how to visit sites blocked by wifi

How to unblock blocked websites (9 easy ways)

Learn how to unblock blocked websites in a few different ways using tricks, free software, online services, and apps.

Blocked websites

When you're bored at your office, school, or at home, and have some spare time, then you might want to go online and visit your favorite site, like Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Vimeo, Yahoo, Gmail, VK, Reddit, Pinterest, Google, LinkedIn, or another website to check your email, check what your friends are sharing, watch videos, play video games, chat with someone, or do other things online.

So you open your web browser and visit your favorite website but then you find out that the site is blocked.

You might get one of the following messages in your web browser: DENIED , ACCESS DENIED , This site can't be reached , Hmm. We're having trouble finding that site. We can't connect to the server at vimeo.com. or Hmmm...can't reach this page .

There are schools, companies, and even countries that block certain websites like social media, video sharing, political, news, and adult sites.

When it happens only at work or at your school, then it's probably blocked by the network administrator of the company or school.

There are also countries where governments (authorities) block certain websites.

Countries may block websites for the following areas of activity:

• Political : Views and information in opposition to those of the current government or related to human rights, freedom of expression, minority rights, and religious movements.
• Social : Views and information perceived as offensive or as socially sensitive, often related to sexuality, gambling, or illegal drugs and alcohol.
• Conflict/Security : Views and information related to armed conflicts, border disputes, separatist movements, and militant groups.
• Email services (e.g., Gmail, Yahoo Mail, Outlook.com, and AOL Mail)
• Search engines (e.g., Google, Bing, Yahoo, and Baidu)
• Translation (e.g., Google Translate, WorldLingo, SDL FreeTranslation, and Bing Translator)
• Voice-over Internet Protocol (VoIP) services (e.g., Skype, Google Hangouts, and Vonage)
• Censorship or filtering circumvention methods
• Web hosting

In most cases, you can try a few different methods to unblock websites that are blocked.

Many people use a proxy site, but you can also unblock websites without proxy sites.

On this page, I will show you how to bypass and access blocked websites in a few different ways.

How to unblock a blocked website using DNS over HTTPS (DoH)

DNS over HTTPS is a protocol for performing remote Domain Name System resolution via the HTTPS protocol.

You can also use this to try to unblock blocked websites.

Below you will find steps to enable DNS over HTTPS in Windows 11 , Google Chrome , Microsoft Edge , and Firefox

How to enable DNS over HTTPS in Windows 11

2. Click on Network & Internet in the left menu.

3. Click on Wi-Fi or Ethernet . If your PC is connected to the Internet through Wi-Fi, then you click on Wi-Fi . If your PC is connected to the Internet through an Internet (LAN) cable, then you click on Ethernet .

4. Click on Hardware properties .

5. Find the DNS server assignment option and click on the Edit button next to it.

6. Click on the drop-down menu button and select Manual .

7. Click on the Ipv4 button to turn it to On .

8. In the Preferred DNS field, you enter the primary DNS server address of your choice (e.g., 8.8.8.8 or 1.1.1.1).

9. Click on the drop-down menu button below Preferred DNS encryption and select Encrypted only (DNS over HTTPS) .

10. In the Alternative DNS field, you enter the secondary DNS server address of your choice (e.g., 8.8.4.4 or 1.0.0.1).

11. Click on the drop-down menu button below Preferred DNS encryption and select Encrypted only (DNS over HTTPS) .

12. Click on the Ipv6 button to turn it to On .

13. In the Preferred DNS field, you enter the primary DNS server address of your choice (e.g., 2001:4860:4860::8888 or 2606:4700:4700::1111).

14. Click on the drop-down menu button below Preferred DNS encryption and select Encrypted only (DNS over HTTPS) .

15. In the Alternative DNS field, you enter the secondary DNS server address of your choice (e.g., 2001:4860:4860::8844 or 2606:4700:4700::1001).

16. Click on the drop-down menu button below Preferred DNS encryption and select Encrypted only (DNS over HTTPS) .

17. Click on the Save button.

All of your DNS requests will be private and secure.

18. You can close the settings window now.

How to enable DNS over HTTPS in Google Chrome

Google Chrome may already have DNS over HTTPS enabled by default, but it's better to double-check and maybe make some changes in the settings, like changing the DNS service provider.

1. Open Google Chrome.

2. Click on the ⁝ menu button in the top right corner.

3. Click on Settings .

4. Click on Privacy and security located in the left menu.

5. Click on Security .

6. Click on the Use secure DNS option to turn it on.

7. Select the With option.

8. Select a DNS service provider.

DNS over HTTPS is now enabled.

You may need to restart your web browser before visiting the blocked website. And if the website is still blocked, try another DNS service provider.

How to enable DNS over HTTPS in Microsoft Edge

Microsoft Edge may already have DNS over HTTPS enabled by default, but it's better to double-check and maybe make some changes in the settings, like changing the DNS service provider.

1. Open Microsoft Edge.

2. Click on the ⋯ menu button in the top right corner.

4. Click on Privacy, search, and services in the left menu.

5. Scroll down to the Security section.

6. Click on the Use secure DNS to specify how to lookup the network address for websites option to turn it on.

7. Select the Choose a service provider option.

How to enable DNS over HTTPS in Firefox

Firefox may already have DNS over HTTPS enabled by default, but it's better to double-check and maybe make some changes in the settings, like changing the DNS service provider.

1. Open Firefox.

2. Click on the ☰ menu button in the top-right corner.

4. Click on Privacy & Security in the left menu.

5. Scroll down to the DNS over HTTPS section.

6. Select the Max Protection option.

7. Select a DNS service provider.

How to unblock a blocked website using different DNS service

DNS (Domain Name System) is what lets users connect to websites using domain names instead of IP addresses. It's the phonebook of the Internet.

You can use Google Public DNS or Cloudflare's 1.1.1.1 public DNS resolver to try to unblock blocked websites.

Below you will find steps to enable DNS over HTTPS in Windows 10 , Windows 11 , and Android .

Change DNS settings on Windows 10

1. Open settings.

2. Click on Network & Internet .

3. Click on Network and Sharing Center located at the bottom.

4. Click on your network.

5. Click on Properties .

6. Select (highlight) Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) .

7. Click on the Properties button.

8. Select the Use the following DNS server addresses option.

9. Enter the IP addresses in the Preferred DNS server and Alternate DNS server fields.

For Google, you enter 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4 . For Cloudflare, you enter 1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1 .

10. Click on the OK button.

11. Click on the Close button.

Your DNS settings are now changed.

Change DNS settings on Windows 11

Change dns settings on android.

2. Tap on Connections or Network & internet .

3. Tap on More connection settings or Advanced .

4. Tap on Private DNS .

5. Select the Private DNS provider hostname option.

6. Enter the DNS provider hostname in the field below.

For Google, you enter dns.google . For Cloudflare (1.1.1.1), you enter one.one.one.one or 1dot1dot1dot1.cloudflare-dns.com .

7. Tap on Save .

Note: If you have a smartphone with an older version of Android, you can use an app, like Cloudflare's 1.1.1.1 app.

How to unblock a blocked website using a VPN (Virtual Private Network)

A VPN (Virtual Private Network) is a network technology that allows you to create a secure connection to another network over the Internet.

A VPN can be used to access region-restricted websites, shield your web browsing activities on public Wi-Fi networks, and more.

There are many paid and free VPN services and applications for Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X, Linux, Android, and iPhone (iOs).

Four examples of well-known VPN services are:

• IVPN (WireGuard support)
• Mullvad (WireGuard support)
• Cryptostorm (WireGuard support)
• Windscribe (also offers a free account with 10 GB per month)

Most VPNs are very easy to use.

Some VPNs (like Windscribe) also offer a browser extension for Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, and Firefox.

How to unblock a blocked website using the built-in proxy in Epic web browser

Epic Privacy Browser has a built-in encrypted proxy.

You can download Epic Privacy Browser here .

1. Open Epic Privacy Browser.

2. Click on the red plugs icon located at the top right of the browser.

3. Click on the On button.

4. Select a location.

How to unblock a blocked website using Tor Browser

Tor Browser is a web browser that protects you by bouncing your communications around a distributed network of relays run by volunteers all around the world.

Tor Browser allows you to access blocked sites.

You can use this browser on Microsoft Windows, Mac OS, and Linux computers without installing it.

This browser can also run off a USB flash drive.

You can download the Tor Browser here .

Just open Tor Browser and visit the blocked website.

How to unblock a blocked website using Tails

Tails is a live operating system that you can start on almost any computer from a USB stick or a DVD.

It allows you to use the Internet anonymously and circumvent censorship.

Tails forces all Internet connections to go through the Tor network.

You can download Tails here .

You can install Tails on a USB flash drive, then boot a computer from the USB flash drive, open the web browser and visit the blocked website.

How to unblock a blocked website using proxy sites

A proxy site is a website hosted on a server that redirects your web browsing activity. A proxy site acts as an intermediary between you and the website you want to visit.

You can use proxy sites to access blocked websites.

1. Visit any of the proxy sites listed below.

• https://www.hidemyass.com/proxy
• https://www.proxysite.com
• https://proxysite.site
• https://hide.me/en/proxy
• https://hidester.com/proxy/
• https://whoer.net/webproxy

2. Enter the URL (web address) of the website you want to unblock (e.g., www.reddit.com, www.spotify.com, etc.).

3. Press Enter .

Note: Some companies, schools, or countries block proxy sites, and they might update their list of proxy sites regularly, so you might want to make a list of proxy sites.

How to unblock a blocked website using an IP address

Sometimes only the URL of a website is blocked (e.g., www.facebook.com, www.twitter.com, etc.).

You might still be able to visit the website by its IP address (e.g., 206.189.189.27).

Note: There are websites that cannot be accessed by their IP address.

How to find a website's IP address using an online service

1. Visit any of the online services listed below.

• https://www.site24x7.com/tools/find-ip-address-of-web-site.html
• https://ipinfo.info/html/ip_checker.php
• https://www.iplocation.net
• https://tools.keycdn.com/geo
• https://whatismyipaddress.com/hostname-ip
• https://www.whatismyip.com/dns-lookup/

2. Enter the URL (web address) or domain name of the website (e.g., reddit.com, www.spotify.com, etc.).

The group of numbers is the IP address of the website (e.g., 185.60.218.35).

How to find a website's IP address using Windows Command Prompt

In this example, I'll be using Facebook.

1. Open the Windows Command Prompt.

2. Type the following command:

How to find a website's IP address using the Mac OS X Terminal

1. Open the Mac OS X Terminal.

3. Press Return (Enter).

How to find a website's IP address using the Mac OS X Network Utility

1. Open the Mac Network Utility.

2. Open the Ping tab.

3. Type the site's domain name (e.g., facebook.com, twitter.com, yahoo.com, etc.).

4. Press Return (Enter).

5. Set the number of pings to 1 .

6. Click on the Ping button.

How to unblock a blocked website using a URL shortener

Maybe the URL (web address) of the website you want to visit is blocked, but converting the URL to another shorter URL with the help of a URL shortener might help you access the blocked site.

1. Visit any of the URL shorteners listed below.

• https://bitly.com
• https://tinyurl.com
• https://shorte.st
• https://www.rebrandly.com
• https://tiny.cc
• https://t.ly

The URL shortener will now create a custom short URL, and this URL can be used to visit the blocked website.

How to Bypass Internet Restrictions and Blocks and View Any Website

Need to access a blocked website? Try these tips and tricks to bypass internet restrictions and view the content you want.

It doesn't matter where in the world you live; there are times when you're going to come across blocked sites and restricted areas of the internet. But if you come across an internet block, don't panic. You need to know how to bypass barred sites and internet restrictions.

Why Do Blocked Sites Exist?

The possible reasons for the blocks are numerous.

Firstly , lots of services use geo-blocking tools to restrict access to their content in certain countries. The issue is perhaps most commonly associated with Netflix's catalog. However, it can also apply to videos on social media (such as sports clips), news articles, and even entire services which are not available outside their country of origin (like Hulu).

Secondly , governments often block access to sites to suit their agenda. The internet restriction in China is perhaps the most famous example, with its Great Firewall being used to block various popular sites, including Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. But we've also seen Turkey block access to social media in an attempt to quell protests in 2016 and Sri Lanka stop access to Facebook in the aftermath of the April 2019 terrorist attacks, supposedly to prevent the spread of fake news.

Thirdly , employers often block sites on their internal networks to boost productivity and cut out distractions, however frustrating that may be.

Lastly , some countries have odd laws that can restrict access to certain types of material. The UK's controversial porn ban, which required users to verify their age, and Germany's crusade against YouTube are two of the most notable cases.

How to Bypass Blocked Sites

If you run into a restricted site, what can you do? Here are the best ways to bypass blocked sites and access whatever page you want.

1. Use a VPN

The most popular way of accessing blocked internet sites is to use a high-quality paid Virtual Private Network (VPN).

VPNs have many benefits, but when dealing with a blocked site, it's the technology's ability to provide you with an IP address in another country that's the most important. The foreign IP address makes it appear as though you are based in a different location, meaning you won't trigger a site's geo-blocks and can circumnavigate restrictions.

Some services theoretically block access from VPN IP addresses. In practice, this has resulted in a massive game of cat and mouse, in which the VPN providers are generally victorious.

VPNs are incredibly easy to use: download the app onto your phone or computer, enter your login credentials, and choose the network that you want to connect to.

Note that you can use free VPNs, but many of these services have been known to log traffic data or provided subpar protection. It is generally safer to avoid free VPNs and opt for a legitimate and trusted paid service.

Need a VPN? You can score discounted plans with CyberGhost and ExpressVPN if you sign up using these links. Both are reputable, performant, and mindful of your privacy.

2. Use a Smart DNS

The clampdown on VPNs by services like Netflix and BBC iPlayer has resulted in a growth of smart DNS providers. They offer a way to bypass restricted websites.

Smart DNS services have some pros and cons when considered in contrast to VPNs.

One of the most significant advantages of using a smart DNS to get around a website block is internet speed. Unlike VPNs, which route all your web traffic through a different network, smart DNS providers only need to reroute information about your location. This process results in a faster browsing experience.

On the downside, DNS services do not offer any of the same privacy benefits as VPNs. They do not encrypt your traffic, nor do they change your IP. If authorities in your location are likely to prosecute based on the sites you visit, a smart DNS provider is not right for you.

So which DNS should you use? One of the best smart DNS providers is Getflix , so give that a go.

3. Use a Free Proxy

If you need to quickly access a blocked website on a one-time basis, a free proxy might be the way to go.

A proxy will hide your IP address , thus helping to disguise your location. It will not, however, encrypt your traffic. The lack of encryption means proxies are not as secure as VPNs; they are an excellent option to get around blocks on work and school networks , but are not suitable for browsing which requires anonymity.

Proxies are typically much slower than VPNs. You'll also find they often have issues with page formatting and images. Both of these problems preclude them from being reliable long-term solutions. You should also ensure that you're using a legitimate proxy that you can trust.

Learn more about some of the best proxies for geo-blocked content so you can enjoy more international content.

4. Use a Site's IP Address

When you think of web addresses, you probably think of the domain name (e.g. www.makeuseof.com) that you type into your browser's address bar.

In practice, the domain name is like a veneer for the IP address. It's the IP address that points to a server and directs your traffic. DNS servers are responsible for converting domain names into their associated IP addresses.

However, if you know a site's IP address, you can enter it directly into your browser, and you will still end up viewing the site.

Because many networks only block domain name URLs and not their underlying IP addresses, this trick is often a great way to circumvent internet restrictions.

The same principle applies to short URLs. It's unlikely that a small employer or school has blocked all the short URLs that point to a site. You'll often enjoy some success in bypassing school-blocked sites if you try to use them.

You can find the IP address of a site by opening Command Prompt as an admin, then typing "tracert" followed by the domain name; for example, "tracert bbc.com".

5. Use the Tor Browser

When you use the Tor network to browse the web, your traffic is taken on a long journey through thousands of nodes all around the world. This process makes it almost impossible for a regular website to know where the request originated, so it's unlikely to get caught in any blocking filters. Tor is free to download and is used by over two million people every day (as reported by Enterprise Apps Today ).

Be aware that Tor and the dark web are not completely anonymous. Government authorities can, and do, monitor persons of interest on the network. The process is just more complex than it would be via traditional browsers and internet channels.

6. Alternate Between HTTP and HTTPS

Website URLs can come with two different kinds of access: Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) and Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure (HTTPS). Switching a site URL from HTTPS to HTTP can make the network you're using think that it is a different site altogether, therefore granting access.

Note that HTTPS is often the preferred access type nowadays, as it securely sends data within networks using encryption. HTTP, on the other hand, does not do this, so you may be putting your data at risk if you choose to use a site using the latter protocol.

How to Bypass School Restrictions

Want to know how to bypass restricted websites at school ? First, recognize that there are good reasons educational institutions block content, including for safeguarding purposes. We don't advise you typically access blocked content at school. Nonetheless, sometimes, blocks can be overzealous and ban something that you really need for research.

Some of these options may or may not be available if you want to bypass blocked websites at school. Often, you will not be able to install apps like Tor or a VPN on a school computer or network.

However, there are still some things you can do that will help you get access.

They include using the site's IP address, using Google Translate as an impromptu proxy server, and using a smartphone hotspot as an internet connection.

Just be aware that bypassing a school's restrictions could have repercussions, including expulsion from the establishment.

Learn More About How to Get Past Blocked Sites

Our preferred method for accessing blocked sites and bypassing internet restrictions on a regular basis is to use a VPN.

If you would like to learn more about using VPNs (along with some of the other methods for getting around online blocks), you should learn more about how to bypass Wi-Fi and internet restrictions.

How to Unblock Websites (Ultimate Guide)

Blocked websites are an unfortunate reality of the online world — so much so that almost everyone runs into a block at one point or another. Thankfully, there are tons of handy tools and methods for bypassing blocks and accessing restricted content.

If you can’t access your favorite website, you’re not alone. Over 76 %  of Internet users live in countries with at least some form of online censorship. Plus, even if you don’t live somewhere with censorship, you’ve probably encountered blocks from work, school, and other places.

In this guide, we’ll dive into the many tools and methods available for unblocking websites from any device. Before we can do that, however, we’ll first have to find out why (and how) your favorite websites get blocked. Read on to learn more and start unblocking.

Why Am I Getting Blocked From a Website?

While blocks  can happen for any number of reasons, it’s usually because someone is trying to prevent you from accessing a certain website or app.

Most blocks fall into one of three major categories: Being blocked by the network you’re using (such as the WiFi at your work or school) or being blocked by the website itself. Finally, your internet service provider (ISP) or government may even block you.

No matter the block, there’s usually a workaround. However, the workaround you use depends on the type of block and what you’re trying to access. Read on to learn more about the different types of blocks and what tools you can use to bypass them.

It’s Blocked by Your Work or School

Almost everyone has had content blocked by their work or school. But why are these blocks in place, and how do they work?

The reasoning is pretty easy to guess: Schools and workplaces have a vested interest in keeping students and employees productive. As a result, they place heavy blocks on certain kinds of websites, such as social networks and online games.

Usually, your school or work network blocks websites by URL . That means whenever you enter an address into your browser  — the network compares this address to its blocklist. If the address is on the blocklist, it restricts access and blocks you.

A common way around these blocks is to reroute your browsing through a third party, such as a proxy or virtual private network (VPN).

It’s Blocked by the Government

As we mentioned at the beginning of this article, most of the world’s population faces a block imposed by governments. But why?

The exact answer may vary, but it all boils down to a common trend: Governments have a vested interest in preserving their reputation among their citizens. As a result, many governments restrict access to websites that share embarrassing or incriminating information about past events.

One of the most famous examples of a government block is the “Great Firewall”  of China, which was quickly implemented after the Internet first arrived in the country in the early 1990s. The intention of the firewall is to block foreign websites and cross-border traffic that go against China’s constitution and censorship objectives.

Because of the Great Firewall, China’s population of nearly 1.5 billion people can’t access popular websites such as Google and Facebook. However, this hasn’t stopped them:  29 %  of Internet users in China bypass blocks with a VPN.

Of course, China is far from the only country that restricts its citizens’ Internet access. No matter the country, however, the blocks are usually the same, with government networks filtering web traffic based on URLs and host IP addresses.

VPNs are usually the best way to bypass government blocks. However, some users can get by using proxies and other methods .

It’s Blocked by Your ISP

While not nearly as common as the other types of blocks we’ve discussed so far, many users face blocks from their Internet service provider (ISP).

While the reasons for ISP blocks can vary, they’re usually meant to prevent web traffic that could violate local laws or the provider’s terms of service. In contrast to government-level “hard blocks,” ISP “soft blocks” are typically easier to bypass with VPNs, proxies, and other methods. Simply switching DNS servers can even bypass some ISP blocks.

