Some internet users are finding that their VPNs are no longer working, and they’re not sure why. In some cases, the VPNs are blocked by websites. This can be a frustrating experience, but there are ways to get around the block, especially when you want a safe and secure internet experience.
If you find your VPN is blocked and want to know how to bypass these blocks, then read on to discover all the tricks.
Why Should One Use a VPN?
A Virtual Private Network, more commonly known as a VPN, is a private network that extends across a public network or the internet. A VPN allows users to send and receive data as if their devices were directly connected to the private network, making it seem like they were on the same local and secure network.
There are many reasons why someone would want to use a VPN. For example, a business may use a VPN to connect its employees’ laptops to its internal network outside the office. This way, the company can be sure that its data remains private and secure. Similarly, an individual may use a VPN to stay safe and secure when connecting to public Wi-Fi hotspots.
Unfortunately, as VPNs have grown in popularity, so have the attempts to block their use. You can easily bypass VPN blocks using advanced methods.
A VPN is the perfect solution if you’re looking for a way to unblock websites and stay safe and secure online. With a VPN, you can spoof your IP address and trick website filters into thinking you’re elsewhere. VPN also allows you to access blocked websites and content.
What Are the Disadvantages of VPNs?
A good VPN will conceal your IP address, enable you to access blocked sites and encrypt your web traffic. But for all the good it does, a VPN is not the solution to all life’s problems and understanding this will enable you to stay safe online.
One of the significant disadvantages of a VPN is that it reduces the speed of an internet connection. This is because the VPN requires a lot of resources and energy to function and takes longer to route to the internet. So, while VPNs offer online security, you often pay for it with the connection’s speed.
Therefore, if you plan to watch Netflix or Hulu with a VPN, you may experience some problems. In this case, you should choose the most sparing VPN provider or connect an Internet plan with a higher speed.
You may also face a problem with downloading torrent files using a VPN. In addition, streaming will also be problematic due to speed jumps. This also can be solved by replacing the plan or subscribing to the most sparing VPN service.
Why Are VPNs blocked?
There are several reasons why VPNs are often blocked. Here are some of the most common:
- To prevent fraud. One of the most common reasons VPNs blocked is to avoid cheating and fraud. For example, many online gamers use VPNs to connect to game servers outside their country. This allows them to get around regional restrictions and play otherwise unavailable games. Also, websites that deal with money block the use of VPNs to prevent money laundering.
- Similarly, students sometimes use VPNs to access school or university resources from home. This allows them to bypass filters and access websites their institution may block.
- To comply with legal regulations. In some countries, the government has strict rules on websites citizens can access. To comply with these regulations, ISPs and other organizations often block access to websites that contravene the law. For example, in China, the government has blocked access to many foreign websites, including Google, Facebook, and Twitter. As a result, Chinese citizens often use VPNs to connect to these blocked websites.
- To protect against cybercrime. Cybercriminals are constantly finding new ways to attack internet users. To protect against these threats, many organizations block access to websites known to be unsafe. For example, many companies block access to sites that host malware or phishing scams.
- To improve network performance. In some cases, blocking VPN traffic can improve network performance. For example, if many users are trying to access a blocked website or service through a VPN, it can slow down the connection for everyone. By blocking VPN traffic, ISPs can ensure that their networks run as efficiently as possible.
- To save bandwidth. In some cases, VPNs can use a lot of bandwidth. For example, if you’re streaming video through a VPN, it can use up a significant amount of data. If an ISP is trying to conserve bandwidth, it may choose to block VPN traffic.
How Do VPNs Get Blocked?
As Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) continue to grow, organizations also increase efforts to block them. While there are many legitimate uses for a VPN, such as accessing region-locked content or protecting your online privacy, some companies and governments block VPNs because they can also be used to bypass restrictions and access blocked websites.
Fortunately, it is possible to get around these VPN blocks using advanced methods. In this article, we’ll show you how to bypass VPN blocks so you can continue using your VPN regardless of any restrictions.
The most common way organizations block VPNs is by targeting specific protocols or ports known to be used by VPNs. For example, many corporate networks block port 1194, which the OpenVPN protocol uses. By blocking this port, they can prevent users from accessing VPNs.
Other standard VPN-blocking methods include:
- IP Block: This is a common VPN blocking trick most streaming sites use. IP blocking involves blocking access to regular IP addresses used by VPNs. These IP addresses can be on a public list or associated with specific activities, for instance, if several people use one IP address.
- DNS Block: Another common type of VPN block is the DNS block. This type of block prevents users from resolving the DNS names of blocked websites.
- Protocol Block: A more sophisticated form of VPN blocking is protocol blocking. This block targets VPNs’ specific protocols, such as PPTP and L2TP/IPsec.
- Port Block: A firewall can be configured to block specific ports, such as those used by VPNs. This implies your service will be unable to connect to a server.
- Deep Packet Inspection (DPI): A technique commonly employed for internet shutdowns and sophisticated censorship, DPI examines data packets in transit to prevent access to encrypted metadata that characterizes VPN traffic.
Fortunately, there are ways to get around all of these blocks.
How to Bypass VPN Blocks?
If you’re getting an error message saying your VPN has been blocked, you should first try connecting to another server or VPN. If that doesn’t work, there are a few other things you can try:
- Use a Different Port: Some VPNs use the same ports as typical apps like Skype or BitTorrent. If your ISP is blocking your VPN because it’s using one of these ports, you may be able to get around the block by connecting to a different port.
- Use a Different Protocol: Some ISPs block specific VPN protocols. If your VPN is using one of these protocols, you may be able to get around the block by switching to a different protocol.
