5 Ways to Bypass Internet Censorship & Filtering

Circumventing Internet Filtering and Accessing Blocked Websites

An increasing number of internet connections are subject to filtering, ranging from restrictions imposed on public Wi-Fi networks and within corporate environments to censorship enacted by Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and even at the national level.

Despite these growing limitations, methods still exist to bypass such filtering and gain access to websites that have been blocked.

Challenges to Filtering Circumvention

It's important to note that the effectiveness of certain circumvention techniques can be diminished by stringent filtering measures.

For instance, the Great Firewall of China has begun to actively disrupt outgoing VPN connections, a practice that previously went unchallenged for a considerable period.

VPNs, while historically reliable, are now facing increased scrutiny and countermeasures in some regions.

Understanding Internet Censorship

The methods employed by governments and organizations to control internet access are complex and constantly evolving.

Understanding these techniques is crucial for developing effective strategies to overcome censorship.

IP Blocking: Specific IP addresses are blocked, preventing access to websites hosted on those servers.
DNS Filtering: Domain Name System (DNS) requests are intercepted and redirected, preventing users from resolving domain names to IP addresses.
URL Filtering: Specific URLs or keywords within URLs are blocked.
Packet Inspection: Data packets are examined for prohibited content.

Further information regarding the strategies used for internet censorship can be found in resources detailing how countries censor and control the internet.

Successfully navigating internet restrictions requires awareness of the evolving landscape of filtering technologies and a willingness to explore alternative access methods.

A Straightforward Approach: Utilizing a VPN

Connecting through a virtual private network (VPN) redirects all of your computer’s internet traffic. Essentially, if you establish a VPN connection to a server in Iceland, all your online activity will be routed through that location before reaching its destination.

Responses will then be sent back to the Icelandic server, which will forward them to you. This entire process occurs over an encrypted connection, ensuring privacy.

Your internet service provider (ISP), network administrator, or even governmental authorities will only observe an encrypted VPN connection and data transmission. Blocking access would necessitate blocking VPN connections altogether.

For Advanced Users: Consider StrongVPN

Extensive research into VPN providers reveals that StrongVPN offers an optimal balance of security features, advanced capabilities, and user-friendliness. They maintain servers in 43 cities spanning 20 countries.

StrongVPN delivers reasonably fast connection speeds and competitive pricing. Apps are available for various platforms, including Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS.

Furthermore, you can configure your home router to connect to their VPN servers, effectively protecting your entire home network. This provides exceptional flexibility and control.

For New Users or Those Seeking Simplicity: Explore ExpressVPN or TunnelBear

Testing has identified ExpressVPN and TunnelBear as excellent choices for beginners due to their intuitive interfaces and simplified setup processes. Selecting a country is all that’s required – no complex VPN configuration within Windows is necessary.

ExpressVPN generally provides faster speeds, while TunnelBear offers a free tier for users who wish to evaluate the service before committing to a paid subscription.

Further Reading: Guidance on Selecting the Optimal VPN Service

VPNs are frequently employed for secure remote access to corporate networks, which often means they are not subject to blocking. However, China has recently begun to interfere with VPN functionality. While free VPNs exist, a reliable and speedy VPN typically requires a financial investment.

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	Essential Information Regarding VPNs
Identifying the Best VPN	Optimal VPN Selection \| ExpressVPN vs. NordVPN \| Surfshark Compared to ExpressVPN \| Surfshark vs. NordVPN
Supplementary VPN Resources	What Defines a VPN? \| How to Choose a VPN \| Utilizing a VPN with Netflix \| Preferred VPN Protocol \| Key VPN Features \| Understanding a VPN Killswitch \| Identifying Untrustworthy VPNs \| Should You Employ a VPN? \| Debunking Common VPN Myths
VPN Evaluations	ExpressVPN Review \| Surfshark VPN Review \| PrivadoVPN Review \| FastVPN Review \| AtlasVPN Review \| PureVPN Review \| ExpressVPN Aircove Router Review

DNS Server Manipulation

While not consistently effective, altering DNS server settings represents a potential method for circumventing internet restrictions. Certain Internet Service Providers (ISPs) employ filtering techniques by modifying their DNS servers. This redirects user requests for blocked websites to alternative destinations.

Organizations implementing internet filtering may utilize solutions such as those provided by OpenDNS. If the filtering is solely implemented at the DNS level, and access to alternative DNS servers isn't restricted, bypassing the filter is achievable.

This can be accomplished by configuring a custom DNS server on your device. This action effectively overrides the default DNS server dictated by your ISP or network administrator.

Employing a public DNS service, like Google Public DNS, ensures that no DNS-level filtering is applied to your internet traffic. This provides a direct route to website content.

This approach allows users to bypass restrictions imposed through DNS-based filtering mechanisms.

Tor

Anonymity online can be achieved through the use of Tor. This is accomplished by channeling your internet traffic through a complex, encrypted network before it reaches its final destination, often situated in a region with minimal censorship.

While Tor facilitates access to blocked websites, it is not recommended for handling sensitive information transmitted over unencrypted connections.

Circumventing Restrictions

Tor’s functionality can prove invaluable even when conventional methods like VPNs, proxies, and SSH tunnels are ineffective.

The developers of Tor are continuously engaged in efforts to counter attempts at blocking the network by restrictive governments, exemplified by ongoing challenges in countries like Iran.

Performance Considerations

A significant drawback of utilizing Tor is its considerably slower speed compared to standard web browsing.

Consequently, its use should be reserved for accessing restricted content or for individuals facing severe censorship, rather than for routine internet activities.

For example, dissidents residing in countries with strict internet controls, such as Iran or China, may find Tor essential.

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Proxy Servers for Accessing Blocked Content

Standard proxy servers offer a method for circumventing website blocks. While functioning in a similar manner to VPNs, these proxies typically operate on a system or browser level, and their reliability can be lower.

Unlike VPNs which route all internet traffic, proxies may only be compatible with specific applications, rather than providing comprehensive protection across all programs.

For users seeking complete traffic encryption and broader access, a paid VPN service is generally the preferred solution.

Web-Based Proxies: A Quick Solution

When a swift workaround for accessing a blocked website is needed, web-based proxies can be considered. Numerous options exist, with Hide My Ass being a well-recognized example.

To utilize a web proxy, simply input the URL of the desired website into the designated field on the proxy's website, and access will be attempted through their servers.

However, it's important to note that these proxies are susceptible to being blocked themselves, limiting their effectiveness.

Limitations and Considerations

The user experience with web proxies can be compromised by the inclusion of advertisements, a necessary practice for funding the free service.

Despite these drawbacks, a web proxy can be a convenient option for quickly accessing a single blocked site without the need for software installation or system configuration changes.

SSH Tunneling for Secure Connections

SSH tunnels function in a manner comparable to VPNs, providing a secure pathway for your internet traffic. While dedicated VPN services are available for a fee, individuals with remote access to an SSH server may leverage this existing resource.

Establishing a connection to your accessible SSH server allows for the creation of a tunnel. This redirects all your web browsing activity through an encrypted link. Such a setup is particularly beneficial for safeguarding your data on public Wi-Fi networks, preventing potential eavesdropping.

Furthermore, an SSH tunnel can circumvent local network filtering restrictions. Effectively, your online experience mirrors that of being physically located at the server's location, albeit potentially with a slight reduction in speed.

Setting Up an SSH Tunnel

The creation of an SSH tunnel can be accomplished using PuTTY on Windows operating systems. Alternatively, the standard SSH command is utilized on other platforms.

Consider the security benefits of encrypting your connection when using public networks.

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Increasing Website Blocking and Circumvention

The prevalence of blocked websites is on the rise. Governments, such as that of the United Kingdom, are increasingly encouraging Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to implement default filtering of subscriber connections.

Legislation like SOPA in the United States illustrates the desire for stringent blocking measures. These trends highlight the growing need for methods to bypass such restrictions.

Should you encounter a blocked website, the following techniques can aid in regaining access.

Image courtesy of Nick Carter on Flickr.