Many Internet users aren’t even aware that they’re being blocked by their ISP. One common reason is that these blocks can be a valuable add-on service meant to safeguard your browsing experience. However, some ISPs may also restrict access to safeguard their own interests.

But how do you know if your ISP is behind a block? While it isn’t always easy to tell, you can usually conclude that a block is from an ISP if you can’t access a website on an otherwise unrestricted network. For example, if you live in a country without censorship and aren’t using a work or school network, then any blocks you experience are likely coming from your ISP.

It’s Geo-Restricted

Many websites block traffic from entire countries or regions. Also known as ‌”geo-restriction,” this type of block is common on streaming services such as Netflix, YouTube, Prime Video, and more.

Why bother blocking foreign traffic? Streaming services, in particular, must also follow distribution laws that dictate which countries and regions can access certain content. These laws are why your Netflix experience often changes when you enter a new country — even on the same account.

As you may have guessed, bypassing geo-restrictions requires accessing the website from an “approved” country. While that may seem impossible without travel, VPNs and proxies offer this capability by rerouting your traffic through remote foreign servers.

Another reason for other sites is that too much foreign traffic can overwhelm server resources.

You’re Banned

Sometimes blocks come from a website itself. Many popular websites such as Omegle and Twitter can ban users for violating their terms of service or promoting illegal activity.

In this case, it’s pretty easy to tell if you’re banned. But how can you get around it?

The answer varies depending on the website and the method of the ban. Account-based services such as Twitter will simply ban the account itself, meaning that you won’t be able to bypass it by simply using a VPN. Instead, you’ll have to create a new account altogether.

However, many bans are based on the user’s IP address . Instead of banning an account, a website may instead ban all traffic from the user’s IP address . VPNs and proxies are great ways to bypass these bans since they can effectively change your IP address by rerouting your traffic.

Can You Unblock a Website?

Yes, but it depends on the block. VPNs and proxies can usually bypass most restrictions, but it’s not always guaranteed.

As we’ll see in the next section, unblocking capability can vary widely between different providers and software packages. To make things even more difficult, many popular web services are constantly on the lookout for VPN and proxy server IPs, resulting in a never-ending struggle to maintain a vast pool of functional addresses.

Thankfully, even if a VPN or proxy doesn’t work for a certain service, there are still plenty of ways to bypass blocks. Read on to learn more about VPNs, proxies, and some effective alternatives to unblocking your favorite websites.

Top 4 Ways To Unblock Websites

VPNs and proxies are the most popular and effective tools for unblocking websites. However, many users also achieve great results from anonymous browsers such as DuckDuckGo . While there are many other methods for unblocking websites, these four are the most widely used.

1. Use a Virtual Private Network (VPN)

VPNs are by far the most popular tool for unblocking websites. However, bypassing blocks is just a byproduct of their functionality.

True to its name, a virtual private network reroutes your traffic through its own set of secure servers, effectively extending the private network of your home, school, or work onto a virtual public network. In other words, where your traffic would normally be sent directly to a website, a VPN steps in as a “middleman” that takes your data and resends it.

Unlike a proxy, a VPN  also encrypts your outgoing traffic. As a result, both your traffic and your identity stay private and secure. As we’ll see later, this is part of the key to accessing blocked websites.

The process may sound a bit complicated, but it’s actually fairly straightforward:

• You open the VPN client on your desktop or web browser .
• The VPN client encrypts your outbound traffic. Depending on the provider, you may also be able to specify which apps will use the VPN (this option is known as “split tunneling”).
• Your encrypted traffic gets sent to the VPN’s network of secure servers. Like with any connection, your traffic is divided into “packets,” each of which includes source and destination IP addresses. Here, the source IP address is that of your private home, work, or school network.
• The VPN server removes your source IP address from each packet and replaces it with its own. In doing so, the receiving end will think that your traffic came from the VPN server, not your computer.
• Your traffic is decrypted and received by the recipient, who won’t be aware of its true source.

Okay, so maybe not entirely straightforward. However, you likely won’t need to worry about the details of the process. Once it’s up and running, you’ll be able to browse normally while the VPN encrypts and reroutes your traffic behind the scenes.

That’s all well and good, but how does that process unblock websites?

The answer is in your IP. As many blocks and bans are IP-based (websites use it to deduce your location), replacing your IP address during rerouting is usually enough to slip through restrictions. However, as most major websites are constantly trying to block access from known VPN servers, providers need to maintain large networks of distributed servers in order to secure access.

Server numbers and capabilities vary widely between different VPN providers, however. Even a quick search for a VPN will yield hundreds of different options, with each provider having a different number and variety of servers.

As you might imagine, price also varies with performance, with top providers charging $10 or more per month to use networks with thousands of secure VPN servers. While there are some free VPNs, they often aren’t robust — and many people turn to proxies for free unblocking.

2. Use a Proxy Server

Like a VPN, a proxy also reroutes traffic through its own servers — but with a few key differences.

The biggest difference is that proxies don’t encrypt data as VPNs do. As a result, your traffic is fully visible to third parties, which can pose additional security risks if you’re using a less-than-reputable provider. Users should be careful when typing passwords or sending other secure information while using a proxy.

Most proxies also offer far fewer servers than the average VPN provider. While you may still be able to unblock websites, they probably won’t be as reliable as using a VPN.

However, these drawbacks don’t mean that proxies don’t have their place. Since they’re free and widely available, proxies offer a quick way to unblock websites and preserve anonymity. Just be careful when sending secure data and be prepared to try many different servers before you’re able to access restricted content.

3. Use a VPN/Proxy Browser Extension

Many VPNs and proxies can also come as browser extensions  (rather than full-fledged software tools).

These are a great option for unblocking websites. Conventional VPNs will reroute your entire connection rather than traffic sent from individual apps. While some providers do allow users to pick and choose which apps use the VPN network, you may have to pay extra for the privilege.

Another benefit of browser extensions  is that they won’t slow down your connection speed for other apps. Since VPNs add an extra step between source and destination, a slightly slower connection is always expected. However, if only the web browser is using the VPN, you’ll maintain a high connection speed for other apps while you unblock websites from the browser.

The difference isn’t quite as significant for proxies, however. Since most proxies are usually free and often overused, there’s little difference in connection speed unless the browser extension provides access to premium proxy servers.

Short for “The Onion Router,” Tor is a free, open-source network dedicated to preserving online anonymity. While its primary purpose is hiding your identity, it also has the benefit of unblocking websites by rerouting your traffic through its vast network of relays.

While that may sound a lot like a VPN or proxy, it’s not quite the same. Where VPNs and proxies use dedicated servers, the Tor network relies on a large overlay network run entirely by volunteers.

When you use Tor, your traffic and data get rerouted through at least three volunteer relays  until there’s no identifying information left. As of 2022, the Tor network boasts over 6,000 relays.

Using the Tor network is free and easy. You can access the network by downloading the Tor browser  and simply selecting a connection. While some countries block Tor itself, you can bypass these blocks by configuring Tor to use its own network during the download. After installation, you’re good to go.

Tor does have some drawbacks, however. In order to keep your identity private, the Tor browser will often block media plugins (such as Flash) that could be manipulated into revealing identifying information. Similarly, it also automatically disables scripts, resulting in a slightly less feature-rich browsing experience.

Other Ways to Unblock Websites

While using VPNs, proxies, and the Tor network are all great ways to unblock websites, they’re not the only option — and they may even be unnecessary in certain situations.

Before shelling out for a premium VPN or replacing your favorite web browser with Tor, consider some of these simpler alternatives.

Switch from HTTP to HTTPS

One of the easiest ways to unblock certain websites is to simply switch to its HTTPS version . To do this, simply replace the “http://” in the URL with “https://”.

These days, it’s not a surefire solution as HTTPS has become the standard for most websites. But it can be an effective way to bypass blocks on work or school networks.

In these cases, administrators usually specify a complete URL (e.g., http://www.blocked-website.com/) when adding a site to their network’s blocklist. Administrators may forget to include the HTTPS variation, offering you a convenient workaround.

Use the Website’s IP Address

Similar to switching to HTTPS, you can also try using the website’s IP address instead of its URL.

To find a website’s URL, use any of the methods outlined here . Simply enter the IP address into your browser, and you should be able to access the website unless your network administrator has done the due diligence to also block the IP.

For example, one of several IP addresses for the Google homepage is 172.217.204.102. Try entering this address in your browser instead of google.com — you’ll wind up at the same place.

Use a URL Shortener

URL shorteners like TinyURL  provide another way to bypass certain blocks.

These services take an existing URL and return a shortened version that automatically redirects you to the original website. In doing so, you’re only connecting to the shortened URL and not the original, which may be blocked by your administrator. As a result, URL shorteners can sometimes do the trick for URL-based blocks and blocklists, depending on how they’re enforced.

Change Your DNS Server

Switching to a different Domain Name System (DNS) server is an effective way to unblock websites if you’ve been IP banned.

Without getting too technical, your DNS server  is responsible for linking URLs to their IP address(es) (e.g., google.com to 172.217.204.102). Since private networks and ISPs manage blocks from their DNS servers, switching to a public one is usually a good workaround.

You can switch to a different DNS server by entering its IP address in your computer’s network settings. One of the most popular (and easy to remember) choices is Google’s public DNS server, which has an IP of 8.8.8.8.

Use an Online Translators

Submitting a URL to online translators such as Google Translate  provides an alternative link that can evade many blocking filters. Simply enter the URL into the translation field, select your language, and let the translator work its magic.

Check Caches and Website Archives

Google Cache  and archive.org’s Wayback Machine store copies of every website they crawl, which are available to the public. Since you don’t need the original URL to access a cached website, it’s an effective method for viewing blocked websites — albeit older versions.

To access a cached version of a website, you can either Google search the URL and access the cache  from the results or search the Wayback Machine .

Use Opera Browser

The Opera browser includes a free built-in VPN, making it a quick and easy way to unblock websites without purchasing an expensive subscription. However, be careful: According to some reviews, it’s not the best option for securing your privacy or accessing streaming services such as Netflix.

Though there are many ways to unblock websites, VPNs remain the most popular and effective solution. With top providers offering thousands of servers spread across global networks, a VPN is a great way to access restricted content and even secure your privacy.

However, proxies, Tor, and the other tools and methods we’ve covered can also do a great job in many situations. No matter what you use, remember that the key to unblocking websites is either changing your IP address or trying an alternative URL.

Looking for more helpful hints? Visit the Kinsta blog for the latest tips on secure browsing, managed WordPress hosting , application hosting , database hosting , and more.

Salman Ravoof is a self-taught web developer, writer, creator, and a huge admirer of Free and Open Source Software (FOSS). Besides tech, he's excited by science, philosophy, photography, arts, cats, and food. Learn more about him on his website , and connect with Salman on Twitter .

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How to unblock sites and access banned pages wherever you are

VPN is essential for unblocking sites anywhere

Let’s face it, we’ve all come across sites that are blocked. Whether that’s because your country has restricted internet access or you just want to watch YouTube at school, it makes no difference – all you want to do is unblock sites and use the web like everyone else.

The quickest and easiest way to unblock sites at home or abroad is to use one of the best VPN services. With a VPN, your activity is encrypted and made anonymous. This means that who or whatever is blocking sites on your network can’t see what you’re looking at or searching for. In turn, that means they can’t make the decision to block what you’re viewing.

• More: Here's how to watch CNN anywhere

Which VPNs are best for unblocking sites?

It’s important to think about privacy, how many servers the VPN has, and whether it’s any good for streaming. Free VPN services can be useful, but for getting around Internet restrictions, none are truly good enough. So, unblocking sites is something we’d only entrust to a paid VPN like ExpressVPN or NordVPN .

We rate ExpressVPN as the #1 VPN on the market , and it’s our first choice for unblocking websites. It has over 3,000 servers in 94 countries worldwide, meaning wherever you are you’ll get a strong, fast connection. It's great for streaming, and in countries with strict VPN policies like China it also uses special obfuscated servers to help get around those restrictions.

You’ll get apps for all your devices, and just about every server delivers speeds which are fast enough to stream HD content from Netflix, or any other service. The best bit? Tom’s Guide readers can claim three free months on any 12-month plan – and you’ll also have a 30-day money-back guarantee to make up your mind before you commit.

NordVPN is another great choice as a website unblocker VPN. With 5,000+ servers in 59 countries you’ll have plenty to choose from, and its powerful encryption will keep you safe. Speeds are good, it’s great for streaming, and also works in anti-VPN countries like China. At $3.71 a month , it’s pretty good value too, so it’s a decent alternative to ExpressVPN.

If you're looking for a cheap way to unblock sites on the web, we'd highly recommend Surfshark . While it doesn't deliver quite such an in-depth experience as Nord or Express, Surfshark is incredibly affordable at just $2.49 a month . Plus, you'll also be able to use it on as many devices as you want, and you'll have a 30-day money-back guarantee to test-drive it.

Why are certain sites blocked?

Certain sites are blocked for any number of reasons. Many countries, including China, the UAE, Cuba, Russia and Turkey, censor what can be accessed online. While this isn’t ideal for residents, it can come as a surprise to holidaymakers or those traveling for business that this will affect them too.

However, even in countries that don't censor content online, website unblockers can still be useful if your internet is restricted – for example, at work or at school. These restrictions are usually put in place for productivity, but in reality they can affect how you learn or do your job, so bypassing them with a VPN can have great benefits beyond just watching gaming vids on YouTube.

Finally, if you enjoy watching TV online, you’ll know that there’s tons of content that’s not available where you are. Netflix shows different content in different countries, and services like BBC iPlayer and Hulu are only available in one country. Using a streaming VPN is the only way to get more content out of your paid services, and access geo-blocked free ones, too.

How to unblock Netflix and other streaming sites

One of the most popular reasons to get a VPN is to access blocked content on Netflix, and get access to region-restricted streaming services in different countries. For example, if you’re from the UK but on a trip to Spain, you won’t be able to watch iPlayer until you get home.

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However, a good VPN can get you access to any streaming content wherever you are – just as long as you pay for it, in the case of Netflix, Hulu, and other premium providers.

So, if you’re in America and want to watch It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia on Netflix – it’s exclusive to Hulu in the US – you can connect your VPN to a UK server. Then you can head to Netflix and get watching. That’ll save you having to get a Hulu subscription just for one show.

Note : Using a VPN to circumvent streaming site blocks is typically against their Ts&Cs, so proceed with caution and make sure you know the risks before you do so.

• Check out the best Netflix VPN for accessing blocked content

How to unblock banned sites

Beyond streaming, a VPN is hugely useful for unblocking your daily sites when overseas. A great example is China – if you’ve travelled there for business or pleasure, you’ll notice sites and apps like Twitter, Facebook, Google, Gmail , Wikipedia and quite literally thousands more are blocked. If you think you’d like to access them, even once, you’ll need a VPN.

You need to choose a VPN that’s proven to work in the country of your choice – both ExpressVPN and NordVPN are reliable as a China VPN , Turkey VPN , UAE VPN , and in other restrictive states thanks to their obfuscated server tech. Then, you can connect to a server in a nearby country that doesn’t restrict internet use, and get browsing as usual.

Note: If you know you’re traveling to a country like China that restricts VPN use, make sure to sign up before you travel – downloading once you’re there can be difficult or even impossible.

• You need an Android VPN or an iPhone VPN if you're on the move

How to unblock sites that are banned at work or school

If social media sites are blocked on your school or work Wi-Fi, or perhaps you live in rented accommodation which has restricted Internet, a VPN can help you unblock sites here, too.

All you need to do is switch on your VPN, connect to your chosen server, and head over to the blocked website. Your traffic will then be anonymized, and your ISP won’t be able to choose what you can and can’t access.

ExpressVPN will get you access to just about every blocked site on the web , wherever you are – and it's the service we'd choose to use if we were heading to China or anywhere else that restricts the web. Tom's Guide readers can claim three months absolutely free on any 12-month plan, and you also get a 20-day money-back guarantee so you can try before you commit.

Mo is VPN Editor at Tom's Guide. Day-to-day he oversees VPN , privacy, and cybersecurity content, and also undertakes independent testing of VPN services to ensure his recommendations are accurate and up to date. When he's not getting stuck into the nitty-gritty settings of a VPN you've never heard of, you'll find him working on his Peugeot 205 GTi or watching Peep Show instead of finally putting up those shelves.

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How to Unblock a Website: Step-by-Step Instructions

Whether you want to unblock sites at school, work, or home

How To Set Up A VPN

• Why They're Banned

It can be frustrating when you’re on a particular network — like at your school or work — and the administrators have decided certain websites are off limits. How are you supposed to see what your favorite content creator is having for dinner if you can’t get on Instagram? How are you going to know how many people liked that fire selfie you took at the beach this past weekend?

Simple — use a VPN.

VPNs, or virtual private networks, allow you to spoof your digital location and cut through the proverbial red tape that blocks you from certain websites. And this goes for desktops, laptops and mobile devices too. You can change your iPhone location with a VPN just as easily as you can using your home computer.

There are a lot of reasons you might want to do this. For one, changing your YouTube location with a VPN can help you access content that isn’t available in your geographic area. Say you’re traveling internationally for work and don’t really want to watch Italian Netflix, a VPN can make the network think your device is located in the U.S.

Handy, right?

There are a few considerations to think through before you use a VPN, though, and a few steps you need to take to perform this little maneuver successfully. Don’t worry though, we have all of the information right here.

Now let’s get into the nitty-gritty of how to unblock websites.

Pro Tip: Any good VPN can help you unblock websites, but some do it better than others. With strong encryption and affordable prices , Private Internet Access is one of the best VPNs for unblocking websites. Learn about its unique features in our Private Internet Access review .

How to Unblock Websites at School, Work, or Home

School’s network blocking YouTube? Work won’t let you check social media? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered whether you’re on a phone, computer, or tablet. By hiding your IP address , VPNs can help you bypass site-blockers and internet censorship. Setting up a VPN is easy and only takes a few minutes. Here are some of our highest-rated VPNs that we've tested:

A Step-by-Step List for Setting Up a VPN

• Choose a VPN. Our VPN buying guide is a good place to start. Or, if you’re a student, check out the best VPNs for school .
• Download either the VPN app . Once enabled, you’ll be able to alter your device’s IP address and get around any website blockers. Note that if you’re on a school computer, browser extensions will probably be a better option.
• Sign in with your username and password.
• Connect to a VPN server. Look for server locations near you for optimal speeds.

Now that your IP address has changed , you should be able to get around internet censorship , even in countries like China, which has some of the most strict internet censorship on the planet. Speaking of — if you’re in Hong Kong, read about the best Hong Kong VPNs . There are a few considerations you’ll need to make to get around the Great Firewall.

The best VPNs to unblock websites are those with dynamic IP addresses, meaning that you get a new IP address every time you connect to the internet. We recommend reading our ExpressVPN review or our IPVanish review to learn more.

That said, VPNs aren’t the only way to access blocked sites.

What Are Proxy Servers?

If you’re looking to encrypt the IP address of a single web page only, you can use a free proxy instead of a VPN . The major advantage of proxies versus VPNs is that proxies are free, usually, and cover only a single website or apps. VPNs, on the other hand, encrypt all web traffic across your entire device, not just your IP address.

For students using school-owned devices, proxies may be a better option. Employees trying to bypass workplace restrictions should look for a public web proxy. Keep in mind, though, that your workplace might have blocked these sites as well.

Pro Tip: We don’t recommend using these tactics to violate the terms of your employment. If you use proxy servers or a VPN to access materials you shouldn’t on work devices, your IT department might end up wanting to have a word with you.

Sometimes, though, unblocking a particular website is as simple as fiddling with your device settings.

Change Device Permissions

If you have the administrative privileges to do so, sometimes you can unblock a particular website by adjusting the settings on your computer.

To disable the Microsoft Defender Firewall:

• Click the Windows button.
• Click Settings.
• Click Privacy & Security.
• Click Windows Security.
• Click Firewall & Network Protection.
• Select your profile.
• Scroll to Microsoft Defender Firewall.
• Switch the settings to off. 1

Additionally, you may be able to unblock sites on Chrome.

On a computer:

• Open Chrome.
• Open Settings.
• Scroll down to Privacy and Security.
• Click Site Settings.
• Change the setting of your choice.

On an Android device:

• Go to a website you want to unblock.
• Click More.
• Click Info.
• Click Permissions.
• Click Reset Permissions.

Alternatively, on some devices, you can reset permissions for sites via these steps:

• Open the Chrome app.
• Tap the three dots in the right-hand corner.
• Select Settings.
• Under Advanced, select Site settings.
• Find a site under one of the Permissions categories (such as Location) > Blocked. Tap to see a list of sites and change the permission setting.

Finally, on an iPhone or iPad:

• Click Content Settings.
• Click the permission you want to change.

So let’s say none of the above worked. You’re not sunk yet. You still have the nuclear option.

