How To Watch Hulu in the UK

by Ian Scott on March 3, 2009

Hotspot_Shield

If you live in the United States then you probably won’t get the Hulu.com reference, however if you live anywhere else, chances are you know exactly what I mean.

For those not familiar, Hulu is a popular video playback site from NBC that streams many mainstream television shows right to your browser.  The biggest problem with the site is that it blocks access for users outside the continental United States.  Hulu isn’t the only site in the world that does this either.  Many sites restrict access based on the IP Address that you are currently connected with.

This is where Hotspot Shield comes to the rescue.  Hotspot Shield is a free software download that allows you to use the internet anonymously – for both Windows and Mac computers.  It works by providing you with a different IP address than you would normally get, allowing you to bypass country-type restrictions.

Here’s a look at just how easy it is to use.

Start by downloading the installer from the Hotspot Shield web site.  The installation uses the standard wizard-type interface and I only identified two noteworthy items during the install.  The first is that you should uncheck the box that says ‘Include the Hotspot Shield Community Toolbar’.  Unless you are one of those people that loves adding more toolbars to your browser, this will provide you with very little additional value.

Hotspot_Shield

The second item I noted was that during the install you will see one or more Windows Security prompts that let you know that Windows can’t verify the publisher of the driver software it is installing.  To complete the installation, click ‘Install this driver software anyway’.

Hotspot_Shield

Once the wizard completes, a browser window will open up taking you to the ‘Invite a Friend!’ page.  You are in no way obligated to do this.  In fact, you can probably just close that browser window and continue.

Hotspot_Shield

You should now see a little green shield in your system tray that looks like: Hotspot_Shield

It’s possible that it will be red depending on the current connection state (green is connected, red is disconnected).  If the shield is red, you can right-click on the icon and the pop-up menu will give you the option to connect.  The menu also allows you to look at the configuration properties and disconnect the Hotspot Shield.

Hotspot_Shield

Clicking on Properties in the menu will open a browser window and load the status page.  This page shows the current state of the shield and the current IP Address being assigned.  From here you can also disconnect the shield, or click on Show Config for more options and information.  The extended config screen shows you how much data has moved in and out since Hotspot Shield last connected and the date and time of the last connection.

Hotspot_Shield 7_Hotspot_Shield

So you are now good to go.  Reloading the Hulu.com site produces more favorable results than last time.  The message about ‘our video library can only be streamed within the United States’ will be replaced by a message that tells you that advertising can’t be loaded.  Amusingly enough, they offer a link to get support if you can’t see the ads.

Hotspot_Shield

After 30 seconds, the ad message is removed and the video playback begins.  The only downside to Hotspot Shield is that it forces an advertisement across the top of the web pages you load while connected.  I can deal with that though, simply scroll the page down.  :)

Hotspot_Shield

Well, there you have it.  Hotspot Shield does a good job at helping you avoid country discrimination, but it has some other great benefits as well.  If you are prone to using public networks (e.g. hotels, coffee shops both wired and wireless) then you can use this utility to help keep your data safe and secure.

The software essentially creates a VPN (virtual private network) between your computer and the AnchorFree Internet gateway.  The tunnel created prevents hackers and would-be snoops from viewing your emails, instant messages, credit card information and anything else you happen to transmit.

What other tools do you use to make your Internet use more secure and anonymous?

Slow computer? Try Auslogics BoostSpeed!

(Via Make Tech Easier.)

UPDATE

Someone figured out how to watch Hulu in Canada, yay! Here are some instructions which worked for me. I use Windows 7 but these instructions should work and be very similar for Vista and XP.

You will need:

Mozilla Firefox
Modify Headers add-on
Microsoft Management Console (Included in Windows)

Step 1 – Install firefox and the Modify Headers add-on:

If you don’t have Firefox installed yet, install it.
Install the Modify Headers add-on from above.

Step 2 – Configure Modify Headers:

1. In Firefox, click Tools and then Modify Headers.
2. At the top of the Modify Headers window is a little drop-down box. Select Add from that box.
3. In the first text field beside the drop-down, type “X-Forwarded-For” without quotation marks.
4. In the second text field, type “12.13.14.15″ without quotation marks.
5. Leave the third text field empty and click Add to the right of it.
6. Click the Enable All button on the right.
7. Click the Configuration button and make sure “Always On: Enable modify headers when the window/tab is closed” unless you don’t want to for some reason.

NOTE: This may interfere with other sites that you WANT thinking you’re from Canada. You can always disable the rule in modify headers when not using Hulu.

Step 3 – Block tcp/udp ports Hulu uses within Microsoft Management Console. This seems like a lot of stuff but it’s not too bad :P

Section A – Add an “IP Security Policies on Local Computer” snap-in to MMC

1. In Windows 7/Vista you can just click Start and type “mmc” minus quotes and hit Enter, but in XP you click Start > Run > type “mmc” minus quotes and hit enter.
2. Click File and then Add/Remove snap-in
3. Select “IP Security Policy Management” and click the Add button in the middle.
4. A wizard will pop up, leave it on “Local Computer” and click Finish.
5. Back in the Add/Remove snap-in window, click OK.

