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What is a VPN, and How Does it Work?

A VPN (Virtual Private Network) is a technology that allows you to create a secure, encrypted connection to another network over the internet. This can be useful for several reasons, including:

  • Protecting your online privacy and security by encrypting your internet traffic
  • Bypassing internet restrictions and censorship by routing your traffic through a VPN server in a different location
  • Accessing content that is only available in certain regions, such as streaming services or websites, your internet traffic is routed through a secure, encrypted tunnel to the VPN server when you use a VPN. This makes it difficult for anyone to intercept and read your traffic, protecting your online privacy and security. It also allows you to bypass internet restrictions and access content that may be blocked in your location.

Overall, a VPN is a valuable tool for anyone who wants to protect their online privacy and security or access content that may be blocked in their location. Using a virtual private network (VPN) can establish a safe, secure connection to another network over the internet. This is beneficial for some reasons, including

  • Encrypting your internet traffic will protect your online privacy and security.
  • directing your traffic through a VPN server in a different location to get around internet censorship and limits
  • Gaining access to content through websites or streaming services that are only available in some geographic regions
  • The VPN server receives your internet traffic through a safe, encrypted channel when you use a VPN. This safeguards your online privacy and security by making it harder for anyone to intercept and read your traffic. You can also access content that might be prohibited in your area and get around internet limitations.

A VPN is a helpful tool for anyone looking to access content that might be prohibited in their area or safeguard their online privacy and security.

Despite widespread internet use, there are still significant limitations on what you may access online. There are numerous approaches you might take if you want to get past a government-imposed internet filter or visit a local website at work or school. For instance, a web-based proxy server will hide your IP address from the website you are attempting to access and make it look like you are visiting from a different place.

Using a VPN is another option to view websites that are banned. All communication between the computer and the VPN server is encrypted. It is crucial to remember that specific techniques might be more efficient than others, and some might be more lawful. Read the blog to learn the best strategies for accessing or unblocking websites at school.

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Unblocking Blocked Websites Using a VPN

There are numerous techniques to access prohibited websites, but it’s crucial to pick the one that best suits your requirements. The TOR browser or a VPN is your best bet if you’re looking for anonymity and privacy. However, utilizing Google Public DNS or a web-based proxy server may be more appropriate if all you want to do is get around an internet filter. Whatever approach you decide on, be sure you are familiar with the fundamentals.

Using a VPN service

A VPN is a tool that aids in online identity and information concealment. This is avoided by having your internet traffic routed through a VPN server, which makes it harder for anyone to eavesdrop on your online activities. This can assist you in getting over censorship and firewalls, which is especially helpful if you’re trying to access prohibited websites.

Additionally, it masks your IP address, making tracking cookies and advertisements challenging to follow you around the internet. Even though they are not free, VPNs are frequently far more dependable than web-based proxy servers. As AVG VPN offers a free trial for PC users, you can use it. Utilizing it is pretty simple. Purchase the premium version for $53.88 for the first year if you want secure browsing. Microsoft, Apple, and Android devices are among the ten that it will support.

Using A Proxy Website

What is a VPN

Accessing prohibited websites is made easy by proxy websites. This kind of server serves as a middleman between your computer and the website you are attempting to access. You can get around internet filters and limits by using proxy sites, which give you access to any website you desire. Your internet traffic is routed through their servers, giving the impression that you are physically situated elsewhere. This enables access to websites that are often restricted in your nation or region.

By obscuring your IP address and encrypting your traffic, proxy sites can also enhance your online privacy and security. A proxy site is a terrific choice if you’re seeking a way to access prohibited websites. Web-based proxy servers are widely available online for free and at a fee.

 TOR browser

Anyone can use the TOR browser as a free relay to increase online security and privacy. It is a free, worldwide network of servers that enables users to access prohibited information and websites. When you join the Tor network, your traffic is routed through some interconnected nodes. This makes it challenging for anybody to follow your online actions, such as anonymous web browsing, sending confidential information, visiting websites blocked by your government, or locating yourself.

Additionally, because the code is open source, anyone can audit it and ensure that there are no hidden features that could be exploited to spy on people. The TOR Browser has a built-in VPN based on the Mozilla Firefox browser. The TOR network encrypts and routes all your traffic, making it harder for anyone to spy on your online activity.