- Use a Different Internet Connection: If you’re using a mobile data connection or public Wi-Fi, your ISP may be able to block your VPN. Try connecting to the internet using a different connection (e.g., your home Wi-Fi) and see if that works.
- Connect to an Obfuscated Server: Some VPN providers offer servers that are difficult for ISPs to block. These servers disguise their traffic as regular web traffic, making it harder for ISPs to identify and block them. If your VPN provider offers obfuscated servers, you can connect to one of these servers to bypass a VPN blocker.
- Change the DNS Settings: This is one of the oldest and most reliable methods to bypass VPN blocks. All you need to do is change your DNS server settings to public DNS servers. This will allow you to route your traffic through a different server, bypassing any restrictions that may be in place.
- Use a Proxy Server: Another method is to use a proxy server. A proxy server acts as a middleman between your computer and the internet. It can be used to bypass VPN blocks by routing your traffic through a different server. There are many free proxy servers available online.
You may need more advanced methods if you still have trouble getting around a VPN block.
Other Ways to Unblock Content with VPN
In addition to the methods mentioned above, there are also alternative ones:
Tor is free software that will allow you to bypass VPN blocks. All you need to do is download and install the Tor Browser. Once you have installed Tor, you can use it to access blocked websites by connecting to a different IP address.
- One of the most effective ways to get around a VPN block is to use a Smart DNS. A Smart DNS does not route your traffic through another server as a VPN does; instead, it makes a DNS request on your behalf and returns the results to you. This means your traffic appears to be coming from the DNS server, not your location.
Streaming services such as Netflix and Hulu often use Smart DNS services to allow users to access their content outside their country. Many VPN providers also offer a Smart DNS service alongside their VPN to make it easier for their customers to access blocked content.
Find Another VPN Provider
Another beneficial option to bypass this problem can be considering a new VPN provider. You can read articles on specific web sources or watch YouTube reviews devoted to VPNs. But if you don’t want to do it on your own and want to get the ready-analyzed top, you are welcome! With a new VPN provider, you can find new, more beneficial features that you can fall in love with and get a brand-new network experience.
What Are the Best VPN Providers in 2022?
If you’re looking for the best VPN provider, look no further. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll show you the top 10 VPN providers that offer the best security, speed, and price services.
- NordVPN is one of the most popular VPN providers on the market. It offers many features, including military-grade encryption, DNS leak protection, and a kill switch. NordVPN is also one of the fastest VPNs, with speeds of up to 150 Mbps.
- ExpressVPN: This is another popular VPN provider that offers robust security features and fast speeds. It has servers in 94 countries and offers unlimited bandwidth and data. ExpressVPN also has a 30-day money-back guarantee.
- IPVanish: IPVanish is an excellent choice for those looking for a fast and reliable VPN. It offers unlimited bandwidth and data and doesn’t keep logs of user activity. IPVanish is also one of the few VPNs that offer a 7-day money-back guarantee.
- VyprVPN is an excellent option for those who want security and privacy without sacrificing speed. It offers military-grade encryption, DNS leak protection, and a kill switch. VyprVPN also has a 3-day free trial and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
- HideMyAss!: HMA is a popular VPN provider with many features, including military-grade encryption, DNS leak protection, and a kill switch. HideMyAss! also has a 7-day money-back guarantee.
- CyberGhost VPN is an excellent option for those who want security and privacy without sacrificing speed. It offers military-grade encryption, DNS leak protection, and a kill switch. CyberGhost VPN also has a 45-day money-back guarantee.
- Private Internet Access: It is a popular VPN provider with robust security features and fast speeds. It has servers in 30+ countries and offers unlimited bandwidth and data. Private Internet Access also has a 7-day money-back guarantee.
- TunnelBear: This is an excellent choice for those who want security and privacy without sacrificing speed. It offers military-grade encryption, DNS leak protection, and a kill switch. TunnelBear also has a free trial and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
- Hotspot Shield is one of the most popular VPN providers on the market. It offers many features, including military-grade encryption, DNS leak protection, and a kill switch. Hotspot Shield is also one of the fastest VPNs, with speeds up to 150 Mbps.
You must be careful with free VPN providers since they can sell your data and information to third parties. Always test a new VPN using a secured Wi-Fi connection, and don’t use sensitive data while testing your VPN.
Bottom Line
You can usually contact customer support to unblock a VPN and ask for an IP address change. This will give you a new IP address that isn’t blocked. You can also try using a different protocol, like OpenVPN, instead of PPTP or L2TP/IPsec.
Finally, some VPNs use SSL tunnels which are very difficult to block.
If you’re trying to use a VPN to access websites or services blocked by your government, school, or workplace, you may be out of luck. These institutions have often implemented sophisticated blocking solutions to detect and block most VPN traffic.
FAQ
What is a VPN block?
A VPN block occurs when a website or service prevents users from accessing it while using a VPN. This can be done for a variety of reasons, including as preventing users from violating geographical limitations or banning material that is only available in particular regions.
How can I tell if my ISP is blocking VPN?
Whether you’re having trouble connecting to a VPN, check to determine if your ISP is restricting VPN traffic. This may be accomplished by calling your ISP or doing a test on a site such as ipleak.net.
Are there any other ways to get around a VPN block?
Yes, there are alternative ways to circumvent a VPN ban. One option is to use a proxy server rather than a VPN. Another option is to download Tor, which encrypts your traffic and sends it through many nodes, increasing your security.
What are the consequences of using a VPN?
There are a few risks associated with VPN. One is that if your ISP finds that you are using a VPN, it may limit your internet connection. Another is that certain countries have laws against the use of VPNs, and you may be fined or arrested if you are discovered using one.