One of the big problems that people encounter when traveling to China is the internet access restrictions imposed by the Chinese government. Popular social sites such as Facebook, Twitter, and Youtube are blocked by the Chinese government's firewall, and various news sites are also blocked. If you want to share your travel experience with friends and family, follow this guide to bypass the restrictions and access the sites you want.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Using a VPN
Step 1. Find a VPN service that meets your needs
A VPN (Virtual Private network) is an encrypted connection to a server via remote access so that users can access the internet behind a restrictive firewall. A VPN affects all your internet traffic, so Skype and other messaging services aren't blocked by firewalls either. VPNs are not free, but there are several types of VPNs that offer monthly plans compared to the cost of annual plans, which travelers may find very useful.
Step 2. Find out about VPNs that can be used in China
Several large VPN servers have been blocked by the Chinese government and are no longer accessible. Find out about the services of the company you want to use and read service reviews online.
Step 3. Download the required program
Some VPN services provide a VPN client that needs to be installed on the computer. Some other VPN services provide connection information that you must enter into the Windows or Mac connection manager.
- Ideally, you should download and install a VPN program before visiting China. Many popular VPN programs have been blocked, so you cannot register for the service or download any VPN clients. Setting up a VPN outside of China will make it easier for you to contact customer service if a problem occurs.
- Some VPN services provide mobile apps that can be used on iPhone, iPad, or Android devices.
Step 4. Connect the connection to your VPN
Run the VPN client or enter the VPN information into your operating system's connection settings. The VPN client provided by the service provider is pre-set and only requires you to enter login information.
- For Windows, search for VPN on your computer, then select "Set up a virtual private network (VPN) connection" (Windows Vista/7) or "Add a VPN connection" (Windows 8). Enter the connection information. Your VPN service should have provided a server to connect to along with a username and password. Enter all that information into the VPN connection settings.
- For Mac OS X, click the Apple menu, then choose System Preferences. Click Networks. Click the Add (+) button at the bottom of the list, then select a VPN from the list of available options. Choose the type of VPN you are connecting to. This information should have been provided by the VPN service provider. Enter the VPN settings, including the server you want to connect to, your username and password.
- Click Connect to initiate a connection to the VPN. Most VPNs should automatically connect. If you are unable to establish a connection, contact VPN customer service to troubleshoot the issue you are having.
Step 5. Visit Facebook
Once connected to a VPN, you can access any sites that were previously blocked and inaccessible, as well as other internet-using programs, such as Skype. You may find the connection to be a bit slow, but this is normal due to the distance you are from the VPN server.
Method 2 of 3: Using a Proxy
Step 1. Try a free proxy
A proxy is a site, which is usually located in a different location from the user and can be used to access other sites through it. So, if the proxy is in the United States, and you access Facebook through it, it is as if you are accessing Facebook through the United States. Here's a list of free proxies you can try. You should try proxies from the list first, because if there are free ones, why should you pay? - however, proxies may not be a good solution for accessing Facebook in China, because:
- China also continues to seek and block proxies.
- Proxies are often not programmed well enough to handle the technology used in social media.
Step 2. Try a secure proxy
One proxy that can be used well to access Facebook and other social media is Proxy Center. Proxy Center provides a free trial period, so you can make sure that Proxy Center can meet your needs before paying anything, you don't even need to provide an email address. The advantage of a proxy like this is that (compared to the VPNs discussed in the previous step) you don't have to install anything on your computer - they're all web-based.
Method 3 of 3: Using Tor
Step 1. Download the Tor browser bundle
Tor is a free-to-share networking application that keeps its users unrecognizable when connected via a browser. User information is transferred to many places around the earth. Tor allows you to bypass firewalls or restrictions imposed on internet connections. The downside is that the site will load more slowly, as the data has to travel quite a distance before it reaches you.
The Tor browser bundle is a standalone program that doesn't need to be installed. You can store it on a USB drive and plug it into any computer. Tor browser bundles are available for Windows, Mac, and Linux
Step 2. Launch the browser
The Tor browser is a modified version of Firefox, and Tor has many interfaces in common with Firefox. When running the browser program, a window will appear showing the Tor connection status. After a successful connection is established, the browser will open.
Only internet traffic passing through the Tor browser will be sent over the Tor network. That means Internet Explorer, Chrome, Safari, or any other browser will not be anonymous over the Tor network even if the Tor browser is active
Step 3. Check if you are already connected
Once the browser window opens, you should see a page confirming that you have successfully connected to Tor. You should be able to access sites that were previously blocked. By closing the browser, Tor will stop running.
Although data on the Tor network is encrypted, data leaving the Tor network cannot be decrypted. This means any secure transaction you need to make has the same level of vulnerability as when you access the internet as usual. Make sure that you only provide personal information to SSL-enabled sites. You should see HTTPS:// instead of HTTP://, and the address field in your browser will display a padlock
Tips
- It is strongly recommended that you change the passwords of all services accessed while in China after you leave.
- Try not to use fake free VPN services. Most such services are scams.
