Methods for bypassing VPN blocks don’t exist to feed into the “rules are meant to be broken” kind of rebellious attitude. Instead, you may consider bypassing VPN blocks as equivalent to passing a traffic signal. It is unlawful as long as you’re passing it without a safe and proper reason. Just like ambulances have the permit to pass the signal in case of emergencies). You need to keep your moral and legal compass in check before adopting any method to bypass VPN blocks.
How Can You Bypass VPN Blocks?
The majority of websites that employ anti-VPN strategies will alert you if they detect VPN traffic and then restrict your connection. Hence, it is possible to identify when the website blocks your connection for using a VPN. Still, it is relatively more difficult to ascertain the strategy that a website or service adopts to hinder your VPN connection.
Since you are unaware of the technique they use, you cannot rely on a single method to bypass the VPN block. Therefore, it will take you some trial and error to figure out which method you should adopt.
Following are some of the ways you can try bypassing a VPN block with:
1- Employ Obfuscated Servers
Obfuscated servers, stealth mode, and stealth protocols are somewhat the different sides of the same image. All of these are complex functions that are often only available with the most reputable VPN providers. These servers perform the job of making your data traffic completely unidentifiable; hence, ISPs and websites wouldn’t even know that you’re utilizing a VPN.
Obfuscated servers aid in bypassing VPN blocks since they mostly connect via ports that are typically utilized by email providers, webpages, and other important online services, and therefore are not commonly blocked.
In particular, individuals who reside in countries such as China, where ISPs implement Deep Packet Inspection to discover VPN traffic, are the ones that can benefit the most from obfuscated servers.
2- Use a Dedicated IP Address
If worldwide servers allow you to travel the world virtually, then don’t you think a shared visa (in this case, shared IP address) might get you in a bit of trouble? To put it simply, let’s take Netflix as an example. If Netflix detects several users accessing the site with the same IP addresses, it will simply block that IP address, hindering the connection of several users.
However, using a dedicated IP address might help you get past this problem since it gives you a unique IP address that you don’t have to share with anybody else. This implies that you’re free to enjoy your vacation (or your unrestricted online experience) with your individual visa (dedicated IP address).
3- Switch Servers
Changing a server is equivalent to changing your IP address. Most websites usually block specific IP addresses that they suspect are using a VPN to get past restrictions. Hence, it is not the VPN that gets blocked, but only one of its IP addresses. But you can always opt to change the IP address by changing the server and regaining access to the website.
Considering that a VPN consists of a large number of servers, it automatically translates to the VPN, also providing you with large reserves of IP addresses. This implies that you’ll be able to swap between multiple IP addresses with relative ease, even if some of them end up getting blocked.
3- Change Protocols or Port
It might be possible that the website you’re trying to access through your VPN employs traffic detection techniques or port blocking due to which your access has been blocked. In such a situation, your safest bet is to navigate to your VPN’s settings tab and simply change the protocol and port you’re currently using.
A basic firewall can readily block specific VPN protocols, such as PPTP and IKEv2 since they utilize weak ports. Hence, you should employ robust protocols such as OpenVPN TCP and SSTP protocols. Both of these protocols use the highly widespread and frequently used port 443 (SSL/TLS), which is almost never banned.
Anyone with a thorough understanding of VPN operation and port functionality can also try to set up the VPN application to utilize the following ports: 2018, 41185, 443, and 80.
4- Use mobile data
If you’re just looking to evade VPN blocks by your ISP or in your school or workplace, you need to remind yourself that these restrictions only exist on Wi-Fi. Hence, using mobile data or utilizing your mobile as a hotspot to access these restricted websites might prove to be a wise solution.
But you also need to keep in mind that using mobile data won’t work if you want to evade government-imposed restrictions. Consider it as a quick fix for a short period of time since cellular data has its limitations.
5- Use TOR
Using TOR will not help you unblock your VPN, but it might help you access restricted websites on its own. However, you need to keep in mind that Tor is a more privacy-focused browser and prioritizes user anonymity above all else.
The browser bounces your data traffic through various nodes which changes your IP address and prevents setbacks. It, therefore, allows you to remain anonymous while you surf the internet.
The key aspect of this setup is that the IP address of the last exit node changes after every 15 minutes. Such measures contribute to bypassing all sorts of restrictions.
