Yep, TR1955 that's correct. This site (OH2) uses software that tries to determine if an IP is "safe". There are a few ways to do that. One way is to create a list of IP ranges that are simply blocked by adding them to a "blocked IP database" the software/router is using. Another way, in addition to the previous (you might do both), is the software can also inspect the IP, determine the country origin, and decide if it's from a "safe" location. It can do it simply by just blocking *anything* from, say, "North Korea" or it could be more sophisticated where it will allow certain legitimate ones from that location but other ones will be known blocks of IP's that are part of "Dark Web" or scammer or hacker sites in which it will reject the connection.
It's done to block from spammers, scammers, or countries that have lots of malware, hacking, and so on. It is also one way you can employ to help combat against people creating multiple fake accounts.
The method I described is a totally new approach for the entire hobby.
It's not a way to do it
right *now* (i.e. currently on OH2). No. Rather, it's an entire paradigm shift the entire hobby community would need to make.
OH2 would have to change policies regarding Tor/VPN heuristic detection for what I described to work properly. This is just a way the whole U.S. community, including OH2 (if they ended up choosing to eventually), could get around any new laws.
I think my message got misconstrued. So let me clear it up once again:
1. This was not a way that any of you (hobbyist or provider), right now, can do this method. And definitely not for this site (as of now).
2. This was a description of how the whole community could work and change in introducing new websites and how hobbyist's and providers could connect to those sites.
So, in simple summary (in the "new" hobby world, using my method it would work like this):
1. New site comes online
2. Site is offshore (obviously)
3. Site only allows connections from non-US customers (checks their IP origination)
4. US customers connect to any of a number of VPN services in a country of their choosing which makes their IP traffic come from that country
5. US customer, now connected to a virtual network, with a virtual IP, in another country, can now easily connect to the site
6. The site is not breaking any laws b/c it only allows non-US connections
I hope this helps clear it up some.
It's not something you can do now. Don't try (it won't work now, especially not with OH2)
It was a way to bring about a discussion and talks on circumventing the new laws.
It would only apply to building new websites or websites (such as OH2) which change their policy about VPN detection.
-MG :peace: