How to Access Blocked Websites (9 Ways)
Have you ever encountered a website or service that you can’t access because it’s been blocked? Maybe it’s your employer, your internet provider, or even the government that’s put up these barriers. Well, if you’re in a tough spot like this and need a way to get around those blocks, you’re in luck! There are actually several methods you can try to access any blocked website or service.
Since different types of blocks require different techniques to bypass them, we’ve compiled a list of various methods you can experiment with. Give each one a shot and see which works best for your specific situation. And hey, if you’ve discovered any other clever ways to access blocked websites, feel free to drop a comment and share them with the rest of us!
Contents
- 1 10 Best VPN Service Providers for 2023
- 2 1. Accessing via IP Instead of URL
- 3 2. Use a Proxy Site
- 4 3. Give a VPN Service a Shot
- 5 Here are 10 of the best VPN service providers for 2023:
- 6 4. Use the TOR Browser
- 7 Discover the 9 Best Free DNS Servers for Maximum Privacy and Speed
- 8 Step 6: Manually Setting Your Browser’s Proxy
- 9 7. How to Bypass a Blocked Website’s IP Address by Editing Hosts Files
- 10 1. Start Using SSH Tunnels
10 Best VPN Service Providers for 2023
These days, everything seems to be tracked – from my online activity to my phone and computer usage. Every click is monitored.
1. Accessing via IP Instead of URL
Some software blocks certain websites based on their name or URL. For instance, a block may be in place for “www.facebook.com” but not for the website’s IP address.
To find the IP address, you can use Terminal on a Mac or Command Prompt on Windows. Simply type in the following command and press Enter:
ping yourdomain.com
Copy the IP address that appears in the results, and paste it into your browser’s address bar. This will allow you to access the site as usual.
However, please note that this method may not always work. Some websites may redirect you or give you an error message, as their security certificates are registered for the domain name and not the IP address.
2. Use a Proxy Site
Did you know that there’s a way to secretly surf the web? Yup, it’s true! There are these cool things called web proxies that let you do just that. And guess what? They’re totally free! There are tons of websites out there that offer this service. All you gotta do is type “proxy sites” into Google and boom – you’ll be amazed at how many options pop up!
But what’s so great about these web proxies, you ask? Well, let me tell you. They let you access any website, even the ones that are blocked for some reason. It’s like having a secret passageway to the internet! All you have to do is go to one of these websites and type in the URL of the site you want to visit. Easy peasy!
So, how does this whole thing work, you ask? Well, when you use a proxy site to browse a website, you’re not directly connected to that site. Instead, you’re connected to a proxy server, which is the one that actually connects to the real website. Essentially, what you see is a cached version of the site that the proxy server gives you.
3. Give a VPN Service a Shot
Here’s another way to access blocked sites: use a Virtual Private Network (VPN) service. Basically, a VPN service creates a secure and encrypted connection or tunnel between your computer and the internet through their own network.
These services typically give you access to a bunch of different networks located in various parts of the world. This means you can make it seem like you’re browsing from Germany, for example, even if you’re actually in a different country. It’s a great way to keep your online identity hidden and secure!
In today’s world, our every move seems to be tracked – from our online activities to the information on our phones and computers. It’s as if there’s no privacy left. But don’t worry, there are ways to protect yourself and keep your information secure.
Here are 10 of the best VPN service providers for 2023:
VPN services can help you maintain your privacy while browsing the internet. Some VPN providers offer their services for free, while others require a subscription. Whatever your needs and budget, there’s a VPN out there for you.
4. Use the TOR Browser
If you want to take your privacy one step further, you can use the TOR browser. TOR stands for “The Onion Router”, and it’s a browser that allows you to browse the internet anonymously. By using a distributed network of relays created by volunteers from around the world, the TOR browser ensures that your browsing habits and location are kept private. It’s an extra layer of protection that gives you peace of mind.
