YouTube is a video sharing site that you can use to upload and watch videos in various formats ranging from standard quality to high definition. Some schools and organizations restrict access to YouTube and other websites in educational settings. While it may not always work well, you can use a proxy server to bypass network restrictions and access blocked sites. This article will walk you through the process of using a proxy so you can access YouTube on a restricted network.
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Method 1 of 3: Accessing with a Web Based Proxy
Step 1. Look for the list of proxies
A proxy is a server that connects you to the internet that allows you to "log out" of your network. Proxies are also useful because all the work is done through the browser, so this method works well no matter what computer operating system you are using.
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There are several sites that list proxies you can use. Proxy.org is a great place to start because the list is constantly being updated.
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There are two main types of proxies that you will come across when searching for proxy sites, namely web based proxy and open proxy. Avoid open proxies as they are not secure, and are often opened for malicious reasons.
Image - It is possible that sites that list proxies like Proxify will be blocked by the school network. Visit the site at home and make a list of 10-15 proxy sites to try at school.
- Proxies that are overused will be observed and blocked, so vary the proxy you use from day to day.
- Using a proxy will make your browsing significantly slower. This is because the traffic is routed through a proxy, retranslated and then sent to your location. You should know that videos and websites can take longer to load.
Step 2. Choose a proxy site
If the site is blocked, try a different site. When selecting a site from the proxy list, try to use a site that is geographically closer to your location. This will help you to minimize slow internet speed.
Step 3. Select the URL box
Enter "youtube.com" or another site you want to visit. Since the proxy site retranslates the data for the site you are trying to access, it is possible that the site will not load properly. Most of the time the video won't load. If that happens, try again with a different proxy site.
Method 2 of 3: Downloading Videos
Step 1. Find the video
Since YouTube.com is blocked, search for the video through a search engine like Google. One of the first links must be a link to the video site on YouTube.
Step 2. Copy the URL
Copy the entire URL for the video. The URL should look something like "https://www.youtube.com/embed/xxxxxxxx". X is a random letter and number.
Step 3. Search for a service to download videos
There are many sites that you can use to download YouTube videos. Search for "YouTube downloader" in a search engine.
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Copy the URL of the video into the URL bar of the video download site. Click the download button.
Image - The first time you visit a video download site, you'll need to run a Java script. Perform that command if you trust the site. Check online reviews of the site to see if anyone thinks it's safe.
- It is possible that your network will not allow you to run Java scripts when prompted. If this happens, you will not be able to download the video at school.
Step 4. Download the video
A list of download options will appear. The list contains various file types and video qualities that you can choose from. The most compatible and widely used file types are FLV and MP4.
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You may need to have a special video player program installed on your computer to view your downloaded files. A video player like VLC Player can definitely play any file you download.
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The numbers followed by the letter "P" in the download list indicate the quality of the video. For the most comfortable videos to watch, download 480P or higher.
Image - If you only want the audio of a video, download the MP3 version. This file will not contain videos, but can be listened to with an MP3 player or computer.
Method 3 of 3: Finding Alternative Video Sites
Step 1. Look for an alternative portal
For educational videos, sites like TeacherTube and SchoolTube offer alternatives to YouTube. These sites are often not blocked by the school network, because the content is monitored and contains things about education.
Step 2. Search for your video using a search engine
Look for videos that are hosted on a site that is not YouTube. It is possible that this site will not be blocked by the network. Be careful when visiting unknown sites, because some of them contain dangerous viruses.