6- Use VPN That Can Not Get Blocked
VPN blocks are a common practice, and you shouldn’t break out in a cold sweat if you can’t access a website or service while you’re using a VPN. Instead, what matters is whether your VPN offers alternate methods to regain access to the website or service. For this purpose, it is necessary for a VPN to have a wide range of servers, protocols, and the ability to circumvent restrictions.
Some of the VPNs with the features mentioned above are as follows:
– NordVPN
NordVPN strives to cater to every possible function that facilitates the overall user experience. Such as Tor-over-VPN and CyberSec functions for security, double VPN service for data encryption. Similarly, obfuscated servers or dedicated IP addresses to bypass VPN blocks. All in all, NordVPN serves as a complete all-rounder for all your internet activities.
Some of the additional features that help in bypassing VPN blocks include:
- A variety of protocols such as OpenVPN, NordLynx, WireGuard, and IKEv2/IPsec, for you to change the protocol incase of VPN blocks.
- It features 5146 servers in 60 countries, that provide different IP addresses each time you connect to a different server.
- 2048-bit SSL/SSH encryption on top of its 256-bit AES encryption to hide VPN traffic.
- DNS leak prevention and an automated kill switch function.
- Automatic Wi-Fi protection
NordVPN effectively bypasses aggressive anti-VPN boundaries in platforms such as Netflix and countries such as China.
– ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN is one of the most reliable VPNs in the market that can bypass even the most strict VPN blocks. Since the VPN features regular rotational IP addresses, it allows you to enjoy an unrestricted online experience.
Some of its advanced features that enable you to bypass VPN blocks include:
- A variety of protocols such as Lightway UDP and TCP, OpenVPN, L2TP/IPsec, IKEv2, PPTP, SSTP, and WireGuard, for you to change the protocol incase of VPN blocks.
- More than 3000 servers in about 94 countries, and a massive plethora of IP addresses
- Obfuscated servers to eliminate geo-restrictions on platforms such as Netflix USA, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime Video, etc
- Compatibility with Tor
- 256-bit AES encryption along with DNS leak protection
- Operates efficiently and even breaks The Great Firewall of China
With its private and thoroughly encrypted DNS servers, ExpressVPN leaves no room for any sort of leaks and allows you to overcome VPN blocks.
– Surfshark VPN
A fairly new VPN SurfShark VPN allows you to surf the web without any restrictions. The VPN has several features to remain unidentifiable and stealthily bypass all VPN blocks. Along with stealthy and secure obfuscated serves, Surfshark there are several other features that help bypass VPN blocks such as:
- Protocols such as OpenVPN, IKEv2/IPsec, Shadowsocks, and WireGuard, help bypass VPN blocks by changing protocols.
- More than 3200 servers in about 65 countries with a wide range of IP addresses
- A feature called Whitelister, which allows you to bypass VPN restrictions enforced by banking applications
- Camouflage mode, which makes your VPN traffic undetectable
- NoBorders Mode, which allows you to unblock websites in strict jurisdictions such as China as well
Since it allows for an infinite number of simultaneous connections, you may use Surfshark VPN on multiple devices. Moreover, the VPN ensures optimum protection and encryption against VPN blocks.
– VyprVPN
VyprVPN can help bypass major internet restrictions, especially in places where leading VPN providers fall short. Owing to the following feature, VyprVPN becomes an ideal choice for you to unblock VPN connections.
- Chameleon protocol, which conceals VPN traffic, along with WireGuard, IPsec, and OpenVPN to bypass VPN blocks.
- A private server network consisting of more than 700 servers in about 70 countries.
- Bypassing Egypt’s OpenVPN ban as well as the Great Firewall of China.
- It provides optimum efficiency when it comes to unblocking Netflix libraries and other streaming sites.
VyprVPN is also a reliable option to bypass VPN blocks. Furthermore, it also provides public Wi-Fi protection and an automated kill switch.
Why Do VPNs Get Blocked?
There is no one single reason that organizations or authorities might block VPNs from accessing websites. Some of the major reasons are as follows:
Government censorship
Most countries incorporate rigorous censorship to limit the internet access of their citizens. They may prohibit your access to websites that do not reflect the country’s practices and culture to avoid any rebellion.