Tor Browser

The Tor browser is an open-sourced web browser that hides both a user’s location and their internet activity, a boon for online anonymity . By hiding your location, you might be able to bypass firewalls, although you may not be able to download Tor on school- or work-owned computers, or in countries like China.

Before you put on your Black Hat and start poking around on the Dark Web, though, you might want to check and make sure your screen time limits aren’t your problem.

NOTE: Do you spend most of your time on a Mac? We recommend using an iOS VPN and learning how to set up a VPN on an iPhone .

Turn Off Screen Time Limits

Perhaps you can’t access a website, not because the website is blocked, but because of screen time limits. If you’re able to, disabling these limits could let you onto the sites of your dreams.

On an iPhone:

• Open your Settings.
• Click Screen Time.
• Click Continue.
• Choose either This Is My Device or This Is My Child’s Device.
• Enter your passcode if asked.
• Click Content & Privacy Restrictions.
• Turn Content and Privacy off. 3

On an Android:

• Go to g.co/YourFamily.
• Select the child you set screen time limits for.
• Select More.
• Click Disable. 4

With all of this in mind, there are a handful of other ways to bypass web blockers — particularly if they aren’t set up well.

Other Methods for Unsophisticated Blockers

Those are all the best ways to unblock websites, but if you’re dealing with a very basic blocker, a few other methods could work as well.

• Use an IP address : Some software blocks domain names only and not the IP addresses behind websites, so if you type the IP address into the URL bar, you could access the website. Use Whois to find out sites’ URLs. 5
• Switch from HTTP to HTTPS : Another method is typing in the URL with either HTTP or HTTPS. Perhaps the software blocks only one or the other, so switching could get you access. However, proceed with caution, as websites whose URLs begin with HTTP are less secure than websites whose URLs begin with HTTPS.
• Go on Google.
• Search for the website you want to visit.
• To the right of the URL, click the downward arrow.
• Click Cached.
• Copy the URL you want to visit.
• Go to the Bitly website.
• Paste the URL in the box that says Shorten Your Link.
• Copy the short URL.
• Paste the URL into your browser.

Why Are Websites Banned?

For those of us who are against internet censorship, running into blocked websites can be a frustrating experience, but there are many reasons why websites are banned, some legitimate and some not.

Schools, from elementary schools to high schools, ban websites to censor what children can see. This is a legal necessity for any school that receives discounts on internet access and connections through the federal E-Rate program. These schools must adhere to internet safety policies that block and filter internet access to harmful material.

It’s all part of the Children’s Internet Protection Act, which Congress enacted in 2000, 6 around the time the internet became widely available.

Did You Know: Certain public schools in the U.S. are legally obligated under the Children’s Internet Protection Act to block obscenity, child pornography, and other pictures that are harmful to minors.

Aside from federal obligations, schools may want to block websites to shield kids from obscene content and keep them safe from cyberbullying, which our cyberbullying research has shown affects one in five kids. To protect kids online usually means websites and search terms restrictions.

Governments

Certain governments like those in China and Russia block websites in order to silence political opposition, independent journalists, and human rights organizations. Governments also may restrict websites in order to protect national security, block child pornography, or prevent copyright or trademark infringement. 7

Employers block websites for a couple of reasons, and no, it’s not just to annoy you.

One, they want to prevent employees from using the internet for personal reasons, otherwise known as “cyberloafing” or “cyberslacking” 8 (hey, we’ve all been there). A survey from the staffing firm OfficeTeam found that, on average, employees waste 56 minutes a day online, which amounts to nearly five hours a week. 9 Time theft is real, folks, which is why you may not be able to browse social media on your work computer. Rats.

Another reason why employers block websites is to prevent employees from causing data breaches or cyberattacks. Unfortunately, human error is the cause of many data breaches . A study found some pretty shocking employee trends when it comes to digital security and password hygiene :

• A third of employees save passwords on lists on their computers or mobile devices rather than using encrypted password managers.
• One in five employees use the same password for every login.
• Eleven percent of employees who received phishing emails fell victim to them.
• Only 41 percent of organizations reported that all of their remote employees adhere to the policies strictly on how to store and dispose of confidential information. 10

By blocking certain websites, employers can regain some level of control over their digital security, beyond installing antivirus software on devices and having remote employees use VPNs.

Is It Legal to Unblock Websites?

Whether or not it’s legal to unblock websites depends on what country you’re in, among other factors. Authoritarian countries like China and Russia ban certain websites, so unblocking them is illegal. On the other hand, if you’re using a school computer that falls under the Children’s Internet Protection Act, unblocking websites is illegal as well.

Now unblocking websites at your workplace? That’s technically legal, but it’s also technically legal to fire you for circumventing your employer’s workplace policies. Do you really want to get canned for watching a 2007 Vine compilation? Think hard about that before you pull the trigger.

There you have it; everything we know about how to unblock websites, and why they’re blocked in the first place.

We’re proponents of a free and open internet, so we hope that using a VPN was enough to get you past the firewalls. But note that if you’re in a country like China, you’re unblocking websites at your own risk. While using a VPN is legal in the U.S., that’s not the case everywhere, so above all, proceed with caution.

Since internet censorship (and getting around it) is such a huge topic, we’ve answered the questions we get the most below.

You can unblock a site by connecting to a VPN. A VPN will change your IP address, which could help you get around a firewall.

To unblock a site on Chrome, assuming you have administrator privileges:

• Select More on the right (the three vertical dots).
• Click on Settings.
• Go to Privacy and Security.
• Select Site Settings.
• Unblock your desired website.

However, if you lack administrator privileges, you may need to use a VPN on your device or a VPN browser extension in order to unblock websites.

To open blocked websites without a VPN, you could try using a proxy server instead. You can also alter your device settings, if you have the administrator account, or use the Tor browser.

The easiest way to unblock an app that an administrator blocked is to connect to a VPN on your device. The VPN will hide your device’s IP address and replace it with a new one, which should let you get around firewalls.

Microsoft Support. Turn Microsoft Defender Firewall on or off . support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/turn-microsoft-defender-firewall-on-or-off-ec0844f7-aebd-0583-67fe-601ecf5d774f

Google Chrome Help. (2021). Change site permissions. support.google.com/chrome/answer/114662?hl=en&co=GENIE.Platform%3DiOS&oco=1

Apple Support. (2021). Use parental controls on your child's iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. support.apple.com/en-us/HT201304#set-restrictions

Google for Families Help. (2021). Manage your child's screen time. support.google.com/families/answer/7103340?hl=en#zippy=%2Cdisable-screen-time-limits

DomainTools. (2021). Whois Lookup. whois.domaintools.com/

Federal Communications Commission. (2019). Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA). fcc.gov/consumers/guides/childrens-internet-protection-act

Electronic Frontier Foundation. Content Blocking. eff.org/issues/content-blocking

BBC. (2020). Cyberloafing: The line between rejuvenating and wasting time. bbc.com/worklife/article/20200206-cyberloafing-the-line-between-rejuvenating-and-wasting-time

Robert Half. (2017). Working Hard or Hardly Working? Employees Waste More Than One Day a Week on Non-Work Activities. rh-us.mediaroom.com/2017-07-19-WORKING-HARD-OR-HARDLY-WORKING-Employees-Waste-More-Than-One-Day-a-Week-on-Non-Work-Activities

Shred-it. (2020). Data Protection Report 2020. images.learn.shredit.com/Web/ShreditInternationalInc/%7Bbe75755b-977c-4d5b-8e12-55fc5c40ac47%7D_Shredit_2020-Data-Protection-Report_US.pdf?utm_campaign=SIT%20DPR%202020%20Auto%20Response%20USA&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Eloqua

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How to Unblock Websites & Access Restricted Content (13 Easy Ways)

Whether it’s school, work, or something else preventing you from accessing websites, there are ways to bypass blocked content. Access your favorite sites and content with our tips on how to unblock websites. Then try our blazing-fast VPN to help get around content blocks immediately.

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There are several ways to try to get around content blocks online. We’ve compiled a list of 13 ways to bypass blocked websites. If you want to know why sites restrict content or the legality of getting around content blocks, skip down to our sections on why websites get blocked  and  whether it’s legal to unblock them .

1. Unblock websites using a VPN

Using a VPN is one of the easiest and most reliable ways to get around content blocks and unlock the URLs you want. A  VPN (virtual private network)  routes your internet traffic through a remote server, letting you choose your virtual location.

When you connect to a website with a VPN, the website thinks that the virtual location shown by your VPN is your actual location, which means you can unblock content in different global regions. And that’s just one of the benefits of a VPN — VPNs also encrypt your connection, helping to secure the data and personal information like credit card details you enter when shopping online .

Here’s how to unblock websites with a VPN on both desktop and mobile:

First, download and install your VPN — get a free trial of AVG Secure VPN right here:

Now set up your VPN on Windows or get your VPN set up on Mac .

Turn on the VPN and select a server location.

You’re now browsing anonymously and securely from a virtual location!

A VPN is one of the easiest, most comprehensive tools to bypass content blocks. But if you’re using a public computer at a library or need to unblock websites at school, a VPN may not be the best option, because you need to download it.

Some content providers have also started blocking known VPN IP addresses, so your VPN might not work on the sites or services you want to use. When VPN providers realize one of their IPs has been blocked, they usually open new addresses to provide more options.

Highly secure

Encrypts your data and connection

Can unblock websites

Some VPNs are optimized for streaming and bypassing geo-blocking

Good VPNs offer customer support

Not free (most reputable VPNs aren’t free)

Download required

Can be slow — but, there are ways to speed up your VPN connection

As well as being one of the best ways to bypass content blockers, reliable VPNs like AVG Secure VPN offer a wide range of server locations, meaning you can customize your connection to access your favorite sites and services while away from home — all while masking your activity behind a virtual IP address for maximum privacy and anonymity.

2. Unblock websites using Tor

Tor is another option for getting around content blocks and bypassing geo-restrictions. Tor — or The Onion Router — routes your online traffic through many layers of encryption, hence its name. Tor lets you access the web anonymously and get around most content restrictions.

While Tor offers strong online privacy, its downside is slow speeds. That’s because the Tor network and browser are an open-source project maintained by volunteers. Another downside is that you usually can’t install Tor on a school, work, or public computer.

Here’s how to unblock websites using Tor:

Go to the  Tor website and install the Tor browser.

Open Tor and configure it according to your preferences.

Then, connect and enter the URL you want to access. 

The Tor browser offers a powerful cloak of anonymity, helping users bypass content blocks and explore the uncharted corners of the internet. But it lacks the flexibility of a VPN, is blocked by many content services, and can slow down your browsing speed considerably, meaning it’s not the ideal choice for streaming.

Secure and encrypted

Run by a non-profit, with no data mining

Lets you access the dark web

Works well to unblock many sites

Can’t bypass some specific blocks against Tor nodes, including Netflix

Slow speeds

Requires downloading

No customer service to help configure Tor properly

3. Unblock websites using a web proxy

A  web proxy works well for quickly unblocking content on public computers. And if you need a website unblocker for school — for Chromebooks, say, which run Android apps — and you can’t download a VPN or Tor, then try a web proxy. You’ll connect to a proxy server first, and then on to your desired website — hiding your actual location in the process.

Learning how to unblock websites on a school computer or Chromebook is easy when you use a web proxy. To use a proxy server, go to a proxy website, enter the URL of the actual website you want to visit, and press a button to access it.

The downside is that before visiting the site you want, you need to navigate to the web proxy first — every time, in every tab. It can be a little annoying and generally isn’t great for  streaming content online .

And while web proxies are usually free, they don’t provide the same privacy and security protections as a VPN or Tor. But they are easy to access and use. Simply navigate to your web proxy site of choice, enter the site you want to access, select your server, and go.

No installation required

Works on public computers and school Chromebooks

Can bypass basic content blocks

May break some website functionality

Doesn’t safeguard private personal data

Not optimized for speed

Not guaranteed to unblock all sites

You have to open the web proxy every time you visit a new site

4. Unblock websites using a browser extension

A proxy  extension  is like a more convenient web proxy, and it’ll get you around content blocks on a school computer very quickly. A proxy extension sits right in your browser, so you won’t waste time constantly navigating to the proxy — it’s ready whenever you want to access blocked content.

Proxy extensions in the Chrome Web Store are vetted by Google for security

Usually encrypt your browser connection

Can choose your server location

Usually free

Won’t disrupt any of your other Chrome security extensions

Requires installation on your computer

May show ads

May not be optimized for streaming content

If you can’t download a VPN or Tor (maybe your school or business forbids it), don’t want to use a proxy, but still need to unblock something quickly, there are some other quick methods to access blocked websites that could work.

The following methods for unblocking sites may not be as reliable or user-friendly as the options outlined above, but they can be effective site unblockers in a pinch.

5. 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 the social network for research or some other academic reason, creating a different (shortened) URL may help you access it.

Here’s how it works:

Go to a URL shortening site like is.gd , TinyURL , or Bitly .

Enter the website you want to unblock into the URL field, then click the button to shorten it.

Copy your new, shorter URL and paste it into your computer browser.

If the alternative URL bypasses the content blocker’s filters, you'll be able to get to the site you want.

No downloading required                         

Quick and easy

May or may not work to unblock sites

No security

6. Try switching protocols

But it’s important to note that HTTP is an unsecured protocol and should be avoided whenever possible . And never enter any personal information or passwords into a site using just HTTP, because of potential   security vulnerabilities that can be exploited .

No security; HTTP protocol is unsecured

If all else fails, protocol switching may be worth a try. But as well as leaving you exposed to man-in-the-middle attacks , you can’t use it to access sites or content that are geo-blocked in your location.

Use AVG Secure VPN to help unlock URLs, encrypt your connection, and switch your virtual location.

7. Use web archive

If you encounter restrictions accessing a live website, a potential workaround is to access the blocked content by visiting the Wayback Machine , an internet archive that stores copies of countless web pages. Just input the blocked URL into the archive's search bar and click "Browse History." Unless the Wayback Machine itself is blocked, you may discover an archived version of the content you're seeking.

Using an internet archive is a nifty way to access restricted content — even on school or work computers that won’t let you access proxies or download software. But of course, it has its limitations. The archived material may not be up to date, and you won’t be able to bypass geo-blocking or access streaming services.

May or may not work for all blocked content

May display outdated content

8. Use Google translate

Another Google-based workaround is to use Google Translate to unblock websites. This method for accessing restricted sites might not show the page you want to view perfectly, but it may be enough to let you read the content you’re looking for.

Here’s how to use Google Translate to unblock websites:

Go to  Google Translate.

Choose any language for the from field and English for the to field.

Paste your desired website or URL into the box.

Click the link.

You may now be able to view it as an unblocked website.

Be aware that some elements on the page may break.

In this method, Google Translate accesses the website on your behalf and presents you with a cloned image of the site on its own URL. The advantage of this technique over some others is that Google Translate itself is unlikely to be restricted, and it’s possible to interact directly with the website clone — albeit with limited functionality.

May or may not work as a true website unblocker

9. Use a dynamic IP address

Some websites block connections from certain groups of IP addresses due to spam or cybercrime concerns. If that includes your IP address , you won't be able to visit that website. A dynamic IP address — one that changes with each use — will let you bypass this restriction. It’s the same trick phone spoofers use to keep calling you from different phone numbers.

Most ISPs use dynamic IP addresses, so simply restarting your router may get you a new one. Otherwise, connecting to a VPN or proxy server is the easiest way to get a dynamic IP address.

Increases your online privacy                 

If done manually, it’s free

May require a subscription

Can involve some technical know-how

If you’re on Windows, you can also use Command Prompt to change your IP. Open Command Prompt by simultaneously pressing the Win + R keys, then type cmd  and click OK . In the window that opens, type ipconfig /release (including spaces) and press Enter . Then type ipconfig /renew (including spaces) and press Enter , then close Command Prompt.

10. Use Safari Configurations

For Mac users, configuring a proxy directly within Safari is another option worth considering. While it requires slightly more effort during the initial setup compared to using browser plug-ins or extensions, it avoids the need to manually connect via a proxy service whenever you wish to unblock a specific website.

Here’s how to configure Safari proxy settings:

Launch Safari. 

Open the Safari menu and select Preferences .

Navigate to the Advanced tab.

Click the Change Settings button.

Look at the proxy protocol options.

Ensure that the right proxy is selected.

Add the proxy service endpoint address.

Finally, click OK followed by Apply .

Although configuring a proxy server directly through your Safari browser settings has some advantages over using a web proxy , their fundamental plusses and minuses as website unblockers are mostly the same. But avoiding the need to manually connect via a web proxy service isn’t just convenient — it bypasses access restrictions to web proxy sites themselves.

Easy to use                                         

No download

• Avoids the need to visit web proxy sites

No security                                             

More complex initial setup

Only possible on macOS

If you’re looking for an effective, reliable, and easy-to-set-up method to help unblock website restrictions, look no further than AVG Secure VPN . As well as securing your connection with ironclad encryption and masking your internet activity, it comes with over 50 global server locations to choose from, helping you optimize download speeds and access your favorite content.

11. Use an HTML to PDF converter

If you just want to read the contents of a particular webpage, and you don’t need to visit the actual site, you can use a PDF converter to convert the HTML source code into a readable PDF.

HTML to PDF converter tools change the contents of any URL into a PDF document, including the text and pictures on the site. Then, you can either preview the PDF online, download it to read it later, or print it.

Free and easy                                            

No installation needed

Inefficient browsing method

No on-page interaction

You can’t visit the actual site                

12. Use a private browser

Another effective way to try to unblock sites and view blocked content is to use a web browser built for privacy and security . Not only will a private browser help prevent unwanted tracking while you browse, but it can also help you access blocked websites.

One such browser is AVG Secure Browser , which includes built-in access to AVG Secure VPN — together, they can help you bypass website access restrictions, while also encrypting your connection and concealing your online activity.

To start accessing blocked websites: 

Download and install AVG Secure Browser .

Open AVG Secure Browser.

Click the green shield in the top-right corner.

Open the Security & Privacy Center .

From there, you can activate multiple privacy features — including AVG Secure VPN — to help hide your presence from blocked websites and access restricted content.

Easy access to a built-in VPN with a kill switch

Helps stop phishing attacks and online trackers

Includes a built-in private browsing mode for extra privacy

Includes a customizable, easy-to-use adblocker

Requires extra installs to access all premium features

Requires browser installation

Using a top-rated private browser like AVG Secure Browser isn’t just a great way to access additional built-in features like a VPN. Built from the ground up with privacy and security in mind, its advanced suite of anti-tracking and fingerprinting technology helps you hide your identity and bypass bans and blocks — all while enjoying a seamless browsing experience.

13. Change your DNS server

Changing your Domain Name System (DNS) server — either manually or via a smart DNS proxy server — also helps you access geo-blocked content, by tricking a website into thinking you’re in a different location.

You can change your DNS server on Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS (iPhone or iPad). Or, you can change the DNS server within your browser or via your router. The biggest difference between a smart DNS proxy and a VPN is that your IP address is still visible if you use a smart DNS proxy alone.

Free website unblocker                            

Doesn’t require installation

Doesn’t sacrifice speed

Works on all device types

Doesn’t hide your IP address or provide encryption

Setup can be intimidating

What’s the best way to unblock websites?

Now let’s review the main website unblocker methods described above and get a snapshot overview by rating them across a variety of factors including ease of use, speed, security, and more.

Green dots mean the method scores highly in that category, while orange dots mean it’s less optimal, and a red dot indicates low performance or complete absence of a feature.

As you can see, although each method has its drawbacks, VPNs score highest overall, especially in the categories that are critical for effective website unblocking. But if you need a no-download option to use on a public device, a web proxy service is probably your best bet.

Why do websites get blocked?

Websites get blocked when they detect an IP address that isn’t supposed to access the restricted content. Your IP address identifies your device on the internet and reveals your physical location. That’s what lets websites find your IP and block (or allow) your device.

If you use a VPN, it’s easy to hide your IP address so that it appears you’re coming from a different physical location, which can let you access blocked websites. But websites can also detect data stored in browser cookies . And if you’re trying to access a subscription site or paywalled content, the page will be blocked unless the site can verify that you’re logged in and have a subscription.

Geo-restricted content

Geo-blocking is common for streaming services — such as Netflix, Disney+, and Spotify — that have licensing agreements for the content they provide. Those agreements specify the films and TV shows they can deliver in each region they serve. That’s why many people traveling abroad use VPNs to unblock content that’s available in their home country.

School and work restrictions

It’s obvious why your school or workplace might not want you to access certain things such as adult content or unsafe websites . But if they’re preventing you from streaming music or accessing news sites, it’s probably because they’re worried about productivity and bandwidth consumption.

Some countries censor online content within their borders because of cultural, religious, or political concerns — in other words, to limit the flow of information. China, with its Great Firewall , is probably the most notorious example, blocking lots of sites like Facebook and X (formerly Twitter). When countries censor the open web, their citizens often find ways to unblock banned websites.

