Ultimate Guide: How to Unblock Websites in 4 Easy Steps‍

Introduction

Need help figuring out how to unblock a website or access geo-restricted content? This in-depth guide walks you through the easiest steps to take to unblock websites in next to no time. It includes using a VPN, proxies, and using alternative browsers.

Websites get blocked for various reasons and by different parties, such as schools, employers, companies, and governments, for multiple essential issues. We'll explore that in detail as we delve into this guide. So if this sounds right up your alley, let's get into it!

Why Do Websites Get Blocked?

Before getting into the steps to unblock websites, we first need to uncover why websites get blocked in the first place. Here are a couple of reasons why it happens:

Government Censorship 

Governments censor and block content that they consider to be politically sensitive. They may also block websites that contain objectionable content that may be illegal according to local laws. It's a significant reason for government censorship of some specific websites.

Work or School Restrictions

Organizations and schools often block websites to enable their employees and students to be more productive. Often we get distracted from social media, YouTube, or other entertainment, so blocking sites allows students and employees to focus on their work and studies and deliver more productivity.

Copyright Infringement

Websites that own pirated content, such as unauthorized books, movies, TV shows, and music, can get blocked since they violate copyright laws. Internet Service Providers or the owners of these copyrighted works can ask for these websites to be blocked.

Geo-location Restrictions

Various streaming sites and platforms are only available in some regions. HBO Max and Hulu are prime examples of popular streaming platforms unavailable in most regions. Sometimes websites are blocked or restricted due to licensing agreements, content distribution rights, or other regulations.

Security Purposes

Some harmful websites contain Malware, Phishing scams, or other malicious content that can be used to gain unauthorized access to users' confidential and sensitive data. These websites get banned so users don't become victims of phishing scams and malware attacks.

Network Filtering

Networks implement content filtering to block websites that are considered inappropriate and pose security risks for users. Organizations, network administrators, and educational institutes employ these blocks to ensure the safety of their users.

Who Blocks Websites?

Various parties get websites blocked for different reasons. Let's go into it in greater detail. Internet Service Providers block websites based on the orders issued by the government or their policies. ISPs can restrict access and block certain types of content by blocking their IP address. 

As mentioned earlier, Governments block websites to censor certain content, maintain social order, and ensure people comply with specific rules and regulations. Governments can enforce technical measures to restrict access to certain websites depending on the content. 

Educational institutions ban certain websites or restrict access to content they consider inappropriate or something that goes against the institution's policies. These blocks are implemented within their networks and can include social media platforms, YouTube, or other non-academic resources.

Employers and organizations also block websites to protect the company's systems against external security threats and maintain employee productivity. It's easy to lose track and focus when distracted by YouTube or other social media platforms. By blocking specific websites, employees can stay focused on the tasks ahead, achieve productivity, and meet their performance targets and goals.

Similarly, companies block certain websites that contain malware, malicious content, or phishing scams. A company accessing these websites can compromise its employees' confidential data, resources, and sensitive information. It will negatively impact the company's reputation and lead to a loss of its reputation and resources.

Popular search engines like Google, Bing, or Yahoo often remove and block specific websites and content that violate their guidelines or are due to copyright holders' requests. Social media platforms also have policies and procedures regarding what content should be posted. They can block or restrict access to websites that violate their guidelines and terms of service, contain malicious links, or engage in spammy behaviors. 

How To Easily Unblock Websites

Here are the four easy steps to unblock websites quickly and effectively. Let's go over them.

1) Use a VPN

Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) encrypt internet traffic and mask your IP address. You can change your IP address to one located in another country through a VPN. If you encounter censored content or geo-location restrictions, you can utilize a VPN's services to access blocked content that you may not be able to access from your country. To make this happen, install a reliable VPN, connect to a server from your desired location, and then access the blocked and censored content through your browser.

2) Use a Proxy

A proxy and VPN share similarities in allowing you to access websites anonymously. However, there are limitations to proxies. For example, you can only access through one tab or device, which doesn't encrypt your data. A proxy website allows you to access blocked content and websites by routing your connection through their server.

A proxy is an intermediary between your computer and the websites you want to access. You can browse the internet by routing your traffic to the proxy server. It enables you to access blocked websites efficiently and effectively.

For a more seamless way of unblocking a website, you can use a rotating proxy. This dynamic tool automatically changes your IP address at set intervals or after each request. You may need this type of proxy to protect your privacy and security while working remotely, especially when hopping between cafes and co-working spaces.

3) Use Tor Browser

Tor (The Onion Router) is a free, open-source web browser that keeps your internet traffic anonymous. One of the significant purposes of the Tor browser is to keep your identity hidden and unknown. It keeps your internet traffic anonymous by routing it through its extensive network of relays. 

Tor has an extensive overlay network that relies on volunteers. It helps you access blocked and censored content by bypassing restrictions. Install the Tor browser on your device and then use it to access blocked websites. You can go to torproject.org, install it, and get started.

4) Modify DNS Settings

DNS (Domain Name System) servers translate website names into IP addresses. If you change or modify your DNS settings, you can bypass censorship and restrictions that are imposed by your Internet Service Providers (ISPs.) The methods for changing or modifying DNS settings vary depending on the device or operating system you're using. Popular services like Google Public DNS (8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4) and Cloudflare DNS (1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1) are options you can explore. 

Conclusion

There are many reasons why different people choose to block websites. Everyone from educational institutes to organizations and governments can benefit from website blocking for one reason or another, and we've already discussed that in detail.

However, you may want to access streaming platforms unavailable in your own country or gain access to websites or social media platforms blocked or censored in your country. You can use a VPN, Proxy, install the Tor Browser, or modify your DNS settings to unblock websites effectively. These four easy and practical steps will help you bypass censorship and geo-restricted content to quickly access all of the websites you want.