How to Bypass Censorship with a VPN

Information can now easily transcend borders. The internet has become a precious instrument for self-expression, information sharing, and communication. Governments and organizations restrict internet access all around the world. They suppress freedom of speech and restrict information flow. Even so, not all aspects of the digital world are open.

The VPN is a full service that has drawn much interest. It enables users to get around censorship controls and access prohibited websites. It provides them access to services and information by using encryption methods.

This article will explain how VPNs function and how to bypass internet censorship. It will give you the power to take charge of your online experience.

Bypassing Censorship Using a VPN – Quick Guide

What is Internet Censorship?

Internet censorship is controlling or restricting access to information and online content. Governments, organizations, or authorities do it to retain the information available to users. It involves the deliberate blocking, filtering, or suppression of certain websites.

The causes of internet censorship can range from political, ideological, religious, and cultural aspects. Governments may try to limit the flow of information to uphold their power. They also use it to mute opposition or protect national security. Under regional laws and cultural values, it also restricts offensive or unlawful information.

Why is the Internet Censored?

The reasons for internet censorship differ from nation to nation. Here are a few typical reasons for internet censorship:

Political Control

Governments may censor the internet to maintain political control or protect their authority. They use Censorship to limit access to information that criticizes the government. They also use it to stop promoting alternative views or challenges to the status.

National Security

Censorship measures can be in the name of national security. It aims to prevent the spread of information that threatens public safety. It also stops communication that helps criminal activities such as terrorism or cybercrime.

Cultural Norms

Some nations use internet censorship to defend cultural and religious values. They prevent perceived harmful consequences on society. They limit offensive, immoral, or against cultural standards content.

Protecting Intellectual Property

Censorship stops copyright violations or internet piracy. To protect the rights of copyright holders, it restricts websites that use content without permission.

Filtering Inappropriate Content

Internet censorship removes offensive or objectionable information. It mainly safeguards minors and promotes social norms. It prevents access to violent material, offensive statements, or other unlawful acts.

Information Control

The government uses internet censorship to manage information flow and manipulate public opinion. They restrict access to specific news outlets, social media sites, or websites. It controls the narrative, advances authorized material, or hinders opposing points of view.

Moral and Religious Reasons

Censorship can be due to religious or moral beliefs. Sometimes authorities seek to restrict the content considered blasphemous. They try to prevent people from getting immoral or inconsistent with religious doctrines.

Educational

Censorship in educational institutions aims to protect students from accessing inappropriate content. Filters and restrictions may be to prevent access to explicit material. It helps stop the violence or accessing websites unsuitable for educational environments. The goal is to create a safe and conducive learning environment for students.

Parental

Parents use Internet censorship to protect their children from watching inappropriate content. They utilize tools that restrict access to explicit material or websites with harmful content. Moreover, parents can limit internet access based on their family values and the age of their children.

Corporate

Internet censorship enforces to maintain productivity, protect confidential information, and prevent security breaches. Companies often restrict access to websites to ensure employees focus on work-related tasks. It helps them avoid potential security risks or distractions.

Internet Censorship – Main Types

As censorship frequently interacts with a nation’s legal framework, the issue always has a judicial component. We’re here to investigate the technological aspect, though. You must first familiarise yourself with the block to comprehend the VPN’s way of getting over it.

Website Blocking

It blocks access to particular websites providing offensive or sensitive content. Government or other authorities use technological restrictions to do so. They prevent people from seeing certain websites or give ISPs instructions to do so.

Content Filtering

Content filtering restricts or filters particular types of material using technology. Prohibiting people from accessing specific keywords or media may involve filtering them. Specialized software can set up Filters at the ISP or the network level.

Throttling and Bandwidth Limitations

Throttling is slowing down or restricting bandwidth for a specific type of information. ISPs reduce the speed of particular websites, services, or protocols. They make them challenging to access or result in lengthy load times. Throttling is to block access to specific platforms or to give some services priority over others.

DNS Tampering and Redirection

DNS tampering is changing the responses to DNS queries. It occurs to reroute users to other websites or to block access to particular websites. It restricts access to websites by driving users to alternative material.

IP Blocking

IP blocking limits access to IP addresses linked to particular websites or services. Governments may limit platform access by blocking IPs corresponding to such addresses.

