelbear allows you to easily upgrade bandwidth if you install for free and learn quickly that you need more bandwidth. Other than adding payment details, you’ve already done the work.

3 – I need to access websites to keep up affairs I have in the USA, stream American television shows I can’t get in the UK and shopping. Protecting my activities online is also important.

Solution : Install A Paid VPN, like Hotspot Shield

Other top VPN choices for Macs in the UK are Express VPN and CyberGhost . All three can be used for PCs and mobile devices. Get the full list of top VPN options here .

I chose Hotspot Shield to try over the others because it offers a 7-day free trial. Cancel the subscription before the 7th day and the subscription cancels before taking payment. The other VPN options take payment and then refund you within the designated trial window if you’re unsatisfied.

• Easy-to-install
• Is considered 1 of the top 3 VPNs to use on a Mac
• Not as easy-to-use as Tunnelbear. I had to spend time troubleshooting Hotspot Shield after installing it. All of the same websites that were blocked before the VPN was turned on remain blocked. To fix the issue I had to click Settings > Reinstall Profile.
• Slightly more expensive than Tunnelbear for the same outcome.

Problem Solved

After only a few hours of having all three options available on my Mac, Tunnelbear is my preferred option. Now I can keep up with light affairs from a distance without all the frustration. And you can too! Choose which option best describes you and take back control. Do what you need to do, wherever you are.

Looking for more resources to settle into British life?  Try these.

• How To Find A Youth Football Team in the UK
• American Cleaning Products Not In the UK: What to take with you and what to use instead
• Moving abroad?  Download the moving abroad checklist .  Created for expats, by an expat who moved abroad in less than 3 months.  All the steps in chronological order to get you organized to move from the USA to the UK.  Download today!

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Your tips helped tremendously! Trying to access a US financial institution, but no access to their website from the UK. It turned out that my AVG internet security has a VPN included. I turned it on, reset my location and BINGO! …Still got issues due to them requiring a zip code (post code doesn’t work) on the forms but progress is progress.

Hi Mark! I’m so glad this post helped you. Thank you for sharing. You might need to ask a family member in the states to use their mailing address if you don’t have one. Or set up a virtual mailbox. Good luck! x

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How to access American websites blocked to European visitors

John murray.

• January 20, 2021
• One Comment

It’s getting on for three years since the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) was introduced throughout the European Union, and despite Brexit, its protocols are also followed here in the UK. Outside of Europe, however, attitudes towards GDPR remain cautious and standoffish.

Having been put together in April 2016 and heavily discussed for the two years that followed, the implementation of GDPR was no surprise to anybody, yet even five years on, many American websites choose to block European visitors rather than ensure they are GDPR compliant. Most notable among these are all news sites owned by Lee Enterprises , which includes over 70 daily newspapers and hundreds of specialty publications.

Since we follow and write US news here at Engage Web, this is pretty annoying, but there is a fairly simple way around it.

Use a VPN or web proxy

A virtual private network (VPN) allows you to join a private network as though you were part of that network. To put that into plainer English, it means you can access a website that may ordinarily block you due to your geographical location, so if you want to access an American website, you can use a VPN to connect to it via a US server.

A lot of people are put off the idea of VPNs because they require downloading software, which might seem “techy” and complicated. Thankfully, a quick browse of a blocked site is possible without downloading anything, and anyone with a basic familiarity with the internet should be able to manage it.

All you need to find is a web proxy. I use Hidester, but there are plenty of others. Here’s how you can do it:

1. Go to Hidester.com 2. In the box marked “Enter URL”, put the URL for the site you want to visit. Since we’ve mentioned Lee, let’s use one of its sites – the Alabama-based Dothan Eagle. If you try to access https://dothaneagle.com/ from the UK without a proxy, you will be told it’s unavailable for legal reasons, but we’re going to solve that 3. Make sure the drop-down box on the left is set on “US Server” 4. Click “Surf anonymously”. You should now be able to view the site in the same way a US citizen can

This is an example of the everyday problem solving we carry out at Engage Web, but it also highlights how much traffic sites are missing out on by not being GDPR compliant, or worse still, the risks they take by continuing as normal without conforming to the legislation. For an engaging, GDPR-compliant site, speak to us today.

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[…] One of the banes of my existence since the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) came into effect is the number of US websites that continue to block European visitors, even though they’ve had almost four years to address this issue. One workaround for this is to use a web proxy, as detailed here. […]

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How to Access Blocked Websites Abroad

How to Access Blocked Websites From Other Countries? Getting Past Geoblocking

How often when traveling or spending time abroad do you get the message that the website you are trying to access is blocked due to your location?

Maybe you are trying to access personal information back home while overseas or simply want to watch Netflix or a specific Youtube video before going to bed; your location dictates what you can and cannot view.

It is a frustrating thing to deal with for travelers.

That restriction is called geoblocking. Whether it’s for copyright reasons, cost of operation, or another reason, when you can’t access a network or internet service because of your location, that is geoblocking.

But, there are ways around this and that’s what I want to share here: how to access a website from a different country if it initially is blocked.

Geoblocking and How to Open Blocked Sites

A network discovers your current location by the IP (Internet Protocol) address attached to your device.

Your IP is your identity on a network that is assigned by the Internet Service Provider (ISP) and changes depending on your location.

Regions have IP address pools, which the ISP provides. Networks and services will have one pool of IP addresses that are exempt from restriction. Any IP address outside of this pool will be restricted.

This process can be quite frustrating for travelers and people living abroad . Thankfully, there are ways around geo-restrictions that make it a lot easier to access blocked websites and services.

So, while you plan your next trip abroad, make sure you know about these two options for how to access blocked sites so that you can access everything you need at any given location .

How to Access Blocked Websites Anywhere in the World

1. Use a VPN for Blocked Sites

A VPN is likely the best and most reliable way to get past geo-blocking.

A Virtual Private Network ( VPN ) is like a tunnel for your data to go privately back and forth from the network and your device. It secures, encrypts, and protects your valuable information from outsiders.

Without a VPN, your information traveling to and from the network is vulnerable to prying eyes, hackers, and cyber thieves.

If you spend time on websites that require personal information (online banking and online shopping, for example), you can use a VPN for the added protection you need.

When it comes to traveling and geoblocking, a VPN will get you to open blocked sites and services to which you previously didn’t have access.

Your device is assigned a different IP address from a different location. So, it looks like you are in one country, when in fact, you are somewhere else entirely, which enables you to access your favorite streaming websites.

For example, you are traveling in South America, but want to access your bank in the USA. Or you’re traveling in Europe and you’d like to watch your favorite show on American Netflix. With a VPN you can set your location to whatever you want it to be. So in this example, you set your location to the USA and can then access your bank, or your Netflix, without any problems.

With a VPN you will be able to view blocked websites, social media, YouTube videos, etc. 

2. Use Proxy Sites to Access Blocked Sites

A simple way to bypass geoblocking on websites and small videos is by using a proxy website .

Think of a proxy as a middleman – instead of you actually going to the website, you use a proxy to access the website for you. Then, you connect to the proxy site to gain access to the content you want.

A proxy site is another way to shield your information from the websites you use.

It is like a shield that comes up once you activate it and protects your data and keeps you anonymous.

A proxy site allows you to access those YouTube videos that are blocked because of your location. And it can help you to open a website from another country if your browser didn’t let you.

A simple and popular web proxy is PlainProxies .

However, a proxy website is limited . If you are trying to access larger service providers a proxy won’t help you. They are also not the most reliable to use because you cannot guarantee they are trustworthy.

On top of that, proxy sites tend to get shut down fairly quickly the more people use them.

While traveling or living abroad, your best bet is to get a VPN . Not only do you gain access to blocked services, but you are also protected during the entire process.

When traveling, it is essential to keep your personal information protected as much as possible, especially while on the internet.

Also Read: Why Use a VPN When Traveling

How to Set up a VPN

Nowadays there is a large number of VPN services, and unfortunately, not all VPN providers are created equal.

The main thing I would recommend you to do is to check out reviews and recommendations to find a VPN that best meets your needs.

Decide what you mainly want a VPN for . Is it for privacy while surfing the internet? To download without looking over your shoulder? To evade the Great Firewall of China? Or just to access geo-blocked TV streaming services from abroad?

Almost every VPN provider fully supports Windows, Mac OSX, Android and iPhone platforms, and many also support Linux and Chrome OS (if only indirectly). Support for Blackberry OS and Windows Mobile devices, however, is more limited.

Considerations When Accessing Blocked Websites

Sometimes it’s an absolute necessity to access a blocked website in another country . Your bank’s website for example.

But, do think about the legal and ethical implications when trying to browse websites or use apps that were blocked.

Different countries have different regulations. Make sure you know the local laws.

Some websites and apps also have terms and conditions that may limit their use in certain countries. Respect those terms and conditions and refrain from circumventing them unlawfully.

Lastly, choose a reputable and secure VPN service or proxy server that protects your personal information. Not all VPNs and definitely not all proxy servers are of the same quality.

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13 thoughts on “How to Access Blocked Websites Abroad”

As someone who travels frequently for work, I’ve been frustrated by the amount of websites that are blocked when I’m abroad. Just tried out the VPN you mentioned and it worked like a charm. Thanks for sharing!