Internet service providers (ISPs) typically block websites for legitimate reasons — URLs known to contain or traffic illegal or pirated content are often blocked by most ISPs. If you live in a country with strict censorship laws, ISPs may be required to block websites according to local regulations too.

Is it legal to unblock websites?

The legality of unblocking websites varies depending on location. Many countries (even China, to some degree) allow VPNs. For more details about specific countries, research what local laws say about VPNs. If you’re torrenting copyrighted media, that’s almost always illegal, whether you’re using a VPN or not.

Bypassing content restrictions to access specific shows on platforms like HBO Max or Netflix isn’t illegal — but it may be against their terms of use. Likewise, unblocking legitimate websites on an institutional device won’t get you in any trouble with the law, but could land you in hot water with your school or employer.

Will any of these methods allow me to access blocked websites at school?

Yes, some of the above methods to unblock websites will work at school. But due to restrictions imposed by the network administrator, it’s likely that you won’t be able to download a VPN or Tor. That means a proxy or one of the quick methods outlined above will be your best bet if you need to unblock sites and access materials for a school project.

How about unblocking sites at work?

If you have a fixed workstation or can download any software you want on a laptop, a VPN is perhaps your best option to unblock websites at work. If that’s not the case — if you have a hot-desking setup or your employer restricts what you can download on your laptop — then neither a VPN nor Tor will work. At that point, a web proxy or browser proxy is likely your best option.

The easiest way to access blocked sites on any device

Is there a free vpn.

It’s possible to get free VPNs, but their features won’t be as comprehensive as premium products. And unreputable VPNs might even monetize your browsing activity by selling it to data brokers or other third parties. You can try AVG Secure VPN for free with a 7-day trial.

Can I unblock websites on my phone, too?

Yes, you can unblock websites on your iPhone or Android using the most common methods for unblocking websites on a computer. But, fiddling around with a web proxy or Tor might not work well due to decreased speeds. 

Setting up a VPN on mobile is one of the best ways to unblock sites on your phone. VPNs are easy to set up, easy to use, and protect you on unsecured Wi-Fi networks. Whether you use Android or iOS , AVG has you covered with a top-of-the-line mobile VPN app. Give it a try today.

How can I unblock a website on Chrome?

Here’s how to unblock sites on Chrome: Open Settings and change or reset permissions while you’re on the website you want to visit — this will help you get around content blocks on Chrome immediately. Tor is a separate browser, but it also has an extension for Chrome . Both VPNs and web proxies work well on Chrome too.

How do I unblock a website without a VPN?

It is possible to unblock websites using alternative methods such as the Tor browser or proxies, but there are downsides to both. Using a VPN not only helps you access restricted content, but it also encrypts your data for airtight privacy and security.

How do I unblock sites on my laptop?

A VPN is among the best and most convenient tools for unblocking websites on a laptop. As well as helping you quickly and easily watch TV online and bypass other content blocks, you’ll also enjoy other benefits of a VPN, such as a choice of optimized server locations and encryption to help block your activity from being tracked .

How do I unblock websites on a Chromebook?

You can unblock websites on a Chromebook with a VPN, as long as the VPN has an Android-supported app. If you need a website unblocker to conduct research on a school Chromebook, try a web proxy server — though you may have to search for one that the IT department hasn’t restricted yet.

Download AVG Secure VPN to help get around website blocks and stay private online.

Install AVG Secure VPN to help get around website blocks and stay private online.

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10 of the Easiest Ways to Unblock Websites

Internet service providers (ISPs), government agencies, and workplaces can all restrict access to URLs they deem unsafe or otherwise problematic. However, with the right tools and tricks, you can easily unblock websites and access their blocked content. By the end of this guide, you will know how to unblock websites in numerous ways, ensuring that you can access any URL you desire.

1. Virtual Private Network (VPN)

2. mirror sites and alternate urls, 3. use google cache, 4. free web proxies, 5. the tor network, 6. switch from http to https, 7. dns settings, 8. ssh tunneling, 9. use incognito mode in your browser, 10. wayback machine.

If you want to quickly learn how to unblock websites, a virtual private network (VPN) is the only tool you need. A reliable commercial VPN with a zero logs policy is the best way to override ISP/government censorship, as it encrypts your IP traffic and routs it through a remote VPN server.

AES-256 is the current encryption standard most reliable VPNs use. They also use the hashing algorithm SHA for maximum anonymity.

If you’re new to VPNs and wish to access blocked domain names, first download its installer from its official website or App Store/Google Play, if using a phone or tablet. Choose an overseas VPN server to browse the website.

Some of our top VPN recommendations include ExpressVPN , NordVPN , SurfShark , Private Internet Access , Privado , and Ivacy .

While VPNs are very effective in accessing blocked websites, there are many other browsing options if your ISP or government decides to ban VPN services.

If some domain names are ISP-restricted, you can regain access using their mirror sites and alternate URLs. Currently, all major VPN providers maintain mirror sites in the event their official site is banned. For example, NordVPN can be downloaded from its official site nordvpn.com as well as a mirror site nord-help.com. Use a search engine to browse such mirror sites.

If you’re unable to access YouTube, Vimeo, and other video sites on your network, try using alternate mirror links, such as Safe Share TV . Enter the video URL to watch the restricted content.

Tip : all major VPN providers have an Onion link in the deep/dark web .

Google used to have a cached button for search results. It’s been discontinued, but you can still type the cache: prefix before a URL on the address bar or search engine to view the caches. Make sure there are no spaces between the colon symbol and the URL.

This method won’t work with websites that disable web page caching, such as premium news sites hiding behind paywalls .

If you only want to read an article without images and videos, type the article’s URL into a search engine, and you may discover other websites with the same article content.

Tip : learn how to copy text from a blocked website on Chrome .

Using an anonymous web proxy has always been a popular alternative to VPN services. Just like a VPN server, it can hide your IP address and encrypt your connection to ensure privacy and anonymity. While ISPs block free web proxy servers from time to time, the new ones will easily show up in a Google search.

Among the latest free proxy server options, ProxySite and CroxyProxy are extremely reliable websites giving excellent site rendering. Both of them support multiple proxy servers based in the U.S., Canada, Europe, Israel, and other such locations, with the least amount of geo-restriction.

FYI : learn how to use Tor properly .

The Tor Network ensures user privacy through its unique onion routing, where the traffic data is encrypted and hopped through multiple intermediary nodes.

While the Tor browser can be slightly slower, it’s absolutely ban-proof. If your ISP has blocked the official Tor Project download link , you can easily get past the restriction using alternate Tor downloads hosted at the Electronic Frontier Foundation and The Calyx Institute .

You can also download multiple Tor browser links from some of the safest software sources , such as SourceForge or GitHub. Tor supports an email unblocking service, where you can send an email to [email protected], specifying your operating system (and location). For example, “Windows es” (Spain), “Windows IN” (India), and “Windows zh_CN” (China).

If you use Gmail, they respond almost immediately, listing one of their available providers, such as Dropbox, Google Drive, or GitHub, and the download links.

FYI : learn how to see a password in your browser instead of dots .

While https is the default standard for most websites these days, some older sites may continue to use the http variation. In that case, change the URL on the address bar to have an “https://” prefix before the “www.”

If you want to learn how to unblock websites in school or work networks, this is the best way to go. Across these networks, many administrators continue to manually block websites. Do remember that websites starting with http are far less secure than https. It’s always better to avoid them.

Tip : in a world of changing IP addresses, these are some of the best dynamic, free DNS providers .

ISPs can use their DNS addresses to impose restrictions on websites and their IP addresses. Such a problem can be overcome by using a public DNS service. You can always find Google’s Public DNS IP addresses using Google search. You can search for other free DNS providers online. Many also function as proxy servers.

To change the DNS settings on a Windows device, visit Control Panel -> Network and Internet -> Network and Sharing Center -> Change Adapter Settings . Right-click on the network you use, and select Properties -> Networking .

Select Internet Protocol Version TCP/IPv4/IPv6) from a drop-down menu. This will open a new pop-up window, where you can change the IP and DNS server addresses.

Currently, Google’s public DNS server IPv4 addresses are “8.8.8.8” and “8.8.4.4.” Its IPv6 addresses are “2001:4860:4860::8888” and “2001:4860:4860::8844.” Enter the details in the Use the following DNS server addresses column. Click OK to finalize the changes.

Tip : is TikTok banned in your country? Try these other short video sharing sites .

Secure Shell (SSH) tunneling is a classic maneuver used to remotely transfer files and data to servers around the world. But that same SSH tunneling technique can be used as a de facto VPN. Try Rebex Buru SFTP Server . It’s free, easy to use, and can be quickly installed on a Windows device.

After installation, you will need to register the SSH server as a Windows service. Check Start immediately , and use your local Windows system account (your computer credentials and password) to log in to the interface. Once logged in, create a new user for web administration.

After you create credentials and log in, you’re in a position to share files and Web content with remote users worldwide.

Tip : to use SSH tunneling to unblock websites, you need access to a remote SSH pipe in another country.

If you want to know how to unblock websites that track your cookies and caches, incognito mode can be a great help. This browser mode deletes all the cookies stored in previous sessions, so you can start a new session.

The main disadvantage of incognito mode is that the website would not know who you are. Thus, it prevents you from accessing any information that requires going past a login screen. However, this method will work in your favor if you, for example, want to go incognito on sites like Reddit .

We have saved the easiest method for the last. The Internet never forgets any information you post online. The Wayback Machine is one of the best examples of such a long and distant memory. Almost all web pages are cached, and at least one of their snapshots is stored in The Wayback Machine. You can easily find many more, as this is the single largest repository of archive contents.

If your ISP or government pulled the plug on a website, and it is no longer available online, you can still view the archive snapshots using date-wise search.

Using these methods to unblock websites, you can again access them, whether the sites are unavailable due to geo-restrictions or government/ISP policies. There are also some browser extensions that claim to access the blocked sites, but in our experience, they rarely work.

Instead, check out our recommended extensions for Google Chrome that enable features such as HTTPS everywhere, cookie autodelete, and unshortening URLs. In addition, look into a few useful Chrome extensions to automate boring tasks .

Image credit: Unsplash . All screenshots by Sayak Boral.

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Sayak Boral is a technology writer with over eleven years of experience working in different industries including semiconductors, IoT, enterprise IT, telecommunications OSS/BSS, and network security. He has been writing for MakeTechEasier on a wide range of technical topics including Windows, Android, Internet, Hardware Guides, Browsers, Software Tools, and Product Reviews.

3 Effective Ways to Bypass Wi-Fi Restrictions & Access Any Website

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What To Know

• Utilizing a VPN enables individuals to get around Wi-Fi limitations by redirecting their internet connection through a server in another location, allowing them to access content that’s blocked in certain areas and improving their online security.
• The Tor Browser encrypts user data and routes it through various nodes worldwide, masking IP addresses to bypass restrictions and protect identity, albeit with slower performance on certain platforms.
• Proxy servers offer a method to access blocked websites by masking the user’s IP address, but unlike VPNs, they do not provide end-to-end encryption, posing potential security risks and performance issues.

In this guide, I’ll teach you three effective ways to bypass Wi-Fi restrictions and access any website.

Let’s get started!

Quick Navigation

1. Use a VPN

2. use the tor browser, for google chrome on a windows pc, for safari on a macbook, 1. blocking access to sensitive content, 2. government policies, 3. geo-blocking, 4. organization (work and school) regulations.

Using a VPN (Virtual Private Network) is the simplest and most popular method to bypass Wi-Fi restrictions. 

It works by rerouting your internet connection through a VPN server in a different location and changing your device’s IP address.

This process enables you to access blocked websites and geo-restricted content by making it appear as though your online activity is originating from a different location. 

For example, if you’re trying to access the HBO Max website from outside the USA, this method can help bypass the restrictions, allowing you to view content as if you were browsing from within the United States.

VPNs are especially useful for streaming geo-blocked content, as they let you choose a server in a country where the content is available, effectively giving you access to international media from anywhere. 

However, not all VPNs can bypass the sophisticated detection methods used by streaming services like Netflix and Hulu, and the most reliable VPNs often come with a subscription fee.

In addition to bypassing restrictions, VPNs enhance online security by encrypting your internet traffic and protecting your data from hackers and eavesdroppers on unsecured networks. 

While VPNs significantly improve security, they should be part of a broader security strategy that includes antivirus software for comprehensive protection against malware and other threats.

Unlike the other methods mentioned in this article, which necessitate installing new browsers or tweaking your device’s settings, setting up a VPN is remarkably straightforward. 

Simply visit the official website of the VPN provider, register, and download the VPN software. 

After installation, select the desired server location for your device and activate the VPN.

We recommend ExpressVPN for readers seeking a top-tier VPN with exceptional speed . 

It’s user-friendly and comes with the added benefit of three free months when you opt for their annual plan.

You can install the ExpressVPN app on multiple devices, such as iPhones, Android phones, smart TVs, and streaming devices. 

For a guide on how to install and use the ExpressVPN app on an iPhone, check out my tutorial here .

You also have the option to set up ExpressVPN on your router. This ensures that all devices connected to your router’s Wi-Fi network will also use ExpressVPN. 

We have a detailed article on this topic titled ‘How to Install ExpressVPN on Your Asus Router Step by Step.’ Read our article here to learn more.

The Tor Browser is a free application that, like a VPN, encrypts your data and reroutes it through random nodes within the Tor Network around the world.

This masks your IP address and makes it difficult for websites to track you, allowing you to bypass Wi-Fi restrictions and avoid data tracking. 

This means you can access geo-blocked content and keep your online identity safe, ensuring your computer’s connection is secure.

To access the Tor Browser on your device, head to the official Tor Project website , select the device you want to install the browser on, and then download it.

After completing the installation, open the Tor Browser and click on the Connect button to connect the browser to the Tor Network. 

You can select the option Always connect automatically to allow the Tor Browser to automatically connect to the Tor Network the next time you open the app.

Now, you’re ready to browse the internet.

However, there are two main downsides to this solution.

The first downside is that, while the Tor Browser is available for a variety of platforms, its performance on iOS devices involves using a different application called the Onion Browser , which is endorsed by the Tor Project.

The second downside is that the browser is noticeably slower than others, such as Chrome and Safari, which may affect activities that require high bandwidth, like streaming content.

So, if you’re looking to access blocked streaming services, it may be best to use another one of the methods listed. 

3. Use a Proxy Server

When you want to visit websites that are blocked or keep your online activities more private, using a proxy server can be a good option, similar to how a VPN works.

A proxy server lets you access these restricted sites and hides your computer’s IP address.

But, it’s important to understand that there are some big differences between proxy servers and VPNs, especially in terms of security and how they work:

1. Encryption: One big difference is that, unlike VPNs, proxy servers don’t encrypt all the data you send and receive. 

This means they can keep your IP address hidden from the sites you visit, but the information you share online might not be secure.

So, if someone is watching the network, they could see what you’re doing.

2. Application vs. System Level: You can set up proxies for your whole system, which means they work for everything you do online, or just for specific applications, like your web browser. 

This gives you some flexibility in how you use them.

3. Security Risks: It’s especially important to be careful with free proxy services because they can be risky.

They might expose you to harmful software or other dangers. 

Always choose well-known, reliable proxy services to keep your information safe.

4. Performance: Sometimes, proxies (especially the free ones) can make your internet connection slower. 

This could be annoying if you’re trying to watch videos or download files and things start to lag or take too long to load.

5. Setting Up a Proxy: Unlike a VPN, where you usually just install an app, setting up a proxy means changing the network settings on your device or within an app. 

It’s a bit more challenging but still something you can learn to do.

Now, let’s dive into how to set up a proxy on both a Windows PC and a MacBook, keeping all these points in mind.

Setting up a proxy server on Google Chrome for a Windows PC is a simple process that can help you browse the internet more privately.

Here’s how to do it step by step: 

Step 1: First, you’ll need to open your Google Chrome browser.

Step 2: Look for the three vertical dots, also known as the kebab menu, in the top-right corner of the browser window, and click on it.

This will allow you to access the Settings menu.

Step 3: Once you’re in Settings, navigate to the System section to find an option labeled Open your computer’s proxy settings .

Clicking on this will take you to where you can adjust your proxy server settings.

Step 4: Within the proxy settings, you’ll want to enable the Use a proxy server option under Manual proxy setup .

Step 5: The next decision you’ll face is choosing between a paid or a free proxy server. 

Note: While free proxy servers might seem appealing, they often result in slower internet speeds and might not always work due to high user traffic. 

On the other hand, paid proxy servers usually offer more reliable and faster connections. 

For a list of reliable paid proxy servers, check here .

For free proxy servers, I’ll use Webshare as an example. Access the site here.

The Webshare proxy server provider offers a free trial before you consider upgrading to a paid account. 

So, if you’re interested in a free trial, click on Try Now . You can then sign up with a Google account.

Once signed up and logged in, you’ll be presented with a list of free proxy servers. 

For testing purposes, I’ll use a United States proxy server with the IP address 37.154.227.167 and port number 5868 .

Enter this information into the proxy server’s address and port fields in your computer’s settings.

Step 6: Make sure to tick the option that says Don’t use the proxy server for local (intranet) addresses before you save your changes.

This will prepare you to browse the internet using Chrome. 

However, to ensure everything works smoothly, especially for accessing certain streaming sites like HBO Max, use Incognito mode . 

This prevents the site from detecting your real IP address and blocking access.

Step 7: Lastly, remember that you will need to sign in to the proxy server using a username and password, which you can find on the Webshare site for the server you’re using. 

After setting everything up, I tested accessing HBO Max and successfully avoided the “Max is Not Available in Your Region” message, showing that the proxy was working as intended.

If you’re using a MacBook and want to set up a proxy server for surfing the internet with Safari, here’s how you can do it in a few straightforward steps:

Step 1: First, open the Safari browser on your MacBook.

Step 2: Then, at the top-left corner of the browser, click on the Safari icon and navigate to Preferences .

Step 3: From there, go to the Advanced section and scroll down until you see Proxies . 

Click on the Change Settings option next to it.

Step 4: Now, you’ll need to choose the type of proxy you want to use from the list of available protocols.

Step 5: Enter the IP address and port number of a working proxy server in the Web Proxy Server section.

If you’re looking for proxy servers, there are paid options available , but if you prefer to try a service for free first, Webshare offers a free trial. 

Access the Webshare site here .

By clicking on the Try Now button on their website and signing up with a Google account, you can get access to a list of free proxy servers.

For this demonstration, let’s use a United States proxy server with the IP address 37.154.227.167 and port number 5868 .   

Step 6: If the proxy you’re using is private and requires a payment, make sure to check the box that says Proxy server requires password and enter the username and password, which you can find on the Webshare site for the server you’re using. 

If it’s a public proxy, you can skip this step. After that, click OK , and then Apply to finish setting it up.

To ensure everything works smoothly, it’s a good idea to use Safari’s Private Browsing mode, especially in case you’re trying to access streaming services like HBO Max that may block access if they detect your real IP address. 

This way, you can avoid getting the “Max is Not Available in Your Region” message and enjoy unrestricted internet access on your MacBook.

What Are Wi-Fi Restrictions?

Wi-Fi restrictions limit users’ access to specific content or websites found on the internet.

These restrictions may be implemented by different organizations for a variety of reasons.

Let’s go over a few of the top reasons why your favorite websites may be blocked.

It’s no secret that the internet is chock-full of shocking pictures and videos that are sure to traumatize unsuspecting viewers, especially children.

This content is often described as “sensitive” and can include adult-oriented media and violent images. Since a large portion of this sensitive content includes illegal activity, it’s often blocked to protect users.

Many governments place their own restrictions on their residents to censor what kinds of content they can access. While some governments implement these restrictions to prevent cybercrime, others do so to stop free speech.

Countries like Iran restrict access to websites like Facebook, Twitter, and Netflix to prevent their residents from viewing content that goes against the countries’ strict “moral codes.”

Other countries may restrict content that speaks poorly of the current government in an effort to preserve civil peace.

Have you ever tried to access certain popular streaming websites outside of the United States only to be met with a message reading, “This service is unavailable in your region”?

This is a perfect example of geo-blocking .

Geo-blocking technology uses your IP address to verify your location before granting you access to a website or its content.

Some organizations (like Peacock TV, Hulu, etc.) choose to only make their services available in certain regions.

Alternatively, you may be able to access the service but will only be able to watch content available in your country. In this case, while the service is not geo-blocked, certain content is.

Last, but not least, certain websites could be blocked by the organization’s Wi-Fi. Institutions like schools and places of work limit access to social media, adult-oriented, and other “time-wasting” or inappropriate websites.

For instance, you may have noticed you couldn’t check Facebook when using the school’s Wi-Fi.

This is becoming an increasingly popular practice as schools and companies seek to prevent their students and workers from wasting their most productive hours of the day online.