Search Engine Filtering

Search engine filters control the search result offered by well-known search engines. Authorities may ask search engines to exclude particular material from search results. It prevents consumers from finding or accessing specific information.

Surveillance and Monitoring

Authorities watch internet activity to track people involved in disagreeable or dangerous actions. This monitoring induces self-censorship and has a chilling impact on the right to free speech.

Network Disconnection

Sometimes, authorities may decide to cut down internet access to a whole nation or area. It happens by shutting ISPs down or taking technological steps to remove the site from the global internet infrastructure.

Portal Censorship

Authorities impose restrictions on materials made available through particular internet portals or gateways. It reduces the amount of data and services that users have access to. This practice is “portal censorship,” which relates to managing and censoring internet portals or gateways.

URL Filtering

URL filtering refers to blocking or filtering specific website addresses or URLs. Authorities may keep a list of websites to forbid or restrict people from accessing them.

Packet Filtering

Packet filtering is to inspect and filter network traffic at the packet level. It is based on protocols, ports, or other aspects of network packets. Authorities can filter packets to detect and restrict access to certain materials or services.

A DoS Attack

Censorship sometimes involves launching a DoS attack against a targeted online service. This attack floods the target with traffic, rendering it inaccessible to legitimate users.

Bypassing Internet Censorship using a VPN

When bypassing a block, the solution will vary depending on the specifics. Although no universal fix is available, the closest we have to one is a Virtual Private Network (VPN). Yet, remember that some areas may disallow VPNs, thus requiring a constant back-and-forth game.

Let’s discuss the moments when you employ one- what advantages can it bring to overcoming obstacles online?

When using a reliable virtual private network, you get a secure pathway to the web with the help of an encrypted channel. So, the information between yourself and the sender or receiver is only decodable by both parties.

A VPN is a solution to the regional censorship imposed by DNS poisoning, packet filtering, URL filtering, and IP address blocking. Furthermore, masking your IP address protects you from any potential DoS attack. It makes you untraceable and invisible to malicious targets.

Don’t despair if you think your country is censoring your search engine results. You can quickly address the problem and put any suspicions to rest. Although a VPN can’t reach offline pages, it can offer an effective solution.

You must use certain VPN features for secure bypassing of internet censorship. Your internet traffic must still pass through your internet service provider, thus allowing them to see the use of a VPN.

Why ExtremeVPN is the Best VPN to Access Blocked Websites

ExtremeVPN is the best choice because it provides state-of-the-art security, with over  6,500+ VPN servers spread across 78+ regions. It allows you to stream seamlessly and download p2p files anonymously. Moreover, it lets you use public Wi-Fi privately and enjoy the best gaming experience. Using ExtremeVPN, you can get around censorship, bypass ISP throttling, and avoid DoS attacks.

When you connect to the web, ExtremeVPN functions as a mediator. It hides your IP address from your Internet Service Provider (ISP). It ensures privacy and anonymity by routing your device’s web connection through its private server instead of the ISP. ExtremeVPN lets you operate 10 devices simultaneously with a single account.

ExtremeVPN uses the best protocols and provides unbeatable security and privacy. The protocols that ExtremeVPN has are:

• OpenVPN
• IPSec
• IKEv2
• WireGuard
• L2TP
• SSTP

ExtremeVPN’s Advanced Anti-censorship Features

ExtremeVPN Boasts advanced anti-censorship capabilities. It facilitates access to restricted sites by enabling users to get around restrictions.

Stealth Mode or Obfuscation

By obscuring VPN traffic, this feature makes it more difficult for censorship systems to find and stop it. It makes it easier to get around censorship controls. It disguises VPN communication as conventional encrypted traffic.

Protocol Selection

ExtremeVPN includes a selection of connection-establishing protocols. Protocols like OpenVPN or WireGuard offer obfuscation or have built-in anti-censorship features. Users can use these protocols to increase their chances of avoiding censorship.

Split Tunneling

Split tunneling enables users to access certain websites or services while routing some internet traffic through a VPN. This function guarantees that only the essential traffic flows via the VPN. It lowers the risk of discovery and is helpful while visiting prohibited websites.