Very helpful post! I’m traveling to China soon and was worried about how I would access my usual streaming services. This guide has given me some great options to try. Thank you!

Definitely make sure you have a VPN on all your devices! I went to China last month and didn’t have a VPN on my phone. Google really doesn’t work properly without a VPN, which I found out the hard way. After I landed I noticed I couldn’t use Google Maps to find my way to the hotel, but I then also struggled to download a VPN because for that I use the Google Play Store… So it’s definitely best to have that sorted before you land! 🙂

This is a great article on how to access blocked websites abroad. I have found that many websites are blocked in my country, so this article is very helpful.

I am in india and I need to see usa government websites. I find most of them but some are blocked for no apparent reason. I need information about renewing a passport, I used to pay property tax for my son in America but now I can’t access their site. If you have any idea what might work for me I would appreciate it. I have tried private windows and that doesn’t work either, I have changed settings to allow them to do anything they want but that also doesn’t help.

Hi Salima, Have you tried a VPN? That should work. Turn on the VPN and set the location to USA. Then you should be able to visit any American website without problems.

How can you tell The web site has geoblaocking?

The easiest way to tell is by trying to go to the website or app once you are abroad. For example, I am currently traveling in Cuba and without my VPN on there are many websites that simply won’t open, because they are blocked here. And certain apps won’t work either.

Yes! Finally someone writes about Proxy.

My website is geo blocked in some countries What is the solution to make it available in that country

I would recommend contacting your hosting about this. My website was blocked on certain wifi networks in a country I recently visited. My hosting provider was able to look into that for me.

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How to access sites abroad with a VPN

Using a VPN can make it seem like you're right back at home

Using a VPN to access sites when abroad is one of the most common VPN uses , and it’s a basic function pretty much any service can provide. However, if you pick a top-quality virtual private network, you’ll have a much more reliable browsing experience with a huge range of locations to choose from.

Accessing restricted sites can be very useful if you’re on holiday or on a business trip – while you sometimes might be able to scrape by, in many situations a VPN can save you a whole lot of hassle. Below, we’ll explore a few uses you might find handy next time you’re abroad.

What can I access with a VPN?

With a great VPN, the internet is your oyster – but on your travels you’re most likely going to want to access general websites you regularly visit when you’re back home, your online banking, and probably whatever streaming services you subscribe to.

Regular browsing

If you regularly visit certain news sites, for example, you might not be able to access them in the same way you usually do if you're abroad. Perhaps the site's in a different language, and often outside home territories content is limited and needs a subscription to read.

If you’ve got a VPN installed you’ll be able to virtually relocate yourself to your home country and browse your favorite sites as if you were sat on your own sofa. If you’re from the US or the UK, pretty much any VPN will have servers back home, but if you’re from a smaller country or somewhere outside of Europe or the Americas, you might need a service with a good VPN server variety to get you connected back home.

Access online banking

While abroad you’re likely to want to access your online banking, but if you haven’t informed your bank of your trip (it’s easy to forget!) you might find yourself locked out of your account for ‘suspicious activity’. At the least that’s going to involve an unnecessary phone call to the bank, and at worst it could leave you stranded somewhere without access to your money.

While this could be avoided by telling your bank, if you’re a frequent traveler it might just be easier to spend less than $2.50 a month on a VPN like Surfshark . And, if you do that, not only will you never have to worry about getting locked out of your bank account again, but you’ll get all the other benefits that come with a VPN too.

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Another bonus of using a VPN for banking abroad is due to the fact you're probably more likely to be using public Wi-Fi. Unsecured connections are prime places for hackers and data thieves to target people, but using a VPN encrypts all your traffic, meaning your bank details will stay absolutely private, even if someone does intercept your connection.

Unblocking streaming services

One of the most popular uses for VPNs is unblocking streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer and many more. Netflix delivers different shows to people in different countries, and some are only available in one – for example, iPlayer is only available in the UK.

If you’re going on holiday you’ll probably still have some downtime in which you’ll want to watch TV, but without a VPN your favorites might not be available. If you get a great streaming VPN and connect to a server back home, though, you’ll be able to watch what you want, when you want.

If you’re feeling adventurous, you can also do the opposite from your sofa – connect to a server overseas and see what shows are available there that you can’t access normally.

Whatever sites you want to view – news, your online banking, Netflix – a VPN can add value and save you hassle when trying to browse the web as usual when you’re overseas.

Save 49% and get three months free of our top-rated VPN We rate ExpressVPN as the best service on the market right now – for pretty much any purpose. Whether you want to secure your online banking, access sites overseas or watch Netflix while you're globetrotting, it's the best choice thanks to its blazing speeds, vast network of servers and excellent privacy policy. 

Tom's Guide readers can claim three free months of with any 12-month plan – that's 15 months for the price of 12 . And, if you're not happy with the service, you're covered by a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Mo is VPN Editor at Tom's Guide. Day-to-day he oversees VPN , privacy, and cybersecurity content, and also undertakes independent testing of VPN services to ensure his recommendations are accurate and up to date. When he's not getting stuck into the nitty-gritty settings of a VPN you've never heard of, you'll find him working on his Peugeot 205 GTi or watching Peep Show instead of finally putting up those shelves.

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How-To Geek

How to access region-restricted websites from anywhere on earth.

The Internet is supposed to be a global network that links the entire world, but many websites are confined to specific countries.

Read update

Quick links, the best option: use a vpn, dns services.

The Internet is supposed to be a global network that links the entire world, but many websites are confined to specific countries . Unsurprisingly, piracy is higher in countries where content isn't legally available.

These are the ways people around the world are actually accessing that geo-blocked content today. If you live outside the US, this will get you a lot---and even US residents might want to access BBC iPlayer or a similar service sometimes.

Related: How to Change Country or Region in the Google Play Store

VPNs are the best option for accessing content that is blocked in your own country because they allow you to tunnel your traffic through an encrypted connection and come out on the other side. For example, if you wanted to access US-based services, you'd need a server based in the US with enough upload and download bandwidth for you.

That's what a VPN server is. Some VPNs may offer free services that are throttled to work very slowly or limit you to a certain amount of bandwidth, but those won't work too well if you're using them to watch Netflix, so you're going to need to spend a little bit of money, but VPNs are very cheap these days.

There are lots of VPNs out there to choose from, but for bypassing geographic restrictions and allowing you to watch something from another country, we've had the best luck with these two VPNs, which we've tested extensively for watching streaming media and services from another country:

ExpressVPN is fast, easy to use, and cheap. Many of us here at How-To Geek have used and trusted it for years. We highly recommend it.

StrongVPN isn't quite as user-friendly as Express, but since it's less well-known and is also blazing fast, we've had very good luck using Strong to bypass geographic restrictions and watch content.

Both of these clients have easy ways to switch between countries, can connect with a single click, and they've both got 30-day money-back guarantees, so if one of them doesn't work for the particular service you're trying to get to, you can get your money back and try the other one.

Related: How to Choose the Best VPN Service for Your Needs

Those are our favorites, but feel free to search around and look for the best VPN provider for you . If you're a geek, you can always create your own VPN server on a hosting service, which could save you a bit of money. Or, if you have access to an SSH server in the country you want to access the service from, you could potentially use SSH tunneling instead of a VPN.

When you activate the VPN, all your Internet activity will be sent through it. It's best to activate it only when you need to use a service that's blocked in your country and leave it disabled the rest of the time.

Things have changed a lot since this article was first published, and DNS tricks don't work for bypassing most services anymore, and most of the solutions out there are either gone or cost the same as a VPN that offers you much more for your money.

Some services work through some DNS wizardry. Change the DNS server on your computer---or home router, if you want to change it network-wide. When you access a geo-blocked site like netflix.com, the DNS server will redirect some of your traffic through a tunnel. In short, the remote server thinks you're accessing it from the appropriate country and it will just work.

The nice thing about this type of solution is that will work for all devices on your network (if you enable it on your router). Better yet, it's not something you have to flip on and off. It just works when you go to access a geo-blocked website and doesn't do anything to the rest of your traffic.

Tunlr was a popular free option here, but it's been shut down---turns out it's expensive to run such a free service for everyone on the Internet who wants in! UnoTelly's UnoDNS and Unblock-Us work similarly, but cost about $5 a month.

Related: 7 Reasons to Use a Third-Party DNS Service

If you're a geek, you can set this sort of thing up on your own as long as you have a server based in the appropriate country---probably the US. Use the netproxy Docker image or check out tunlr-style-dns-unblocking for a real do-it-yourself solution.

Related: Docker for Beginners: Everything You Need to Know

UPDATE : Hola was caught doing some very shady things . Please don't use them.

Hola was one of the most popular ways to access geo-blocked websites, and there's no sense in ignoring that. This is primarily because it's free and easy to install.

Hola, formerly known as "Hola Unblocker" and now known as "Hola Better Internet," is available in a variety of forms. It offers browser extensions for Chrome and Firefox, and these can be easily installed with a few clicks. After, just click the Hola icon on your browser's toolbar and select a country. It'll route your browsing activity through IP addresses in that country. This means you can access the US Netflix library from your current country, or the UK-based BBC iPlayer website from USA, for example.

Related: Cutting the Cord: Can Buying Episodes and Watching TV Online Be Cheaper Than Cable?

