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Technical Guides

Unblock websites: a guide to accessing any site

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#Website#Privacy
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You need to access a website.

Maybe it is a streaming service blocked in your country. Perhaps it is a research paper behind a university firewall. Or your work network has decided to block Reddit (the horror!).

That digital “No Entry” sign is frustrating. But it doesn’t have to be permanent.

Websites get blocked for many reasons: geographical restrictions, corporate firewalls, government censorship, or even simple network filtering.

But for almost every block, there is a bypass. And in 2025, accessing the open internet is simpler than ever.

This guide is your complete toolkit to unblocking any website, anywhere.

Table of contents

Why are websites blocked? (The common culprits)

Understanding the “why” helps you choose the right “how.”

1. Geo-restrictions:

  • Content licenses (Netflix, YouTube TV) limit access by country.
  • Businesses target specific regions.

2. Network firewalls:

  • Corporate or school networks block social media, streaming, or certain categories of sites.
  • Governments censor content in specific regions.

3. Content filtering:

  • ISPs or network administrators might block sites based on perceived inappropriate content.

4. IP blocks:

Method 1: VPNs (the privacy powerhouse)

A VPN (Virtual Private Network) is your strongest tool. It encrypts your internet traffic and routes it through a server in another location.

The website sees the VPN server’s IP address, not yours. This hides your location and encrypts your data.

How it works:

  • Masks IP: Makes it appear you’re browsing from the VPN server’s location.
  • Encrypts data: Prevents third parties (ISPs, hackers) from seeing your online activity.

Step-by-step:

  1. Choose a reputable VPN: Avoid free VPNs (they often sell your data).
  2. Download the app: Install on your device (desktop, mobile, router).
  3. Connect to a server: Select a country where the website is not blocked.
  4. Browse: Access the blocked website normally.

Popular VPN Services (Table):

VPN ServiceKey FeaturesPricingBest For
NordVPNStrong security, vast server networkMid-rangeGeneral use, streaming
ExpressVPNFast speeds, user-friendlyHigh-endStreaming, travelers
SurfsharkUnlimited devices, affordableBudget-friendlyMultiple devices, families
ProtonVPNFocus on privacy, free tierFree/Mid-rangePrivacy advocates

Method 2: Proxy servers (the quick fix)

A proxy server acts as an intermediary between your device and the website.

You send your request to the proxy, the proxy fetches the website, and sends it back to you.

How it works:

  • Hides IP: The website sees the proxy’s IP address.
  • No encryption (usually): Most free proxies don’t encrypt your traffic.

Types of proxies:

  • Web proxies: Simple, browser-based websites where you type in a URL.
  • HTTP/S proxies: Configured in your browser or system settings.
  • SOCKS proxies: More versatile, can handle different types of traffic.

Step-by-step (Web Proxy):

  1. Find a web proxy: Search “free web proxy” (e.g., HideMy.name).
  2. Enter URL: Type the blocked website’s address into the proxy’s input field.
  3. Browse: The proxy will load the site.

Limitations:

  • Speed: Can be very slow and unreliable.
  • Security: Free proxies can log your data or inject ads.
  • Effectiveness: Easily detected by sophisticated blockers.

Method 3: Tor browser (the anonymity network)

Tor (The Onion Router) routes your internet traffic through a decentralized network of volunteer-operated relays worldwide.

This provides extreme anonymity, making it very difficult to trace your online activity or your real location.

How it works:

  • Multi-layer encryption: Data is encrypted and bounced through at least three relays.
  • Randomized path: Your traffic takes a different route each time.

Step-by-step:

  1. Download Tor Browser: Get it from torproject.org.
  2. Install and launch: It’s a standalone browser.
  3. Connect: Click “Connect” to establish a connection to the Tor network.
  4. Browse: Access blocked websites through the Tor Browser.

Pros: Unparalleled anonymity, effective for severe censorship. Cons: Very slow speeds, not ideal for streaming or regular browsing.

Method 4: Change your DNS server (bypassing basic filters)

Your DNS (Domain Name System) server translates human-readable website names (like google.com) into IP addresses (like 172.217.160.142).

Some basic website blocks work by filtering requests at the DNS level. Changing your DNS can bypass these.

How it works:

  • New translator: You use a public, unfiltered DNS server instead of your ISP’s.

Popular public DNS providers:

  • Google Public DNS: 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4
  • Cloudflare DNS: 1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1

Step-by-step (Windows):

  1. Go to Control Panel > Network and Sharing Center > Change adapter settings.
  2. Right-click your active connection (Wi-Fi or Ethernet) > Properties.
  3. Select “Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)” > Properties.
  4. Choose “Use the following DNS server addresses” and enter 1.1.1.1 (Preferred) and 1.0.0.1 (Alternate).
  5. Click OK.

Step-by-step (macOS):

  1. Go to System Settings > Network.
  2. Select your active connection > Details.
  3. Go to the “DNS” tab.
  4. Click + and add 1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1.
  5. Click OK > Apply.

Limitations: Only works for simple DNS-based blocks. Won’t bypass geo-restrictions or sophisticated firewalls.

Method 5: Browser extensions (convenient but limited)

Browser extensions offer a quick way to unblock some content without full software installation.

How it works:

  • Often light VPNs or proxies embedded directly in your browser.

Types:

  • Free VPN extensions: (e.g., “Browsec VPN,” “Hola VPN”) - use with caution due to privacy concerns.
  • Unblocker extensions: Specific to certain streaming sites or content filters.

Pros:

  • Easy to install and use.
  • Quick toggle on/off.

Cons:

  • Security/Privacy: Many free extensions log your data.
  • Effectiveness: Less robust than a full VPN, often detected by strong blockers.
  • Speed: Can significantly slow down browsing.

Method 6: Google Translate / web archive (the indirect route)

For simple text-based content, these tools can sometimes act as a proxy.

1. Google Translate

  • How it works: Enter the blocked URL into Google Translate. It fetches the page to translate it, effectively bypassing a direct block.
  • Limitations: Limited interactivity, formatting may be broken, only works for text content.

2. Wayback Machine

  • How it works: The Internet Archive’s Wayback Machine stores billions of archived web pages. If the site was public in the past, you might find a cached version.
  • Limitations: Content is historical, not live. Interactivity is often broken.

Important considerations (safety & ethics)

1. Free VPNs and proxies are risky:

  • Many collect and sell your browsing data.
  • Some inject malware or ads.
  • They often have slow speeds and unreliable connections.

2. Legal and ethical boundaries:

  • Bypassing geo-restrictions might violate terms of service for streaming platforms.
  • Accessing restricted networks (work, school) might violate IT policies.
  • Always be mindful of the laws and policies in your jurisdiction and on the network you are using.

3. Check for malware:

  • Always download software (VPNs, Tor) from official sources.
  • Run antivirus scans regularly.

Monitoring web access (cloro reference)

While you are trying to access websites, businesses are often concerned about their own content being accessed—or blocked.

Imagine you are a brand, and your critical product pages are being unexpectedly blocked in a certain region, or an AI crawler can’t scrape your site effectively.

cloro offers a solution for businesses to monitor their web presence from a different angle. It helps track how search engines and AI models perceive and interact with your content.

If you want to ensure your content is always accessible and correctly interpreted by the AI agents and search engines that are increasingly becoming new gatekeepers, tools like cloro provide that visibility. This is especially relevant if you are doing AI SEO and need to verify content availability.

Don’t let a digital barrier stop you. Choose the right tool for the job, understand the risks, and reclaim your access to the open web.

Check what AI says about your brand Read our docs