Section B – Create an IP Security Policy for Hulu

1. Back in the main MMC window, click to select “IP Security Policies on Local Computer”
2. Click Action at the top and then “Create IP Security Policy”
3. In the wizard, click Next.
4. Create a name for the policy, I chose “Hulu IP Security Policy”. Click Next.
5. Requests for secure communication? Whatevs, click Next.
6. Uncheck the edit box and click Finish.

Section C – Create an IP Filter List of tcp/udp ports you wish to block.

1. Back in the main MMC window, click to select “IP Security Policies on Local Computer” again.
2. Click Action at the top and then “Manage IP Filter Lists and Filter Actions”
3. Under the “Manage IP Filter Lists” tab, click Add.
4. Give the filter a name. I chose “Hulu TCP/UDP Block”.
5. Click Add. When the “Welcome to IP Filter Wizard” comes up, click Next.
6. I didn’t bother with a description…click Next.
7. For the source IP address, choose “Any IP Address” and click Next.
8. For the destination IP address, choose “Any IP Address” and click Next.
9. For protocol type, choose “TCP” and click Next.
10. Choose “To this port” and enter 1935 in the box and click Next.
11. Click Finish.
12. Back in the “IP Filter List” box you should have 1 IP filter for TCP port 1935.
13. Follow steps 5 to 11 once more, substituting UDP instead of TCP.
14. Back in the “IP Filter List” box you should have 2 IP filters for TCP and UDP on port 1935.
14. Click OK.

Section D – Add an IP Filter Action so MMC knows to block the above tcp/udp ports.

1. You should now be back in the “Manage IP Filter Lists and Filter Actions” window.
2. Click the “Manage Filter Actions” tab at the top and then click the Add button.
3. Welcome to the IP Security Filter Action Wizard, click Next.
4. Give the action a name, such as “Hulu Block” and click Next.
5. On the “Filter Action General Options” screen, select “Block” and click Next and then Finish.
6. Back in the “Manage IP Filter Lists and Filter Actions” click Apply and then OK.

Section E – Create an IP Security Rule combining the IP Filter List and IP Filter Action from above.

1. Back in the main MMC window, right click the new IP Security Policy and click Properties. (e.g. Hulu IP Security Policy from Section B.)
2. On the Rules tab, click Add.
3. Welcome to the Create IP Security Rule Wizard, click Next.
4. Leave the Tunnel Endpoint on “This rule does not specify a tunnel” and click Next.
5. For Network Type, select “All Network Connections” and click Next.
6. IP Filter List? Select “Hulu TCP/UDP Block” (put a dot in the little circle :P ) and click Next.
7. Filter Action? Select “Hulu Block” just like above and click Next.
8. Click Finish.

Section F – Assign the Hulu IP Security Policy and try it out!

1. Back in the main MMC window, right click the “Hulu IP Security Policy” and click “Assign”
2. After closing Firefox and opening it again, I am able to use Hulu!

{ 40 comments… read them below or add one }

dave, cheshire May 29, 2009 at 1:35 pm

AWESOME! thanks so much for your help!

Tim Stone August 30, 2009 at 11:41 am

I have downloaded this however the hotspot shied stays red and when i right click and connect it always says error found i cant get it to turn Green :( please help.

Ian October 30, 2009 at 10:09 pm

Doesn’t work any more it seems, i never used it before so maybe I’m doing it wrong. But since hulu says
“Based on your IP address, we noticed you are trying to access Hulu through an anonymoue proxy tool. Hulu is not currently available outside the U.S. If you’re in the U.S, you’ll need to disable your anonymizer to access videos on Hulu.”
I think it might be them getting wise. :(

Curse them and their wiley ways

Wynthorpe November 22, 2009 at 8:41 am

Its working for me no problems.

Scott December 3, 2009 at 2:43 pm

Wow thanks for this step by step guide! To think i was considering buying the arrested development box set for my christmas!

Now I can watch for free!

Thanks for taking the time to create this step by step, appreciated.

Scott

Peter January 10, 2010 at 7:42 am

Thanks for the super little gem.Got it working with no trouble.On the Hula site I selected “Cheerleader Ninjas but now it wants a username and password as the film is for “mature audiences” and as I have no clue about valid US zipcodes,states etc I’m not able to set up an a/c.
Anyone???

olwen January 10, 2010 at 1:06 pm

i have the same trouble as peter above it wants an address with zipcodes can anyone help ?

Brendon Martin January 10, 2010 at 5:22 pm

thank you so much that was the best gift of my birthday i can watch hulu.com cheers mate

Brendon Martin January 10, 2010 at 5:24 pm

that was great just simple instructions thanx mate

idunno January 15, 2010 at 4:21 pm

you could just google any address in the united states and use the zip code 5 digits.

taz January 17, 2010 at 1:50 pm

Here is a city you can use

City: Marietta
State: Georgia
Zip: 30064

Rinesh January 20, 2010 at 6:37 am

Hi Peter,

just google US zip codes and you will find tones of them, select the state which u would love to live and use any of its zip code…. simple

Brenda January 24, 2010 at 12:58 pm

Regarding US zip codes, has no-one every heard of Beverley Hills 90210?