Hai Huynh, an Electrical & Electronics Engineering graduate from Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology , is a passionate technical editor . He discovered his love for technology when he started playing Pokemon on a Gameboy as a child. Now, he writes and edits technical articles, focusing on smart TVs and streaming devices, to help readers solve problems.

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• 10 Effective Ways to Fix a Blurry Chromecast Picture

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VPNoverview.com Unblock Censorship How to Unblock Websites From Anywhere

How to Unblock Websites From Anywhere

Can’t access a site? Websites can be blocked for various reasons. Some countries impose restrictions on specific sites . For example, India and Somalia have banned TikTok, and the BBC is banned in Russia.

Your employer or school administrators may also restrict access to certain websites (like social media platforms). And some streaming services are not available worldwide . For example, you can’t access Netflix from Russia or China, and you can’t access Hulu outside the U.S.

Being blocked from accessing a website can be frustrating. Thankfully, there’s a workaround — use a virtual private network (VPN). A VPN allows you to bypass restrictions and access any blocked site. Here’s how to unblock websites from anywhere with a VPN:

• Sign up for a VPN . We recommend NordVPN : its unblocking capabilities and vast server network allow you to access blocked sites from anywhere.
• Download and install NordVPN on your device.
• Log in to the NordVPN app with the account details you used in Step 1.
• Connect to a VPN server in a country where the website you want to access isn’t blocked.
• Now, you can freely access previously blocked websites .

After testing different VPN services extensively, we found that NordVPN is the best choice for unblocking websites from anywhere. Besides its super-fast speeds and excellent unblocking capabilities, NordVPN’s obfuscation technology makes it impossible for anyone to detect you’re using a VPN to access restricted sites.

Continue reading for more detailed instructions on how to unblock websites from anywhere.

Do you find some sites blocked when you try to access them? Your employer or school administrators may be restricting access to sites (like social media, gambling, or porn sites) that can distract you or affect your productivity. Also, some websites — like online banking platforms or streaming services — may be inaccessible in countries where they don’t operate. Your internet service provider (ISP) may also be blocking some sites.

The easiest way to access a blocked website is by using a VPN . A VPN spoofs your location, making it appear like you’re in another city or country. This allows you to access previously blocked sites.

Unfortunately, not all VPNs can bypass restrictions and unblock websites. We’ve tested different VPNs to determine the best options for unblocking websites. And NordVPN emerged on top. Its fast speeds , vast server network , and unrivaled unblocking capabilities allow you to access any blocked site, regardless of your location. With NordVPN, you can unblock news sites, streaming sites, gaming sites, and virtually any type of online content — even if you’re in a country with strict internet censorship.

Below, we provide step-by-step instructions for unblocking websites from anywhere.

It’s not uncommon to stumble on inaccessible sites. For example, if you try to access BBC iPlayer from outside the UK, you will be greeted with an error message explaining that the service is only available in the UK.

There are many reasons a website may be inaccessible to you. But, regardless of the reason, there are three main ways to unblock websites.

1. Unblock websites from anywhere with a VPN

Using a virtual private network to unblock a site is easy, and it’s the most secure method . When you connect to a VPN, your internet traffic is routed through a secure third-party server. This gives you a new IP address, and, as a result, you’ll appear to be in a different location. When you connect to a VPN server in Paris, for example, any website you visit will assume you’re in France. This makes it possible to access blocked websites.

A VPN also encrypts your internet traffic, masking your private information and allowing you to bypass censorship and geo-restriction . Here’s how to unblock websites on any device.

Save big with up to 58% off a two-year subscription!

• Fast and large worldwide network of VPN servers
• Perfect for privacy and streaming
• Trusted by many, with over 14 million users

• Head to the website you’re trying to unblock . You should be able to access it now.

NordVPN has a 30-day money-back guarantee. So, you can use it to unblock websites for an entire month, risk-free.

2. Unblock websites from anywhere with a proxy

Another way to unblock websites and access content is via a web proxy site or by using a proxy server. Think of a proxy service as a “lite” version of a VPN . It routes your connection through a third-party server and changes your IP address. As a result, you will appear to be accessing the website from a different location. This allows you to browse previously blocked websites.

Compared to VPNs, proxies usually have smaller server networks . As a result, they may be unable to unblock sites that are restricted to particular countries. Also, network administrators in schools and workplaces can implement security policies and configurations that will limit your ability to use proxy servers .

Proxies can also slow down your internet connection more than VPNs since they tend to have limited bandwidth . A proxy doesn’t encrypt your traffic and is generally less secure than a VPN.

3. Unblock websites from anywhere with Smart DNS

Smart DNS tricks websites into believing you’re in a different location . It does this by masking the origin of your DNS queries. While Smart DNS does not change your IP address , it blocks any traffic that could reveal your location. Ultimately, this allows you to unblock websites from anywhere.

Smart DNS doesn’t provide extra security through encryption . It also doesn’t anonymize your connection or safeguard your privacy online, like a VPN.

The 3 Best VPNs for Accessing Blocked Websites From Anywhere

We conducted extensive tests to find the best VPNs for unblocking websites from anywhere. The three VPN providers below can unblock websites regardless of the reason they’re blocked. They also come with solid security and privacy features.

1. NordVPN: The best VPN for accessing blocked sites from anywhere

• Excellent unblocking capabilities
• 6276 servers in 111 countries, so you can unblock geographically restricted content from different parts of the world
• Strong security features
• Obfuscated servers hide your VPN traffic and allow you to access blocked sites undetected
• 30-day money-back guarantee

Based on our tests, NordVPN is the best VPN for unblocking websites from anywhere. It can bypass all kinds of restrictions, like geographical blocks on websites such as Netflix or barriers put up by your government on news sites. NordVPN’s obfuscated servers allow you to access blocked sites freely without being detected by your network admin.

Besides providing access to blocked websites and services, NordVPN boasts fast speeds . You can stream TV shows or movies and play games online without lags or delays. NordVPN has apps for different devices, allowing you to access blocked sites on desktop or mobile. You can even install this VPN on your router, and access blocked sites on any device of your choice.

NordVPN is quite affordable , too. And, if you act now, you can get a massive limited-time 58% discount and drive the price further down to just $ 3.09 per month.

Interested in learning more about NordVPN and its features? Check out our in-depth NordVPN review .

2. Surfshark: Budget VPN for unblocking websites from anywhere

• One of the most affordable VPNs for unblocking websites
• Offers an unlimited number of simultaneous connections with a single subscription
• Superb unblocking capabilities
• Camouflage mode allows you to use a VPN without being detected

Surfshark gives you the most bang for your buck among all the VPNs we tested. It can easily unblock websites such as Disney+ , thanks to its wide network of 3200+ servers. Surfshark’s servers are fast and reliable — we didn’t experience any connectivity issues during our tests.

Like NordVPN, Surfshark uses strong AES 256-bit encryption to protect your data and offers obfuscation via its Camouflage mode . In Camouflage mode, Surfshark makes your VPN traffic look like regular traffic, ensuring your ISP or network admins can’t see that you’re accessing a blocked site. Surfshark allows you to unblock websites even in countries, schools, or workplaces that crack down on VPN use.

You can even share your Surfshark account with family and friends , as this VPN supports unlimited connections.

Surfshark is one of the cheapest VPNs available today , but you can get a 85% discount on it by clicking the orange button below.

For more information about this VPN service, including details of how it performed in our tests, read our full Surfshark review .

3. CyberGhost: Large server network for unblocking websites in various locations

• Servers are optimized for particular purposes, such as gaming and streaming
• Allows five simultaneous connections
• Offers quality service at a great price

CyberGhost has an extensive server network — a whopping 10000+ servers in 100 countries . This makes it an excellent option for accessing blocked websites. It also has dedicated servers for high-bandwidth activities. So, you can unblock streaming or gaming sites and enjoy a smooth, lag-free experience.

This VPN performed impressively well in our speed tests . Although there are faster VPNs out there, CyberGhost is no slouch. While CyberGhost can provide access to blocked sites, it doesn’t have obfuscated servers like NordVPN and Surfshark. This means you may be spotted using this VPN to unblock restricted sites. As a result, we don’t recommend this VPN if you’re in a country, school, or workplace with strict rules barring you from accessing particular sites.

One of the reasons we love CyberGhost is its 45-day money-back guarantee — it’s longer than the money-back guarantee period of any other VPN. You have nearly six weeks to test this VPN and decide if it’s what you need. Plus, CyberGhost is super affordable, just like Surfshark. Get CyberGhost at 84% off today and only pay $ 2.03 per month.

Read our comprehensive CyberGhost review to find out what our VPN experts think of this VPN and how they rate its performance.

How to Unblock Websites at School or Work

Schools and workplaces may block particular websites to ensure productivity or to conserve bandwidth. However, you may need to access these websites for legitimate reasons such as school/product research. Here’s how to unblock websites on a school or work computer:

• Get a NordVPN subscription .
• Download the NordVPN app on your device.
• Sign in to your NordVPN account.
• Connect to a VPN server . Since the site is blocked by your workplace or school admin, connecting to a server in your city (or a nearby city) should unblock it.
• Now, you can access content online without restrictions.

Can I Unblock Websites With a Free VPN?

If you want to cut costs, you may consider using a free VPN to access blocked websites. While some top-rated free VPNs are great for everyday browsing, we don’t recommend using one to unblock websites. Free VPNs usually have several limitations. For example, their weak security may leave you exposed if your school, employer, ISP, or government is monitoring the IP addresses of anyone trying to access blocked sites. They’re not ideal for anonymous activities, like getting Pornhub unblocked .

And, even when free VPNs work, there’s a limited number of websites you can block as they usually have significantly smaller server networks. Free VPNs are also more likely to have data caps and bandwidth limits, which can make it impossible to stream or download content online.

There’s also a privacy risk to free VPNs. Many free VPN services have been accused of logging and selling users’ data to advertisers for profit. It’s not worth putting your privacy at risk. Grab NordVPN now for $ 3.09 — less than a cup of coffee — and access restricted content safely.

Why Are Websites Blocked?

Websites can be restricted for a few reasons.

• Workplaces and schools may block particular websites to prevent unproductive activities such as streaming or gaming. They may also do this to restrict the amount of bandwidth being used.
• Oppressive governments may block websites, like news portals or social media, to curb dissent — as it could expose citizens to ideas that are contrary to the official narrative. For example, China’s “ Great Firewall ” blocks websites that go against the country’s censorship guidelines.
• ISPs sometimes block access to sites that violate local laws . For example, they may block access to free streaming, torrenting, or porn sites .

Final Thoughts: Unblocking Websites From Anywhere

Regardless of the reason a website is blocked, the easiest way to access it is by using a VPN. NordVPN is our top choice for unblocking websites. Its unblocking capabilities are remarkable, plus it’s fast and has an extensive network of servers, which allows you to access geo-restricted content in various countries. Take advantage of NordVPN’s massive 58% discount and unblock any website of your choice now.

If you would like to find out more about unblocking websites with a VPN, check out the articles below:

How to Unblock Porn From Anywhere: A Complete Guide

• Best VPNs for Streaming: Unblock Movies and Shows for Free
• This Video Is Unavailable: How to Unblock YouTube Videos
• How to Unblock YouTube at School or Anywhere: A Quick Guide

Do you have questions about how to unblock websites from anywhere? Check out the FAQ below for quick answers.

Yes, you can unblock websites that may be blocked for various reasons with a VPN. Here is how:

• Get NordVPN .
• Install the VPN app  on your device and log in to your NordVPN account.
• Connect to a VPN server in a city or country where the site you’re trying to visit isn’t blocked.
• Visit the website . It should be unblocked now.

Yes, VPNs are legal in most countries. However, there are a few exceptions. VPNs are illegal in the following countries:

• Turkmenistan
• United Arab Emirates
• North Korea

Both VPNs and proxy servers route your internet connection through third-party servers. However, a VPN also encrypts your traffic to protect your privacy. A premium VPN, like NordVPN , has an extensive network of servers spread out globally, letting you access content from many different locations. On the other hand, proxy servers tend to have small server networks, limiting your ability to access blocked sites.

A VPN gives you a different IP address and allows you to access VPN servers from across the globe. VPNs also encrypt your internet traffic and generally improve your online safety. Smart DNS, on the other hand, tricks websites and services into thinking that your DNS queries are coming from a different location. They don’t offer the added security and privacy benefits of a VPN.

You can unblock a website in Chrome by following these steps:

• Get a NordVPN subscription.
• Install the NordVPN Chrome browser extension .
• Sign in to your NordVPN account on the Chrome browser extension.
• Connect to a VPN server  in a city or country where the website you want to visit isn’t blocked.
• The website  should be unblocked now .

We recommend using a premium VPN with excellent unblocking capabilities, like NordVPN. While many VPNs are great for everyday use, they’re ineffective at bypassing restrictions and unblocking websites. During our tests, NordVPN allowed us to browse different blocked sites successfully.

A VPN is the best way to unblock a website, whether you’re using a work or school computer. Here’s how to unblock websites on a school Chromebook.

• Download and install the NordVPN app on your device.
• Connect to a server in a nearby city or country where the site you want to access isn’t blocked.
• Enjoy unrestricted access to any website of your choice.

William Elcock Author

Tech journalist.

William has been fiddling with tech and helping friends with their tech problems for as long as he remembers, so it’s no surprise he ended up becoming a true cybersecurity aficionado. For years now, he has been writing useful how-to guides and trustworthy online privacy advice read and appreciated by people all over the globe.

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How to Unblock Websites with or without a VPN

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• Streaming & Unblocking
• Unblock Websites

Our Verdict

The easiest way to unblock websites is to use a virtual private network (VPN) . VPNs are easy to use and change your IP address to bypass website geo-blocks on a range of devices. To unblock websites without a VPN, you can use a web proxy, Smart DNS, or the Tor browser, although they're less effective.

Websites can be blocked by governments, ISPs, copyright holders, website owners, and network administrators at school, college, and work.

Typically, these blocks are based on your IP address, geolocation, or local network.

Fortunately, there are dozens of different tools and methods you can use to unblock a website, should you need to.

We’ve tested over 20 different methods to find the most effective ways to unblock websites from anywhere in the world. Based on our findings, only five methods are worth recommending.

Summary: 5 Effective Ways to Unblock Websites

• Use a Virtual Private Network (VPN) : The very best way to unblock websites.
• Use a Web Proxy : The fastest way to unblock a website without a VPN.
• Use a Proxy Browser extension : A beginner-friendly, free tool for unblocking websites.
• Use a Smart DNS service : The best tool for unblocking websites on smart TVs.
• Use the Tor Browser : A highly secure and anonymous way to access censored sites.

A VPN is the most effective tool for unblocking websites using any browser. VPN software bypasses even the strictest website blocks, is very easy to set up on almost any device, and delivers fast connection speeds.

Quick Guide: How to Unblock Websites Using a VPN

• Choose a VPN and install it onto your device . If you need help picking one, read our latest VPN recommendations .
• Open the VPN app and choose a server location . If you’re trying to unblock geo-restricted content, select a server in the location you require.
• Connect to the server location . You can run an IP address test to verify it has changed.
• Visit the blocked website . The site you’re trying to access will now be unblocked.

In this guide we’ll also explain how to unblock websites without a VPN , using alternative tools we’ve carefully tested. We’ll outline each tool’s strengths and weaknesses.

We’ll also explain which method to use depending on your device. We’ll show you how to unblock websites on Mac , Windows , iPhone , Android , Chrome , Firefox and your Smart TV .

To bypass website blocks at school and college, read our specific instructions on how to unblock websites at school .

5 Effective Ways to Unblock Websites

Ultimately, the best method for unblocking a website will depend on the type of block in place and the reasoning behind it .

After testing 20 different methods , we’ve summarized the best methods for unblocking websites, along with their strengths and weaknesses, in the table below.

Overall, we found that using a VPN is the most effective way to unblock websites at home, at work, or in high-censorship countries.

A VPN is also the most reliable tool to access geographically-restricted content from outside of your country.

However, a VPN won’t be the best option in every situation.

For example, if you’re in a hurry, then the quickest way to unblock a website is to use a free web proxy . If anonymity is your priority, it might be better to use the Tor browser.

Ultimately, the best way to unblock websites depends on how it is blocked and what your priorities are .

In the rest of this section, we’ll take a more detailed look at each method.

1. Virtual Private Network (VPN)

A virtual private network (VPN) is a type of software designed to improve your privacy, security, and freedom online. According to our tests, it is the most effective and reliable way to unblock websites .

VPN apps are available on a range of different devices, which means it’s also the most versatile method. You can use a VPN to access restricted content on your phone, computer, or even your Smart TV.

ExpressVPN unblocks Channel 4 on desktop, mobile, and home devices.

VPNs work by encrypting your web traffic and routing it via a remote VPN server. This has the effect of hiding your IP address and geographic location from the websites you visit.

It also prevents your internet service provider (ISP), government, and Wi-Fi administrator (e.g., at home, at work, or on public Wi-Fi) from being able to monitor your browsing activity .

VPNs are the most effective tool for bypassing website blocks for three main reasons:

1. VPN encryption unblocks websites that are blocked by URL or domain name.

ISPs, governments, and network administrators often block websites using a ‘blacklist’ of specific URLs or domain names. VPN encryption prevents these systems from seeing the websites you’re connecting to, which means they cannot block your connection.

VPNs are therefore excellent for unblocking websites at work and for bypassing online censorship in countries like China or Russia. Often, top VPNs come with obfuscated servers designed specifically for unblocking websites in restricted countries.

2. By hiding your IP address, a VPN unblocks geographically-restricted content.

Some websites host content that is restricted to certain geographic regions. When you visit these websites, they use your IP address to determine your location and then block you accordingly.

When you connect to a VPN server in a different location , you temporarily replace your IP address and spoof your geolocation. This lets you unblock websites that aren’t typically available in your region.

This allows VPN users to unblock geographically-restricted websites like HBO Max, BBC iPlayer, or Hotstar. You can unlock additional streaming material on sites like Netflix or Disney Plus, and bypass copyright restrictions on YouTube and Twitter

3. VPN apps can be downloaded onto almost any device.

You can easily use a VPN to unblock websites and streaming services on a laptop, cell phone, or tablet. Dedicated VPN extensions are also available for specific browsers, meaning you can quickly access restricted content on Chrome, Firefox, or Edge.

The main downside to using a VPN to unblock websites is the cost. A subscription to a good-quality VPN tends to cost around $4.00 per month . Free VPNs do exist, but they are often extremely limited, or even unsafe.

VPNs may not be the best option for unblocking websites quickly, either. The process of signing up and installing VPN software onto your device can take a few minutes, which isn’t ideal if you’re looking for immediate access to a restricted webpage.

EXPERT ADVICE: You may not have permission to install a VPN app if you’re using a public computer or a work device. In these cases, using a VPN is not the best way to unblock websites. Try using a web proxy or Smart DNS service, instead.

Unblocking Sites with a VPN: Step-by-step Instructions

Video demonstration on how to unblock websites using ExpressVPN.

Below are step-by-step instructions on how to use a VPN to unblock websites:

• Choose a trusted VPN , like ExpressVPN (our top-rated VPN of 2024).
• Select your preferred payment plan . The longer the plan, the cheaper the monthly fee.
• Install the VPN . For most devices, you can set up a VPN by simply downloading the corresponding application.
• Open the VPN application . You may have to verify your account the first time you open it up.
• Choose a server location . Find a VPN server in a location that will unblock the website you’re after.
• Press connect . Your connection will now be routed through that VPN server. You’ll be able to unblock websites and browse privately.

Should I Use a VPN to Unblock Sites?

Use a VPN if you are:

• Unblocking websites on a long-term basis (e.g. traveling).
• Bypassing geographical restrictions (e.g. on streaming platforms).
• Unblocking websites on a mobile device .
• Generally worried about your online privacy and security .

Don’t use a VPN if you are:

• Trying to quickly unblock a single web page . Use a web proxy instead.
• Unblocking streaming services on a Smart TV or games console . Use Smart DNS , instead.
• On a public computer or work device , where you don’t have the necessary permissions to download a VPN application.

2. Web Proxy

The fastest way to unblock a simple website is to use a web proxy. To do this, you simply enter the URL you want to unblock, press enter, and the restricted content should appear.

Hide.me has a free proxy for Chrome and Firefox.

Like a VPN, a web proxy works by routing your web traffic through a remote proxy server on its way to your desired website.

This has the effect of temporarily replacing your IP address with the IP address of the proxy server, effectively hiding your physical location from the website you’re visiting.

A proxy server hides your physical location.

You can therefore use a web proxy to unblock websites that are not available in your geographic region . Some web proxies even let you choose the proxy server’s location, much like a VPN.

Another benefit is that you don’t need to download or install anything to use a web proxy – just navigate to the proxy website in your browser and enter the URL.

This makes using a web proxy the most viable option for unblocking websites on public computers , such as at work or in a public library.

