How to Get a Turkish IP Address in 2020: Infiltrating Istanbul
If you’ve relocated from Turkey or are traveling, you may find that you can’t access the online content you’re used to. Some websites and online services are restricted to particular countries. If you’re not in that country, you’ll be greeted with an error message. You can get past it easily by getting a Turkish IP address, though.
Your IP address is like a virtual ID tag, telling the websites and online services you visit where you are. In some cases, the content is just changed to suit the country you’re in. For example, the language might change. In other cases, it’s blocked from being viewed in any other country. That’s called geoblocking.
For example, the streaming giant Netflix is available in most countries, but the library in each varies. Some shows are only available in one or two countries, so you can only view them if you’re in those places, as you can read in our piece on the Netflix VPN ban.
License restrictions are to blame in some cases. Other reasons have to do with the language and culture of the show. Either way, if you want to access the Turkish version of Netflix, you’re going to need a Turkish IP address. If Netflix is what you want, take a look at our best VPN for Netflix guide, too.
Perhaps you’re missing your favorite Turkish shows, such as Cukur, or you want to browse PuhuTV or BluTV. Once you’ve changed your IP address to one in Turkey, you’ll be able to watch them.
Another reason you may need a Turkish IP address is to log in to your bank account online. A lot of banks or other financial services don’t allow customers to log in from anywhere other than their home country. It’s a pain, but it’s a security feature that helps combat fraud. Change your IP address and you’ll be granted access.
How to Get a Turkish IP Address
Changing your IP address is simple. There are a couple of ways you can do it. One way is with a proxy, but we don’t recommend that. Proxies don’t always work, and even the best free proxies offer little to no security to keep you safe from cybercrime. Plus, your IP address isn’t hidden, so it can be traced back to you. You can learn more by reading our VPN vs. proxy vs. Tor guide.
Another way to get a Turkish IP address, and the way we recommend, is to use a virtual private network. They’re loaded with features, such as security, and will hide your VPN from snoopers. As a bonus, most VPN services have a privacy policy in which they say they don’t keep logs. That means there’s no record of your online activity.
You could just choose a VPN from our best VPNs, but you need to make sure you pick one that’s suitable for Turkey. If it doesn’t have servers in the country, you won’t be able to get a Turkish IP address.
If it’s Netflix that you’re after, you’ll need to check if the provider can bypass the smart VPN detection system. Only a few are able to do so reliably. Our piece on the Netflix proxy error goes into more detail.
ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN is a good choice for getting a Turkish IP address. It has a huge server network and that includes a presence in Turkey. You’ll be protected by its excellent security and you’re online activities will be kept secret because of its no-logs policy. If you want to stream, you’ll be pleased to hear that its unlimited bandwidth and speed make it the best VPN for streaming.
You can install its user-friendly clients on Windows, macOS, Android and iOS. It’s tweakable, but it’s also a great choice for beginners because it basically works out of the box. There’s a 30-day money-back guarantee, meaning you can try it first. Read our ExpressVPN review for more information.
NordVPN
Another good choice for getting an IP address in Turkey is NordVPN. It has more than 5,000 servers worldwide and 18 are in Turkey. It has some of the best security on the market and a no-logs policy. Its speeds are good, but it can slow down when connecting to distant servers. There are no bandwidth caps, and it’s great at getting into streaming services.
There are easy-to-use clients for Windows, macOS, Android and iOS. You can try before you buy, too, with the 30-day refund period. Check out our NordVPN review for a better look at the service.
TorGuard
TorGuard is another decent choice for spoofing your location as Turkey. It has a network of more than 3,000 servers, including some in Turkey. It has good security that can be customized and a strict no-logs policy. It’s fast, but it can slow down over long distances or if the security it set higher.
It has unlimited bandwidth, but it’s not able to get into Netflix unless you buy a dedicated IP address. They’re basically sold by country, and you’ll be able to access the streaming services you want with one.
You can use TorGuard on Windows, macOS, Android and iOS. It’s easy to use, but the mobile setup can be a pain. It has a seven-day money-back guarantee, so you can make sure you like it. Take a look at our TorGuard review for more on the provider.
Dangers of Using a Turkish IP Address
There’s no danger in just changing your IP address, but there are things you should know before connecting to a Turkish server. Each country’s laws are different, and what may be fine in your current country could land you in a heap of trouble in another.
Many governments engage in online surveillance, and Turkey is no exception. Since the coup attempt in 2016, thousands of social media accounts have been monitored. Leaked emails revealed that the General Directorate of Security had paid $600,000 to the surveillance software company Hacking Team.
Authorities can access communications data without a court order, too, as you can read in our best VPN for Turkey piece. Torrent websites may be blocked, but the copyright law is aimed more at those who share copyrighted content. Plus, the government banned some VPNs and many websites are blocked.
Certain categories of speech, such as defamation, can be punished with fines, imprisonment or both, so you should be careful about what you post online.
Cybercrime is another risk you should take into account. No matter where you are, you never know what dangers are lurking on public WiFi. Hackers, ransomware and other dangers could be waiting for the next unsecured user to pounce on. Reports show that cyberthreats still happen. Your best bet is to make sure you’re secure with a VPN and an antivirus.
Final Thoughts
We hope we’ve helped you understand how to get a Turkish IP address safely. The most secure way to do it is with a VPN because that’ll protect you and hide your true identity.
All our recommendations will get you what you need, but ExpressVPN is the best option because of its great security, privacy and streaming features. Plus, with its 30-day money-back guarantee, you’ve got nothing to lose.
If you have experience getting a Turkish IP address, tell us about it in the comments section. We’d love to hear about it. Check out our VPN library for other articles that may interest you, too. Thank you for reading.
Sandra Pattison is from the rolling hills of the United Kingdom where, when she’s not enjoying that one day of summer, she researches and writes on online security and censorship around the world. Writer by day, mother morning, noon and night, during her little free time she enjoys photography and likes to be spontaneous, but mostly ends up sipping tea with her pinky out.