In this article you will find a list of 14 ways to access blocked sites at school as well as at work. If you are using computers in a corporate workplace, library or school environment, it is very likely that certain websites have been blocked, making it impossible to access resources that you may need or want.
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There are several reasons why access to a website or access to certain content on a website is blocked. It could be the government authorities that block access, as well as your school that prevents you from accessing social networks on its Wifi, or it is your telephone operator, which prohibits you from accessing certain web content via its internet connection.
How to access blocked sites on PC, Android and iOS? 14 ways
1. Use VPN to access blocked sites
As the name suggests, Virtual Proxy Network (VPN) software acts as a hidden layer that doesn’t reveal your real IP address. In our experience and expert reviews, using a reliable VPN service is the best way to unblock websites easily. All popular VPNs have their own apps for PC, Mac, Android, iOS, etc., which makes it easy to unblock sites at work or school.
If you’re interested in diving deep, you can check out our detailed article on what VPN is and how it works.
2. Become anonymous to access sites that are blocked
Very often, in a professional environment, employers draw certain boundaries, limiting access to some particular websites such as video streaming, social networks or even personal emails. Sometimes, you need a way to access blocked websites and in those situations, proxy websites act as a lifeline.
However, be aware that a proxy is not as secure as a VPN. So, if confidentiality is what you need, Method No. 1 is the one to choose. There are hundreds of proxy websites on the web that allow you to see blocked sites “without restrictions”. A proxy website camouflages the site blocked by ISPs and allows you to access blocked websites.
For example: in case Facebook has been blocked in your school, open the proxy site, enter the URL and browse quietly.
3. Use IP instead of URL
Most of you may not know that each website’s URL has an IP address and that the authorities that blocked the site may have just blocked the URL instead of the IP. In this case, you can use a site’s IP address to open prohibited web pages in your Chrome browser.
- On Windows, type tracert websitename.com in the command prompt to get the IP address.
- On Mac, open Network Utility, click on the Traceroute option at the top and enter the website address to find its IP address.
- For iPhone and Android, find apps with the name Traceroute on the App Store and Play Store.
- On Linux, dig websitename.com in the terminal to get the IP address.
Now enter this IP address in your web browser’s address bar and hit Enter to open blocked sites. Similar tools and commands can also be used on other platforms such as Mac, Linux, Android, etc.
4. Change network proxy in browsers
Your institution may have more than one proxy for its network. So, it could be that some websites are limited on one proxy, but accessible on another. Then, you can try proxy browsing to access blocked websites in your institution or workplace.
Disabling the network proxy settings in our web browsers is not a difficult task. You just need to find the connections / network option in your web browser settings.
Here you can select the proxy-free option or use another one that provides unrestricted browsing at your institution.
5. Use Google Translate
Institutions or even countries sometimes don’t ban Google Translate. Probably because it is an educational tool and no one considers it as something powerful enough to unblock sites at school or in the office. So, with this tool, you can bypass the limitation by converting the blocked website to another language. Try Google Translate and see for yourself. It’s yet another easy way to access censored sites.
6. Bypass censorship via extensions
If the blocked websites are dynamic in nature like Facebook or YouTube then you should try these extensions. Hola and ProxMate are some extensions you can use to access blocked websites on Chrome and other browsers. UltraSurf is such an effective extension that it allows you to browse freely using its encrypted proxy network. It is powerful enough to access blocked sites.
7. URL reformulation method
There are instances when a particular website is hosted by a VPN and does not have a verified SSL installed. For such websites, simply go to your web browser address bar and try typing https://www.url.com, rather than going to www.url.com or https://www.url.com. This change may display a security warning. Press on the Proceed Anyway and Visit Website option. This is not a foolproof method, but it may sometimes be helpful.
8. Replace your DNS server
We have already discussed this method in a separate topic called DNS Hack. You can just use this method and bypass the lock. This method generally involves using Google DNS or OpenDNS for Internet access.
Recently, Cloudflare launched its 1.1.1.1 DNS service which has established itself as the fastest and most privacy-focused DNS service. Cloudflare has made the 1.1.1.1 DNS service available via Android and iOS apps. I often use this one-click method to get around blocking websites in my country.
Changing the DNS also ensures better privacy while browsing. Because with the default settings every WiFi network you’ve connected to and ISPs have lists of sites you’ve visited.
9. Go to the Internet Archive – Wayback Machine
Wayback Machine is an interesting service that stores a copy of most websites on the Internet. Save multiple versions of a website and you can use it to access previous versions of a website. Users can also use it to unblock blocked sites.
Moreover, this amazing website also contains many free movies, documentaries, nostalgic games, e-books, etc. So even if some services or websites become defunct, Wayback Machine has your back.
10. Use the website’s RSS feed
RSS readers are useful for getting new content and reading it easily. You can take the RSS feed of the blocked website and add it to your reader. In case that website doesn’t have a feed, there are some useful online services to create the feed. In recent times, with the rise of fake news on social media platforms and algorithmic updates, RSS readers are making a comeback. You can use one like Feedly and read all the news from your trusted sources.
11. Use TOR
If you are a privacy advocate, you may already be familiar with the hugely popular Tor browser. This could act as a web lock bypass tool if you set it up correctly. In many cases, it is possible to unblock websites at school or in the office and remain anonymous. There is a double benefit in that you could also get rid of any type of surveillance. After VPN and proxy, using Tor is the most powerful way to unblock sites. It is also used as a gateway to obscure websites or onion sites, which are blocked on the normal web.
In addition to the web blocker bypass, if you are exploring ways to improve the security of your computer, you can also opt for the deadly combination of TOR and VPN. Many VPNs like NordVPN and ExpressVPN offer technology like Onion Over VPN, which offers an extra layer of protection.
12. Change internet network
Most ISPs provide a dynamic IP to users which keeps changing from time to time. So, it is possible that a website owner has been blocking your particular IP for some time. If so, you can access that blocked site by restarting the Wi-Fi router to force it to assign you another IP address.
Another easy way to get around the restrictions is to use your own personal smartphone network if the network administrator has blocked some particular services. While this method is not 100% safe, it is a valid and legal alternative to breaking the rules in the office.
13. Use the HTML to PDF converter
SodaPDF offers a free online service that can help you directly download a web page to your computer without even accessing it. Just visit this link and enter the desired URL. That’s all. There are other HTML to PDF web blocker bypass services that you can try. There are some services that ask for your URL and simply send the webpage unblocked.
14. Use Firefox from a USB drive
If your school or office is known to take steps to restrict access to the site, I will not be surprised that you are not allowed to install extensions on your web browser to open websites for personal use. If so, you can install a web browser such as portable Firefox on a USB drive. Pair it with a good unlock proxy service and that’s it.
