VPN is an anonymity tool that can let you bypass geo-restrictions and enjoy an open internet. But, VPNs can be blocked by companies, schools, governments, and even by your ISP. Governments of countries like Belarus, China, etc., have banned VPNs.
VPNs let people access all their favorite content. Be it blocked streaming services or websites, with a trustworthy VPN; you can unblock almost anything from anywhere. Likewise, it will encrypt your traffic and keep you anonymous and secure online. Freedom, anonymity, privacy, and security are a few reasons why many people use VPNs.
There are many reasons why organizations, governments, and ISPs do not want people to use VPNs and they block them. This article explains why and how VPN services are blocked and how to get around such blocks.
Why are VPNs Blocked?
VPNs are blocked in order to prevent people from accessing the internet using a VPN. It is at times used as a security measure by internet service providers, governments, etc., to block devices from accessing specific websites, apps, etc., using VPNs. They do so to have more control over internet usage.
Companies and governments generally block VPNs to protect their networks from attacks online. They might not want to give access to certain services and websites they do not want anyone to use, but with a VPN, anyone can access such restricted content. This could result in such websites and services being misused by criminals online. Many large organizations block VPN traffic and they also make it close to impossible to bypass blocks.
The following are the most common reasons why VPNs are blocked.
1. Company and School Policy
Schools and workplaces generally have internal policies that do not allow their students and employees to use VPNs. VPNs are blocked to prevent students and employees from accessing certain websites like Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, etc., through their networks while they study or work.
School and office administrators block VPNs to have more control of services and websites students and employees can access from the network and also prevent inappropriate usage of the network.
2. Licensing Agreements and Copyrights
Popular streaming services like Hulu, Amazon Prime, HBO, Netflix, etc. geo-restrict content due to licensing agreements. Their libraries are not the same across the globe and they make sure movies and series are made available exclusively only in countries where they have proper rights to televise them. Such streaming platforms block VPNs to make sure people from other regions do not access blocked content.
This means you will be able to watch shows and series available on Netflix US only if you are in the US and if you happen to travel abroad, you will not be able to access it even if you have paid for it. Similarly, if you are in the US, you will not be able to access content available only on Netflix Japan, France, etc.
This disappoints users who have subscribed to these streaming platforms as they will not be able to catch up on their favorite series and movies while they travel abroad though they have paid for it. They use VPNs to access their favorite streaming services, as most reputed VPNs are great at bypassing geo-restrictions. By letting users connect to one of their secure servers in different regions, VPNs let them access any blocked content or streaming service from anywhere in the world.
This is one reason why streaming services hate VPN services.
3. To Prevent Crimes and for Legal Reasons
Many people use VPNs to make their internet connections more secure and for privacy. Though this tool offers anonymity and privacy, it is also used by cybercriminals for criminal activities. With cyberattacks and online scams increasing day by day, organizations and governments are blocking VPNs. Websites like PayPal block VPNs and do not let users make transactions if they are connected to VPNs due to fear of money laundering.
Likewise, gambling is not legal in all countries. In countries where it is considered illegal, people use VPNs to play money games at online casinos. This may not be legal in their countries as they will not be able to access online casinos without VPNs. Online casinos block VPNs to prevent users from accessing their sites using VPNs. They also terminate accounts of people who use VPNs.
4. Political Reasons
Countries like China have strict internet laws that prevent people in the country from accessing Twitter, YouTube, Facebook, Wikipedia, etc. They want to limit the information that reaches their citizens, as a result of which, they use online censorship. People in China and other countries with such tough internet laws use VPNs to access blocked content. But, it may not be easy to find a VPN that works in China. Even if you find a VPN that can bypass restrictions in China, you may end up getting fined. Countries like Turkey, Belarus, Uganda, North Korea, etc., have banned VPNs.
How Are VPNs Blocked?
Network administrators use different methods to block VPNs. Here are the most common methods.
1. Port Blocking
Some network administrators block ports like TCP Ports 443 or 1194 common VPN protocols like OpenVPN use. By blocking such ports, they can block VPN connections.
One can bypass such blocks by using obfuscated VPN servers or by using different tunneling protocols. Changing default ports will also help bypass restrictions.
2. IP Blocking
Popular streaming platforms like Netflix, HBO, Hulu, etc., blacklist VPN IP addresses and prevent people from accessing them by using a VPN. They block such IP addresses when they notice unusual traffic from those IPs. When people use shared IP addresses to access Netflix, Hulu, etc., the specific streaming platform can easily make out that VPNs are involved.
By using a dedicated IP address, one can get around such blocks.
