How can you access blocked sites and cross web filters? Many people deal with controlled access to specific websites. This happens especially in some countries where Internet censorship is applied and people’s access to specific websites is restricted. Also, these days more and more institutions, schools and companies are implementing this type of software on their computers. But Internet filtering is not a problem because there are many tools and methods that enable you to bypass filters and to unblock websites.
Many work places and schools are cracking down on the web sites and online services. Blocking access to social sites has been a common tactic. The most common websites that are blocked in schools include MySpace, Bebo and Facebook. There are however always legitimate reasons to bypass the internet filters and visit the blocked websites.
The following methods will help you access blocked websites in school, college or your company.
Anonymous Web Proxy
Using a web proxy to bypass restrictions. Proxies that focus on website browsing are called web proxies. A web proxy works by acting as a “middle man”: it downloads the requested pages to its proxy server and in turn you download the page, all images and other such objects from the proxy server to your browser, thus bypassing any filters and annoying firewalls.
One of the most popular methods is using a web proxy. An anonymous proxy server is an intermediate between your computer and the server you are requesting the information. Although this is an easy way it’s not the safest one. Even if the server does not have your information, the intermediate has it so you are not completely anonymous. The advantage of this method is that there are many free web proxies available over the Internet.
The most known resource for web proxies is Proxy.org. The list contains proxies all over the world, it’s periodically updated and provides link to specific web proxies in a random order. Due to the fact that the proxies are listed randomly, the chance of getting an over used proxy is considerably decreased. Other important resources of free web proxies are: Hide My Ass, Anonymouse.org, and Proxify.co.uk.
You can search on Google for “myspace proxy” and find a great deal of other web proxies as well.
But chances are that your school administration has already blocked access to most web proxies as well. In that case, you have other more options:
Hide IP address software
The second option is to use hide IP address applications. There are simple applications where with a simple click you can enable anonymity, or complex application that allows you to add manually proxies into the list, which will allow you to test proxies in advance and even clean cookies and temporary internet files. To be sure that the application suites your needs you should test the trial first and see how many proxies they have and from which countries.
The most known free hide IP address application is TOR Project. The application suits best to advanced Internet users because the configuration is not very simple. Other applications that are easy to use by anyone are: Ultra Surf, Anonymous Surfing, IP Privacy and Not My IP.
You can download Ultrasurf (search on Google for “Ultrasurf”) and save it to a USB stick. UltraSurf is a green software, which means no installation process is needed nor system setting is required to change when using the software. UltraSurf implements almost all browser functions based on HTTP and user needs, such as browsing websites, login and posting on web forums, using Web mail, uploading and downloading data files, real time audio, video and other multimedia programs, etc.
VPN connections
A third way used to unblock web sites is through a VPN. A VPN is a Virtual Private Network that is constructed by using public wires to connect nodes. A great advantage of these systems is that they use encryption and other security systems so only authorized users can access the network and the data cannot be tracked. Hotspot Shield is the most used these days and it’s 100% free. It creates a virtual private network (VPN) between your laptop or iPhone and our Internet gateway blocking snoopers, hackers, ISP’s, or other person from viewing your web browsing activities.
An important aspect that users must take in consideration is that before changing the IP address you must know what type of address your computer has. If you have a static IP address than you have to call your ISP and ask them to change it while if you have a dynamic IP address than you can apply any of the methods above.
The more people are aware of these tricks, the more likely your network administrators will catch on and find ways to shut them down. So be sure not to let others know how to do these tricks. Accessing unauthorized web sites using the above tricks may be considered a violation of school or work policies and might put you in trouble. Use them at your own risk.