Anonymous February 4, 2010 at 9:56 pm

A more effective, all be it slightly more complicated solution is proxifier, it’s not free but try adding the word rapidshare to the google search ;)

When you download it you will then be required to search for your own proxy server (oh noes you might have to learn to do somthing for yourself.)

It’s really quite simple and remeber google is your friend.

Here are a few socks 5 proxy servers to get you started..
202.202.111.150:1080
222.178.58.112:1080
211.189.18.165:5818
213.251.133.49:11699
All american so they will work on hulu.

Good luck
-Anonymous

N_young February 6, 2010 at 5:02 am

Downloaded today, works fine… thanks, spent ages looking for something like this!

And step by step guide nice idea…

Well done/… 5 starts for u!

laura February 14, 2010 at 4:39 pm

This.is.brilliant. Thank you so much ian! Not only was that ridiculously simple for even the most computer illiterate (me), but it works! First time! Yaaaaaaaaaaaassss!! You’re a ledge! x

Nicola February 16, 2010 at 6:50 am

Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!! Not only can I access Hulu.com but I can also get into the US MTV site and watch all their shows, something I’ve longed to do for ages.

You are a STAR!!! :) )

Anonymous February 18, 2010 at 2:54 am

Any software like this for Linux?

If not I’ll just have to hunt down US anonymous proxies until
I can find one that works in firefox.

Togsy February 20, 2010 at 7:58 am

THANKS A MILLION MAN, i can not watch Hulu. and whats best is that before i could’nt sonntect to my website, my IP address was fucked, but now i can.

If you love Android, check out http://www.unitedkingdroid.com and email me if you want to ask anything

Fordy March 13, 2010 at 6:15 am

” downside to Hotspot Shield is that it forces an advertisement across the top of the web pages you load while connected. I can deal with that though, simply scroll the page down. ”

I’ve got a better fix – press the black “X” next to it…!

Kyle March 13, 2010 at 12:52 pm

Genius…my fiance’ will forever be grateful to me and I to you!!

thoth March 28, 2010 at 6:01 pm

Thanks!!! as a fan of THE ROCKFORD FILES I can now watch this in Scotland.

Great instructions! worked first time.

Only thing I have to do is pause the video for 5 mins so that it buffers properly.

Cheers!

Zoe March 29, 2010 at 5:35 pm

thanks! its working perfectly so far. this has made my day :D

Louise April 9, 2010 at 1:14 pm

amazing! thank you!

Emma April 12, 2010 at 3:36 pm

How can I put this?… Erm… YOU ARE AMAZING!!!
Thank you SO much. This works!
No fiddling, no messing no nothing!
Download and BAM!
Thank you SO much! xxx

Joe Morris April 15, 2010 at 3:20 am

I installed it, then tried watching a video on Hulu, and it worked. But that’s the only one that works, none of the others do.

Darren April 30, 2010 at 9:43 am

I had no expectations for this working at all, but it did! I’m shocked. No I can still watch my shows when I’m out of the country! Thank you :)

Keri May 9, 2010 at 2:23 pm

You absolute star. Thank you so so much!! :)

Craig Dennis May 14, 2010 at 5:34 am

Will try this out when I get a chance.

If you use Firefox then download stylish or Greasmonkey and you will be able to block the bar that appears at the top with a little HTML / CSS know-how.

siobhan May 15, 2010 at 9:51 am

Hi, can anyone help, my streaming is freezing every couples of seconds.

thanks

Rob May 24, 2010 at 10:22 am

Thanks so much :) this is so easy, and works brilliantly =D

ALEX May 25, 2010 at 5:47 am

I was ecstatic when this worked. However it appears that Hulu have now blocked anonymous IP addresses =( I guess it’s not their fault – they have to adhere to individual countries copyright laws. It sure hurts though.

Ecstatic July 11, 2010 at 7:31 pm

WOW!
just adding this msg to let people know that this is still working, just did it!

ps. i’m on a mac and it works fine.
xxx

Zakhar July 15, 2010 at 2:17 pm

Yes, it works!!

Gavinski July 18, 2010 at 3:26 pm

Works perfectly!

Hamy July 23, 2010 at 12:15 am

Hello,
Thanks a lot for the guideline.
I did all and I could use the VPN for other stuff, but in regards to HULU, this did not help at all and I continue to get the original message, “IP outside US”,
Could some one help please/
Thanks
Hamy

Bjsmith July 23, 2010 at 4:52 am

I get a “blocked anonymous IP addresses” error. Is there a way around this ?

Daniel July 26, 2010 at 10:53 am

Thank you so much, now I can watch 24.

Paul August 20, 2010 at 3:40 pm

Genius, pure genius u the man ian scott!!!!!!!!! legend in the making

george August 25, 2010 at 8:55 pm

Hello Mr. Scott.
Would you happen to have a workaround for linux. I dont really care for the Microsoft products.

Thanks

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