At school, you should pay attention to your teacher and not open social media accounts. However, if you're really looking forward to checking your Facebook account at school, there are ways you can try to get around some of the school's internet network restrictions. If your school's network security is good enough, the methods described below may not work.
Step
Method 1 of 6: Using Facebook Mobile Site
Step 1. Open a browser
You may need to log into your browser using your student login information before proceeding to the next step.
Step 2. Type m.facebook.com into the address bar of your browser
This address is the mobile Facebook site address.
Step 3. Press Enter key
If your school's internet network only blocks "facebook.com", you will be taken to the Facebook mobile site.
The mobile Facebook site looks different from the regular desktop Facebook site, but functions the same
Method 2 of 6: Using a Different Browser
Step 1. Open a browser
Usually the browser that is opened is the main browser of the computer. If Facebook is specifically blocked on your usual/frequently used browser, using a different browser might solve the blocking problem.
If you can't download the browser on the computer you're using, you can download it at home and copy it to a flash drive
Step 2. Go to the download page of the browser you want to use
Some of the most popular browsers include:
- Google Chrome -
- Firefox -
- Opera -
Step 3. Click the "Download" button
This button is usually at the top or center of the browser's web page. Once clicked, the browser installation file will be downloaded to your computer.
You may need to click the “ Save ” or confirming the selection, or specifying the location where the download is saved (e.g. “ Desktop ”), depending on the currently used browser settings.
Step 4. Double-click the installation file
This file is usually stored in the computer's main downloads storage location (or the previously specified downloads directory if you selected it manually).
Step 5. Install the browser
To install it:
- Windows – Follow the instructions shown on the screen. Make sure you don't install any free programs included in the installation package (eg antivirus or search programs).
- Mac – Drag the browser icon to the “Applications” folder shortcut.
Step 6. Open a new browser
Double click the browser icon to open it.
Step 7. Visit the Facebook website
Go to in a newly installed browser. If the computer restrictions are only set on the main browser, you will usually be able to access Facebook with the new browser.
Method 3 of 6: Using Facebook IP Address
Windows
Step 1. Open the “Start” menu
Click the Windows logo in the lower-left corner of the screen, or press Win.
Step 2. Type command prompt into the “Start” menu
After that, the computer will search for the Command Prompt program.
Step 3. Click
"Command Prompt".
This option is displayed at the top of the “Start” window.
Step 4. Type ping facebook.com into the Command Prompt window and press Enter key
You'll see a series of numbers and dots to the right of the "Pinging facebook.com" heading. The string is Facebook's IP address.
Step 5. Open a browser
Step 6. Type your Facebook IP address into your browser's address bar and press Enter key
If only the Facebook URL is blocked (and does not include the IP address), you will be taken to the Facebook page.
Mac
Step 1. Open “Spotlight”
It's in the upper-right corner of the screen.
Step 2. Type in the terminal into Spotlight
After that, the computer will search for the Terminal program/application.
Step 3. Double click
"Terminals".
This option is at the top of the search results. Once clicked, a Terminal window will open.
Step 4. Type
ping facebook.com
in the Terminal window and press the button Enter.
Step 5. Pay attention to the number next to the title " [Number] bytes from"
This number is Facebook's IP address.
Step 6. Open a browser
Step 7. Type your Facebook IP address into your browser's address bar and press Return key
If only the Facebook URL is blocked (and does not include the IP address), you will be taken to the Facebook page.
Method 4 of 6: Using USB Tethering on Phone
iPhone
Step 1. Connect iPhone to computer
Use the USB charging cable that came with the iPhone purchase package.
If you can't use the phone's charging cable, you can use the device's WiFi hotspot
Step 2. Open the iPhone settings menu (“Settings”)
This menu is indicated by a gray gear icon. Usually, this icon is on the device's home screen.
Step 3. Touch Personal Hotspot
This option is at the top of the settings page (“Settings”).
Not all cellular service providers offer a personal hotspot option. If you don't see this option, your phone doesn't support the hotspot feature
Step 4. Toggle Personal Hotspot to the right (position "On")
After a second or a few seconds, the computer can use the phone's data plan as an internet connection.
Step 5. Open a web browser
Perform this step on the computer.
Step 6. Type
facebook.com
on the browser's address bar, then press the button Enter.
After that, you will be taken to the main Facebook page.
If Facebook is specifically blocked on the computer, this method cannot be followed to access Facebook
Android
Step 1. Connect Android phone to computer
You need to use the phone's charging cable to do this.
If you can't use a charging cable, you can use the device's WiFI hotspot
Step 2. Open the Android device settings menu (“Settings”)
This menu is indicated by a gear icon which is usually displayed in the app drawer/page.
Step 3. Touch More
This option is under the " Wireless & networks " heading.
On Samsung devices, touch “ Connections ”.
Step 4. Touch Tethering & portable hotspot
It's at the top of the page.
On a Samsung phone, touch “ Tethering and Mobile HotSpot ”.
Step 5. Slide the USB tethering switch to the right (position "ON")
After that, the computer will use the device's data plan as an internet connection.
On some Android devices, you need to check the box “ USB tethering ”.
Step 6. Open a web browser
Perform this step on the computer.
Step 7. Type
facebook.com
on the browser's address bar, then press the button Enter.
After that, you will be taken to the main Facebook page.