It allows you to visit websites often restricted in your nation or region. Additionally, you can use it to browse the web anonymously and stop your ISP from monitoring your behavior. Due to all these factors, TOR is a crucial tool for anyone wishing to safeguard their online anonymity.

Access through the IP address rather than the URL

Each device connected to the internet is given a unique numerical identity called an IP address. Additionally, each website has a different IP address that can be used to visit the site, even if the URL is restricted. You must ascertain the IP address to visit a website that has been determined using that address. Either a command prompt or a website can be used for this. If you know the IP address, type it into your web browser to see the website.

For instance, if Facebook is restricted at your school and you want to access it, use its IP address, 31.13.71.36, rather than its domain name, facebook.com. Enter https://31.13.71.36 in the browser’s URL field to get started.

Remember that not all websites may respond favorably to this technique. This strategy is only sometimes guaranteed to work because some websites might be set up to deny access based on IP address.

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Google Translate

Google Translate can be used to get around website censorship. You can access any website using these procedures, even if your school or the government has prohibited it. Start by launching Google Translate and entering the website’s address. Choose the language used to write the website from the drop-down list under “Detect language.” After that, select “Translate.”

This will direct you to a webpage that has been translated. You can view the site’s content even though the translation might be flawed. Remember that this approach will only work if the page you’re trying to access is accessible in the language that Google Translate has detected.

Interchange HTTP and HTTPS

Switching between HTTP and HTTPS is one of the simplest ways to unblock websites at school out of all the options. Most websites use the HTTP protocol, which your browser uses to request and receive web pages, by default. Website owners have introduced a more secure variation of the HTTP protocol called HTTPS.

Switching to HTTPS can frequently get around an ISP block when you try to access a website that has been blocked. Because ISPs often block only websites that use the HTTP protocol. Therefore, you can deceive your ISP into believing you are viewing a permitted website by utilizing HTTPS. Naturally, this will only function if HTTPS is enabled on the website you are attempting to access. However, as more and more websites migrate to HTTPS, this tactic will likely start working shortly.

Utilizing ISPs’ Google Public DNS

Anyone can utilize the free DNS service Google Public DNS. By converting the website address into a format that the ISP can understand, these servers operate as an intermediary between users and websites. Users can visit any website, regardless of whether their ISP has restricted it. It is not as private as a VPN or the Tor network, but it may still be used to quickly and successfully get around internet censorship.

Use A Portable Browser To Get Around Website Blocks

If specific websites are blocked at your business or institution of higher learning, neither students nor staff members can access them while on the clock. Do not fret! By using a mobile browser, it is possible to get around these website bans. Self-contained programs known as mobile browsers can be launched from a USB drive or other external storage device.

This implies that it can be used on any computer, despite any limitations that may have been set. Additionally, portable browsers are frequently user-friendly and lightweight, making them perfect for getting around banned websites. So consider utilizing a mobile browser if you need to view a restricted website.

In addition to the methods mentioned previously, you can try a few less common methods to unblock websites online. These include:

  1. Use a mobile data connection instead of a Wi-Fi connection. Some internet restrictions are only applied to Wi-Fi connections, so switching to a mobile data connection may allow you to access the blocked website.
  2. Use a different DNS server. Your internet service provider (ISP) may block access to the website by blocking the DNS server used to resolve the website’s domain name. You can use a different DNS server, such as Google Public DNS or OpenDNS, to see if this allows you to access the blocked website.
  3. Use HTTPS instead of HTTP. Some internet restrictions are applied only to the HTTP version of a website, so switching to the HTTPS version may allow you to access the website.
  4. Use a mobile browser. If you cannot install a VPN or proxy on your device, you can try using a mobile version of a web browser, such as Firefox Portable or Portable Chrome, that you can run from a USB drive. This may allow you to bypass internet restrictions and access the blocked website.

Remember that these methods may only sometimes work and may not be legal in your country. Always check your local laws and regulations before attempting to access a blocked website.

Conclusion

The approaches outlined above are more efficient ways to get around website blocks, while there are many other options. In most cases, you can get around any restrictions by using a web proxy server, the website’s IP address, or a VPN service. Use the TOR network or a mobile browser if you seek an even more secure alternative. Before attempting to visit any prohibited websites, ensure you are familiar with the operation of the chosen method.

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