A caution: We're not the biggest fans of invasive browser extensions here, or software that sends your web browsing through other servers. Hola also uses your computer's idle bandwidth to help other users---that's how it's free. You're sharing bandwidth with other people. But there's no getting around this sort of thing if you want to route your browsing activity through other locations and you don't want to pay anything. Just be sure to disable Hola when you aren't using it.

If you're particularly worried, you could install Hola in a separate browser or browser profile. For example, if you use Chrome for most things, you could install Hola in Firefox and use Firefox only for this sort of thing.

Netflix works very well with these solutions. if you have a Netflix account from any country, you can access it from the US using one of these services and get instant access to the US Netflix library. Services that don't require any sort of sign-up should work similarly well. Some services may require a US-based payment method to sign up---that can give you more trouble.

Related: Why Do Streaming Sites Geo-Block Their Content?

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Accessing U.S. Internet Sites From Overseas

“Kathleen, in doing my due diligence for moving overseas I have come across some comments that indicate that, when you move to another country, in order to access a website back in the United States, you must buy a new IP address so that your computer will be recognized by U.S. sites. Just wanted to know if that is true or not?”

–Nanette W., United States

No, it’s not true. Living in another country, you don’t generally have to have a U.S. IP to access U.S. Internet sites. You’ll be able to access almost all sites anywhere in the world from anywhere in the world.

That said, some particular websites you may want to access do require you to have a U.S. IP address…such as your bank’s website for managing certain transactions and Netflix. For these particular things, you’ll need a proxy IP address or a virtual private network (VPN), which you can get from a service starting at less than US$10 a month. USA Proxy .

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How To View Websites Based In The USA

A website that is based in the United States may be restricted, blocked, or unavailable from within another country. There are many different reasons why it may be blocked or unavailable. The country you are living in or visiting may not want you to see these websites because of religion, law, or similar.

Another reason is that the website detects your IP address and knows the country you are in and it automatically blocks you. At times, there can be mistakes where the country you are in has blocked a DNS address or website that was not on purpose. Countries around the world have been known to block hundreds of DNS addresses that are based in the USA just to be safe.

Blocked websites can be a social media (Facebook) or news site (CNN) and also streaming media services like YouTube, Hulu, or Netflix. So, assuming there has been an error and you feel you should be able to view the USA website, we have the answer on how to access ANY American website!

The answer to easily access a US based website is?

Method #1: Use Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox with the Media Hint extension to get past international website restrictions . This is the easiest way to access a US website from outside the US .

Method #2: Use a proxy website. These websites hide your IP address thus tricking the website into showing you the content from the USA. Try these different websites to help you hide your ip address automatically (these sites will encrypt your IP address too!) : 1. https://www.filterbypass.me/

Method #3: Using any version of Microsoft Windows, you can go into the start menu and find the exact IP address needed to access the USA website. 1. Hover over the bottom left of the screen “start” button and left click. 2. Click where it says “run” (if it does not say “run”, then type “run” into the text box at the bottom). 3. Type “cmd” into the “run” box then click “ok”. 4. Then type the name of the website in the command prompt which you want to open. Like this = ping website.com (Example for Facebook is = ping facebook.com ) 5. Once you enter the website as shown above, the IP address will appear.

6. Copy the IP address and Paste it into the browsers address bar to get access. 7. You should now have access to the USA based website.

Have a better tip or method to access USA based websites? Please leave a comment below.

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How to Change Browser Location Country

Many video streaming sites are geo-restricted. For instance, Hulu, Pandora, Spotify, Sling TV etc,  are only available in the US, while BBC iPlayer is only available in the UK.

Now, there are 2 ways, any website find out where you are browsing from – your IP address and your browser’s location.

While you can easily change your IP address, by using any VPN, it’s not easy to change browser location.

For example, the other day, I was browsing CBS with a VPN, and everything worked fine. But, when I decided to watch local channels on CBS,  it showed me a popup asking for my browser location. When I clicked on Allow, it says the content is not available in my location.

Read:  How to Watch American TV Abroad Online in 4 Simple Step

Change Browser Location Country on Chrome

Up until now, I was using “ Manual Geolocation ” Chrome extension to fix this problem, but after the new “HTML 5 Geolocation API” update, none of those extension seems to work. But here is a simple fix using Chrome Developer Tools

To test this, you can use mylocation.org and there you’ll see two types of location – public IP address and browser geolocation . The public IP address can easily be changed with the VPN. For instance, if I turn ON any VPN and switch to the US server, the IP address switched to that of the US.

Next, click on the Browser Geolocation tab and click on Start   Test.  You’ll notice, even though you have the VPN running in the background, your browser location will still show you your original location.

Read:  4 Free VPN That Works With Netflix (2018)

Click the three vertical dot button on the top right corner, and then click the “ Sensors ” option from More tools  option.

Read:  Chrome Developer Tools: 10 Useful Tips To Use It Like Pro

Now enter your location based on latitude and longitude, if you don’t know these values, you can always use Google maps. Or just select the name the of the city like Mountain View  by clicking on the box next to Geolocation . Now, Reload the page, allow location data in the pop-up window, and you’ll see that the map zeroes into the location you selected.

Before you test it on the streaming website, make sure you log out of your previous session or open the website in incognito.  Next change the browser GPS location with the same workaround. And now if I refresh the page, and click on allow location, This time, you’ll be able to stream local stations. Change GPS location on Android

Change Browser Location Country on Firefox

To change location on Firefox, you can use the browser addon –  Location Guard . It’s available for Firefox 38.0 and higher. Simply install the addon and restart the browser.

Once installed, click the Location Guard extension icon in your browser and select Option .

This will open the options menu in a new tab. Click extension options (3 horizontal lines) and select Fixed Location.  Click on the map or drag the marker to set a new fixed location. Now, the extension will always show a predefined fixed location that never changes (instead of generating a fake location which is made to do by default).

Close the options menu tab and return to the page where you would like to change your location. Refresh the page and your location should change now.

Change Browser Location Country on Android

The same workaround works for Android as well, For example, I’m not able to completely use Sling TV app outside the US, if I don’t give it location permission. Simply, download a Fake GPS app from Play Store , give it permission from the developer settings. Set the location to California and run it. Now, if I open the Sling app and give it location permission, everything should work fine.

Hopefully, this will help you to stream your fav local channels or access your favorite service from any part of the world. Unfortunately, there is no permanent way to change location in Chrome, the extension used to make it easy, but they don’t work now. So, I guess, you’ll have to do this manually each time.

Read: How To Watch HBO NOW Outside US

Mrinal Saha

Mrinal is a tech geek who spends half of his day reading and writing about tech. While the nights are spent on shooting or editing YouTube videos. Feel free to geek out with him on-

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How to Access Blocked Websites From Overseas

Many popular websites are only available for specific countries. The reasons for blocking vary and could even be two-way. For one, it could be the site’s prerogative not to share content with people from specific countries, whether for legal reasons or because the content is not applicable for another country.

It could also be a form of censorship. At least 25 countries block certain websites so that their citizens could not access them. The reasons range from political, to cultural and social causes, to simple censorship.

Regardless of the reasons why they’re blocked, it may be possible to access blocked websites anyway. Here are some methods you could try:

1. Use anti-censorship tools.

The good news is that there are groups of programmers and developers who make it their life’s work to combat censorship in any form. They have come up with a lot of tools that could help you bypass these blocks.

Free online proxy sites.

If you do a quick Google search of online proxy websites, you will probably get dozens of websites that allow you to access blocked websites for free. The best thing about these services is that you only use the browser to visit the blocked sites; you do not have to download and install anything on your computer.

Some of the most widely used free online proxy sites:

After you find a proxy site, all you have to do is enter the URL of the blocked site. You should be able to access the site with no problems.

It works because the site thinks that you are from another country, such as the United States or the United Kingdom, as the online proxy service is presenting a UK or US-based IP.

Free proxy software

A proxy software works very much like online proxy sites, but you would need to download and/or install it onto your machine to use it. You may want to be very thorough with the virus and malware scanning before doing so.

The good news with proxy software is that it often has higher traffic limits and can allow you to do more things than an online proxy site.

Examples of proxy software:

Virtual private networks

With a virtual private network (VPN) you will be accessing a network that works just like the Internet. You will be using your own Internet access to connect to the VPN, and the VPN in turn will allow you to access blocked websites.

To better understand how a VPN works, think of it as a computer that can access the blocked sites you have. You then use your own computer to access that computer remotely. Once you’re in, there are no more blocked sites.

There are free VPNs on the Internet that you can access either through your browser or by downloading and installing software. Some of the most popular include ProXPN, OpenVPN and HotSpotShield .

2. Access blocked websites indirectly.

If you need content on these sites, and could not successfully connect to a VPN or find proxy programs on the Internet, there are several ways to view these sites indirectly. Here are some suggestions:

Google Translate

Type in the URL of the blocked site you have into the translate box and you can view the blocked site in the translated portion of the page.

Google Cache

When indexing Web pages, Google keeps a copy of it in its cache, so all you have to do is search for the blocked website and click on the link that says “Cached” in the search results.

If the blocked website has an RSS feed, you can still view the blocked pages using an RSS reader. All you have to do is add the RSS feed to the reader.

