Limited access to a website in some geographical locations is not a new thing. Usually, it is because a business targets clients within specific geographical locations, making it difficult to login from other regions. However, it is still possible to access websites that are blocked in your area. Think about a betting site such as Bet365 that do not serve customers in every part of the world. Internet and IT experts have always devised ways of bypassing internet censorship and access restrictions that some companies place on their website. In this post, we walk you through five ways of accessing blocked websites with great ease and convenience.
Redirect Network over Virtual Private Networks (VPN)
Most internet users know about virtual private networks, often abbreviated as VPN. But for someone who does not know how to access blocked websites, a VPN sounds stranger than fiction. Simply put, a VPN redirects the network to a specific location where access is not restricted. For example, if you want to access a betting site that operates in Sweden, a VPN creates a false Swedish IP.
When using a VPN, web searches get redirected to the location of the VPN to which you are connected. In our example, you get a response from a VPN located in Sweden. Simply put, a VPN makes it appear that you are located in a country where access to the blocked website is not restricted. Governments, network operators, and internet service providers that may monitor internet access in such locations will only encrypt internet connection but not unauthorized access. The only way VPN may not work is when governments, operators and ISP block VPN connections.
Note that not every VPN is good. Therefore, you must factor in security features, ease of use and other factors before using one. VPN providers that have servers in different parts of the world are notwithstanding the best options. To give you a headstart, StrongVPN, TunnelBear and Express VPN are great examples of near-perfect VPNs. In a nutshell, it is the simplest and most effective way of accessing blocked websites.
Browse Anonymously Using Tor Browser
Another way of accessing blocked websites is by using the Tor browser. The question is how does Tor work? Tor works by making your browsing activity anonymous. Your browsing activity gets rerouted over an encrypted network. The access endpoint is often in an unfiltered or uncensored location or both. But while Tor helps with accessing blocked websites, you should avoid using it to access encrypted data. Note that in situations where standard VPNs fail, Tor will most likely work. A major disadvantage of using Tor is that it slows down browsing.
Use SHH Tunnels
Governments in the U.S and U.K are tightening their grip on access to information over the web. It is especially manifest in information filtering and the enactment of stringent internet laws. In the wake of these changes, access to some website have been limited or completely blocked in some locations. However, with SHH, internet users can redirect access over secure connections.
A remote SHH server lets you tunnel your internet by redirecting it over secure connections. Note that while you may need to use a VPN, especially when paying for an SHH server, it is not always the case. Internet geeks can access blocked websites using SHH servers without incurring any costs. The mainstay of SHH server connections is that it encrypts your traffic. Note that you must create an SHH account or log in to an existing one to use the service successfully. If you are using Microsoft windows, consider using PUTTY.
Proxy Servers Help You Bypass Website Firewalls
Most people mistake proxies for VPNs. But from an expert’s point of view, proxies do not encrypt your data as much as VPNs. Hence the possibility of losing vital information is likely if you do not provide extra security to your browsing data. The catch with proxies is that they hide your IP address. With VPNs, you are entirely on a different IP address specific to a given country. Thus, while proxies make it possible to access blocked sites, it is possible to trace the IP back to your smartphone or computer.
Setting up proxy browsing takes only a few simple steps. To get started, search the web for proxies that deliver excellent services. Most importantly, compare paid proxies and free standard options. Usually, paid services are the best because they do not only help with bypassing firewall restrictions but also make your browsing more anonymous and secure.
Accessing Blocked Websites Using A URL Shortener
A URL shortener is another way of accessing blocked websites. However, it mostly works in cases where an institution such as a school uses basic methods of blocking access to a website such as Facebook. Start by searching for the best URL shortener on the web. Next, type the URL on the search bar and click ‘shorten’ to proceed. Bitly and TynyURL are great examples of URL shorteners. The method may not always work; especially websites you would wish to access have stronger firewalls and restrictions.
The Bottom Line
At some point, you must have searched for a website using Google only to end up with ‘Access denied’ as the result. But why do websites get blocked? Well, school restrictions, workplace restrictions, government censorship and geo-restrictions are the main reasons why you may not always access some websites from your location. Always read and understand terms of conditions related to unauthorized access before gaining access using a VPN. While most countries allow VPN access, it is not always the case in countries some countries that undertake information filtering on the web.
Finally, note that the above methods are only a few and effective ways of accessing blocked sites. You can also explore the option of using a proxy extension. Note that for a proxy extension to be effective, it must be compatible with your browser. You should also try switching internet protocol from HTTPS to HTTP. The danger with the latter is insecure browsing that puts you at risk of identity theft and hacking.