To get started, you’ll need to download the Tor Browser and install it like any other program. Once it’s installed, open the browser and click on the “Connect” button to establish your connection with the Tor network.
Now, let’s move on to the next step.
Step 5: Using a Public DNS from Your ISP
Sometimes, your Internet Service Provider (ISP) may block access to certain websites by using their own Domain Name System (DNS). But don’t worry, there’s a way to bypass these restrictions by using Google Public DNS.
How does it work? Well, DNS is like a phone book for the internet. It translates web addresses (like www.example.com) into IP addresses (like 123.456.789.123), allowing your computer to connect to the correct website.
When your ISP blocks a website, they essentially remove it from their DNS phone book. But you can switch to using Google’s Public DNS, which has a different phone book that might not have these restrictions. It’s like getting a new phone book from a different provider.
To use Google Public DNS, you just need to change a few settings in your computer or router. Here’s how you can do it:
1. On Windows:
– Go to your Control Panel and click on “Network and Internet.”
– Then, click on “Network and Sharing Center.”
– Next, click on “Change adapter settings.”
– Right-click on your active network connection and select “Properties.”
– In the list, select “Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)” and click on “Properties.”
– Now, choose the option “Use the following DNS server addresses” and enter the following values:
– Preferred DNS server: 8.8.8.8
– Alternate DNS server: 8.8.4.4
– Click “OK” to save the changes.
2. On macOS:
– Go to your System Preferences and click on “Network.”
– Select your active network connection and click on “Advanced.”
– Go to the “DNS” tab.
– Click on the “+” button to add a new DNS server.
– Enter the following values:
– 8.8.8.8
– 8.8.4.4
– Click “OK” to save the changes.
3. On Router:
– Consult your router’s manual or manufacturer’s website to find instructions specific to your router model. Look for the DNS settings in your router’s configuration and enter the values:
– Preferred DNS server: 8.8.8.8
– Alternate DNS server: 8.8.4.4
– Save the settings and restart your router.
Once you’ve changed your DNS settings, you should be able to access the blocked websites without any issues. Your computer will now use Google’s Public DNS to find the IP addresses of the websites you want to visit.
It’s important to note that while using Google Public DNS can help bypass certain restrictions, it may not work in all cases. Some ISPs may implement more advanced techniques to block access to websites, and in those cases, additional steps may be required.
But for now, changing your DNS settings should be enough to get you started. Happy browsing!
Hey there! It’s time to make a change to your DNS configuration. Don’t worry, it’s not as complicated as it sounds. By updating your DNS to the Google Public DNS IP addresses, you can boost your privacy and speed while browsing the web.
Discover the 9 Best Free DNS Servers for Maximum Privacy and Speed
Most people don’t realize it, but DNS plays a crucial role in our online experience. It’s like a little behind-the-scenes technology that helps us navigate the web smoothly. If you want to learn more about it, just keep reading!
Primary DNS: 8.8.8.8
Secondary DNS: 8.8.4.4
IPv6
Primary DNS: 2001:4860:4860::8888
Secondary DNS: 2001:4860:4860::8844
Step 6: Manually Setting Your Browser’s Proxy
If you want to take control over your browser’s proxy settings and set them manually, no problem! The first thing you’ll need is a reliable public proxy. You can find a great selection of them on a website called Hidemyass. They have proxies from all around the world, complete with details like speed, type, and anonymity level. Once you’ve found one that suits your needs, take note of the IP address and port, and then follow these simple steps:
For Firefox Users:
If you want to change your proxy settings, follow these steps:
First, go to the Preference menu and select Advanced. Then, click on the Network tab.
In the Connection section, you will find the Settings option. Click on it.
Next, choose Manual Proxy Configurations.
Now, you need to enter the HTTP Proxy that you obtained from Hidemyass. Then, add the port number.
Finally, click OK to save your changes.