If your favorite blocked website does not have an RSS feed, you can simply create an RSS feed for it using a service similar to Page2RSS . You just have to enter the URL into the box to generate an RSS feed for it, then add it to your reader.

The next time you need to access a website from another country and find out you’re blocked from accessing it, try any of these methods and see which one works best and most conveniently for you. Don’t forget to come back here and share your experiences to let us know how it worked for you.

Image credit: ProXPN , Bilingual Access Forbiden Sign On Rope by BigStockPhoto

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Michael Gabriel L. Sumastre is the owner of TheFinestWriter.com . He is a freelance technology writer, technical writer and tech blogger for hire since 2005. He started his professional career as an SEO writer. Michael loves to talk and write about technology. He has a bachelor's degree in computer science and knows how to code. Michael also contributes several tech articles to different websites. His hobbies include riding sportsbike, playing with PS3, traveling the countryside and reading newspapers and magazines.

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How can I access restricted UK sites when I’m overseas?

Chris spends half each year in France and wants to use a proxy server to access sites in the UK

I live in France for six months of the year. I want to use various UK sites, but some don’t allow that because my ISP gives my PC a French IP address and the UK site then blocks my requests. Recently a friend recommended a VPN, which I’ve tried and found it works well. But I don’t know what’s going on. For example, if I use a VPN, is it bypassing the French ISP that’s providing my broadband? If I use a VPN or a proxy server, are there advantages to using it all the time or do I just use it when I’m trying to access the blocked UK services? And finally, what are the advantages and disadvantages of a VPN or a proxy server? What would you recommend? Chris

A VPN is a “virtual private network,” and VPNs were typically used by big businesses to protect their data. For example, a company might have two large offices in different cities, perhaps in different countries. Each office would have its own internal computer network. They could connect the two networks by leasing phone lines to create a larger private network, but that would be expensive. Instead, they use software to connect them across the public internet. All the data that flows between them is encrypted, and could sometimes take different routes, so the bitstream is described as a “virtual” rather than a physical network connection.

A VPN can be set up in several different ways. The simplest type runs inside a web browser, at the application level. This is OK, but doesn’t protect any other things you do online, such as email and file transfer. The more comprehensive solution is a VPN that runs in the operating system and encrypts all your internet traffic. For more details, see my answer from May 2012: Using a VPN to protect your web use .

A “proxy server” is just a server that acts as a gateway, for one purpose or another. For example, a business or a school might use a proxy server to filter internet traffic, and block unwanted sites. Some proxy servers cache (keep copies of) frequently-requested pages to save fetching them numerous times. Anonymous proxies can be used to hide your origins and thus increase your privacy. In the old days, before TOR (The Onion Router) became widely known, you could hide your PC by accessing a website via a chain of anonymous proxies. These were easy to find by searching for free proxy servers .

As you have discovered, either a VPN or an anonymous proxy can enable you to use websites that have geographical restrictions. If a site only serves people based in the UK, then you can usually access it via a proxy/VPN server that is located in the UK. If the website was in the US or Japan, then you’d choose a server in the US or Japan.

Pros and cons of VPNs

The VPN’s main attraction is that it stops people watching what you’re doing on the net. Your school or company or local Wi-Fi hotspot provider will see a stream of encrypted traffic going to a remote server, but won’t be able to read it. This gets round attempts to block or censor websites such as Facebook and Hulu, or The Pirate Bay and similar torrent sites.

Two things suggest that VPNs will become increasingly popular. First, there’s the growing use of the internet for banking and other financial transactions, though these should already be protected by the use of SSL encryption (using https:// addresses). Second, there’s the growth of government intrusion, including censorship and spying.

The main drawbacks with VPNs are usually speed and -- with paid services -- cost. There’s a small overhead to the encryption and from going via an extra server, though you can only find the actual speed by trying it. If your ISP slows down certain kinds of traffic (“ traffic shaping ”), the VPN connection could even be faster. However, you will probably lose the benefits of any caches of popular content held locally by your ISP or on CDNs ( content delivery networks ) like the ones run by Akamai, Amazon and Microsoft.

Although a VPN prevents your ISP from watching you, it doesn’t stop the VPN provider (unless you use your VPN to access a second VPN). If privacy is your main concern, choose your VPN provider carefully. See Which VPN Services Take Your Anonymity Seriously? 2014 Edition at TorrentFreak. However, BitTorrent is not private , and even VPNs that defend your privacy may filter out torrent traffic in the UK and USA.

VPN providers typically have lots of rules about things that you are not allowed to do, and they can be expected to protect their own businesses rather than yours. For example, HideMyAss, which runs a popular VPN, naturally complied with a UK court order that revealed the identity of a LulzSec hacker. The company said in a blog post : “It is very naive to think that by paying a subscription fee to a VPN service you are free to break the law without any consequences.”

In the future, some websites may be pressured, either by governments or by record companies and Hollywood studios, not to accept connections from VPNs.

In general, it’s better to use a VPN than a free anonymiser or proxy server, if you are willing to pay for it. (A few have free services, including CyberGhost .) Whether it’s better to use the VPN all the time depends on how well it performs, and how concerned you are about protecting your privacy.

If the VPN is as fast or faster than your normal ISP connection, then it’s simpler to install a full VPN and use it all the time. However, I suspect it will be noticeably slower. If you’re not all that concerned about privacy, you can use the VPN to access banking and similar sites, and any websites or services where location is a problem. In this case, an in-browser VPN may be best.

Running a VPN is not as complicated as it used to be, thanks partly to proprietary connection programs targeted at beginners. But when things go wrong, connection problems can be tricky to solve.

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I keep being redirected to the US version of a site rather than the original site!

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• Last reply by jvitez

10 years ago

Recently I got hooked on reading articles from a UK site, but recently when I click on article links I'm automatically redirected to the American site and its content instead! I live in the US but hate the American site articles and much prefer the British ones. Initially my only solution was to stop the article while loading in order to remain on the desired article link but as of late that fails and I am automatically redirected to the American pages instead (ugh...).

I currently use Firefox 25.0 on Windows 7 Home Premium and have checked the "Warn me when websites try to redirect or reload the page" box under the Tools > Options > Advanced > General > Accessibility section but was still redirected. I have also installed the add-on Refresh Blocker v0.8 but was still redirected. The website is http://www.denofgeek.com but when I select an article on their main page or categories I'm redirected to the http://www.denofgeek.us "equivalent". As a precaution I have run a malware scan but came up clean and have deleted all cookies and temporary internet files, but once again it was all in vain.

Is there anything else I can do to avoid redirection? Or has this site officially lost a reader? Any help is well appreciated.

Chosen solution

I'm not sure why you are being redirected but here are some thoughts:

(1) In case your preference for .us is stored in a cookie -- rather than an account setting -- try clearing cookies for the site (this likely will terminate your session, so save any pending work first). While viewing a page on the site, try either:

• click the globe or padlock in the address bar > More Information > Security > "View Cookies"
• right-click the page > View Page Info > Security > "View Cookies"
• Tools menu > Page Info > Security > "View Cookies"

In the dialog that opens, you can remove the site's cookies individually.

Any change when navigating from the home page?

(2) If you granted the site permission to access your location, turn that off. You can access site-specific permissions while viewing a page on the site using the Page Info dialog. Either:

• click the globe or padlock in the address bar > More Information > Permissions
• right-click the page > View Page Info > Permissions
• Tools menu > Page Info > Permissions

(See screen shot regarding Location permission)

(3) If the site uses your preferred language to redirect, you could add en-GB and re-order your languages. However, this could lead to strange results on other sites. If you want to try it, access the Languages dialog from Content options here:

orange Firefox button (or Tools menu) > Options > Content > Choose button

All Replies (3)

• Top 10 Contributor

Chosen Solution

By the way, "Updated Ad Blocker for Firefox 11+" has not been updated for a very long time. The "Adblock Plus" extension now is much more current and may work better for you. (I don't use either one myself.)

Thank you for your reply! Solution 1 worked like a charm, but to prevent this from happening I went with your advice #2 and blocked access to my location.

I appreciate the help :)

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What are you looking for, see things differently, welcome to britain.

Discover inventive new experiences and captivating stories in 2024, brought together with a dose of British flair. From exploring film settings and pioneering cultural spaces to countryside trails and relaxing wellness retreats, it’s all happening on our shores and you’re invited!

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Whether it’s getting a feel for our vibrant cultural cities, embarking on a coastal adventure, or discovering locations made famous by film and TV, it’s time to experience Britain differently.

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19 Best Places to Visit in the UK

Written by Bryan Dearsley Updated Jun 8, 2023

Consisting of England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, the United Kingdom (UK) has long been one of the world's most popular tourist destinations. For most travelers, like me, the country's appeal has as much to do with its diverse scenery as it does its rich cultural heritage. In fact, the best places to visit in the UK include everything from beautifully preserved country estates and picturesque castles to its many big city art galleries and museums.

You'll find one of the greatest pleasures of a UK vacation, however, is just how easy it is for you to explore this fascinating, diverse, and relatively small country. The UK could easily fit into the state of Texas with room to spare, so you can base yourself in a couple of cities and simply take a train, bus, or ferry to explore other areas.

One of my favorite day trips from London , for example, is to take the 90-minute train ride to beautiful Salisbury . Once there, you're only a short bus ride or tour away from one of the country's most recognizable attractions, Stonehenge. Want to hop between the Scottish cities of Edinburgh and Glasgow ? A one-hour train ride will deposit you in the heart of either city.