Web proxies tend to be free to use, too. Unfortunately, this means they often come with some operational drawbacks that you should be aware of:

• No Encryption : Most web proxies do not encrypt your connection. This means that governments, ISPs, and network administrators can monitor your activity and block your connection, if they choose.
• Protection In One Tab Only : Unlike a VPN, a web proxy won’t redirect any traffic from outside the browser tab it’s being used in. That means you need to navigate to the web proxy URL every time you open a new tab.
• Privacy & Security Issues : Some web proxies track your activity and sell that information to advertisers and other third-parties. Many also insert adverts into your browsing session, and some have been known to infect users with malware.
• No Multimedia Content : A web proxy rarely gives you access to video or audio content. In our tests, we could not find a single proxy that unblocked restricted streaming material on Netflix or YouTube.

Unblocking Sites with a Web Proxy: Step-by-step Instructions

How to use Hide.me's web proxy.

Here are step-by-step instructions on how to unblock websites using a web proxy:

• Navigate to a web proxy site in your browser . We recommend using Hide.me’s proxy .
• Type in the URL you want to unblock .
• Select a proxy location . Pick a country where the website you’re trying to access is unrestricted.
• Click ‘Go’ . The website should appear unblocked on your screen.

Should I Use a Web Proxy to Unblock Sites?

Use a Web Proxy if you:

• Are trying to quickly access a blocked text-based webpage , such as a newspaper article or Wikipedia page.
• Don’t have permissions to download software or browser extensions on the device you’re using, such as on public PCs, work computers or school Chromebooks .

Don’t use a Web Proxy if you are:

• Are sharing personal or sensitive information .
• Want to access blocked multimedia content , such as video streaming websites.
• Don’t want your work or school WiFi administrator to see what you’re doing online.
• Are worried about your privacy and security online .

3. Proxy Browser Extension

A proxy browser extension is essentially a midpoint between a VPN and a web proxy .

Rather than downloading software directly onto your device or navigating to a web proxy’s URL, a proxy browser extension involves installing an extension or add-on into your browser . You can then use the browser extension to access geographically-restricted websites.

Proxy browser extensions work in much the same way as a web proxy or a VPN. When turned on, your browser activity is routed through a remote proxy server, which has the effect of hiding your true IP address from the websites you visit. This unblocks sites that block you based on your IP address or physical location.

CyberGhost’s Chrome Extension.

A proxy browser extension is therefore not as simple or as quick to set up as a web proxy , but we found them to be generally more effective and reliable at unblocking websites. For example, we found that most proxy browser extensions let you stream geographically restricted YouTube videos, whereas most web proxies do not.

On the other hand, proxy browser extensions are not as safe or secure as a VPN . Most proxy extensions use HTTPS encryption at the very most, which means the domains you visit may still be visible to third parties.

Moreover, many browser extensions are only free to use because they make their money by selling your browsing data or by injecting adverts into your session .

Google claims to vet all of its Chrome extensions, but unsafe add-ons regularly slip through the net – such as the Hola VPN Chrome extension .

We therefore advise you not to use a proxy of any kind for sensitive activity that involves sharing financial, medical, or otherwise personal information – you can never be sure who’s watching.

That said, good-quality proxy browser extensions are available on Chrome , Firefox , and Edge . However, be aware that mobile users cannot download Chrome extensions. iOS users cannot get Firefox add-ons, either.

Unblocking Sites with a Proxy Browser Extension: Step-by-step Instructions

How to use CyberGhost's Chrome Extension to unblock The Baltimore Sun.

Step-by-step instructions on how to unblock websites on Chrome with a proxy browser extension:

• Open Chrome on your device.
• Tap the More icon. On Mac, it’s the three vertical dots in the top-right corner.
• Under More Tools , click Extensions .
• Click the Hamburger icon . On Mac, it’s in the top-left corner.
• Select Open Chrome Web Store .
• Type in the name of the proxy browser extension you want to download. We recommend CyberGhosts’ and PIA’s Chrome proxies.
• Click Add to Chrome .You will then have to confirm the installation.
• Once it is downloaded, you can open the proxy browser extension by clicking on its icon in the browser. This should be next to your address bar.
• Choose a server location. You may need to register with the service before doing this.
• Turn the proxy on. This will connect you to the proxy server.
• Navigate to the blocked website. It should now be unblocked.

And here are instructions on how to unblock websites on Firefox with a proxy browser add-on:

• Open the Firefox browser on your device.
• Go to the Mozilla Add-Ons library .
• Search for a proxy browser add-on. We recommend Surfshark’s Firefox Proxy.
• Click + Add to download the add-on.
• Once it is downloaded, open the add-on by clicking its icon in the address bar.
• Turn the proxy on. This will connect you to your chosen server.

Should I Use a Proxy Browser Extension to Unblock Sites?

Use a proxy browser extension if you are:

• Unable to download VPN software onto your device, e.g., on Chromebooks or work computers .
• Unblocking websites on a more long-term basis , such as when traveling.

Don’t use a proxy browser extension if you are:

• Particularly concerned about privacy and security online .
• Bypassing censorship measures in highly authoritarian countries.
• Sharing personal or sensitive information .
• Using Firefox on iOS or Google Chrome on a smartphone.

NOTE: We don’t recommend using a proxy browser extension to unblock websites on Safari. Apple offers limited support for third-party extensions. As such, most of the safe proxy extensions are not available to Safari users.

4. The Tor Browser

The Tor browser is a free , open-source web browser that was built to maximize users’ anonymity online . It is available to download on Windows, macOS, Linux and Android devices.

Tor works by encrypting your internet connection and then routing it through multiple volunteer-run servers or “nodes”, known as the Tor network.

How the tor network reroutes your data.

Using Tor ensures that websites cannot see your real IP address or geographic location. Instead, they see your connection as coming from the location of the exit node.

You can therefore use Tor to unblock geographically restricted websites , provided the exit node is located in a country where the content is accessible.

Sadly, choosing the exit node’s location is not always straightforward. The browser offers some degree of control, but not as much as you get with a VPN, web proxy, or Smart DNS service.

We therefore don’t recommend using Tor to unblock streaming content , such as on Netflix or HBO Max. Not only is Tor incredibly slow, streaming typically requires much more precise geo-spoofing than the Tor browser can provide.

Instead, you should use the Tor browser to unblock websites if you’re trying to bypass censorship restrictions imposed at the government-level, or to maximize your anonymity online.

Connected to Windscribe free and the Tor browser, we accessed ProPublica’s onion site.

Tor is designed with journalists and whistleblowers from authoritarian countries in mind. The airtight encryption and decentralized network architecture mean that governments, police and ISPs cannot track your browsing activity and so cannot block you from accessing certain information and websites.

In short, Tor is the most anonymous way to unblock websites that are blocked by your government .

Although using the Tor browser will almost certainly let you access websites blocked by your employer, you should be aware that your network administrator will see that you’re using the Tor network (even if they can’t see what you’re doing on it).

They may not approve of this, due to concerns about the safety of Tor . Indeed, some workplaces, colleges and schools actually block users from downloading the Tor browser on the local network. It’s also banned in certain countries, including China and Russia.

Unblocking Sites with Tor: Step-by-step Instructions

You can only access .onion sites using the Tor Browser.

Step-by-step instructions on how to use the Tor Browser to unblock websites:

• Go to the Tor Project’s download page . You can download it onto any Windows, Linux or macOS computer. There’s also an Android smartphone app.
• Select your operating system and download the corresponding .exe file.
• Open the file and select your language using the drop-down menu.
• If you’re happy with the recommended settings, press connect . Tor will set-up and you’ll be able to unblock websites and browse anonymously.

It’s important to remember that using Tor comes with risks. If you don’t configure your browser properly and modify your behavior, it’s incredibly simple to reveal your identity.

Should I Unblock Sites Using Tor?

Use the Tor browser if you are:

• Primarily concerned with anonymity .
• Accessing information censored by your government .

Don’t use the Tor browser if you are:

• Unblocking streaming content , or anything requiring fast connection speeds.
• Trying to access sites restricted to a specific geographic region .
• Unblocking sites at school or work .
• Using an iPhone or iPad .

5. Smart DNS

​​Smart DNS is an effective tool for accessing websites blocked or restricted in your region. It is cheap , compatible with a wide range of devices , and commonly used to unblock streaming services due to its extremely fast connection speeds .

Smart DNS works by rerouting your DNS (Domain Name System) requests through a proxy server in a country of your choosing. It therefore differs from proxy and VPNs, which redirect all of your traffic through the proxy server.

How Smart DNS works to unblock streaming websites.

By only rerouting your DNS requests, Smart DNS services are able to achieve much faster speeds than a VPN or a web proxy .

Speed is prioritized over security, however. Unlike Tor or a VPN, a Smart DNS tool will not encrypt your traffic or even hide your IP address .

This lack of encryption means employers, ISPs and governments can see which websites you visit, and therefore can still block you whenever they want. It also means personal IP address bans will still be enforced.

In this sense, Smart DNS services are only really useful for unblocking geographically restricted websites or changing your Netflix region. We don’t recommend using Smart DNS for bypassing censorship or accessing restricted websites at work.

ExpressVPN’s MediaStreamer unblocks US Netflix.

For unblocking streaming content, however, Smart DNS is often an excellent option. Smart DNS is usually cheaper than a VPN , offers faster connection speeds, and is compatible with a wider range of devices.

Unblocking Sites Using Smart DNS: Step-by-step Instructions

How to use MediaStreamer Smart DNS to unblock HBO Max on Apple TV.

To unblock websites with a Smart DNS service:

• Subscribe to a Smart DNS service . Popular ones include MediaStreamer , Control D , Smart DNS Proxy , and Unlocator .
• Register your IP address with the provider . Your chosen provider will have instructions for how to do this on their website.
• Find the DNS server addresses for your desired server location . These should be under ‘My Account’.
• On your device , go to Network Settings > Advanced > DNS Settings.
• Enter in the Smart DNS server addresses . Click confirm.
• Restart your device . Your traffic will be routed through the Smart DNS service once you reconnect to the internet.

Should I Use Smart DNS to Unblock Sites?

Use Smart DNS if you are:

• Only interested in unblocking streaming services , such as Netflix, HBO Max, BBC iPlayer.
• Streaming on a device that doesn’t support VPN apps, such as an Xbox One or PS5 .

Don’t use Smart DNS if you are:

• Trying to access non-streaming websites .
• Concerned about your privacy and security online .
• Reluctant to make manual configurations on your device.

How to Unblock Websites on Different Devices

Unless you can quickly fix the problem by changing your device settings or switching to mobile data, the overall best way to unblock a website on almost any device is to use a VPN .

This is certainly the case for devices where native VPN apps are supported, such as on macOS and Windows PCs , iPhone and Android smartphones, and on some streaming devices like the Amazon Firestick . Not only is a VPN the most effective option for these devices, it is also extremely easy to set up and use.

For devices without native VPN support – such as Chromebooks , Roku , Xbox One , PS5 , and most Smart TVs – the simplicity of other methods may outweigh the efficacy of a VPN.

On games consoles and Smart TVs, for example, a Smart DNS tool will work to unblock most geographic restrictions without the hassle of having to set a VPN up on your router.

Below is a table summarizing the unblocking method we recommend based on the device:

Ultimately, the method to use depends on your own personal preferences. You’ll have to balance efficacy, ease of use, privacy, security, and anonymity. The information in this guide will help you make the right decision.

Why Are Websites Blocked or Banned?

Websites are blocked using a variety of different technical measures, for lots of different reasons.

Some blocks are entirely legitimate, such as preventing children from viewing obscene material online. Others are more questionable, such as government-endorsed internet shutdowns that threaten citizens’ safety or freedoms.

Website blocks tend to originate from three main groups:

Governments and ISPs

Most governments censors their citizens’ internet usage to some degree. In most countries, this means stopping children from accessing harmful websites, and upholding national law, such as intellectual property rights or gambling regulations.

However, some governments also use internet censorship for political reasons . This can range from controlling the information citizens can access online, to full-scale internet shutdowns during moments of civil unrest and political instability.

These forms of government censorship are most commonly enforced through the country’s internet service providers (ISPs), which are the telecommunication services that connect your device to the internet.

When compelled to do so by law, these ISPs will set up firewalls in their network, which scan your traffic as it passes through. The firewall then blocks your connection if it detects activity that fits a certain description.

Firewalls can be set up to detect particular URLs, IP addresses, port numbers, protocols,and even certain types of website content (using a method known as Deep Packet Inspection).

We recommend : To overcome censorship by your ISP, use a VPN. It will hide your IP address and encrypt your connection, so your ISP can no longer see the websites you’re visiting.

Network Administrators at School, College, or Work

Schools and businesses often place restrictions on the internet use of their students and employees. The same is true for parental controls and other restrictions on home WiFi networks.

This type of website block is usually intended to reduce distractions and increase productivity, although they might also be used to protect children and prevent malware.

Typically, blocks at work and school apply to gaming and gambling sites, social media platforms, adult websites, and video streaming services. In theory, they can apply to any website the administrator decides to censor.

These website blocks tend to be implemented in the form of URL-based or IP-based blocklists. If you try to access a blacklisted URL or IP address while connected to the local network, your connection gets blocked.

We recommend : If you’re using a personal device, you can easily overcome local network-based website blocks with a VPN or a proxy server. If you’re using a work or school-issued device, try using a web proxy or proxy browser extension.

Be aware that your network administrator may have implemented the website blocklist onto the device itself. If this is the case, your only option is to use a method where you don’t actually visit the site directly, such as a web proxy or a mirror site.

Website Owners and Copyright Holders

The final type of website block comes from websites themselves. There are many reasons why a website might choose to prevent you from accessing it, including operational costs and GDPR compliance, but by far the most common is to do with copyright laws and licensing regulations.

Streaming websites such as Netflix, YouTube, or HBO Max have to block visitors from countries where their content is not licensed, in order to comply with the law.

To do this, these websites use your IP address to determine your physical location and then block you accordingly. This is referred to as a ‘geographic restriction’.

This is also how some websites impose personal bans on users. Common on video-sharing and gaming websites, personal bans target users who have violated the website’s Terms Of Use in some way.

We recommend : To overcome geographic restrictions on your computer or phone, use a VPN. On devices that do not support native VPN applications, use Smart DNS. For general browsing and for bypassing personal IP bans, it is best to use a VPN.

What’s the Best Way to Unblock Websites?

Generally, the best way to unblock websites is to use a VPN. They are the most effective tool for the job, and offer an unparalleled mix of privacy, security, and performance.

With a VPN, you can easily bypass geographic restrictions and access censored websites at school, home and work. The only downside is the cost, but with an average price of $4.00 per month, it’s unlikely to break the bank.

How Do I Unblock Websites without a VPN?

The best way to unblock websites without a VPN is to use a web proxy or a Smart DNS tool.

A web proxy is the easiest way to unblock a website, but it will only work for text-based content and isn’t a safe option for private or sensitive browsing.

Meanwhile, a Smart DNS tool is the best way to unblock streaming services, but you won’t be able to use it to bypass government censorship or any other type of content block.

Is It Legal to Unblock Websites?

In the vast majority of countries, unblocking websites is completely legal .

However, keep in mind that you may be breaking school or workplace policies by accessing restricted websites.

Using a VPN to unblock Youtube, Netflix, and other content platforms is also legal — although you could be breaking the service’s Terms of Use.

The situation is not as clear in high-censorship countries, though.

In some countries, such as China and Russia, VPN use is restricted and using Tor is banned. We advise researching local laws before using any method to bypass government internet filters.

Related guides

How to Change Your VPN Location

How to Unblock Websites at School

How to Bypass Internet Censorship, Filtering, and Restrictions

How-To Geek

5 ways to bypass internet censorship and filtering.

More and more Internet connections are being filtered, from public Wi-Fi and workplace connection filtering to ISP and country-level censorship.

Quick Links

Simplest solution: use a vpn.

More and more Internet connections are being filtered, from public Wi-Fi and workplace connection filtering to ISP and country-level censorship . However, there are still ways to get around this filtering and view blocked websites.

Some of these methods may be restricted by harsh filtering. For example, the Great Firewall of China is now interfering with outgoing VPN connections, although VPNs were left alone for years.

Related: How Countries Censor and Control the Internet

Connect to a virtual private network and all traffic coming from your computer will be redirected over that VPN. In other words, if you're connected to a VPN located in Iceland, all your network traffic will be redirected to Iceland before it emerges. Replies will be send to the server in Iceland, which will forward them back to you. This all happens over an encrypted connection. All your ISP, network operator, or even your country's government can see is that you're making an encrypted VPN connection and sending data over the connection. If they want to block you, they'd have to block VPN connections.

Power Users: Use  StrongVPN

We've done a lot of research on VPN providers, and StrongVPN  has the best combination of security, advanced features, and ease of use. They have servers in 43 cities across 20 countries, they provide decently fast speeds, and decent prices.

They have apps for every platform including Windows, OS X, Android, and iPhone, and you can even hook up your home router to their VPN servers to put your entire home network behind a VPN. How's that for flexibility and power?

Casual Users or Beginners: Use ExpressVPN or TunnelBear

We've also done a lot of testing to find a client suitable for beginners, and we've found that ExpressVPN and  TunnelBear  are the best for slick interfaces and dead-simple setup. Just pick your country and go--you don't even need to configure the VPN in Windows. ExpressVPN has better speeds, but TunnelBear has a free tier for those that just want to try it out before buying.

Related: How to Choose the Best VPN Service for Your Needs

VPNs are also commonly used for remotely connecting to work networks, so VPNs are generally not blocked. However, China has recently started interfering with VPNs. Free VPNs are available, but a solid, fast VPN will cost you money -- either to rent from a VPN provider or to pay for hosting so you can set up your own VPN.

This method is the least likely to work, but it's worth covering here. Some Internet service providers have implemented filtering by changing their DNS servers to redirect requests for the blocked websites to another website. Some places that filter their Internet connections may use something like the web filtering solution offered by OpenDNS .

Assuming the filtering is just at the DNS level and requests to other DNS servers aren't being blocked, you can get around the filtering by setting a custom DNS server on your device. This overrides and bypasses the default DNS server controlled by your Internet service provider or the organization running the network. Use something like Google Public DNS and you'll know no DNS-level filtering is taking place.

Tor allows you to browse anonymously . It does this by routing your web browsing over and encrypted network before it emerges at an endpoint, which will likely be in an uncensored, unfiltered location. You shouldn't use Tor to access sensitive, unencrypted data, but Tor will let you access blocked websites on any connection.

Tor's developers are fighting a long, unending battle with regimes that attempt to block it, such as Iran. Tor may work even if standard VPNs, proxies, and SSH tunnels won't.

Note that Tor does have a big downside -- it's much, much slower than typical web browsing. It will allow you to access blocked websites, but it shouldn't be used for all your day-to-day browsing unless you're a dissident living in Iran or China.

Blocked sites can also be accessed using a standard proxy. System-wide (or browser-wide) proxies generally function similarly to VPNs, but they're not as reliable -- for example, they only work with certain programs, not every program on your computer. If you want to pay for a service and send all your traffic over it, you're better off with a VPN.

However, if you want to quickly access a blocked website, you can try using a web-based proxy. There are many available, including the widely known Hide My Ass . Plug a website's address into the box on the website and you can access it via the proxy.

This won't always work, as the proxy itself may be blocked. It's also not the best experience, as the proxy itself will add advertisements to the page -- they have to pay for their free service somehow. However, if you want to quickly access a single blocked site without installing anything or changing any system settings, this may work for you.

SSH tunnels can work similarly to VPNs for securely tunneling your traffic. If you're looking to pay for such a service, you'll probably want to get a VPN. However, if you're a geek, you may already have an SSH server you can access remotely.

If you do have an SSH server you can access, you can connect to it remotely and set up tunneling, redirecting all your web browsing traffic over the secure connection. This is helpful to encrypt your browsing traffic so it can't be snooped on on public WI-Fi networks, and it will also bypass any filtering on the local network. You'll have the same web browsing experience you would have if you were sitting at the SSH server's location, although it will be a little slower.

You can create an SSH tunnel with PuTTY on Windows or with the SSH command on other platforms .

Blocked websites are only becoming more common, with governments like the UK's pushing ISPs to start filtering the Internet connections they provide to subscribers by default and laws like SOPA in the US demonstrating the kind of harsh blocking governments want to put into place.

If you ever stumble across a blocked website, these tips should help you understand how to get around the block.

Image Credit: Nick Carter on Flickr

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How to access blocked websites and videos

If you want to read a web page or watch a video that’s blocked, there are a few ways you can get around these restrictions.

Those restrictions might exist for different reasons. A common one is because of video licensing, meaning it’s only viewable in certain countries or regions. If an entire website is blocked, it might be because the owner doesn’t comply with data protection regulations in your region.