DNS and IPv6 Leak Protection

DNS and IPv6 leaks can jeopardize your privacy by exposing your IP address and may result in censorship. Strong DNS and IPv6 leak prevention from VPNs helps to ensure that your genuine identity and surfing behavior are secret.

Dedicated IP Addresses

Some VPN service providers, like ExtremeVPN, also provide dedicated IP addresses. These IP addresses are less likely related to VPN use. It reduces the likelihood that they will get blocked by websites or services that forbid VPN traffic.

Multi-hop or Double VPN

This function provides many servers and an extra layer of encryption. It routes your internet traffic, further obscuring your online activities. It improves security and can assist in getting around censorship tools.

Camouflage Mode

A feature called camouflage mode makes VPN traffic resemble typical HTTPS traffic. It can assist in getting over censorship programs that target VPN protocols and hide your VPN usage.

Download ExtremeVPN from Other Places

To download ExtremeVPN, it is advisable to visit our official website. You can download it from authorized app stores such as Google Play Store or Apple App Store. You can get ExtremeVPN for:

• Android
• IOS
• Windows
• MacOS

All ExtremeVPN security and anti-censorship capabilities allow users to access our VPN services. We believe privacy and freedom of speech are fundamental rights. Everyone should be able to access a VPN and secure their information. Our plans are affordable. So, you are just a few dollars away from getting the best privacy.

Furthermore, ExtremeVPN is compatible with all your devices. You can use our Chrome, Apple, Playstation, Windows, Xbox, and Android TV services.

A Transparent, Trustworthy VPN Service

To guarantee privacy, one should opt for a trustworthy VPN service since regular internet access makes it possible for ISPs to monitor everything you do online, and in certain regions, this information is given to the government. By utilizing a VPN, your ISP cannot observe your activities; however, the VPN service itself can.

ExtremeVPN upholds transparency and peer review values in its work. By these core beliefs, the organization provides full access to the code of its applications, allowing anyone to assess the underlying logic.

Not having the know-how or time, we engage the services of certified security specialists to audit our software frequently. Additionally, we publish the reports publicly, unlike some other VPN companies.

We take transparency seriously, regardless of the topic. It includes our team composition, company origin, and personnel.

Our plans offer services like P2P file sharing and streaming access. Moreover, signing up for a plan will permit you to be a part of the passionate ExtremeVPN community, which persistently defends the human rights of privacy and freedom of speech.

Things You Should Consider While Choosing a VPN

Breaking past a specific limit online may be challenging, but ensuring it’s done accurately is crucial. To secure your privacy, one must understand the landscape of virtual private networks (VPNs). Although many VPNs perform the same purpose, the subtle features and safe practices outlined in the terms and conditions set them apart. Before going with a VPN, check whether it complies with your local regulations, offers robust encryption, provides a vast servers network, and allows you to bypass work block sites.

Features

Many VPNs offer enhanced cybersecurity, and with a paid plan come extra benefits such as password managers, antivirus, browser extensions, ad blockers, and search engines for protection against phishing attempts.

Several security measures may be offered beyond the primary function of a VPN. It could include a multi-hop routing, an obfuscator, and a Kill Switch that conceals the usage of a VPN. Certain providers may provide several more features.

Pay attention to the feature tab, as free VPNs lack extensive features. Additionally, be aware that some of them keep their services running by providing customer data to external sources such as advertising firms, spies, or the government – this is mainly subject to VPN providers’ policies.

Policies VPN Providers Adhere To

Paid VPNs such as ExtremeVPN are committed to the no-logs policy, meaning no browsing history is retained. To make this promise more reliable, ExtremeVPN utilizes RAM-based servers that erase data as soon as the day after.

It is essential to bear in mind the location of the provider’s headquarters, as some policies may rely on the jurisdiction of that particular area. Such as, China permits VPN servers you install lawfully, apart from one rule – the government reserves the right to look through all data traveling through the network.

Conclusion

In conclusion, a VPN is a practical way to get around censorship and access restricted information. It encrypts your internet traffic and routes it through servers in different locations. Yet, selecting a trustworthy VPN service and remaining educated is crucial. You must understand the laws and the effectiveness of using a VPN in your area.

Always look for a reliable VPN to ensure a successful censorship-bypassing experience. Check if it meets your demands for security and privacy. Its attributes, dependability, and dedication to customer privacy make ExtremeVPN the best choice.

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