If Facebook is specifically blocked on your computer, this step still won't work to access Facebook
Method 5 of 6: Using a Proxy Site
Step 1. Open a browser
You may need to enter student login information before proceeding to the next step.
Step 2. Look for an online proxy
Type free online proxies 2017 into your browser's search bar and press Enter. Some proxy services with a good reputation include:
- Anonymous
- VPNBook
- FilterBypass
Step 3. Type
facebook.com
on the proxy site search bar.
There is usually a search bar in the middle of the proxy site's page.
Step 4. Click the “Search” button
This button is usually below the search field. After that, Facebook will be searched through proxies so that the school network can be avoided.
Method 6 of 6: Using a Virtual Private Network
Windows
Step 1. Make sure you have subscribed to a virtual private network (VPN) service
Unlike using proxy sites, virtual private networks (VPNs) require you to set up an account in order to access server names and addresses. You will need the VPN name and address, as well as login information to connect to the VPN.
If you want to use a VPN service for longer than a week, you usually need to pay a fee for the service
Step 2. Open the “Start” menu
Click the Windows logo in the lower-left corner of the screen, or press Win.
Step 3. Click “Settings”
It's in the lower-left corner of the “Start” window.
Step 4. Click
"Networks & Internet".
This option is in the top row of settings on the “Windows Settings” page.
Step 5. Click VPN
This tab is on the left side of the window.
Step 6. Click Add a VPN connection
It's at the top of the VPN page.
Step 7. Choose a VPN provider
Click the box under the "VPN provider" heading at the top of the page, then click “ Windows (built-in) ”.
Step 8. Enter the VPN information
This information includes:
- “ Connection name ” - Type the name of the VPN connection in the “ Connection name ”.
- “ Server name or address ” – In this field, you must enter the VPN address.
- “ VPN type ” – Click the box under this heading to select a VPN connection type. You will usually receive this information along with your VPN address when you register to use a VPN service.
- “ Sign-in info ” – This segment will differ depending on the VPN service you are using. Usually, you will need to enter your account username and password in this section.
Step 9. Click Save
After that, the VPN connection will be saved as a network on the computer.
Step 10. Click on the VPN name
Now, the VPN name will be displayed on the VPN page of the settings window (“Settings”).
Step 11. Click Connect
This option is at the bottom of the VPN business card.
Step 12. Enter the account username and password if prompted
If you did not select the option to save VPN login information when creating it, you will need to manually log in to the VPN service and click “ OK ” to connect to the VPN.
Step 13. Visit the Facebook website via the desired web browser
Go to https://www.facebook.com and log into your account. As long as you are connected to a VPN, you can use Facebook.
Mac
Step 1. Make sure you have subscribed to a virtual private network (VPN) service
Unlike using proxy sites, virtual private networks (VPNs) require you to set up an account in order to access server names and addresses. You will need the VPN name and address, as well as login information to connect to the VPN.
If you want to use a VPN service for longer than a week, you usually need to pay a fee for the service
Step 2. Open Apple menu
It's in the top-left corner of the screen.
Step 3. Click System Preferences
It's at the top of the Apple drop-down menu.
Step 4. Click Network
This option is indicated by a purple globe icon.
Step 5. Click +
It's in the lower-left corner of the “Network” page, just below the list of network names.
Step 6. Select the VPN option
Click the box to the right of the " Interface: " option, then click “ VPN ” in the drop-down menu.
Step 7. Select the VPN connection type
Click the box to the right of "VPN Type", then select a VPN connection type (eg. L2TP over IPSec ”).
- This information is usually displayed on the VPN site.
- MacOS Sierra does not support PPTP connections.
Step 8. Enter the VPN name
This name is whatever name you want to assign to the network.
Step 9. Click Create
It's a blue button in the lower-right corner of the window.
Step 10. Configure the VPN
Enter the following information:
- “ Configuration ” – Make sure this box has the label " Default ".
- “ Server Address ” – Type the VPN address into this field.
- “ Account Name ” – Type the name of your subscription account in this field.
Step 11. Click Authentication Settings
This option is below the “Account Name” text field.
Step 12. Type in the user authentication information (User Authentication)
Check the box to the left of the user authentication option of the VPN service you are using (eg Password ”) and type in the appropriate answer.
Step 13. Type in the machine authentication information (Machine Authentication)
This segment is at the bottom of the window. Most VPN services use the " Shared Secret " option. Check this box, then enter the secret phrase shared by the VPN service provider.
Step 14. Click OK
It's at the bottom of the authentication settings window.
Step 15. Click Advanced
It's at the bottom of the window.
Step 16. Check the box "Send all traffic over VPN connection", then click OK
With this option, all sites visited will use a VPN connection.
Step 17. Click Apply
After that, your VPN settings will be saved and a network will be created.
Step 18. Click Connect
This button is under the “ Authentication Settings After that, the Mac computer will connect with the VPN.
Step 19. Visit the Facebook website via a web browser
Go to https://www.facebook.com and log in to your account. As long as your computer is connected to a VPN, you can use Facebook.
Tips
Browsing through incognito mode will not necessarily hide your internet activity from school. However, the browsing history will be deleted when you close the web browser
Warning
- Your school's network may block links connected to proxy servers, regardless of the web address accessed.
- The use of mobile phone data as a hotspot can incur additional costs if you use the internet more than the monthly data plan limit/quota.
- Your network may be visually monitored by teachers, technicians, and/or administrators.
