A virtual private network (VPN) provides the tools you need to unlock geo-blocked streaming sites like Netflix, circumvent censorship, or just surf the web with more peace of mind.
No wonder companies are working harder to counter this privacy software as big names promote its use. They’ve put in place measures to prevent users from using VPN tunnels to access restrictions.
“VPN blocking” can be simple or hard to beat. There are many reasons your VPN can be blocked, including government censorship, concerns about intellectual property, or company policy.
Depending, the good news is that you may use several tricks to make your VPN invisible and avoid being blocked. To help, we’ve made a guide on bypassing VPN blocks with steps you should take if your VPN connection is ever blocked.
Table of Contents:
Why the Hassle? Reasons VPNs Get Blocked 🔚
There are a variety of situations and reasons why a virtual private network could be blocked. Here are the most frequent cases that arise.
1. Administration Regulations
Some websites may be blocked by employers or school administration networks. It's possible to restrict social media for work purposes.
In addition, these companies may inspect your traffic to check for illegal or otherwise inappropriate behaviour. Firewalls and other forms of network filtering may be used to prevent access to VPN services since they are used to circumvent such barriers and conceal online activity.
2. Streaming Restrictions
Users who wish to watch their favourite shows on Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, and other platforms regardless of their location are increasingly turning to streaming VPNs. However, this is against the rules of these services. It's for this reason that streaming providers work so hard to block VPN use.
3. Government Censorship
It's no secret that many governments restrict access to information by enforcing a censorship regime on the internet. Consider China's Great Firewall, which blocks access to websites like Facebook and Twitter.
People here often make use of China VPN services to view blocked content online. Governments have devised complex blocking strategies to prevent citizens from using VPNs.
However, you should be aware that VPN use is illegal in certain jurisdictions. Three such countries include Russia, Turkey, and North Korea.
It is possible to violate copyright agreements while downloading media from the internet. That's why a torrent VPN is so popular among those who need to conceal their online activities. These sites and copyright holders may also attempt to thwart VPN usage in an effort to curb illegal activity.
4. Anti-Fraud Measures
When dealing with money, certain websites may block VPN access. This may occur, for instance, to forestall the laundering of illicit funds. If you're using a virtual private network, you may not be able to complete your financial transactions. There are also cases when the mere attempt to do so can result in account suspension.
Tip ⭐: Try a NordVPN account using its Stealth Servers.
Bypassing VPN Blocks — Get More Online Privacy 🛰️
Here are a few methods to bypass VPN blocks:
1. Switch Servers 🥇
Change your server to a new one.
If your VPN connection suddenly becomes unavailable, you should attempt reconnecting to a different server immediately. The good news is that all the leading providers provide you access to several servers located in various parts of the world. When you subscribe to a service like Surfshark, for example, your IP address is rotated on a regular basis.
Changing to a new VPN or server location may be all that's needed to get around restrictions. Anti-VPN tools are constantly searching the internet for VPN server IP addresses. As a result, a toggle may assist you avoid detection by censors.
If the VPN has servers in different parts of the globe, this should work. You may easily switch to a server in a different region just by disconnecting from the current one. The best VPNs will rotate out old IP addresses and replace them with new ones often.
That makes it harder for geo-blocking tools to identify your location. Therefore, it is crucial to go with cutting-edge VPN technology that has access to a wide variety of servers. That way, you may connect to VPN servers all around the globe, bypassing regional restrictions.
2. Use Stealth VPNs 🥈
Use a server that hides its identity to connect.
VPN obfuscation, or “stealth VPN”, is a method of concealing your VPN use.
The data gets encrypted further or scrambled such that it is unintelligible to the algorithm. ExpressVPN and NordVPN are just two examples of companies that provide hidden servers for just such an occasion.
Like Surfshark's Camouflage Mode and VyprVPN's Chameleon protocol, others have developed their own methods of evasion. This is an essential tool for evading repressive censorship measures, and it's also incredibly simple to use. Once you have your VPN installed, all you need to do is connect to one of the servers on the hidden servers list and you're good to go.
3. Change Your IP Type 🥉
Get a dedicated IP address.
Using a dedicated IP address to connect to your VPN service is one way to circumvent IP restrictions and restore normal service. Since you'll be the only one using it, it's less likely to get blocked.
Dedicated IP addresses may be purchased from a number of VPN services, including NordVPN, Private Internet Access (PIA), and CyberGhost. To make it your own, you just to activate the feature in your profile.
4. Change Your Port 🎖️
Modify the tunnelling method.
Changing the VPN port (switch to a different VPN protocol) may help you get around a firewall since it is the connection point for the VPN's security protocol and encryption.
