We’ve all encountered website blocks, whether we’re using computers in a school library, using the internet at work, or travelling abroad and wanting to watch our favourite American Netflix series. Virtual private networks, or vpn server, are without a doubt the simplest and fastest method for unblocking websites. However, we outline each of your alternatives below with detailed instructions.
But before we get started, you should be aware that unblocking websites and reducing administrative red tape include altering your virtual location (IP address). Check see our post on How to Change Your iPhone Location With a VPN if you use an iPhone. You might also be interested in finding out how to use a VPN to change your YouTube location.
How to Configure a VPN
A Guide for Setting Up a VPN, Step by Step
- Select a VPN. Your best bet is to start with our VPN purchase guide. Alternately, if you’re a student, look into the top VPNs for academic use.
- Download a browser plugin to encrypt only your web browsing, or a VPN programme to encrypt web traffic on your entire device. Be aware that browser extensions will generally be a better choice if you’re using a computer at school.
- Use your username and password to log in.
- Link up with a VPN server. For the best speeds, look for nearby server locations.
You should be able to circumvent internet restrictions now that your IP address has changed, even in nations with the Great Firewall, like China (learn about the top unblock porn VPNs if you’re in Hong Kong). Your IP address and internet traffic will both be encrypted, enabling you to access any website of your choice, even blacklisted and restricted websites.
The best VPNs for unblocking websites are those that have dynamic IP addresses, which means that each time you connect to the internet, a new IP address is assigned to you. If you want to find out more about reliable VPNs with dynamic IP addresses, we suggest reading our reviews of ExpressVPN, Private Internet Access, and IPVanish.
The proxy servers
Use a free proxy instead of a VPN if you simply need to encrypt the IP address of one website. The main benefit of proxies over VPNs is that they are typically free and only protect a specific website or set of apps. On the other hand, VPNs encrypt not only your IP address but all online traffic across your whole device.
Proxy servers could be a preferable choice for kids utilising school-owned devices. If your employer hasn’t already restricted them, employees wanting to get around limitations should hunt for a public web proxy.
TRON Browser
The Tor browser is an open-source web browser that enhances online anonymity by concealing both a user’s location and their internet behaviour. Although you might not be able to download expressvpn Tor on computers controlled by your employer or school, or in some nations like China, you might be able to get around firewalls by masking your location.
Alternative Techniques for Simple Blockers
The best ways to unblock websites are all listed above, but if you’re dealing with a very basic blocker, a few more techniques could also be effective.
Use an IP address: Since some software only restricts domain names and not the IP addresses that support websites, you might visit the website if you entered the IP address into the URL bar. To learn the URLs of websites, use Whois. 5
Change from HTTP to HTTPS: Typing the URL in HTTP or HTTPS is another option. The programme could simply be blocking one or the other, so by switching, you might gain access. However, proceed with caution as websites with HTTP:// URLs are less secure than those with HTTPS:// URLs.
The reasons for website bans
Running across prohibited websites can be irritating for those of us who oppose internet censorship, but there are various reasons why websites are blocked, some of which are valid and some of which are not.
Governments
Websites are blocked by authoritarian regimes like those in China and Russia in an effort to stifle the press, human rights organisations, and political opponents. Websites vpn ranking may also be blocked by governments in order to safeguard national security, stop child pornography, or stop copyright or trademark infringement. 7
Employers
There are a few reasons why employers block websites, and no, it’s not merely to irritate you.
One of its goals is to stop employees from “cyberloafing” or “cyberslacking,” both of which are terms for using the internet for personal purposes8 (hey, we’ve all done it). According to a poll by the employment company OfficeTeam, workers lose roughly five hours per week—or 56 minutes—on average each day online. 9 You might not be allowed to use social media on your work computer because time theft is a genuine problem, people. Rats.