This wikiHow teaches you how to view blocked websites or content on computers with restricted access, as well as on mobile devices if you are using a virtual private network (VPN).
Step
Method 1 of 4: Using a Web Based Proxy
Step 1. Open a web browser
Click or double-click the main internet browser icon of your library/institution computer.
Step 2. Visit the proxy site
There are many free proxy sites available, but some of the more popular ones include:
- ProxFree -
- HideMe -
- CroxyProxy -
- If your network blocks access to any of the proxy sites above, type in online proxy free or free online proxy into a search engine and click on the relevant results until you find an unblocked proxy site.
Step 3. Locate and click on the search bar
Usually you'll find the "URL" or "Website" text box in the middle of the page.
Step 4. Enter the web address
Type the web address of the blocked site (eg "www.facebook.com") into the text box.
Most proxy sites don't support keyword searches in the search bar. However, you can visit a regular search engine (eg Google) via a proxy and perform a keyword search afterwards
Step 5. Press Enter key
After that, the proxy will load the website you entered.
Because proxies do not use a direct path from the computer to the server, loading may take longer than usual
Step 6. Browse the internet without restrictions
Use the proxy tab to access previously blocked websites. Keep in mind that you will have to browse through the proxy tab. If you open a new browser tab or window and try to access the blocked content, the site/content will fail to load instead.
Method 2 of 4: Using UltraSurf
Step 1. Understand how to use UltraSurf
UltraSurf is a program that does not require installation. This means, you can use it on computers with high limitations. When you open UltraSurf, the program will connect to the nearest available proxy using your computer's main browser, then open an incognito window on that browser. After that, you can use your browser to visit blocked or restricted sites.
Unfortunately, UltraSurf is only available for Windows computers
Step 2. Open the UltraSurf website
Visit https://www.techspot.com/downloads/5711-ultrasurf.html via a computer web browser.
If you can't download this program on your computer with limitations, you can download it at home and move the program files to a flash disk. After that, you can run it directly from the disc
Step 3. Click the Download Now button
It's a blue button in the top-left corner of the page. After that, UltraSurf will be downloaded to your computer.
UltraSurf will be downloaded in the form of a ZIP folder
Step 4. Extract the UltraSurf ZIP folder
To extract it:
- Double-click the ZIP folder.
- Click the tab " Extract ”.
- Click " Extract all ”.
- Click " Extract ”.
Step 5. Open UltraSurf
Double click the icon u1704 ” in the extracted folder. UltraSurf will run immediately after.
If you downloaded UltraSurf to a flash disk, first connect the disk to a computer (which has restrictions) and open the application
Step 6. Wait for the computer's main browser to open
UltraSurf takes a few seconds to find and connect to an optimal proxy server that is not blocked by your network.
Step 7. Browse the internet without restrictions
Once the browser window opens, you can use it to search for restricted content or view blocked sites.
Method 3 of 4: Using a VPN
Step 1. Choose a VPN
As with proxies, there are a variety of virtual private network (VPN) services available. Some of the services are quite popular, including NordVPN and ExpressVPN, but you are free to choose whichever service suits your needs (and price range if you plan to purchase a membership).
- If the firewall or internet filter you're trying to bypass is enabled on a library, work, or school computer, there's a good chance that you won't be able to use a VPN because using it requires changing your computer settings.
- Unlike proxies, VPNs will hide online browsing while the service is active.
- Most VPN services can be tested for free, but in the end you will need to pay a monthly fee (or an annual fee at a discount).
Step 2. Try subscribing to a VPN service
Most VPN services require you to create an account in order to register with the service. After that, you will be provided with a server address, password, username and/or other information needed to connect to the service.
If your VPN service uses a different type of network than the default network, you should also read about this information
Step 3. Open the VPN settings page on your computer or phone
The steps to follow to access the settings depend on the operating system and device used (e.g. computer or mobile device):
-
Windows – Open menu “ Start ”
Windowsstart click Settings ”
Windowssettings choose " Network & Internet ", click the tab " VPN, and click " Add a VPN connection ” at the top of the page.
-
Mac – Open menu Apple
Macapple1 click " System Preferences… ", choose " Network ", click " ＋ ” in the lower-left corner of the window, click the “Interface” drop-down box, and select “ VPN ”.
-
iPhone – Go to settings menu
Iphonesettingsappicon (“ Settings ”), swipe the screen and touch the segment “ General ”, scroll the screen and select “ VPN, and touch the option “ Add VPN Configuration… ”.
- Android – Open the settings menu (“ Settings), touch " More ” under the “Wireless & networks” segment, select “ VPN, and touch the button “ ＋" or " ADD VPN ”.