If you’re using Chrome, listen up:
Did you know that Chrome doesn’t let you set up a proxy within the browser? I know, it’s a bummer. Instead, you have to go to your computer’s settings and set up a proxy there. But that’s not great if you only want to use a proxy with Chrome and not with all your other internet activities. So, what’s the solution? Well, you could try using Proxy Helper.
7. How to Bypass a Blocked Website’s IP Address by Editing Hosts Files
Have you ever been frustrated because you couldn’t access a website due to it being blocked? Well, I have a solution for you! By editing the hosts files, you can bypass the website’s IP address and gain access. Let me show you how!
First, let’s find the IP address for the blocked website’s domain and subdomain. To do this, we can use a handy service called Pentest Tools. Simply enter the domain name and make sure to check the ‘Include subdomain details’ box. Click on the ‘START’ button and sit back while the tool does its magic.
Once the tool finishes, you’ll see the IP address along with the domain/subdomain. Make sure to copy this information, as we’ll need it later.
If you’re using a Mac, you can open the Terminal and type the following command to access the hosts file:
sudo nano ~/etc/hosts
Scroll down to the hosts file that opens and paste the copied IP address right there. To save the changes, press Control + X and then Y.
That’s it! You’ve successfully edited the hosts file, bypassing the blocked website’s IP address. Now you can access the website without any restrictions. Enjoy!
1. Start Using SSH Tunnels
An SSH tunnel is a secure way to route your internet requests through a remote server using SSH (Secure Shell). To set it up, you’ll need an account with the necessary IP address and protocol information, which you can get by creating a VPS or dedicated server.
If you’re using macOS, open Terminal (or use Putty on Windows) and log in by running the following command:
ssh -D 12345 [email protected]
This command will start a SOCKS server on port 12345. You’ll be prompted to enter your username and password. Once you’ve successfully logged in, minimize the terminal window without closing it.
First things first! Let’s fire up your Firefox browser and head over to the Preferences section. You can find it by clicking on the three horizontal lines at the top right corner of your browser, then selecting “Preferences”.
Now, once you’re in the Preferences menu, you’ll want to go to the Advanced tab. Scroll down a bit and you’ll see an option called “Network”. Click on that.
In the Network settings, you’ll find a button that says “Settings”. Give that a click, and a new window will pop up.
In this new window, you’ll see a bunch of options. What you want to do is select “Manual proxy configurations”. This will allow you to set up your own proxy settings.
Alright, we’re almost there. Now, you’ll notice a field labeled “SOCKS Hosts”. Here, you’ll need to enter “127.0.0.1”. This is the IP address of your local machine.
Finally, don’t forget to enter the port number you picked when you created your SSH tunnel. You’ll see a field labeled “Port” – just type it in there.
Once everything is set up the way you want it, go ahead and click OK to save your new settings.
And that’s it! You’re all set up with a manual proxy configuration in your Firefox browser. Happy browsing!
Afterwards, all you need to do is open a new tab and type in ‘about:config’ in the address bar. Then, set the value of ‘network.proxy.socks_remote_dns’ to ‘true’.
Now, you can easily browse the web using Firefox and your tunnel. If you want a more detailed guide, check out the complete tutorial available here.
9. Want an even better option? Try Cloudflare WARP.
Cloudflare is a service that offers a widespread network across the world. They provide various services like DNS, security, and performance enhancements for websites. With Cloudflare WARP, you can also bypass geo-blocking when accessing websites.
The great thing about Cloudflare WARP is that it’s completely free and available on multiple platforms. You can get it on mobile devices (iOS and Android) as well as desktops (macOS, Windows, and Linux).
Hey there! Let me tell you about this awesome app that I just discovered. It’s called Cloudflare, and it works like a VPN service, but with a cool twist.
You know how with a VPN, you have to choose the server yourself? Well, with Cloudflare, you don’t have to worry about that. They have this amazing technology that automatically routes your request through the fastest node on their network. How cool is that?
And the best part? It’s super easy to use, and it’s absolutely free. Yep, you heard me right. No subscriptions or hidden fees. Just download the app, and you’re good to go!