Sure, the UK can seem like a very busy travel destination. But plan your sightseeing adventures carefully with my list of the best places to visit in the UK and you'll have no problem making the most of your time.

1. London: The UK's All-in-One Destination

2. edinburgh: scotland's capital, 3. roman-era bath, 4. ancient stonehenge and medieval salisbury, 5. royal windsor, 6. idyllic england: the cotswolds, 7. the magical lake district, 8. medieval york and its minster, 9. the university towns of cambridge & oxford, 10. england's pilgrimage city: canterbury, 11. loch ness and inverness, 12. northern ireland's giant's causeway, 13. liverpool: home of the beatles, 14. manchester: england's football mad city, 15. cardiff: the capital of wales, 16. the channel islands, 17. glasgow & loch lomond, 18. snowdonia: wales' biggest mountains, 19. belfast.

While it's possible to plan a trip to the UK without actually visiting London, it's certainly not a recommendation I'd make. I typically begin my UK visits by spending a few days in the nation's sprawling capital while getting over my jet lag before venturing out to my planned final destination (or destinations).

There are plenty of attractions to keep you busy. Want to learn more about the UK's rich history? You're literally spoiled for choice here as London boasts more than 200 world-class museums and art galleries to explore.

In the City of London, the heart of the old Roman city, you'll find evidence of pretty much every period in history ever since. Some of the top attractions in London are located here, including the Tower of London .

Located beside the spectacular Tower Bridge on the banks of the River Thames , this former palace and prison includes highlights such as the iconic 1,000-year-old White Tower, with its fascinating displays of armor and weaponry, and the Jewel House, home to the Crown Jewels. I always make a return visit at sunrise or sunset to grab an iconic photo of the Tower of London framed by Tower Bridge.

If you're a fan of Britain's Royal Family, you'll want to head to Buckingham Palace , London's Royal home since Queen Victoria's reign. Here, you can enjoy the colorful pomp of the Changing of the Guard or even take a tour of the Palace's State Rooms. Spaces are limited, so be sure to book in advance as they're only open for a few weeks each year.

From here you can wander along the Thames to the city's Whitehall Road area. Here you'll find Big Ben and the Parliament Buildings , as well as Westminster Abbey, the scene of many a royal wedding.

Another area to visit in London is South Kensington, home to the city's best museums, including the Victoria and Albert Museum and the Natural History Museum , as well as the famous Harrods department store. Also check out Trafalgar Square , home to the iconic Nelson's Column and the National Portrait Gallery.

And be sure to make the most of London's excellent transport system. Whether you go by bus or by underground, the system's now so good that you can simply use a debit or credit card to tap in and out as you go. It really is very easy, and once you've mastered that famous map of the city's "Tube" network you'll be traveling like a Londoner.

One of the UK's most attractive cities, the capital city of Edinburgh is also one of the UK's most visited destinations. Popular for its many well-preserved historic buildings, Edinburgh is perhaps best known as the home of the majestic Edinburgh Castle .

Perched high above the old city on a rocky promontory, this 13th-century royal fortress includes highlights such as the famous One O'Clock Salute, held daily at Half Moon Battery, as well as the Scottish Crown Jewels in the Royal Palace . Also worth seeing are the Scottish National War Memorial and the famous Stone of Destiny , the Stone of Scone, which only returned to Scotland after being held for 700 years in London.

From the castle, I always find it easy to explore the other most important historic sites in the city. Follow your nose downhill from the castle to the Old Town via the famous Royal Mile , a delightful medieval cobbled street that's immensely fun to walk. Sure, there are plenty of the usual tacky tourist and souvenir shops, but skip these and look out for the area's fine old architecture, boutique shops, cafés, and restaurants, as well as trendy art galleries and studios.

Edinburgh Old Town is also where you'll find the splendid old Palace of Holyroodhouse . From here, I usually make my way to Princes Street and New Town before looping back around to the castle. This broad, more modern avenue was planned in the late 18th century and is extremely popular for its shopping and dining opportunities. It's also where you'll find attractions such as the Royal Botanical Garden and the National Gallery of Scotland.

Read More: Top Attractions & Places to Visit in Edinburgh

Although one of the UK's smaller cities, Bath more than makes up for its diminutive size with a multitude of things to see and do . Named after its famous Roman Baths, this beautiful city has been luring visitors like you and me to its healing waters for more than 2,000 years.

Gushing from three hot springs, the water-known to consist of 43 different minerals, hence its curative properties-travels upwards some 3,048 meters at a rate of 275,000 gallons per day, before spilling out at a consistent 46.5 degrees Celsius. It's a truly awesome sight, and also a little eerie to think that you're standing just feet away from the very hot springs that Romans and early Britons enjoyed some 2,000 years before you got here.

While it's not possible to bathe in the original Roman Baths (try it and you'll be arrested!), a number of nearby spas, most notably the modern Thermae Bath Spa , offer a unique opportunity to enjoy the city's famous waters. This must-do experience features a stunning rooftop pool using the same waters as the Roman Baths, and all with incredible views of city landmarks such as Bath Abbey .

In addition to its ancient history, Bath is also famous for its lovely Georgian architecture. The best examples can be seen along the magnificent, curved Royal Crescent, with its palatial townhomes. One of them, No.1 Royal Crescent , is now a museum that offers a fascinating peek into life during Georgian times.

While Bath is served by the same London rail service as the neighboring port city of Bristol , it's one of those increasingly forward-thinking cities that makes it easy for car drivers, too. My most recent visit in the summer of 2022 was via car, and I avoided traffic and hassle by parking at the extremely affordable Landsdowne Park and Ride facility on the outskirts of the city. Not only is it inexpensive with plenty of availability, but regular bus services will also whisk you away to the heart of the city in just 10 minutes.

Read More: From London to Bath: Best Ways to Get There

One of the planet's oldest World Heritage Sites , Stonehenge has been a place of pilgrimage for more than 4,500 years. It was believed to have been erected as a place of worship, but these days, the crowds consist of tourists drawn by the sheer scale of this magnificent monument to mankind's ingenuity.

It's a sprawling site, covering an area of more than 20 square kilometers and boasting a state-of-the-art visitor center. Here, you can catch a fascinating glimpse not only into the construction of Stonehenge but also its history since then.

But it does get busy, so be sure to plan well ahead and purchase a timed ticket for the day of your visit. Better still, splurge a little on one of the attraction's new VIP admission packages . This unforgettable experience guarantees your spot on a fun "Stone Circle Experience" that includes free time to wander the site on your own. The verdict? It's a must-do.

Be sure to also spend time exploring the nearby medieval city of Salisbury , located just 16 kilometers south of Stonehenge. You'll be rewarded with a chance to visit one of the country's most famous cathedrals, dating back to 1220 and home to an original Magna Carta .

Afterward, spend time wandering the old city center with its many fine churches and historic medieval architecture. Not only are there a number of first-rate places to stay here (I'm partial to the Mercure Salisbury White Hart Hotel for its central location and 4-star quality and cleanliness), but great little intimate eateries like the Cosy Club on Crane Street. The food here is home-cooked, locally sourced, tasty... and served in an extremely patriotic British setting.

Read More: From London to Stonehenge: Best Ways to Get There

The historic town of Windsor, conveniently located a short train ride west of Central London, offers plenty of fun attractions for tourists . In addition to its lovely Thames-side setting and the many medieval half-timbered buildings along its quaint old cobblestone laneways, it's also home to spectacular Windsor Castle , the most famous of the UK's royal castles.

This grand old castle has served as the summer residence of British royalty for more than a millennium. It was started by William the Conqueror in 1078 and is the world's largest inhabited castle. Highlights include the splendid State Apartments containing the Queen's Gallery and dining hall, each with magnificently painted ceilings and woodcarvings, and St. George's Chapel, famous as the home of the Knights and Ladies of the ancient Order of the Garter.

When you've had your fill of these historic buildings, be sure to also spend time exploring the castle's large and beautiful grounds, almost 10 kilometers long. You'll enjoy some truly memorable panoramic views over Windsor and its castle, and a number of picnic areas, some with barbecue grills, are available if you want to stop awhile.

Traveling with kids? Another area attraction worth visiting is Legoland Windsor . This fun family resort, set on 150 acres of parkland and just a short bus ride from Windsor town center, even boats a modern Lego-themed hotel if you're looking to make a weekend of it.

Also worth seeing is Royal Ascot , the UK's most famous horse-racing venue. While you might want to try to time your trip to coincide with the Royal Meeting held each June, you'll find yourself fighting often huge crowds, all dressed to the nines, here for what is after all one of the most important events on the country's social calendar.

Read More: From London to Windsor: Best Ways to Get There

Covering almost 1,287 square kilometers of charming countryside, the beautiful Cotswolds is undoubtedly one of the most photographed corners of England. Its unrivaled pastoral scenery has earned it a reputation as one of the most beautiful places in the UK, ranking highly on many a traveler's bucket list.

Easy to get to from London and close to the popular tourist attractions of Bath and Bristol , the Cotswolds includes some of the best parts of the counties of Oxfordshire, Gloucestershire, Somerset, Wiltshire, Warwickshire, and Worcestershire.

