Pandora.com is an internet radio station site, that allows audio streaming of commercial and non-commercial music. However, Pandora only offers this service to users within the United States. If you live outside the United States and want to listen to the music stations offered by Pandora, this guide will show you how to access Pandora from outside the US. With the use of a program called HotSpot Shield, this guide will show you how to access Pandora, Hulu and other area-restricted sites.
Listening to Pandora.com is limited to the United States. If you want to take a peek at the offerings from Pandora, you can use the method described here to make Pandora believe you live in the United States. This video provides access to Hulu, but the same applies to Pandora.com.
Step 1: Download HotSpot Shield
First of all, we need to download and install a program called HotSpot Shield. This program masks your home IP address and assigns you an virtual IP number, which is located in the United States. This will not only allow you access to Pandora, but will also protect your privacy when surfing the Internet.
- First, download the HotSpot Shield software. Go to http://www.hotspotshield.com/, select ‘Download latest version, which is located on the right-hand side of the screen.
- Store the downloaded file on your computer, and make sure you remember where you store it.
- double-click the downloaded file to start the installation of HotSpot Shield The file will be named “HSS-1.37-install-anchorfree-76-conduit.exe” or similar (depending on the latest version number)
- Choose your language, click ‘Next’ , ‘Next’, ‘I Agree’, ‘Next’.
- Deselect the flagged checkbox if you don’t want to install the HotSpot Shield Community Toolbar. Press ‘Next’.
- You now have four options. Deselect all four (unless there is something you like), and click ‘Next’.
- Change the Destination Folder if needed. Select ‘Next’ when you are happy with the installation location. The program is now being installed.
- Select ‘Next’, and ‘Finish’.
Congratulations, you’ve installed HotSpot Shield, which will automatically launch.
Step 2: Connect to the HotSpot Shield Network
After start-up, you will notice two things: The status of the HotSpot Shield program is shown in a newly opened Internet browser screen. This will shortly show ‘Connecting..’, and then turn to ‘Connected’. Also, you will see a small icon on the bottom right-hand side of your screen. This icon will first be yellow, but will turn green within seconds. Once the icon is green, HotSpot Shield is started up and working correctly. Verify your location by visiting www.cmyip.com. This site shows your current IP address and its location, which should be in the United States now.
Step 3: Listen to Pandora
You are now set to go. Visit www.pandora.com, select your favorite music channel, and listen to your favorite music on your home Computer. There will be a banner on the top of the Internet browser screen. This is only visible while using the HotSpot Shield program.
Once you’re finished listenign to Pandora.com, right-click on the HotSpot Shield icon, and select ‘Disconnect/Off’, and the banners will disappear.
References
Fast Facts
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Fact:
Pandora is not the only US bound site HotSpot Shield provides access to. It also works with video streaming sites like Hulu
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Fact:
HotSpot Shield‘s main goal is to protect your privacy. You can use it for all your internet surfing activity.
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Fact:
To close HotSpot Shield, you first need to Disconnect. Once disconnected, right-click the now-red icon, and select ‘Exit’.
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Fact:
If you use FireFox you can also use an add-on called ‘FoxyProxy’.