Alternatively, certain websites and services such as YouTube, Spotify, Facebook, TikTok and others are blocked because your work or school administrator doesn’t want you using them while you’re supposed to be working or studying.

Some governments filter the internet – China being an obvious example – but it might be that an over-eager web filter has blocked a website it shouldn’t have.

However, if you’re seeing a message telling you that the website you’re trying to visit is potentially dangerous, it might contain malware or attempt to scam you. You shouldn’t ignore these, so don’t try to get around those blocks.

As long as you’re confident the web page is safe and isn’t going to scam you, you can try using the methods below to circumvent blocks and filters. As always, we don’t condone or encourage using these methods to access content illegally. Be safe and be smart.

How to access blocked websites with Google Translate

It sounds strange, but this is a simple, effective way to bypass content filters in a lot of situations. This ‘hack’ won’t work for everyone, and it won’t work for getting to websites or videos which are region-blocked. (For those, keep reading.)

But for school and work filters, it can be surprisingly successful.

First, you need to know the URL of the website you want to visit. If you don’t know then Google it, right-click on the link and choose an option like ‘copy link address’.

Now, go to translate.google.com and paste in the URL you just copied such as www.reddit.com into the left-hand pane. Pick a language, such as Spanish, and leave English as the language to translate to (assuming you speak English).

Click the link in the right-hand pane, and the site should load. If your IT admin is already wise to this trick they might have blocked Google Translate as well. If they have, this method won’t work.

But if it hasn’t been blocked, you can now browse the website almost as normal: links work, videos should play, but you might not be able to download any files.

How to access blocked websites using a VPN

A VPN is one of the most popular and effective methods of bypassing regional blocks.. In some cases you won’t be able to download or install a VPN, such as at work or school. But if you’re using your own device which doesn’t have parental controls enabled, you can install a VPN app very easily.

A VPN routes your internet connection through a server somewhere else in the world. All you need to do is select a location (such as country or city) in the VPN app and you can then browse the web as if you were physically in that location. You can find out how VPNs work , if you’re interested in the details.

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

Both free and paid-for VPNs will unblock websites. But we recommend opting for a paid VPN such as NordVPN , especially if you want to watch movies or TV shows on Netflix (or another streaming service) that aren’t available in your country.

If you don’t want to pay, then use of these free VPNs . Just know that hardly any will unblock streaming services, and all place limits on the amount of data you can have each month.

For alternative paid VPNs, read our round-up of the best VPNs .

But on many devices, including phones, you can manually configure a VPN connection in the operating system’s settings. Because each device is different, that’s not something we can cover here in detail, but you’ll need various details including the server address, your username, password and certain other information. This means you need to create an account with your chosen VPN provider first.

Access blocked websites with a proxy

Another way to get around a block is to use a proxy service. Like a VPN, it routes your internet connection through a sever, but unlike a VPN it tends to only work with specific applications (e.g. your web browser or torrent application) rather than your whole connection. It doesn’t encrypt all web traffic, either, and typically only changes your IP address to make it seem like you’re in the region where the content is viewable.

That might be fine if you just want to quickly visit a website or watch a video, but there are some downsides to a proxy when it comes to privacy and security.

Proxies are often used to access region-locked content on Hulu , Netflix , or BBC iPlayer . But they can also often be used to avoid content filters by circumventing them, hopefully allowing you to browse the web freely.

Many proxies are available as browser extensions, but that also means that they will only bypass blocked websites and web services. You can’t use a proxy to make the Spotify app work if it’s otherwise blocked: you’d need to use Spotify in your browser instead.

If you care about privacy, choose a proxy that uses HTTPS encryption.

There are free public proxies, but many have a bad reputation for collecting or selling user data, inserting ads into web pages, or stripping away encryption. This is why we recommend using a VPN. But if you only want to get around a web filter as a one-off, or can’t install a VPN app, it can be a good option.

HideMyAss is one of the best known free proxies. Try and avoid using unknown proxies and only use reputable, trusted ones. The same goes for VPN services because they can – potentially – see and record information about you and what you do on the web.

Access blocked websites with Tor

One of your other options is to use Tor , a.k.a. ‘The Onion Router’, to browse the web. Tor is the best known example of an ‘anonymity network’, and uses layered encryption (hence the name) and peer-to-peer networking to bounce your traffic around, making it extremely difficult for anyone to trace any activity back to you.

The Tor web browser is faster than it used to be, and you might not notice any slowdown depending upon your internet connection speed. It’s the sort of trade-off you might be willing to make for increased privacy, but it’s not necessarily worth it if all you want is to bypass a filter, especially if the slower speeds cause video to buffer.

There are also concerns that it’s not quite as secure as people once thought, especially if the site you’re trying to browse to doesn’t use SSL. And dependent on how paranoid you’re feeling, you might worry that using Tor will put you on some sort of government watchlist, given how popular it is with political dissidents and whistleblowers.

On the other hand, it’s totally free, and we’d recommend Tor over any of the free proxies or free VPNs for long-term browsing (though a paid VPN service still wins and you can still use Tor with some VPNs. The added security and privacy is well worth any drop in connection speeds.

Beat web filters with Google’s Public DNS

The last method you can use to try and get around web filters is to use different DNS servers than your regular ISP’s servers.

Every time you visit a website, your computer, phone, tablet or whatever device you’re using performs a DNS lookup. This converts the friendly address (such as www.techadvisor.com) of the web page to the IP address of the server. Your browser can display the web page only once it knows the IP address.

If DNS-based web filtering is being used on the network your device is connected to (whether that’s a residential ISP or a work or school network) then you might find you can’t visit certain websites.

But, by telling your device to use another unfiltered DNS such as Google’s own, you can get around these blocks.

Changing your devices DNS settings varies by operating system, but it will somewhere in the network settings. And Google explains how to use Google Public DNS here .

Related articles for further reading

• How to hide your IP address
• What is a VPN and why you need one
• How to use a VPN
• How to speed up a VPN
• Best VPN services (plus free options )
• Best VPN deals

Author: Jim Martin , Executive Editor

Jim has been testing and reviewing products for over 20 years. His main beats include VPN services and antivirus. He also covers smart home tech, mesh Wi-Fi and electric bikes.

Recent stories by Jim Martin:

• Best Wi-Fi routers 2024: Upgrade your network
• Surfshark VPN review
• The best antivirus with VPN services

• VPN & Privacy
• How to unblock websites and apps

How to unblock websites (and apps) from anywhere

Does your employer restrict websites? Are you in a country that blocks social media services, news, or VoIP apps? Is your ISP blocking popular torrent sites? Or, do you simply want to access TV services from back home on vacation? If your answer is yes to any of these questions; you need to know how to unblock websites . The good news is that it’s easy to unblock websites using a VPN.

A VPN lets you connect to a VPN server in a remote location. As a result, any restrictions placed on a local network disappear. This lets you access the internet free of blocks at work or on public wifi. A VPN also lets you pretend to be in a different country. This lets you use web services blocked by the government or region-locked websites, such as TV streams.

VPNs also encrypt your internet connection. This prevents local network admins, ISPs, and government agencies from tracking you online. As a result, you can bypass blocks at work, or access websites censored by the government with complete privacy.

In this guide, we explain how to unblock websites using a VPN. To make your life easier we recommend the best VPNs for unblocking websites -from anywhere in the world.

The best VPNs for unblocking websites

• NordVPN : The best VPN to unblock websites . Super secure servers in 59+ countries. Apps for all devices. Strong encryption. Many advanced features that make it incredible value for money. Works with Netflix and other popular streaming services. 30-day money-back guarantee.
• Surfshark : The best cheap VPN to unblock websites . Allows unlimited connections with a single account. Super-fast WireGuard protocol is great for streaming and making VoIP calls. Works with Netflix, Hulu, HBO Max, and other popular services. 30-day money-back guarantee.
• ExpressVPN : A reliable VPN with strong encryption, obfuscation to conceal VPN use, and a robust kill switch. Works with popular streaming services and is fast thanks to its proprietary Lightway protocol.  A bit pricey, but you can test it to unblock websites using its 30-day money-back guarantee.
• CyberGhost VPN : Fantastic for beginners. CyberGhost makes unblocking websites easy. It has a list of dedicated servers for popular streaming platforms so you can instantly unblock the one you need. Includes strong encryption and a no-logs policy. Generous 45-day money-back guarantee.
• IPVanish : This VPN has servers in 20 cities across the US. This makes it particularly good for unblocking websites from the US while abroad. Works with Netflix US, but not all other streaming services. Strong security features and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
• AtlasVPN : A fast VPN that implements WireGuard by default. Can bypass blocks with ease from anywhere in the world. Has strong encryption, a kill-switch, ad blocking, and malware filtering. Works with popular streaming services. 30-day money-back guarantee.

WANT TO TRY THE TOP VPN FOR UNBLOCKING WEBSITES RISK FREE?

How to unblock websites from anywhere with a vpn.

VPNs might seem a little intimidating but they’re actually quite easy to use. Setting up a VPN takes only a few minutes and then you will have access to apps and websites from all over the world.

Here’s how to unblock websites from anywhere:

• Start by choosing a suitable VPN. We particularly recommend NordVPN but Surfshark and ExpressVPN are also fantastic alternatives.
• Download and install the VPN software, making sure to get the right version for your device.
• If you’re trying to access a region-locked service, connect to a VPN server in the required country. You’d use a British server to unblock BBC iPlayer , for instance, or a US server for Sling TV . If your chosen service is available worldwide, any server will do.
• Finally, try accessing the blocked app or website.You should be able to use it as normal, but if there are any issues, try clearing your cache and cookies before trying again.
• If problems persist, we’d recommend contacting your VPN’s customer support team for further help. It may be that there are specific servers capable of unblocking your chosen service.

How do website blocks work?

Generally speaking, you will face website blocks either because the local network you are using has blocked them, because the government has asked your ISP to block them, or because the website you’re trying it access has purposefully restricted its service in your region (geo-blocks).

Fortunately, a VPN will let you unblock websites no matter which of these is the culprit.

1. Network-level blocking

Network-level blocking is used by many establishments and workplaces to block access to particular sites. Public wifi hotspots such as coffee shops, restaurants, malls, airlines, and public transport impose often impose blocks to save on bandwidth. As a result, you may not be able to stream on YouTube.

In addition, many networks, including workplaces, schools, and public hotspots block inappropriate websites. This could be to stop employers from playing games, using social media, or watching TV at work. Or could simply be to prevent access to adult content in public spaces, for example.

Network-level website restrictions are usually enforced using a blacklist; whenever a user attempts to visit a site, the address is checked against a list of blocked addresses. If the site is on that list, access is denied.

Countries like China and the UAE use similar technology, although on a larger scale. This kind of country-wide censorship is significantly more advanced and usually includes some form of keyword-based filtering as well as proxy-detection features.

Even in countries without overreaching censorship, it is common for some websites to be blocked. For example, western countries often block torrenting websites such as The Pirate Bay for copyright reasons.

2. User-based blocking

User-based blocking is used to prevent a specific user from accessing a website or service. This usually happens when a user has broken a website’s terms of service or has broken the website’s code of conduct.

When this happens, the user will have their account blocked and may also have their IP address, GPS location, or other device-level identifiers tracked in order to prevent them from accessing the service.

3. Location-based blocking

This type of blocking is most commonly seen with online streaming services. YouTube TV and Hulu, for instance, are only available in the US and users from other countries are prevented from signing up.

Other services such as national TV platforms, bookies, online casinos, and internet banking services also impose location-based blocks, either to comply with licensing agreements, to comply with legal requirements, or for security reasons.

Location-based blocking is usually enforced by tracking the user’s IP address to determine their country or even state of origin (as is the case when US TV services enforce blackout NFL or MLB games, for instance). GPS may also be used in conjunction with cookies and other trackers to help determine the user’s location.

The good news is that it is usually easy to bypass these kinds of location blocks with a VPN. The only consideration is that you may need to clear the cookies and cache in your browser to ensure you aren’t being tracked using other means.

It is also worth noting that when you access foreign services, you could still need a local form of ID, a local phone number, or a local payment method in order to sign up for those services. So, while a VPN can easily make you appear to be in a different country, using specific services may require these things.

Can I unblock websites without a VPN?

While VPNs are the most reliable way to access geo-restricted content, there are a few other tools you can try. Note that these methods are less likely to work against stubborn location-detection systems, but they’re still worth a shot.

Proxy servers

Proxies reroute your traffic through a server somewhere else in the world, helping you beat site-blocking software and online limitations. However, these services usually don’t encrypt your data, meaning whoever owns the proxy can see your original IP address and everything you do on the site.

Tor Browser

Normally, people use the Tor Browser to access the dark web, but it’s actually capable of visiting clearweb sites as well. Further, because it sends your traffic through a series of remote nodes, it’s capable of beating location-specific restrictions. The only problem is that you can’t select a specific country like you can with a VPN, meaning this method isn’t suitable for streaming.

Smart DNS services

Let’s say you’re abroad and trying to access a service that’s only available in the US. Usually, your local DNS servers would give away your location, preventing you from watching. Smart DNS services redirect your traffic to DNS servers in other locations (most commonly the US), sidestepping this issue entirely. What’s more, because no additional software is required, you can easily take advantage on games consoles or older Smart TVs .

Obfuscate the site you’re trying to visit

If you’re trying to beat web-filtering systems like those employed by schools and offices, there are several steps you can take. First off, try typing a site’s IP address into the URL bar (there are tools designed to help you find this out). Alternatively, you can use a URL shortener to replace the website’s URL with something unrecognizable, which might prevent some blockers from realizing your true intentions.

How to unblock websites – FAQs

Will a vpn let me access blocked sites when in china.

China has some of the most advanced internet restriction technology in the world, collectively known as the Great Firewall. Additionally, the government and local ISPs have specifically targeted VPN providers, meaning the majority of services won’t work.

There are a few VPNs that still work in China , but as their websites are inaccessible from the mainland, you’ll have to install them before arriving . We’d also recommend saving manual installation instructions, just in case you run into connection problems when you’re in China.

There’s no publicly-available list of every website that’s banned in China. That said, you can use our Great Firewall tool to find out if a particular site or service is accessible or not.

Can I use region-locked services with a free VPN?

We advise against using free VPNs in general . To begin with, these services are often the first to be blacklisted by major services, meaning there’s no guarantee they’ll work. Further, they often have more users than their networks can support. As a result, even if your VPN unblocks a particular service, you’ll likely find your browsing speeds too slow to use it. This is a real problem if you’re looking to stream since slow speeds result in choppy playback and frequent buffering.

It’s also worth mentioning that free VPNs pose a real security risk. In fact, one study found that almost 40 percent of 280+ surveyed apps contained malware . As if that wasn’t bad enough, 18 percent used no encryption, so they provided no privacy whatsoever. This means that unless you’re especially lucky, there’s a real chance of you infecting your device (and possibly your employer’s whole network) with malware.

The best way to unblock services and browse anonymously is to use a reputable, privacy-conscious VPN that follows a no-logs policy.

Why isn’t my VPN unblocking a certain website or app?

Unfortunately, given the sheer variety and complexity of blocking systems, there will always be some services that your VPN cannot unblock. However, every website and app is different; for instance, a local TV station’s website will probably have less-stringent restrictions than an internationally renowned household name like Netflix.

Don’t worry if you still can’t unblock a particular service. It might be that only certain servers are able to bypass the VPN-detection on your chosen service, or perhaps you just have to change the connection protocol. Either way, a lot of the time, your VPN’s support team will be able to help . Most major VPNs now offer 24/7 support over live chat so you can start fixing the problem in seconds.

What kind of services can I access using a VPN?

With a VPN, there are very few limits on what you can access, even if you’re in a country with strict online censorship. Below, we’ve listed some of the types of content you can unblock abroad or at work using a VPN:

• Social media ( Facebook , Instagram , Twitter )
• Streaming services ( Netflix , BBC iPlayer , ESPN ),
• Messaging services ( WhatsApp , Signal, Telegram )
• Gambling and gaming sites (William Hill, Bet365 , BetNow)
• Impartial news websites (CNN, The Guardian, Washington Post)
• Dating services ( Tinder , Grindr, Bumble)
• Privacy-focused websites (Comparitech, OpenVPN, ExpressVPN )

Do I need a fast VPN to unblock websites?

If you want to watch HD streams, play games, download torrents, or make private video calls, you will need a fast VPN. Many VPNs have sluggish servers that cause lag and buffering, and, as a result, they are not good for doing data-intensive tasks.

The VPNs we have recommended to unblock websites all have fast servers and VPN protocols that make them suitable for accessing streams on vacation, and bypassing blocks that require fast connections.

Can I unblock VoIP services with a VPN?

Yes. If you are in a country that blocks VoIP services , you can easily use a VPN to regain access. A VPN will let you access a foreign app store to download and install VoIP messenger services and will let you make calls privately and without being tracked by your ISP or the government. As a result, you can use VoIP services in the UAE, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, or in any other country where they are blocked.

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Roundup - best VPNs for

Privacy alert: websites you visit can find out who you are.

The following information is available to any site you visit:

Your IP Address:

Your Location:

Your Internet Provider:

This information can be used to target ads and monitor your internet usage.

Using a VPN will hide these details and protect your privacy.

We recommend using NordVPN - #1 of 72 VPNs in our tests. It offers outstanding privacy features and is currently available at a discounted rate.

BETA Released! A new version of Tech Lockdown has entered BETA. Learn More

How to Monitor Websites that were Visited on Your WiFi

This guide will show you how to monitor sites visited on your wi-fi, whether you have multiple people in your house or you want to keep tabs on your habits

If you are trying to help people in your household be more intentional and safer with their online activity, one of the best ways to do this is by encouraging more transparent internet browsing. Although there are numerous ways to increase internet browsing transparency, you might wonder: can I monitor the websites visited on my WiFi network?

In our experience running a platform dedicated to helping people overcome harmful aspects of the internet, these are the most common reasons that people want to monitor traffic:

• Work with a partner to overcome addictions through increased browsing transparency and content filtering.
• Check to see if a partner's browsing activity is an indication of dishonesty .
• Ensure that a child is staying safe online.
• Ensure that your Wifi is not being misued.

Monitoring WiFi traffic is not as difficult as some people might think. However, you should try to take a few things into consideration when determining the best strategy:

• Are you only concerned about Home WiFi traffic, or do you care about internet use on other connections like 4G/5G connections ?
• Do you need to account for common bypass techniques used to get around monitoring? 

We recommend a few monitoring techniques, which can be combined together for the most transparent browsing experience possible.

Handling Private Browsing

Many people know about a web browser's private browsing features, which ensure that browsing history isn't stored after the person finishes using the browser.

Private browsing is available on Smartphones and Computers.

There are a few ways to handle private browsing so that you can still examine what websites were visited on this device:

• Connect the device to a DNS Filter so that internet traffic is viewable from a common dashboard. This will capture browsing history even if a device was using incognito mode or deleted history from the browser . We will go into this more later.
• Disable browser features on a shared device to remove the private browsing options.

Before we get into DNS Filtering, we recommend getting started by increasing browsing transparency on any shared devices. The main reason we start with this recommendation is that many people who read this article are working with a partner to overcome addictions and dishonesty . 

The first thing to do would be to work with that person to increase browsing transparency by disabling private browsing features on smartphones and computers. This disables the ability to delete browser history or use Incognito Mode.

This ensures that when you check the browsers History section that you'll have a more complete picture as to what was being searched for on that device and it will open the door to healthier discussions around internet usage. 

Using a DNS Filter to Monitor Internet Traffic

The most comprehensive approach to monitoring internet usage on a home network is through the use of a DNS Filtering service.

The primary purpose of a DNS Filter is to categorize online content and then provide an internet firewall for any devices that are connected to the internet. You can view traffic logs for any connected device using a DNS Filter as well.

For example, you can use Tech Lockdown's Activity Logs  to examine browsing activity. You'll be able to see a log like the following:

DNS Filtering services provide a few advantages compared to examining your router's logs (if it supports logging):

• View websites visited based on category
• See date/timestamps and number of times visited
• View DNS logs for devices, even if incognito/private browsing modes were used
• Block categories of content.

An important thing to note when using a DNS Filter:

• Anonymous browsing with proxies and VPNs . This will obscure your DNS logs so that the actual websites visited aren't known. You'll just see a high visit count for the Anonymous Browsing category. VPNs are commonly advertised by social media influencers and this is a well-known method for circumventing Wifi monitoring . We will show you how to handle anonymous browsing services.
• Handling 4G/5G or other Wifi connections. To bypass DNS Filtering, especially if it is installed on a home router, some people will turn off their Wifi and use their phone's roaming internet . This will bypass logging entirely, so we'll show you how to account for this.

Configure a DNS Content Policy

Before you install a DNS Filter, you should start by configuring a DNS Content Policy to decide what categories of websites or specific applications are allowed, blocked, or enforced with SafeSearch.