One of the reasons why VPNs came into being is to bypass precisely these sorts of restrictions. But the worse part is when a country’s government uses methods to detect and block VPN traffic. These country’s even go as far as banning vendor sites that allow downloading VPNs.
China is the most evident example of government censorship at its extreme. Owing to China’s Great Firewall, it is impossible for its citizens to access any websites. This not only includes Google and social networking sites such as YouTube but even certain news sites. China also restricts the majority of VPNs, ensuring that you cannot circumvent its strict supervision.
Copyrights
Copyright infringement is an illegal activity, and several governments have taken steps to block websites that distribute pirated content. Since VPNs are able to get past website restrictions easily, most governments have decided to ban VPNs themselves to avoid copyright violations.
Furthermore, streaming services need to guarantee that the content they host is only accessible in the locations that have purchased its copyright license. Hence, to eliminate copyright infringement, streaming sites block the use of VPNs and proxies.
School and workplace policy
In many firms and institutions, it is a common practice to ban websites that might serve as a distraction for workers and students from their current projects. These websites might include social media and streaming sites, such as Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, etc. Furthermore, since a VPN is among the quickest methods for getting past these restrictions, your office or school may also prohibit VPN connections.
Since VPNs help eliminate monitoring online activity, they serve as a hindrance for the school or office management as they won’t be able to judge whether you’re employing a VPN for the right reasons or not. Hence, they might ask their ISPs to implement firewalls and other network filtering techniques to prohibit you from utilizing a VPN and viewing restricted websites.
Streaming restrictions
The content distribution of streaming platforms is hugely dependent on your geographical location. Many streaming services, such as the BBC iPlayer, Hulu, HBO GO, and ITV Hub, are only available in some geographic regions. While certain services are only available in a specific area, for instance, Hulu is only available in the US. Moreover, some other streaming services, such as Netflix, consist of a distinctive media library on the basis of your location. Such geo-restrictions are a by-product of the licensing requirements for broadcast and streaming services.
Since a VPN allows you to hide your IP address and adopt one of a server in a different location, you can easily bypass these geo-restrictions. So, many streaming platforms went two steps further and blocked the use of VPNs to access these sites altogether. What’s worse is most of these streaming sites rarely left any loopholes and were stringent and consistent in their VPN bans. For instance, Netflix still continues to be one of the most challenging sites to bypass VPN blocks.
ISP blocking
Some ISPs also contribute to VPN blocks and restrict particular online activity such as torrenting for the sake of preventing copyright infringement. Even though VPN users widely use torrents for P2P transmission of legal content, some VPN users might exploit its purpose and indulge in sharing pirated content.
Due to these few VPN users, a wider audience is forced to bear the brunt of VPN blocks by their ISPs, since they are unable to monitor and meddle with your online activity as long as you’re using a VPN.
Furthermore, ISPs may willfully prohibit the usage of VPNs for internet access since a VPN will prevent them from knowing when to throttle the user’s internet connection. Your ISP requires monitoring your online activity and throttling your connection to maintain network data traffic and also due to paid prioritization for certain websites over others.
Is it legal to bypass VPN blocks?
The legality of bypassing VPN blocks does not incorporate a straightforward approach because neither is it legal nor is it illegal. However, on a conventional basis, employing different encryption techniques to circumvent VPN restrictions is not considered a crime. But what decides whether you will actually get punished or penalized for it or not is your purpose of bypassing the VPN block. Because if your intention is illegal, then no law in the world can save you from the after-effects.
Suppose someone manages to slip under the radar and fly past a VPN block but then later executes unacceptable conduct. In that case, they are liable for the government to take punitive measures against them. Countries such as China, Iran, UAE, and a few other countries in the Middle East routinely make new laws against acts of such kind. Hence, you need to be careful and properly research the local rules before attempting to use any of the techniques outlined in this guide.
Within most cases, bypassing VPN blocks in schools and offices has no negative legal repercussions on the individual. However, you may have broken one of the organization’s own rules, which might result in you losing your employment or being expelled.
Final Words
Although most reasons for VPN blocks seem downright unfair and even trivial, you cannot give in to the digital surveillance laws and fight for your right to a safe and unrestricted online experience. However, you need to be cautious since bypassing VPN blocks doesn’t imply that you’re now free to carry out illegal activities. As long as your intentions remain within the legal boundaries, there is no harm in bypassing VPN blocks.