Why visit? Well, if you're anything like me, you're here to experience a true taste of rural English life and explore its many quaint villages . You'll want to include the idyllic village of Bourton-on-the-Water on your Cotswolds itinerary. Nicknamed the "Venice of the Cotswolds," this popular vacation spot boasts a charming river setting and countless well-preserved cottages, some dating back to the 15th century, and all just begging to be photographed.

One of the most popular ways to do this is via the area's extensive trail network, including the excellent 164-kilometer-long Cotswold Way. Other fun things to do include horseback riding and biking, or simply soaking up the history of popular market towns such as Castle Combe or Tetbury.

Located in the northeast of England not far from the border with Scotland , the spectacular Lake District in Cumbria covers an area of 1,448 square kilometers. Not only is it considered one of the most magical places to visit in the UK for its beautiful scenery, its reputation as a place of romance and great culture will forever be associated with its most famous former resident, Beatrix Potter.

It was Potter who in fact led the way with the conservation efforts that have preserved so much of the Lake District when she bequeathed her estate to the National Trust. Her one-time home near Sawrey, Hill Top , can and should be visited for its exhibits and artifacts.

Her legacy also set the stage for the establishment of Lake District National Park . Encompassing 12 of the country's largest lakes including Windermere and Ullswater, the two biggest and best known, this beautiful region is another famous place in the UK that's great to explore on foot. All told the park boasts more than 3,218 kilometers of hiking and walking trails, so be sure to pack your hiking boots.

Other things to do in the Lake District include visiting Scafell Pike , at 978 meters the highest mountain in England. And, of course, there is no end of picturesque towns and villages to explore, including Grasmere .

Read More: From London to the Lake District: Best Ways to Get There

One of northern England's most popular tourist destinations, the medieval city of York, long the ecclesiastical capital of the Church of England, boasts one of the country's most magnificent cathedrals. The country's largest medieval church, York Minster can trace its roots back to the spread of Christianity in the 3rd century, although the splendid present Gothic structure was built almost 1,000 years later.

One of the best ways to get to see this historic landmark is via an official guided tour . I recommend you book in advance, and spend a little time reviewing the available choices to find one best suited to your interests. I opted for the fascinating "Tower Trip" option, a little more expensive but well worth the cost for the magnificent city views.

Other highlights of a visit to York Minster include seeing its spectacular 14th-century stained glass windows, plus the richly decorated interiors of the choir and north transept. You'll also want to visit the crypt, which contains parts of the original 11th-century church the cathedral now stands on.

Another York landmark worth exploring is the historic City Walls . I make a point of strolling this nearly five-kilometer-long structure each and every time I visit the city. Not only is it good exercise, but it's also a fun way to circle around the old medieval city center without the crowds.

Along the way, you'll enjoy excellent views over The Shambles , a narrow 14th-century roadway that's famous for its fine old timber-framed buildings, many of which hang over the street below. It's also an area known for its many restaurants and tearooms, as well as its many boutique shops and galleries.

York also boasts a number of major museums, the most popular being the National Railway Museum . Highlights of this museum's vast collection include many fine old steam engines dating as far back as 1820, plus a unique collection of Royal Trains. The museum also offers an excellent afternoon tea experience in the historic Countess of York railway carriage, bookable in advance.

• Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in York, England
• From London to York: Best Ways to Get There

The UK has long been a center of learning, with two of its most famous university towns also ranking highly as tourist destinations. An easy commute north of London and just 128 kilometers apart, Cambridge and Oxford have for centuries been rivals for the title of the country's top academic establishment, a rivalry celebrated during the famous rowing event, The Boat Race , which takes place each spring on the River Thames .

Despite this generally good-spirited rivalry, each location offers plenty of attractions to make them worthwhile additions to your UK travel itinerary. Highlights of a visit to Cambridge include the chance to wander the UK's largest collection of preserved historic buildings, many of them located within an easy walk of Cambridge University ' s 31 colleges, the oldest of which was founded in 1284.

In addition to touring the stunning college grounds (only a handful of the university's buildings offer tours), you should also take a punt along the River Cam. This must-do activity is something of a Cambridge ritual, and chances are you'll even be "punted" along by a university student willing to share a little of their college experiences.

As with most popular tourist destinations, however, a little advance planning will ensure you find a reputable company for your punting tour. Licensed operators to consider include Cambridge Punt Company , which also offers a private romantic evening tour; and Scholars Punting , which features a fun picnic hamper package worth considering. In both cases, you can keep the cost down by joining a shared tour.

Oxford University's 38 colleges are equally fun to explore. These historic old places of learning are each set around a quadrangle and several inner courtyards along with chapels, dining halls, libraries, and student residences, some of which offer unique tourist accommodation packages, too. Like most UK tourist sites, they do get extremely busy in summer so be sure to book your visit in advance if you can to avoid disappointment.

Other Oxford highlights include the Carfax Tower, with its fine views over the city center, and the many fine old buildings of the town's High Street .

Pay a visit to historic Canterbury in Kent, and you'll soon discover why this beautiful city continues to be such a draw for visitors to the UK.

An easy hour's train ride from central London, Canterbury has been a draw for visitors for centuries. The first visitors were religious pilgrims who have in fact been visiting for more than 1,500 years, ever since St. Augustine first started converting pagan Anglo-Saxons to Christianity here in AD 597.

The city's most famous attraction is Canterbury Cathedral , the home church of the Archbishop of Canterbury. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this stunning cathedral offers plenty to see, from the intricately carved masonry of its exterior to its magnificent interior, a highlight of which is the beautiful choir with its statues of six English kings. Also of note are the exquisite Miracle Windows, dating from the 12th century and depicting scenes from the life of murdered Archbishop Thomas Becket .

Afterward, be sure to spend time wandering the pedestrianized area of Old City Canterbury with its many preserved, historic timber-framed buildings, particularly along Mercery Lane. Be sure to include the excellent Canterbury Roman Museum on your itinerary. It was built around the remains of an original Roman townhouse and its unique mosaic.

Read More: From London to Canterbury: Best Ways to Get There

Despite the fact that the legends of mythical monsters have largely been debunked (just don't tell the locals), spectacular Loch Ness remains an extremely popular tourist attraction for travelers heading to Scotland. While it's unlikely you'll encounter any monsters, you will, however, be rewarded with seeing some of the UK's most beautiful scenery.

Highlights of Loch Ness include the ruins of Urquhart Castle . Set overlooking the loch, it's one of Scotland's largest fortifications, with the current structure dating from the 14th century. For those wanting to learn more about the area's many legends, the Loch Ness Centre and Exhibition recounts its history, along with that of its monster, including details of ongoing searches for the elusive creature.

A little farther north is Inverness. This lovely city boasts numerous excellent attractions, including Inverness Castle, the Inverness Museum and Art Gallery, and the late 19th-century St. Andrew's Cathedral.

History buffs should also check out the Culloden Battlefield and Visitors Centre . It was in Culloden in 1746 that the English and Scots fought their last battle and where the fate of Scotland as a British dominion was determined. Also of interest are the gravestones of warriors from the Scottish clans, as well as the six-meter-high Memorial Cairn erected in 1881 to commemorate the battle.

• From Glasgow to Loch Ness: Best Way to Get There
• From Edinburgh to Loch Ness: Best Ways to Get There

It's sometimes a little too easy to forget that the UK includes a tiny little piece of Ireland . Northern Ireland, consisting of the northeast corner of the "Emerald Isle," can easily be included on a trip to either country and is well worth taking the time to explore.

My favorite among the many Northern Ireland attractions worth visiting is the magnificent Giant's Causeway, a stunningly beautiful natural feature that looks anything but natural. Just a short drive from the capital of Belfast , this UNESCO World Heritage Site is made up of unusual columns of layered basalt that jut upwards out of the sea and shoreline like some giant's staircase, hence their name.

All told, there are some 4,000 of these polygonal-shaped steps to see and clamber over. Formed over 60 million years ago during a period of intense volcanic activity, it's a truly impressive sight, and easy to see how local legends of giants could so easily have sprung up as a result.

A modern visitor center has been opened here and provides fascinating details about the reality and the myths behind this bucket-list attraction. Guided tours can be arranged, and be sure to make use of the audio guides that are provided with admission. Tickets can be booked online in advance to avoid disappointment.

Address: 44 Causeway Road, Bushmills, Antrim, Northern Ireland

Read More: From Dublin to Giant's Causeway: Best Ways to Get There

Liverpool , under three hours away from London by rail, offers plenty of cultural excitement for the curious traveler. It's also well-known for its role in giving rise to the English music legacy, not least because of its association with the Beatles .

Music fans are drawn here first and foremost for "Fab Four"-related attractions, such as The Beatles Story located in the renovated Albert Docks area. Also worth seeing are the famous Cavern Club, where the band made its debut in 1961, as well as the former homes of John Lennon and Paul McCartney. Numerous walking tours and bus tours of Beatles sites are also readily available.

Other great reasons to visit Liverpool include its many historic buildings, lovely gardens, and parks, as well as great museums such as the Merseyside Maritime Museum , the Museum of Liverpool , and world-class art galleries like the Walker Art Gallery and the Tate Gallery . These are all located in the city's revitalized Royal Albert Dock area, an historic area enjoyed exploring on foot.

