Blocked Websites: Can They Still Provide Information?

Blocked websites are a common occurrence, with over 76% of internet users living in countries with some form of online censorship. There are many reasons why a website may be blocked, including network restrictions, government censorship, and restrictions by the website itself.

While it may be frustrating to encounter a blocked website, there are several methods to bypass these restrictions and access the desired content. One popular method is to use a Virtual Private Network (VPN), which allows users to route their internet traffic through a remote server, hiding their IP address and bypassing geographical restrictions. Other methods include using proxy servers, such as ProxFree, HideMe, or ProxySite, or by using the Tor browser, which offers strong anonymity by routing traffic through multiple layers of encryption.

Additionally, there are simple tricks that can be used to access blocked websites, such as using the mobile version of a website or searching for its IP address instead of the domain name. Users can also try using Google Translate or Wayback Machine to access archived or translated versions of blocked websites.

It is important to note that the effectiveness of these methods may vary, and there is no guarantee that they will work for all blocked websites.

Using a VPN

VPNs also encrypt your connection, helping to secure your data and personal information, such as credit card details when shopping online. This means that your provider will know that you are surfing the web, but they won't be able to access your data.

To set up a VPN, you will first need to choose a provider and sign up for their service. You can then download and launch the application on your device. Next, choose a server location and click connect. You can now visit websites and social media sites, and experience the internet without restrictions or blocks.

It is important to note that some content providers have started blocking known VPN IP addresses, so your VPN might not work on all sites or services. However, when VPN providers realize one of their IPs has been blocked, they usually open new addresses to provide more options.

Using the Tor browser

Tor is also a good option for those who want to keep their identity private. When you use Tor, your traffic and data are rerouted through at least three volunteer relays until there is no identifying information left. As of 2022, the Tor network has over 6,000 relays.

To use Tor, simply download the Tor browser and select a connection. If your country has blocked Tor, you can bypass this block by configuring Tor to use its own network during the download.

However, it's important to note that Tor has some drawbacks. To maintain your anonymity, the Tor browser will often block media plugins (such as Flash) that could reveal identifying information. It also automatically disables scripts, resulting in a less feature-rich browsing experience. Additionally, Tor is illegal in some countries, including China, and can be insecure without a VPN.

• Download the Tor browser bundle for your operating system.
• Extract the downloaded file.
• Double-click on "Start Tor Browser". This will open the Vidalia control panel.
• Within a few seconds, the Tor browser will connect to the Tor network.
• Once the connection is established, a new Mozilla Firefox window will automatically open.
• In the new Firefox window, connect to the Tor network and open the Tor browser that comes in the Vidalia bundle.
• Once Tor receives your request to connect to a website, it will connect to the directory server and download a list of all available onion routers it can connect to.
• Tor will randomly select three onion routers and create a secure encrypted connection between you and the website you want to access. This path is known as a Tor circuit.
• A Tor circuit will last for 10 minutes, after which all new connections will create completely new Tor circuits.

If the administrator has also blocked the Tor website and is preventing you from downloading the Tor browser bundle, you can send an email to [email protected]. Include the word "help" in the body of the email, and they will reply with instructions on how to download it.

Using a proxy server

Proxy servers also mask the user's IP address, so the blocked website won't know which country the user is from, allowing them to bypass geographical and government restrictions.

Proxy servers are usually free and widely available, making them a quick way to access blocked websites and preserve anonymity. However, proxies do not encrypt data, so they should not be used when sending secure or sensitive information. They are also less reliable than other methods, such as VPNs, and can be quite slow, especially free public proxies, as they are used by a lot of people.

• Go to the proxy website.
• Enter the URL of the site you want to visit.
• Select "Encrypt URL" and "Disable Cookies".
• Choose a proxy location.
• Click "Connect" or "Go".

Using a web proxy

Many proxy servers are unencrypted and paired with a particular app or browser, which is why they're often easier to use. However, they don't offer the same level of protection as a VPN, so they should never be used when sending secure financial data or other sensitive information.

Here's how to use a web proxy:

• Go to a proxy website.
• Enter the URL of the site you want to visit.
• Select "Encrypt URL" and "Disable Cookies".
• Choose a proxy location.
• Click "Connect" or "Go".

Using a browser extension

Proxy extensions in the Chrome Web Store are vetted by Google for security and usually encrypt your browser connection. You can also choose your server location and they won't disrupt any of your other Chrome security extensions. However, they do require installation on your computer and may not be optimized for streaming content.

If you can't or don't want to use a proxy extension, there are other quick methods to access blocked websites that could work.

Use a URL shortener

If your school or work network is using a very basic blocking method, using a URL shortener might help. Services like TinyURL shorten a website's URL, which will help you unblock websites without a proxy, VPN, or Tor. For example, if your school blocks Facebook but you need to use it for academic research, creating a different (shortened) URL may help you access it.

Try switching protocols

If your school or work network uses a primitive blocking method that filters out a simple list of URLs, you might be able to get around it by switching from HTTPS to HTTP (or vice versa). For example, if https://www.somewebsite.com is blocked, http://www.somewebsite.com might still work. However, it's important to note that HTTP is an unsecured protocol and should be avoided whenever possible. Never enter any personal information or passwords into a site using just HTTP.

Use Google Translate

Another Google-based workaround is to use Google Translate to unblock websites. This method might not show the page you want to view perfectly, but it may be enough to let you read the content. Google Translate accesses the website on your behalf and presents you with a cloned image of the site on its own URL.

Use a dynamic IP address

Some websites block connections from certain groups of IP addresses due to spam or cybercrime concerns. A dynamic IP address, which changes with each use, will let you bypass this restriction. Most ISPs use dynamic IP addresses, so simply restarting your router may get you a new one. Alternatively, connecting to a VPN or proxy server is the easiest way to get a dynamic IP address.

Frequently asked questions