In most cases, you can simply switch protocols inside your VPN without any trouble. In other cases, such as when switching ports or encrypting, you'll have to do it by yourself. If you need help with this, don't hesitate to get in touch with your VPN service; this is a prime illustration of why it's important to have a responsive support staff at your disposal.
5. Set Up an SSL/SSH Tunnel 🏅
Use direct data.
Making your VPN untraceable over an SSL or SSH tunnel is a more involved option since it involves some manual settings. These are two of the most typical protocols used to direct data transmissions through secure channels on the internet. If you need help in this regard, you could also get in touch with your VPN service.
6. Use Different Software 📛
Switch!
To circumvent censorship, geo-restrictions, and spying, VPNs aren't your only option. Therefore, switching to a different kind of security software may be the best option if your service is ever disabled.
The Tor browser and its 'onion routing' technologies make it simple to avoid censorship and other forms of network monitoring. Shadowsocks, once again, is an open-source proxy programme designed to bypass sophisticated techniques of governments' censorship of websites. Psiphon is another piece of open-source software that is often used to get around VPN restrictions.
7. Switch VPN Services 📵
Are you using the best provider?
If your VPN still doesn't work after you've tried everything below, you may want to look into switching to a different service. You may rest easy knowing that a 30-day money-back guarantee is standard with all reputable VPN providers. At the very least, your funds won't be at risk.
Changing Ports — How to Bypass Blocks By Changing the Tunnel
If your VPN provider doesn't automatically change your port, you may do it here. Here are the ideal ports to use to avoid being caught and bypassing VPN blocks.
Technical Guide to the Best Ports
To send data to a website's secure server without encrypting it, you must use port 443. When you're ready to make a purchase, for instance, most stores will automatically take you to their secure HTTPS version of the site. Your credit card and personal information are safe when you shop on an HTTPS site.
If you have run into a VPN ban or just want to be secure from running into one in the future, setting your VPN port to 433 is a good idea. This is because it is less probable that anti-VPN programmes would block this port. Why? It's a valid question, and we have an answer. This port is essential for facilitating communication and e-commerce.
As an added bonus, DPI (deep packet inspection) has a far more difficult time locating port 443 than any other port. Changing ports is a feature available in the vast majority of VPN programmes. Changing the port numbers in OpenVPN may be done manually if your service provider doesn't support it.
However, before implementing any modifications, we advise consulting with your VPN provider's support team. To deliver secure HTTPS traffic, port 80 is also utilised. Since it is used by every site, anti-VPN technologies seldom prevent access to it.
Here are some others to consider:
SSTP ✔️
Safe Socket Tunnelling Protocol is what we call it in jargon. While very effective, this feature is not supported by all VPN providers. Unlike OpenVPN, which uses port 1194, SSTP uses port 443. You may easily avoid anti-VPN systems by using this port as it encrypts all website traffic.
WireGuard ✔️
The innovative WireGuard security protocol is included in cutting-edge VPN solutions. If you need a VPN and it supports the WireGuard protocol, look for one that does. WireGuard safeguards your online activity and offers flexible connection choices. With the speed of IKEv2, it employs the OpenVPN security protocol. This VPN protocol also provides users with an additional layer of protection and works to prevent VPN spoofing by using a proxy server.
PPTP ✔️
One of the first VPN security protocols, Point-to-Point Tunnelling Protocol (PPTP) has been around for a while. It's fast, but it doesn't have the same level of protection as the WireGuard. It may get you past firewalls, but it also leaves you vulnerable to IP leaks. In addition to the aforementioned measures, some VPNs use their own proprietary methods to ensure both privacy and speed.
Conclusion — Rounding Up
Governments, ISPs, schools, and other institutions are also increasingly censoring users' material. They've even resorted to using aggressive anti-VPN technologies that can detect and stop VPN connections in their tracks.
Some of the best VPN services have been hard at work developing methods to easily circumvent anti-VPN software. Consider using a Virtual Private Network that offers access to servers in locations where your Internet traffic will be encrypted.
FAQs — Bypassing VPN Blocks for More Privacy 📚
Is using a VPN legal?
Most places now allow VPN use with no legal repercussions. However, VPN usage is prohibited in certain nations, while others maintain a registry of licenced VPNs. Countries including Turkey, China, Iraq, and the United Arab Emirates have all made VPN usage illegal.
Is using a VPN to get around geo-restrictions illegal?
In countries where VPNs are prohibited, doing so is against the law. However, if you simply plan on using a VPN to access streaming services like BBC iPlayer, Netflix, or Hulu, you may be fine. However, if your company has a policy prohibiting using VPNs at the office, you should not attempt to circumvent that policy.
How can I tell whether my VPN connection is active?
If you are able to see geo-blocked material using your VPN, then it is operating properly. After activating a VPN, you can also check by verifying your device's IP address.
