13 Best Methods To Access/Unblock Blocked Websites – Although the internet is the heartbeat of every work environment and the world has moved online, some governments, businesses, and schools, still try to block access to certain websites to reduce distractions, censor content, or conserve bandwidth.
Such bans and constraints over websites are usually frustrating; however, if you are looking for ways of circumventing such limitations—and you are willing to assume all attendant risks, here are some practical means of bypassing the constraints and surfing like normal.
13 Useful Methods To Access Blocked Websites
1. Use a VPN to access blocked websites
Often, in office environments, the employers will put certain restrictions in place, blocking your access to particular sites.
Whenever you want to unblock sites, a VPN can come to your rescue.
Through VPNs, you can securely connect to any private or public Wi-Fi network. this helps you unblock blocked sites by concealing your IP address from inside your home network.
On the internet, there are lots of cheap/free VPN services capable of unrestricting your web experience. A VPN behaves like a tunnel which converts your network information into garbage value that is difficult for others to track and recognize.
To set-up, a VPN to access almost any blocked website, carry out a Google search.
Become Anonymous by using Proxy Websites
Very often, you may find your access to some things like social networking, video streaming, or personal emails, has been restricted. At times, you look for how to unblock websites and in such situations; a proxy site can be of help.
However, it should be noted that proxy sites are not always as secure as VPN’s. So, if you are secretive with your online activity, a VPN is the right option to choose.
Here are some example Proxy Websites Which You Can Use.
Use an IP instead of URL
Every site’s URL has its IP address and any authorities blocking the website could have stored the URL rather than the IP. In such cases, our goal of how to unblock a website might stop here. To obtain the IP address belonging to any site, execute a ping domain command in your Command Prompt. Using an IP is an easy way to unblock sites in your region. But, if the website in question has hidden its IP as well, then this method will not work.
Change Network Proxy inside your browser
Your workplace or college might be using multiple proxies for its network. Hence, some websites will be blocked on one proxy, and accessible on another one. So, you can try surfing for proxies to access restricted websites in your vicinity.
Disabling any network proxy settings inside your web browser isn’t a difficult task. You only need to locate the network/ connections option in your web browser settings. There, you can choose the no proxy alternative or enable another one which is still offering unrestricted internet access in your environment.
Use Google Translate
If you are thinking of how to unblock websites, then Google Translate might be the most suitable option for this. Most workplaces, countries, and schools do not restrict Google Translate. You should be able to translate any blocked site into other multiple languages and then utilize that name for accessing the site.
Microsoft’s Bing Translator is also an alternative website unblocker for this aspect.
Use Extensions to Bypass Censorship
If the blocked websites are by nature dynamic, like YouTube or Facebook, then you should try using extensions.
ProxMate and Hola are some great extensions that can be used for accessing blocked sites on Chrome, Firefox, and other browsers. Another useful extension is UltraSurf which lets users browse freely with an encrypted proxy network. It is robust enough to evade many powerful firewalls such as Lightspeed.
URL Recasting
There are situations when a particular site is hosted on a VPN, and it does not have any verified SSL installed. In such cases, you can type “https://www.url.com,” rather than accessing “http://www.url.com or www.url.com” in your web browser’s address bar. This change may likely display a security notification. Click on the “Proceed Anyway” icon to unblock blocked sites. This method isn’t foolproof, but it can be useful sometimes.
Try Replacing your DNS Server
You can make use of this website unblocker method to bypass any website blockade. This option generally involves using OpenDNS or Google DNS for internet access.
This one-click method can be used to gain access to blocked websites in your region/country.
Changing your DNS server also offers better privacy while on the internet; because by default, every Wi-Fi network and ISPs you have connected to have lists of websites you have visited.
Wayback Machine: The go-to Internet Archive
The Wayback Machine service is an interesting one that saves copies of nearly all websites on the internet. This stores multiple versions of any site and you can also use it for accessing the previous versions of websites.
The users can also utilize it to browse and unblock sites online.
Furthermore, this fantastic website tool also contains a vast collection of free movies, e-books, nostalgic games, documentaries, etc. So, whenever some websites or services become unavailable, the Wayback Machine will have your back.
Use the websites’ RSS Feed
RSS feeds useful tools for obtaining and reading the latest content. You can quickly get the RSS feed from the blocked site to add to your reader. However, in the event of the restricted website not having an RSS feed, there are a few handy online services for creating the feed.
With the recent increase in fake news circulating across algorithmic updates and social media platforms, RSS readers have made a strong comeback. You can make use of one like Feedly to obtain content generated from more trusted sources.
Use an IP Anonymizer
If you are an advocate of privacy, you might already know about the widely used Tor browser. This tool acts as a bypass tool for website blockers if it is set-up correctly. In most cases, you may unblock sites at work or school and remain anonymous. There is a double advantage here as you would also evade any form of surveillance. After using VPN and proxy servers, using the Tor browser is the most potent way to unblock sites.
Tor Browser is also utilized as a means of accessing the onion sites or dark websites, which are usually blocked on the regular web.
Use HTML to PDF converter
SodaPDF offers you a free internet service which can assist you with downloading a web page directly on your PC without accessing it; simply visit the SodaPDF website and input the desired URL. There are many converters of HTML to PDF featuring website unblocker services you can try.
Use Firefox from your USB drive
If your office or school is always taking steps to restrict website access, I would not be surprised if you are also not permitted to install the web browser extensions needed to open such sites for your private use. For that scenario, you should install your web browser – like Firefox portable – on your USB drive. Coupled with some excellent website unblocker proxy service and you have got it covered.
In Conclusion
I cannot directly recommend which specific tool is most suited to unblock sites for your personal goals and habits since they all have their quirks. I can only tell you to use whatever is best suited to your situation.
It all comes down to finding which one makes you more comfortable and then busying yourself with accomplishing your set goals.