3. Deep Packet Inspection
Deep packet inspection, an advanced filtering method, involves examining data packets and monitoring network traffic, which will, in turn, help detect VPN traffic.
To get around deep packet inspection, users can use a different VPN tunneling protocol or connect to an obfuscated server.
How to Bypass VPN Blocking?
There are ways to bypass VPN blocks. Try the following methods to bypass VPN blocking. Remember, you may not be able to get around VPN blocks if you are using a free VPN service or a poor-quality VPN.
Switch to a Different VPN Server
Change your VPN server to check if it works, as the server to which you first connected might have been blocked. In general, VPN services have multiple servers in the same country so that their users can switch to a different server if one doesn’t work. You can switch servers until you find a server that works. If the location doesn’t matter, you can also connect to a server in a different country.
Use Obfuscated Servers
If your VPN service offers stealth mode or obfuscated servers, you can use it to bypass VPN blocks. Obfuscated servers hide the fact that you are connected to a VPN. Using stealth mode or connecting to an obfuscated server is one of the best ways to make your connection safer and more reliable.
Choose Another Tunneling Protocol
VPN services support different tunneling protocols like OpenVPN, IKEv2/IPSec, and L2TP/IPSec. You can change the tunneling protocol to get around VPN blocks. However, not all VPN protocols are equally secure, so you need to use them with caution.
Change the Network Port
You can manually select a network port used by tunneling protocols to bypass VPN blocks. Open VPN uses ports 443 and 1194 by default, but it can also use different ports, which you can select manually. Changing the port may seem easy to advanced VPN users but not to beginners, as it requires certain manual configurations.
Get a Dedicated IP Address
Streaming platforms can easily block VPN IP addresses when multiple users use the same IP address to access the platform. But this may not be the case when one IP address is used by just one user. You can use a dedicated IP address to get around VPN blocks. In this case, the IP address will be assigned only to you and no one else can use it. The chances of streaming platforms noticing unusual traffic from such an IP address will be less and it also will not have a previous blocking history.
Other Ways to Unblock Blocked Content
Subscribe to a Different VPN Service
If nothing works, it is time to ditch your current VPN service and switch to a better VPN service. This is one of the best ways to get around VPN blocks and access your favorite content.
Switch to Mobile Data
If VPNs are banned by your school or your workplace network, you can switch to mobile data to bypass VPN blocks. The same applies to your home network, as your ISP might have banned VPNs. In such cases, you can switch on mobile data.
Use a Proxy Server
Though a proxy server may not be as secure as a VPN, you can use it to access blocked websites, etc. Shadowsocks can even let you bypass internet restrictions in countries like China. However, you may not be able to unblock Netflix and other streaming services using a proxy server, but you can use a proxy server to unblock certain web pages.
Use Tor
You can use the Tor browser to access certain blocked websites and to stay anonymous online. This browser will encrypt your data, mask your IP address, and keep you private online. However, you may not be able to torrent files or stream geo-restricted movies and series using Tor.
Key Features to Look for in a VPN to Bypass Blocks
Server Network
Top VPN services like NordVPN, have a massive server network. It has thousands of RAM-only servers that are excellent at bypassing VPN blocks. Such VPN services offer thousands of IP addresses and you will be left with a lot of options even if a few IP addresses are blocked.
Obfuscated Servers
VPN services like Surfshark VPN and NordVPN offer obfuscated servers. When you connect to one such server, even your ISP will not be able to make out that you are using a VPN, as it will make it appear like you are browsing over your regular internet connection.
Dedicated IP Addresses
Shared IP addresses can be blocked by streaming services as several people can use the same IP address. But when you have a dedicated IP address, which can be used only by you, the chances of that IP address getting blacklisted are less. Using a dedicated IP address is another way to get around VPN blocks.
VPN Protocols and Ports
Almost all the VPN services listed above support different VPN protocols like OpenVPN, L2TP, etc. You will need a VPN that supports different VPN protocols and the one that also lets users choose the Ports of their choice.
Best VPNs to Get Around VPN Bans
Using a premium VPN service is the best way to bypass VPN blocks. That is because low-quality VPN services and free VPNs can easily be blocked due to the lack of advanced features. The following are the best VPNs that can bypass even the toughest VPN blocks.
- NordVPN – Best overall VPN with obfuscated servers
- Surfshark – Pocket-friendly VPN with Camouflage Mode
- ExpressVPN – Fastest VPN with RAM-based servers that are rotated regularly
- Atlas VPN – Secure VPN that offers IP address rotation
- PureVPN – Privacy-conscious VPN with best-in-class security features
Conclusion
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