Using a VPN is one of the best ways to unblock websites that previously you couldn’t enter. However, the authorities, as well as some corporate bodies, have realized that many people are using VPNs, and have found ways to block those too. But, don’t worry. Our experts are on hand to help you maneuver around these blocks, and continue enjoying all the benefits of your VPN, without compromising on your online security and privacy.
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Using a VPN was once the very best way to do this, and still is for many websites. In the current web climate, however, more and more organizations are cottoning on to the use of VPNs, using specially designed detectors who will ask you to switch off the service before entering their website. This can prove frustrating, especially when accessing sites through organizations like schools, or trying to log on to the US versions of your favorite streaming sites.
There are, however, some additional things you need to gain anonymous access. In this article, you’ll find everything you need to know for unblocking VPNs, how to bypass blocked websites at school and other places where you access the web outside of your home. Whatever device or operating system you use, here you’ll find everything you need to know how to get past school blocks and enjoy online freedom once more.
So just to recap – you will learn about:
- How to bypass blocked websites at school
- How to bypass web blocked websites from other locations
- Unblocking VPNs
Before We Start – A Disclaimer
Just so it’s clear, we don’t want everyone to unblock VPNs all the time. Internet restrictions aren’t by default a negative thing, and in some situations, it’s not always sensible to try and break through them. Geo-blocking, government-controlled access to media sites from abroad, and businesses that operate in an office and want to keep their employees focused on work rather than social media are just some of the reasons why your VPN might be blocked.
However, we’re passionate about helping everyone be secure and anonymous online, so we’ll give you all the information and resources you need to do so. VPNs are very rarely illegal, except for in certain countries like UAE, where you could be sent to jail and must pay enormous fines for using them. You could also get into trouble when unblocking a VPN for school Wi-Fi or doing the same at work. We will give you the information on how to get past school blocks or work restrictions, but it’s up to you to be responsible and face the consequences if things go wrong.
All clear? All right, that’s enough of that; let’s get into how to do it.
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How VPNs are Blocked
When you’re asking how to get past school blocks or other VPN blocking systems, it’s a good idea to know some of the methods used to do the blocking in the first place.
IP Blocking
This is the most popular way to block a VPN. It does this by working out the IP address of the VPN server. There are many VPNs with servers all over the world, so this technique is usually used to target well-known VPNs with high numbers of users. This means that if you use a more low-key VPN for school WiFi access or any other online activity, chances are you might slip under their radar and be able to access what you want. It’s easy to find out whether your VPN IP is blocked by going to whoer.net.
Port Blocking
VPNs are also blocked by port blockers, arranged to block the ports that VPNs frequently use. Examples of this include 500 (UDP), 4500 (UDP), 1194 (UDP) and 1723 (UDP) – the list goes on.
Deep Packet Inspection (DPI)
DPI is a method that allows analysis of data – often the header within a page of content – to see whether it is enveloped within a VPN.
Websites Where VPNs are Blocked
Some of the most common sites where you’ll find it difficult to use a VPN include:
Streaming Sites
More and more, sites which provide streaming services are blocking VPNs from attempting to disguise their IP address. Sites like Netflix, BBC iPlayer and Hulu make more money if they geographically restrict their users.
Pay-per-day WLAN
When you access wireless services through a pay-per-day system, like you might have on public transport, at an airport or hotel, or even when you access free WiFi in a public space, you’ll probably find you can’t use a VPN. Using a VPN for school WiFi is also unlikely to work.
Read on to see our solutions for how to bypass blocked websites at school, at the airport or when accessing from abroad, when your VPN is blocked.
How to Get Past School Blocks Etc.
Here are the best and simplest ways for those wondering how to bypass blocked websites at school, or access sites that do not permit VPN access. As always, use all these methods with discretion.
1 – Use Your Phone
This is probably the simplest way to access sites that have blocked your VPN. Rather than using a VPN for school WiFi access, simply browse the web using your Android or iOS mobile data. You can also set up your phone as a remote hotspot and connect your computer that way. Be aware that your data charges will be high if you choose to access high volume sites like streaming services, but this is a quick and easy way to bypass VPN blocks.
2 – Use a VPN
Opt for a low-key VPN whose servers won’t have been identified by the big companies yet. If you like your provider, you can opt for a new IP address from them. You can also ask your VPN provider if it re-uses IPs – this can make the addresses more difficult to block. These are the ones we recommend:
3 – Do It Yourself
You can operate your own VPN server if you wish. By doing this, you’ll be able to create your own location and protect your identity and online activity. You’ll get your own special IP, which will prevent sites from being able to block you with an all-inclusive system.
4 – Use Tor
Tor is an alternative to the public internet which scrambles your information and scatters it throughout their network of users who operate all around the world. This enables you to both conceal your IP address and hide all traffic.
5 – Use Lahana
Build your very own VPN server in minutes with Lahana. You can use both the public web and Tor with Lahana, and with Tor, you can be sure of almost total anonymity. This will set you back around $20 per month but could save you money in other areas.
6 – Use Shadowsocks
A proxy app that is great for avoiding online blocking. It is open-source, centralized in China, and is a very popular way of getting around blocks in the country and worldwide.
Conclusion
For users wondering how to access their favorite streaming sites from abroad, bypass blocked websites at school, or simply enter a site that has recently blocked VPNs, it’s not as difficult as you might think.
We want you to stay secure, anonymous, and safe and enjoy your time on the web, whatever tools your using. If your favorite tool is a VPN, we recommend using ExpressVPN.