There are a few reasons to set a Content Policy, even if you are only concerned with monitoring:

• Enforce SafeSearch or YouTube restricted mode to filter search results. Since you can't use Wifi monitoring techniques to see specific videos watched or search terms used on Google, this is a great approach to limiting the results a person sees without showing them a block page.
• Schedule internet usage by setting automatic internet cutoff times . Dishonest or addictive browsing habits tend to happen late at night where monitoring is more difficult, so you can narrow your monitoring scope by scheduling when the internet can be used.
• Block Anonymous browsing, which is commonly used to bypass DNS logging so that you only see that an  Anonymizer  domain was visited instead of the actual website viewed on the device.

As an example, I'll update my Tech Lockdown Content Policy to block a few apps, categories, and enforce SafeSearch on Google .

I'll also create a rule that enforces YouTube restricted mode to filter results on YouTube .

Next, I'll select the Anonymizer category when creating a block rule to prevent access to proxies/VPNs that bypass effective DNS logging:

Then, I'll create a scheduled rule to limits access to distracting and problematic apps/websites to my lunch break:

And finally, I'll block the entire internet after 9pm on weekdays and 11pm on weekends:

In order to ensure that smart devices can still operate at night, like a home security system, I'll create a whitelist rule to exclude those from being blocked:

Now you need to configure your home router to point to DNS Filter so that you can apply this Content Policy to devices using your home Wifi and also view the DNS logs for connected devices.

Configure your Home Router Start Logging Traffic for Devices using your Wifi

Now that the DNS Content Policy is set, it's time to connect your router so that all devices using your home Wifi benefit from content filtering and have more transparent browsing activity.

If you are using Tech Lockdown, you can follow our router installation guide  or reach out to our support team to request a guided installation session.

Otherwise, the process looks like this:

• Login to your Router
• Point your router's DNS to the DNS Filter

Router login instructions are found on the back or side sticker of the device that handles your home internet connection.

Then, most DNS Filtering services will allow you to connect by using your router's admin panel to specify IPv4 or IPv6 addresses that correspond with the service.

IPv6 router admin panel example

Once these steps are complete, you should start to see browser activity going forward. 

Help with DNS Filter Router Installation

Install dns filtering to monitor traffic on roaming connections.

One of the downsides of using your home router to monitor browsing activity is that this is easily bypassed on a smartphone or computer by turning off Wifi and browsing the internet using a roaming connection like 4G/5G. Furthermore, you won't be able to see browsing activity when a device uses another Wifi connection, like hotel Wifi.

To get around this, you can configure computers and smartphones to point to the same DNS Filter that you installed on your home router. This ensures that your Content Policy is applied at home or when roaming and that you can continue monitoring DNS logs in your dashboard .

There are generally two ways to install:

• Using an application that keeps your device connected
• Configuring device settings to point the internet of the device through the filter

Use the Install wizard in your Tech Lockdown dashboard to easily install a DNS Filter

For example, on iPhone, you can install a file that automatically sets the networks settings on your phone to point to the filter.

Tech Lockdown's Filter can be installed this way on iPhone

This is a less obvious way to connect to the filter and many people prefer this over installing an obvious application.

Overcoming Pitfalls of Monitoring Traffic

It can be exhausting to always keep checking your DNS logs to monitor traffic on your home network. 

Furthermore, monitoring software isn't always the right decision if you are looking to deter risky online behavior.   According to a pair of studies External link icon  from the University of Central Florida, the use of these apps is actually "associated with teens experiencing more, not fewer, online risks." In addition, the study found that teens would "rather their parents talk to them" and give them "trust and respect" instead of using apps to track their activity instead of communication.

In our opinion, a better strategy involves a combination approach:

• Set block rules in your Content Policy to restrict content accessed on your home internet connection.
• Encourage transparent browsing behavior by disabling private browsing (working with your partner to do this).
• Sharing a Tech Lockdown account so that 

One of the advantages of using Tech Lockdown to set a DNS Content Policy is that you can share your account with a partner in a safe way. This is done using Lockable Profiles .

When a profile is locked, your partner cannot make the Content Policy less restrictive, but can make it more restrictive.

This ensures building healthy habits of blocking newly discovered harmful content without opening up a loophole a blocking setup.

Further, sharing an account adds transparency to what Content Policy changes occurred since we provide a History features that shows what was changed.

This is ideal if you are working with a partner to overcome addiction or dishonest behavior or need help holding yourself accountable.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can i see what someone searched on my wifi.

The short is answer is no. If you have configured your router to monitor browsing activity, you'll only be able to see IP addresses or domains.

For example, if a person on your home network searches for "fruit" on Google, you'll only see that this person visited www.google.com , not www.google.com?search=fruit .

However, you would see that this person visited a Grocery Store website after using google, so you can infer what this person was searching for .

The only way to really see this level of traffic logging is to examine the browser history on the specific device.  You probably know how easy it is to delete browser history and use incognito mode to browse without saving search history, but you can actually disable private browsing features as a way to increase browsing transparency.

Can I associate Wifi Traffic with a Specific Person?

This is also quite difficult to do just with devices that are connected to your home internet. If you are worried about a specific smartphone or computer, you'd need to install an application on that device that connects directly to the DNS Filter you are using to monitor traffic. Then, you could likely filter browsing activity by that user.

Your Router might have the ability to view traffic logs for specific devices, but this is a rare feature. We go over this more in-depth in our article on enabling router parental controls .

How do I monitor websites visited on 5G or other Wifi Networks?

A common bypass technique for home internet monitoring is to switch off Wifi to a smartphone and browse using roaming data. Furthermore, a laptop can connect to a smartphone's hotspot and bypass monitoring this way.

The best way to solve for this is to follow our previous instructions for installing a DNS Filter directly on those devices. For example, silently installing a DNS Filter on an iPhone using a configuration file.

Tech Lockdown's filter can be connected to using this silent installation method on iPhone

See the DNS Filter instructions earlier in this guide to learn more.

How do I handle Proxies and VPNs?

Proxies and VPNs will obfuscate DNS logs so that you see a person visited a Anonmyizer instead of the specific website actually visited.

One way to deal with this is to have a non-Anonymizer policy if you are working with a partner to voluntarily increase browsing transparency. Another way is to block the Anonymizer category using the same DNS Filter you are using to monitor traffic.

Blocking Anonymizers with the Tech Lockdown DNS Content Policy

There are additional ways to block VPNs and proxies that you can combine with this approach if you want a more robust blocking system.

6 Simple Hacks To Access Blocked Websites

Internet censorship is very common across the world wide web. Governments do it to restrict citizens from watching content they find inappropriate. Even offices and colleges block websites they do not like. Of course, sometimes it is necessary to block some websites. But often, most offices and collages block useful and legitimate websites without any good reason. Sometimes internet censorship is justified but usually, it’s the misuse of power.

The internet is an excellent place to learn new stuff. People like me even make a living out of it. Needless to say, it is one of the best things in my life. But it would never be possible if I didn’t have access to the internet. The Internet is a free place and it should be kept like that.

On that note, here are some tips and tricks to access blocked content. However, some countries/institutions are strict about internet censorship. So if that’s your case, then beware of the consequences.

Related:  How to Access Torrents Blocked by Your ISP

1. Start Simple

If the website is not opening, try replacing ‘http‘ with ‘https‘ in the URL.

This worked flawlessly on my college WiFi, which has banned Facebook and several other social media sites. If you get SSL error saying, the website is not trusted. Click on the proceed anyway button.

Another small trick that you should try before pulling the big guns is using URL shortening service. Try this website for URL shortening.

However, most institutions are smart enough for this. So don’t expect it to work everywhere.

Related:  How to see the blocked content on Websites

2. Use a proxy website

If the above method didn’t work for you, proxy websites should. Google the keyword ‘proxy websites.’ Open the first link and enter the URL of the blocked website and click on Go. The proxy website will fetch the blocked content for you.

How do proxy websites work?

The concept is simple. a proxy replaces your IP with their own. So instead of directly requesting the page, you send a request to the proxy website first and then it forwards your request to the blocked website.

However, your institution can easily block the proxy website as well. So the least popular the proxy site is, the more are the chances that it will work.

Or Use Google Translate

It may sound crazy but believe me, you can use Google translate as a proxy site. The best thing about using Google as your proxy is that most institutions don’t block Google translate.

So, head over to the  Google translate  website. In the translate box, type in the URL of the blocked website and convert it to some local language you know. Unfortunately, they have removed translate to the same language feature.

Or, Use Google Cache

Well, this is one of the lesser known methods and is very similar to Google Translate method. The best thing about this method is that is easier than Google Translate and works like a charm. To access a blocked website, simply search the website in Google Search. Once you get the search results, click on the green arrow beside the link and select “Cached”. This will load the cached web page of the said URL.

Just like with Google Translate, this method also has its limitations like:

• It will load the webpage that is cached by Google Search Engine. So, what you are seeing may not be the latest information.
• The webpage may not load CSS styles. So, you will be just seeing regular text and images without any formatting or styles.

However, Google Translate or the cache method doesn’t work with dynamic websites like Facebook or YouTube. So for that, use the next approach.

3. Browser extension

To access geo-restricted websites like Pandora and Spotify, you can use browser extensions like  TunnelBear  or Zenmate. To get this extension, do a simple Google Search and install it from the store. Sometimes, you might need to create an account to use them. TunnelBear only gives you 500 MB of free data every month. Now, this is sufficient for text browsing. But say if you use tunnel bear to watch US Netflix content or any video content for that matter, then all your free data will be gone in a single session, right?

Well, there is a small trick to solve this issue. Most services only check your IP when you log in for the first time or when you start playing the video. So once you are in, you can simply turn OFF the VPN service. I personally tested this method for Spotify and Netflix from India and it worked just fine.

Netflix has launched nearly in 130 countries, but its content is not equal everywhere even though it charges the same. To access all the Netflix content in one app, use Smart DNS Proxy . It’s a paid VPN that remove geo-restriction from Netflix and several other videos sites such as Hulu, BBC UK, Pandora etc.

Related:  How to use Spotify Outside the US and UK (with Video)

4. Access Blocked Websites in Android

If you are using Android on a restricted Wi-Fi network, then use Orbot. It’s an Android client for famous Tor browser. All you need to do is turn on Orbot and it will configure everything for you. Tor is based on onion routing protocol i.e. it has 3 layers of protection and it is also open source. So you can use it to access any blocked websites without worrying about if someone is keeping your logs.

However, since it is routing your traffic through 3 different computers located across the world, the speed you get will not be that good. It is good enough for text-based browsing and emails, but for videos or file sharing, you will have to wait a lot. Moreover, while no one can see what you are browsing and watching while using Tor network, if the system admin or ISP is good enough, he can still see that someone is using a Tor client to mask their activities on the network.

Download  Orbot

5. VPN Apps

Proxies are good for browsers. But if you want other apps like uTorrent or Skype to work on a restricted network, then what you need is a VPN. Moreover, unlike proxies, it is difficult for an ISP to block a VPN connection. The reason being, unlike proxies, VPNs are not public and the connections are encrypted. So, it is near impossible to monitor and very difficult for ISPs to block a VPN connection.

The only downside of VPN is they are paid services. But you can find some free ones out there like Tunnel Bear or Hotspot Shield. In return, they will either show you ads or you get a limited bandwidth. Don’t expect torrents to work with a free VPN, though.

In the video above, I have shown how to install and use a free VPN like Hotspot Shield. In case you didn’t watch the video, all you have to do is  download  the free version of Hotspot Shield, install it on your computer and that’s it. The program will automatically start the service.

Related:  Best Free VPN Apps We Recommend at TechWiser

6. Change your DNS to SmartDNS

This is the ultimate solution. By default, we use the default DNS (short for Domain Name Server) provided by our ISP. In case you don’t know, DNS is the one that is responsible for resolving the IP address from the web address you typed in the address bar. Here is a detailed article on What is DNS and What DNS Server you are using . However, since everything happens in the background, we never notice it.

As the default DNS services are provided by your ISP, they can easily monitor and block the requests and make the website you are trying to access unreachable. In those situations, you can use services like Smart DNS Proxy. When using Smart DNS Proxy, you are provided with a different set of DNS addresses. When you use these addresses, you can unblock everything i.e. websites and streaming services like Netflix and even torrents. The good thing is, Smart DNS proxy has a very detailed guide on how to change DNS address on various systems like Windows, MacOS, Android, and even on routers.

The advantage of using the DNS method is that since you can change the DNS settings on the router level, all your devices like smartphones, computers, and even Chromecast will work without any additional configuration. Also, the DNS method is faster than your regular VPN. But here’s the bummer, Smart DNS Proxy is a paid service that costs $5 per month. So if you want to go that route, you can try  Smart DNS Proxy  or  UnlockUS . Both are good and offers a free trial with no credit card requirement

Related:  How to change DNS on every platform

Access Blocked Websites

But the most effective way to hide your identity is to use Tor. I use this all the time in my college. The only downside is, when you access torrents or YouTube, the connection is very slow. But hey, you can access any blocked websites, right?

Related:  How to use Tor Browser Bundle

So which method looks most promising to you? Share your thoughts and let me know if you have any question via comments.

Mrinal Saha

Mrinal is a tech geek who spends half of his day reading and writing about tech. While the nights are spent on shooting or editing YouTube videos. Feel free to geek out with him on-

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Roblox Unblocked: How To Access & Play Roblox On Blocked Devices

Roblox is an online game platform where you can play various user-created games via a web browser or a dedicated app.

While accessing it on PC, Mobile, and even consoles is as easy as downloading and logging in to the Roblox app, many want to access it through a School Chromebook or restricted PC where games category sites or apps like Roblox are often blocked.

So, if you are one such player trying your best to find an unblocked version of Roblox to spend some quality time playing your favourite experiences, such as Blox Fruits, Adopt Me, Pet Simulator, or others, this guide is for you.

How To Access Roblox On Blocked Devices

There are multiple ways to access Roblox on blocked devices, such as using third-party sites hosting Roblox, Proxy sites, VPNs, and external APK downloads.

Roblox Unblocked

Third-party websites like Now.gg host Roblox in many countries that players can access using the below link:

Roblox Unblocked Link

If even Now.gg is blocked in your PC, you can use the following links to access it:

• Roblox Link 1
• Roblox Link 2

Using a VPN is by far the best way to access region-locked games and even blocked platforms like Roblox. So, if you are using a Chromebook, head to Google Play Store and download a VPN.

If you are using a regular Windows PC, you can download free VPNs or paid ones like Nord VPN from your browser or the Microsoft Store.

Once you have the VPN downloaded, connect to any country, head to the Google Play Store or the Microsoft Store and download the Roblox App.

After that, you can log into your Roblox account and start playing your favourite experiences.

Using Proxy Sites To Access Roblox

Head to the ProxySite website or any other such third-party site and enter the Roblox URL "https://www.roblox.com/" in the given field to access Roblox on blocked devices.

Lastly, you can also try downloading the Roblox APK file from external download links and installing it on your Chromebook. For Windows PC, you can run an external APK file using emulators like BlueStacks and others.

Biden moves to block release of audio of his classified documents interview with special counsel Hur

WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden has asserted executive privilege over audio recordings of his interview with special counsel Robert Hur, the Republican federal prosecutor who declined to recommend charges against him over his handling of classified documents.

Hur wrote in his report that one reason not to bring a case against Biden is that he would be sympathetic to a jury and could portray himself as an “ elderly man with a poor memory .” Biden defended his abilities, and Attorney General Merrick Garland later said it would be “absurd” for him to have tried to block Hur’s language about Biden’s memory.

White House counsel Ed Siskel notified Reps. James Comer, R-Ky., and Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, of the decision in a letter Thursday after Garland recommended that Biden assert executive privilege. The Justice Department had already given House Republicans transcripts of the interviews .

“It is the longstanding position of the executive branch held by administrations of both parties that an official who asserts the President’s claim of executive privilege cannot be prosecuted for criminal contempt of Congress," Justice Department official Carlos Felipe Uriarte  wrote in a letter to Jordan, of Ohio, the chair of the House Judiciary Committee, and Comer, of Kentucky, chair of the House Oversight and Accountability Committee.

Garland wrote in a separate letter to Biden that the audio recordings "fall within the scope of executive privilege" and that giving the recordings to Congress "would raise an unacceptable risk of undermining the Department’s ability to conduct similar high-profile criminal investigations — in particular, investigations where the voluntary cooperation of White House officials is exceedingly important.”

In comments to the media Thursday morning, Garland said the Justice Department had "gone to extraordinary lengths to ensure that the committees get responses to their legitimate requests, but this is not one."

Releasing audio of an interview, he said, "would harm our ability in the future to successfully pursue sensitive investigations," saying it was part of a "series of unprecedented and, frankly, unfounded attacks" on the Justice Department, including efforts to hold Garland in contempt to obtain the audio.

"This request, this effort, to use contempt as a method of obtaining our sensitive law enforcement files is just the most recent," he said. "The effort to threaten to defund our investigations and the way in which there are contributions to an atmosphere that puts our agents and our prosecutors at risk, these are wrong. Look, the only thing I can do is continue to do the right thing. I will protect this building and its people."

House Republicans have been using their bully pulpit to undermine the criminal prosecutions of Donald Trump, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, and to attack Biden ahead of their 2024 election rematch. Hours after Biden asserted executive privilege, the House Judiciary Committee voted 18-15 to send a report to the full House recommending that Garland be held in contempt of Congress. The House Oversight Committee advanced its own contempt resolution Thursday evening after several of its GOP members were in New York earlier in the day to attend Trump's hush money trial .

House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., did not commit to a timeline for putting the contempt resolution on the floor for a full House vote, saying at a news conference Thursday morning, "We’ll see how that develops, one issue at a time.”

While a transcript of Biden's interview has already been released, the House Jan. 6 committee illustrated that audio and visuals can pack a much harder political punch with the American public than dense, written reports that very few voters will actually read.

News outlets, including NBC News, have joined in the push for the release of the audio under the Freedom of Information Act, arguing that transcripts are no substitute for audio recordings.

John Fishwick, who was a U.S. attorney in the Obama administration, told NBC News that the Justice Department "should not stand on a flimsy executive privilege argument to stall the release of President Biden’s audio interviews with special counsel Hur" and that Biden and the Justice Department "should promote full transparency of the Hur investigation and release the audio recordings now."

Trump, who faces four criminal cases in which he has pleaded not guilty, did not sit down with then-special counsel Robert Mueller's team during the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election , a decision that paid off for him. Trump said he was "f---ed" when he learned about Mueller's appointment, and he said it would be the "worst thing that ever happened" to him. Publicly, Trump claimed he wanted to talk to Mueller, even saying he'd " override " his lawyers, but he ultimately never sat down with investigators.

Trump's 2016 opponent, Hillary Clinton, did sit down with the FBI during the investigation into her handling of classified documents. Clinton has called the bureau's decision to reopen the investigation just days before the 2016 election "the determining factor" in her loss to Trump.

In 1998, President Bill Clinton testified before a federal grand jury as part of the investigation into whether he lied under oath about his affair with Monica Lewinsky.  That video was made public by the House Judiciary Committee about a month later.

Then, as now, the White House argued that the video was being released only to embarrass the president. In that case, independent counsel Kenneth Starr willingly turned over the Clinton video to Congress. The independent counsel statute expired in 1999 , and special counsels now operate under different regulations.

In comments to the media the week he called Trump's hush money trial " an atrocity ," Johnson, the House speaker, said Biden was "using his authority to defend himself politically." (Trump has used the authority of his former office to fend off trial on federal election interference charges by arguing all the way up to the Supreme Court that he's covered by presidential immunity, successfully delaying a trial that was supposed to be underway back in March and would most likely have resulted in a verdict by now.)

"President Biden is apparently afraid for the citizens of this country and everyone to hear those tapes,” Johnson said. “They obviously confirm what the special counsel has found and would likely cause, I suppose, in his estimation, such alarm with the American people that the president is using all of his power to suppress their release."

Johnson struck a much different note after the Mueller probe ended five years ago in 2019, telling NPR that "it's time to move on" and that "trying to redo" the special counsel investigation "would be a waste of our time" and pointing to the importance of Justice Department regulations about releasing sensitive information.

"There are current DOJ regulations that prohibit [then-Attorney General William Barr] from revealing classified information for obvious reasons, secret grand jury information, other sensitive information," Johnson said then.

The House Oversight Committee was supposed to hold a hearing Thursday morning to consider recommending contempt charges against Garland, but the Trump trial took precedence.

Several members of the panel made plans to show their allegiance to Trump by appearing at the courthouse Thursday, forcing Comer to pull the plug on the 11 a.m. hearing and move it to 8 p.m. The House members have no official role in the trial.

Ryan J. Reilly is a justice reporter for NBC News.

Ken Dilanian is the justice and intelligence correspondent for NBC News, based in Washington.

Monica Alba is a White House correspondent for NBC News.