Thanks to its international airport, Manchester is often the first stop for many visitors from North America planning to explore northern England, Scotland, or Wales. It's especially popular for fans of the sport of football (that's soccer to those from the US, including Ted Lasso!).

Manchester is, in fact, home to two top football clubs: Manchester United and Manchester City. Both are well represented in the must-visit National Football Museum , as are other popular teams from around the UK. Along with displays of memorabilia, trophies, and clothing, fun short movies explain the history of the sport and capture many of its defining moments.

Be sure to also visit at least one Manchester club's stadium, too. The best known is Manchester United's Old Trafford grounds, though Manchester City's Etihad Stadium is also worth seeing. Both offer fascinating tours and behind-the-scenes access. Better still, try to visit when there's a game on!

Other notable places to visit in Manchester include Castlefield , popular for its well-preserved Victorian houses, canals, and Roman ruins. It's also popular to explore on foot for its many old warehouses now serving as trendy shops, hotels, and restaurants.

If you've got time left in your Manchester itinerary, be sure to include Manchester Cathedral and the historic Town Hall. There's also a rich cultural scene that includes museums (Museum of Science and Industry), galleries (Manchester Art Gallery), and entertainment (Chinatown).

Despite being much smaller than both Scotland and England, Wales is home to some of the UK's top attractions. Interesting things to do here range from exploring the breathtaking scenery and enjoying outdoor adventures in its national parks to visiting its historic castles.

One of the best places to sample a little of everything that Wales has to offer is the country's capital, Cardiff , with most travelers beginning their visit at Cardiff Castle . Located in the middle of the city and built on the ruins of an ancient Roman fort, parts of the current structure date as far back as 1090, with much of it restored in the 1800s. Highlights include the State Apartments, the Clock Tower, the Chapel, and a spectacular Banqueting Hall with its fine murals.

Afterward, be sure to spend time wandering the city's many old Victorian shopping arcades, the best of which can be found around The Hayes. You'll find everything from second-hand record stores to boutique clothing shops and custom jewelers to browse.

Also worth checking out is Cardiff Bay. One of the UK's largest redevelopment projects, this vast area is now home to numerous fine restaurants, theaters, galleries, and shopping opportunities, many of them housed in former warehouses on lovely Mermaid Quay.

Read More: Top-Rated Day Trips from Cardiff

Although just 14 miles away from mainland France , the Channel Islands have been a British territory since 1066. One of the most picture-perfect destinations in the country, these attractive small islands not only boast a milder climate but offer great places to visit that don't get the large crowds like other parts of the country.

The Channel Islands comprise Jersey (the largest island), Guernsey, Alderney, Sark, and Herm (the smallest), along with numerous even tinier islands. The intrepid traveler will also be rewarded with everything from quaint seaside towns and villages to explore, historic castles and ruins (sometimes one and the same), as well as outdoor adventures and wildlife spotting.

As for getting here, the Channel Islands are well served by ferries from mainland England, as well as short flights from most major British airports.

Read More: Exploring the Top Attractions of the Channel Islands

The Scottish city of Glasgow is a great place to visit for those who enjoy a mix of cultural attractions and the great outdoors. Once you've had your fix of historic sites such as Glasgow Cathedral and the museums of the University of Glasgow, among others, head out to explore nearby Loch Lomond .

Loch Lomond was dubbed "The Queen of Scottish Lakes" by famed writer Walter Scott, and it's here you'll see Ben Lomond and the beautiful Trossachs countryside. Trossachs National Park now includes Loch Lomond itself and covers some 720 square miles of prime hiking and biking country.

It's also popular for its fishing and boating, including sailing, canoeing, and kayaking. For true outdoor enthusiasts, Loch Lomond is the perfect spot for a "wild camping" adventure. Not only is it safe, you're never too far away from people if you need them. And, of course, you'll agree that the scenery here is even more beautiful when you have it all to yourself.

Read More: Top-Rated Attractions & Things to Do in Glasgow

Not only does the Snowdonia region of Wales boast some of the country's most remarkable scenery — and that's saying something, as it really is a beautiful country — it's also home to the UK's second largest national park: Snowdonia National Park. Spread across nearly 830 square miles, the park is as big a draw for adventurers as it is for those seeking a pleasant and not-too-exhausting day trip.

If you're a hiker you can choose from a variety of trails that wind their way up (and down) Mount Snowdon itself, spending a full day tackling as difficult a route to the top as you desire. And those like me who want to see the spectacular views from the top without all the hard work can take the Snowdon Mountain Railway .

Considered one of the world's top scenic railways, the journey starts in Llanberis before tackling steep inclines up to the "Eryri" visitor center at the top of Snowdon.

Read More: Top-Rated Attractions & Things to Do in Snowdonia

Once omitted from the itineraries of most travelers to the UK, Belfast, the capital city of Northern Ireland, has in recent years become something of a must-see destination. Not only are there numerous historic attractions and cultural experiences to enjoy, but the city's people have the same welcoming attitude that the European nation of Ireland to the south is known for.

One of the city's top claims to fame was its role in the building of the ill-fated ocean liner, RMS Titanic . This connection is celebrated and memorialized in the city's Titanic Quarter , home to the impressive Titanic Belfast attraction. Here, you can explore interactive exhibits that deal not only with the vessel, but the thousands of people involved in its construction and, ultimately, its sinking.

More on England

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Metro Phoenix drivers can expect weekend highway closures on I-10, Loop 101, and more

Metro Phoenix drivers traveling between Phoenix, Tempe and Chandler this weekend should expect notable closures and detours, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation's weekend freeway travel advisory.

The westbound Interstate 10 will be closed between Loop 202 and U.S. 60 from 10 p.m. Friday to 4 a.m. Monday for paving and bridge work, and the southbound Loop 101 will be closed between Guadalupe and Ray Roads from 9 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday, among other closures in the valley.

Watch the detour video for more on closures and how to avoid them.

Westbound I-10 closed between Loop 202 and US 60

A detour will be available using the eastbound Loop 202 to northbound Loop 101, to westbound U.S. 60 or westbound Loop 202 to access westbound I-10 beyond the closure.

The advisory said drivers heading to the West Valley can avoid the I-10 closure by using the Loop 202 west and north to connect with the I-10 at 59th Avenue.

Between Broadway Road and 48th Street, the westbound I-10 will be narrowed to three lanes.

Additional ramps will be closed as well:

• The westbound I-10 on-ramps at Wild Horse Pass Boulevard/Sundust Road, Chandler Boulevard and Ray, Warner and Elliot Roads.
• The westbound Loop 202 ramp to westbound I-10
• The eastbound Loop 202 ramp to westbound I-10
• The westbound I-10 on-ramp at Broadway Road

Southbound Loop 101 closed between Guadalupe and Ray roads

The southbound Loop 101 will be closed between Guadalupe and Ray Roads from 9 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday.

Both U.S. 60 on-ramps to southbound Loop 101 will be closed, as well as the on-ramps at Broadway and Baseline Roads.

A detour is available by exiting ahead of the closure and using the southbound Price frontage road before connecting with southbound Loop 101 beyond the closure. Other local routes include southbound Dobson Road or McClintock Drive, according to the advisory.

US 60 lanes narrowed near Wittmann

The U.S. 60 will be narrowed to one lane in both directions between 163rd Avenue and Center Street from 11 p.m. Friday to 3 p.m. Saturday, and again from 11 p.m. Saturday to 3 p.m. Sunday for pavement sealing work.

The Deer Valley Road connection to the U.S. 60 will be closed as well.

Westbound U.S. 60 drivers can use the northbound Loop 303 to northbound Lake Pleasant Parkway and westbound State Route 74. Eastbound U.S. 60 drivers from Wickenburg can consider using eastbound State Route 74 to southbound Lake Pleasant Parkway and southbound Loop 303 to reach the U.S. 60.

Local drivers near 163rd Avenue can consider alternate routes including eastbound Happy Valley Road to access Loop 303/Happy Valley Parkway.

State Route 87 to be briefly closed

State Route 87 will be briefly closed between Lindsay and Stapley Drives periodically between these times:

• 9 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Saturday
• Noon Saturday to noon Sunday
• 8 p.m. Sunday to 5 a.m. Monday

The closures are for a Western Area Power Administration project, and law enforcement will be on site for intermittent closures of up to 15 minutes each time, according to the advisory.

Oklahoma man facing 12 years in Turks & Caicos prison released on bond, banned from travel

Ryan watson made bail a couple weeks after he was detained and arrested for ammo possession in turks & caicos. but he's not allowed to leave..

An American man facing 12 years in prison in Turks & Caicos after airport security found ammunition in his duffel bag won’t have to spend one more night in jail . For now.

Ryan Watson, 40, appeared before a court on Wednesday, agreeing to pay $15,000 to secure his release, according to a news alert from The Royal Turks & Caicos Islands Police Force. 

The court granted Watson's release about two weeks after he was initially detained and arrested. He's being released with a slew of stipulations, including being prohibited from leaving the archipelago nation. He also had to surrender his passport and travel documents to the court, and needs to report to police twice a week as his case moves through the system.

His next court hearing is set for June 7.

Here’s what we know.

Why were Ryan and Valerie Watson detained in the Turks and Caicos?