Step 4. Enter the VPN service details
This segment may vary slightly, depending on the type of VPN service used, the form of authentication required, and so on.
If you have questions about the information you need to use, check the help page of the VPN service you are using
Step 5. Save the VPN configuration
When you're done entering your VPN information, follow these steps:
- Windows – Click the button “ Save ” at the bottom of the page.
- Mac – Click “ Create ”, complete the VPN configuration according to the instructions, and click the “ Apply ”.
- iPhone – Touch the button “ Done ” in the upper right corner of the screen.
- Android – Touch the button “ SAVE ”.
Step 6. Connect the computer to the VPN
Again, this process will depend on the device platform used:
- Windows – Select VPN from the “VPN” page, click the button “ Connect ” below, and enter the requested details.
- Mac – Select VPN, click button “ Connect, and enter the requested details.
- iPhone – Touch the white switch next to the VPN name, then enter the required information if prompted.
- Android – Select the VPN name on the “VPN” page, touch the button “ CONNECT ”, and enter the requested information.
Step 7. Browse the internet without restrictions
Once connected to a VPN, you can use any online service without any restrictions.
Method 4 of 4: Using Smartphone As Hotspot
Step 1. Make sure your mobile service provider supports the tethering process
The term "tethering" refers to the feature/ability to use mobile phone data as a WiFi connection on a computer. However, not all cellular service providers support this feature, although many can unlock this feature on your phone when you submit an application (and, sometimes, for a small fee).
The easiest way to ensure that your phone has tethering features is to contact your cellular service provider and inquire directly about the availability of the feature. In Indonesia, this feature is usually available for free and can be accessed directly on the cellphone
Step 2. Turn off the phone's WiFi
To turn it off:
-
iPhone – Open
Iphonesettingsappicon “ Settings ”, touch option “ Wi-Fi ”, and touch the green " Wi-Fi " switch
Iphoneswitchonicon1 -
Android – Swipe down from the top of the screen, press and hold the icon “ Wi-Fi ”
Android7wifi and uncheck or slide the toggle on the " Wi-Fi " entry to the off position (“Off”).
Step 3. Connect the phone charger cable to the computer
Connect the USB 3.0 square end of the phone's charging cable to one of the computer's USB ports.
On a Mac computer that has a Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) connector, you will need to use a USB 3.0 to USB-C adapter to connect the charging cable to the computer
Step 4. Connect your phone to the charging cable
Connect the other end of the charging cable to the bottom of your iPhone or Android phone.
Step 5. Enable the hotspot tethering feature on the phone
The activation steps may differ depending on the device used (e.g. iPhone or Android phone):
-
iPhone – Open
Iphonesettingsappicon “ Settings ", touch " Personal Hotspot ”, and touch the white "Personal Hotspot" switch
Iphoneswitchofficon -
Android – Swipe down from the top of the screen, touch the icon “ Settings ”
Android7settings select the option “ More ” under the " Wireless & networks " heading, touch " Tethering & portable hotspot ”, and mark or toggle the “USB tethering” option to the on position (“On”).
Step 6. Select your phone as internet connection
On most computers, mobile phone connections will be prioritized immediately due to the availability of ethernet. If not, click the "Wi-Fi" icon
(Windows) or
(Mac) and select your phone's name.
Unlike wireless tethering, you do not need to enter a tethering password (shown in the tethering menu) to connect to the mobile network
Step 7. Browse the internet without restrictions
Since you're connected to a mobile network instead of the internet in your current location, you can get around the limitations imposed on your computer.
Keep in mind that the tethering process consumes a lot of mobile data. This means that you may incur additional charges if you take too long to download files, watch videos, or browse the internet
Tips
- If you can install the program on a computer whose firewall or internet restrictions you want to work around, you can install TeamViewer on both your institutional and home computers so that you can access your home computer. Despite its slow performance, this method allows you to use both WiFi and a home computer browser.
- Some computers block file downloads at the system level. If a restricted computer blocks certain file types, using a proxy still won't allow you to download the files in question.
- Using "https" instead of "http" at the beginning of a website address (eg "https://www. URLHERE.com") is sufficient to access some blocked websites. Keep in mind that not all browsers support secure connections, and some filter programs can filter out secure sites.
Warning
- In some regions/countries (eg UK and Singapore), circumventing firewalls and internet restrictions is illegal and can carry a prison sentence.
- Many schools and organizations record all network data. Your organization's IT department/office can track this activity, and this means that the activity on the computer you are using can be recorded.
- Some institutions, especially schools usually monitor the content displayed on the monitor physically. If this control is applied to the computer you are using, any steps you take to circumvent the restrictions are meaningless when the school administrator shuts down the internet session/computer in use.
