Published on December 5th, 2019 | by Sunit Nandi

The website I try to access is blocked. What can I do?

Coming across a website that is blocked is a common occurrence if you travel abroad and want to watch content from your own country. In this instance, it is called geo-restriction. You might also come across blocked websites in countries with strict censorship. This is due to the governments in the country not wanting people to access content that conflicts with their beliefs. Whether sites are blocked due to censorship or geo-restrictions there is something you can do about it to overcome the restrictions and we are going to show you three methods.

A VPN helps overcome restrictions

The first and by far the easiest route to go down is to sign up with a VPN provider.

VPN providers offer apps that you can install on devices you use to access the internet. Most common devices are Windows PC, macOS, Android and iOS but apps for other devices are generally available too.

To get around censorship you simply have to log in to the VPN app on the device and connect to a server. Your own IP address is masked and you are put behind an encrypted tunnel. Now any information, such as the name of the website you want to visit, is encrypted and the ISP does not know which site you want to visit so cannot stop you.

If you want to access content from your own country, you can bypass geo-restrictions by connecting to a server from your own country.

A small app runs in the background and you do not even notice it. This is the easiest way to get around any blocks that stop you from accessing websites.

Consider using a proxy

While not as easy to use as a VPN, you might want to consider using a proxy to bypass blocks on websites.

Proxies do work in a similar way to VPNs but are not as reliable. However, it might be worth trying a web-based proxy and you do not have to download anything. The downside to proxies is that they can be blocked themselves.

If you choose a free proxy service, you should be prepared to put up with ads, which slow your computer or device down. This is how the service recovers expenses. There are paid services available but then you might as well go down the VPN route and get a reliable service.

If you only want to bypass a block on a single website, you might want to try a free proxy service and see how it works out for you.

Use a custom DNS server

Using a custom DNS server is another way you might be able to bypass blocks on websites. However, you have to go into the settings on your device to change the DNS server.

Some ISPs filter and block based on DNS servers. If the site is blocked this way, only at the DNS level, you may be able to bypass the block if you set a custom DNS server on the device you use.

By doing so, you override the default DNS server from your ISP and can bypass the blocks. While this is not going to work with all websites, you might at least want to try it.

Tags: access blocked, bypass censorship, VPN, website

About the Author

Sunit Nandi I'm the leader of Techno FAQ. Also an engineering college student with immense interest in science and technology. Other interests include literature, coin collecting, gardening and photography. Always wish to live life like there's no tomorrow.