Ryan and Valerie Watson were in Turks & Caicos to celebrate the 40th birthdays of several friends in early April, USA TODAY reported.

The couple was trying to catch a flight back home on April 12, when airport security found four rounds of ammunition “unknowingly left in a duffel bag from a deer hunting trip,” according to a GoFundMe post made on behalf of the family. 

They were both questioned and subsequently charged with possession of ammunition, a charge that carries a minimum of 12 years in prison in Turks & Caicos.

The couple was stuck on the island without passports, unable to get back to their two young children, which left Valerie Watson “terrified.” 

“We can't both be in prison for 12 years. We have kids at home," she told WBTS-TV in Boston  "And this is such an innocent mistake that we ... didn't even know it was there. So yeah, my immediate thought was our kids and them being parentless for that long."

Ryan Watson maintains that it was a “bonehead mistake” on his part, not knowing that the ammunition rounds he typically uses to hunt whitetail deer were in his bag, the outlet reported.

Ultimately, the charges were dropped against Valerie Watson, who has returned to Oklahoma.

Oklahoma governor vouches for family: ‘Outstanding members of the community’ 

Days after the Watson family was detained, Republican Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt sent a letter to the Turks & Caicos Islands government in an attempt to get the home sooner.

“The Watsons are upstanding members of their community and the State of Oklahoma, and I can assure you countless others stand willing to confirm their high moral characters,” Stitt said.

He continued to say that the couple would never “intentionally break the law,” emphasizing the importance of having them return to Oklahoma so they can continue to serve the community, Valerie as a school teacher and Ryan as a medical product salesman.

 And so that their children, Van and Ellie, don’t have to face another day without both parents, he said.

Family creates GoFundMe to bring Ryan Watson home 

Close friends have created a GoFundMe on behalf of the Watson family to cover the costs of “mounting legal fees, living expenses, and the overwhelming stress of their situation.” 

Valerie Watson said that the strain her family is under is tremendous, telling WBTS-TV that it could “ruin them.” 

“We've already talked, and we're like, what if we lose our house? Which, when we moved to Oklahoma, we built a home that we thought was our forever home,” she said. 

The sentiment was echoed by Ryan Watson, who says “this is something that we may never recover from.” 

“The emotional and financial toll is immense, and they are at risk of losing everything,” the fundraiser description reads. 

The GoFundMe had raised about $196,000 of the $250,000 goal by Friday night. 

What happens next?

Valerie Watson and her children are awaiting her husband’s next court appearance, set for June 7.

Even though Ryan Watson “forgot” about the ammunition in his bag, he may not be able to leave the Turks & Caicos Islands without serving time. The government prohibits anyone, of status or origin, to possess a firearm, ammunition, or any other weapon.

There are exceptions to this, of course, but the court is still required to issue “both a sentence of imprisonment and a fine” that are in line with what the court would consider an “exceptional circumstance,” USA TODAY reported. 

The Turks & Caicos government stiffened the penalties for firearm possession in February, noting that there were a handful of cases involving "exceptional circumstances" that allowed accused people to get away with paying a fine. “exceptional circumstances."

Japanese Emperor Naruhito to pay state visit to UK, Buckingham Palace says

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Trump trial hears Michael Cohen was 'despondent' he was denied a government post

Donald Trump's longtime fixer Michael Cohen was upset not to be offered a top job in Trump's administration after the Republican businessman-turned-politician won the 2016 presidential election, according to testimony at Trump's criminal hush money trial.

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New laws to protect consumers from cyber criminals come into force in the UK

From today, regulations enforcing consumer protections against hacking and cyber-attacks will take effect, mandating that internet-connected smart devices meet minimum-security standards by law.

Graphic with copy states: "UK rolls out new security laws to safeguard consumers from cyber criminals"

• World-first laws protecting UK consumers and businesses from hacking and cyber-attacks take effect today   
• manufacturers of products such as phones, TVs and smart doorbells are now required to implement minimum security standards against cyber threats   
• consumers will benefit from banning of easily guessable default passwords, marking a significant leap in protecting individuals, society and the economy from cyber criminals 

Consumer protections against hacking and cyber-attacks will come into force today, as all internet connected smart devices will be required by law to meet minimum-security standards. 

Manufacturers will be legally required to protect consumers from hackers and cyber criminals from accessing devices with internet or network connectivity - from smartphones to games consoles and connected fridges - as the UK becomes the first country in the world to introduce these laws.  

Under the new regime, manufacturers will be banned from having weak, easily guessable default passwords like ‘admin’ or ‘12345’ and if there is a common password the user will be promoted to change it on start-up. This will help prevent threats like the damaging Mirai attack in 2016 which saw 300,000 smart products compromised due to weak security features and used to attack major internet platforms and services, leaving much of the US East Coast without internet. Since then, similar attacks have occurred on UK banks including Lloyds and RBS leading to disruption to customers. 

The move marks a significant step towards boosting the UK’s resilience towards cyber-crime, as recent figures show 99% of UK adults own at least one smart device and UK households own an average of nine connected devices. The new regime will also help give customers confidence in buying and using products, which will in turn help grow businesses and the economy.  

An investigation conducted by Which? showed that a home filled with smart devices could be exposed to more than 12,000 hacking attacks from across the world in a single week, with a total of 2,684 attempts to guess weak default passwords on just five devices.   

 Minister for Cyber, Viscount Camrose said:   

As every-day life becomes increasingly dependent on connected devices, the threats generated by the internet multiply and become even greater.  From today, consumers will have greater peace of mind that their smart devices are protected from cyber criminals, as we introduce world first laws that will make sure their personal privacy, data and finances are safe.    We are committed to making the UK the safest place in the world to be online and these new regulations mark a significant leap towards a more secure digital world. 

Data and Digital Infrastructure Minister, Julia Lopez, said: 

Today marks a new era where consumers can have greater confidence that their smart devices, such as phones and broadband routers, are shielded from cyber threats, and the integrity of personal privacy, data and finances better protected. Our pledge to establish the UK as the global standard for online safety takes a big step forward with these regulations, moving us closer to our goal of a digitally secure future.

OPSS Chief Executive, Graham Russell said:    

The use and ownership of consumer products that can connect to the internet or a network is growing rapidly. UK consumers should be able to trust that these products are designed and built with security in mind, protecting them from the increasing cyber threats to connectable devices.     As the UK’s product regulator, OPSS will be ensuring consumers can have that confidence by working with the industry to encourage innovation and compliance with these new laws.

NCSC Deputy Director for Economy and Society, Sarah Lyons said: 

Smart devices have become an important part of our daily lives, improving our connectivity at home and at work; however, we know this dependency also presents an opportunity for cyber criminals.   Businesses have a major role to play in protecting the public by ensuring the smart products they manufacture, import or distribute provide ongoing protection against cyber-attacks and this landmark Act will help consumers to make informed decisions about the security of products they buy.  I encourage all businesses and consumers to read the NCSC ’s point of sale leaflet , which explains how the new Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure ( PSTI ) regulation affects them and how smart devices can be used securely. 

With 57% of households owning a smart TV, 53% owning a voice assistant and 49% owning a smart watch or fitness wristband, this new regime reinforces the government’s commitments to addressing these threats to society and the economy head on.  

The laws are coming into force as part of the Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure ( PSTI ) regime, which has been designed to improve the UK’s resilience from cyber-attacks and ensure malign interference does not impact the wider UK and global economy.    

The new measures will also introduce a series of improved security protections to tackle the threat of cyber-crime:  

• Common or easily guessable passwords like ‘admin’ or ‘12345’ will be banned to prevent vulnerabilities and hacking  
• Manufacturers will have to publish contact details so bugs and issues can be reported and dealt with  
• Manufacturers and retailers will have to be open with consumers on the minimum time they can expect to receive important security updates  

Rocio Concha, Which? Director of Policy and Advocacy, said: 

Which? has been instrumental in pushing for these new laws which will give consumers using smart products vital protections against cyber criminals looking to launch hacking attacks and steal their personal information.  The OPSS must provide industry with clear guidance and be prepared to take strong enforcement action against manufacturers if they flout the law, but we also expect smart device brands to do right by their customers from day one and ensure shoppers can easily find information on how long their devices will be supported and make informed purchases.

David Rogers, CEO of Copper Horse, said:   

We started this work many years ago so that people would not have to understand lots about the security of connected product in order to be secure. Getting rid of things like default passwords that are set to ‘admin’ or ‘12345’ are fundamental basics.    Manufacturers should not be providing anyone with products like webcams that are so weak and insecure that they are trivial to hack into and takeover. This stops now and people can have greater confidence that the internet connected products that they buy have better security measures built-in to protect them.

The UK government has collaborated with industry leaders to introduce this raft of transformative protections, which also include manufacturers having to publish information on how to report security issues to increase the speed at which they can address these problems. In addition, consumers and cyber security experts can play an active role in protecting themselves and society from cyber criminals by reporting any products which don’t comply to the Office for Product Safety and Standards ( OPSS ).   

The government is beginning the legislative process for certain automotive vehicles to be exempt from the product security regulatory regime, as they will be covered by alternative legislation.   

This new regime intends to increase consumer confidence in the security of the products they buy and use, delivering on one of the government’s five priorities to grow the economy. The new laws are part of the government’s £2.6 billion National Cyber Strategy to protect and promote the UK online.

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