Secure: a VPN encrypts your connection so nobody can snoop in on it
Versatile: a good VPN offers thousands of servers around the world to choose from
Powerful: a VPN can overcome most blocking methods
Price: good VPNs aren’t free
Recommended by:
4.3 out of 5
5 easy ways to unblock websites
- Bypass geo-restrictions
- Access streaming sites
- Get around censorship
- 30-day money-back guarantee
The best way to unblock websites: with a VPN
STEP 2
Download and install Surfshark on your device. We have options for iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, Linux, Chrome, Firefox, smart TVs, and even consoles.
STEP 3
Connect to the server of your choice.
E.g., if you want to access content available in the UK, connect to a UK location.
VPN: pros and cons
Cool things you can access with a VPN
Other ways to unblock websites
Proxies
A proxy routes your traffic via a server in a different country. This way, you obtain an IP (Internet Protocol) in a different country, which unlocks content available to that country.
How to use it: Use any search engine and type in “proxy server list.” There are tons of proxy servers available online with all the details you need to configure your browser’s proxy settings.
Proxy server advantages:
No need to download: thus, it might work even on a school computer
Proxy server disadvantages:
Unsafe: Most proxies that people use are free. Encryption technology and hardware require a lot of resources and investment to be developed correctly, and free proxy server providers likely don’t invest as much as paid ones.
Data sale potential: even without financing RnD efforts, a proxy has to pay for maintenance. Free services have to earn money somehow, and the most common way is selling users’ information to third parties, e.g., marketing companies.
Changing the DNS
A Domain Name System (DNS) translates human-readable website addresses (www.surfshark.com) into IP addresses your device understands (104.20.174.77). Usually, your device uses the DNS closest to your location, which allows websites to block content based on your DNS, and for DNS providers to stop providing website addresses.
How to use it: Find a new DNS address online and change it by accessing the settings of your device.
Advantages of changing a DNS address:
No installs: A DNS is changed by fiddling with software settings, so you don’t need administrator access to install programs or apps. It also works on platforms that don’t support app installs.
Easy to use: while changing DNS settings isn’t something you do every day, it’s still easy to do with a guide.
Disadvantages of changing a DNS address:
Basic: changing your DNS means that you’ll only bypass the most basic DNS-level blocks. It does nothing for the more sophisticated IP-based measures.
No security: Your data will not be encrypted when you change your DNS address.
Smart DNS
Smart DNS is a service that routes your traffic via a proxy only for unlocking specific websites. For regular browsing, you use your own DNS.
How to use it: follow this tutorial on how to use Surfshark Smart DNS.
Smart DNS advantages:
No installs: Like proxies, smart DNS doesn’t require a download, meaning it might work on a school or work computer that doesn’t give you admin rights.
Better speed: smart DNS uses the proxy only when it matters (usually streaming), so your speed remains unchanged the rest of the time.
Smart DNS disadvantages:
Limited scope: It’s only used for unlocking streaming.
No encryption: Smart DNS doesn’t encrypt your data like a VPN does. You get no privacy and security by only using Smart DNS.
Tor browser
The Tor (named after TOR, the acronym for The Onion Router) browser ensures the anonymity of users’ traffic by routing it through multiple random nodes that only know the IP address of the previous node. The traffic remains anonymous due to this multi-layered (hence the Onion” bit) routing system.
How to use it: Use any search engine and type in “tor browser.” Download it from Tor Project’s official website. Access stuff via the browser.
Tor advantages:
Free: the Tor browser is free to use.
Hides your IP: the website you want to visit will not be getting your IP.
Tor disadvantages:
Suspicious: the ISP can see that you’re using Tor, and some countries can be interested in Tor users.
Slow: The Tor network was designed for privacy, no speed, and it’s run by volunteers.
Random IP: if you want to unlock content available to a specific country, the random nature of Tor nodes means that it’s impossible to do purposefully.
