Get Started
Home / Use cases
Recommended by:
4.3 out of 5

Unblock websites: 5 easy ways to do it

  • Bypass geo-restrictions
  • Access streaming sites
  • Get around censorship
Open the internet
unblock websites

Download Surfshark VPN for free

Windows

Download .EXE

macOS

Download .DMG

Android

Download .APK

iOS

Visit App Store

Solution 1: Access blocked sites with a VPN

While there are several ways to unblock websites, a VPN is the most effective.

Unlock streaming

Some of the best movies and TV shows on Netflix might not be available to you. Depending on a VPN, you’ll be able to access several different Netflix libraries. But the more libraries, the merrier, right? Surfshark unlocks 15 Netflix libraries, including the US, Japan, and the UK.

It doesn’t stop at Netflix, though. Get a load of hundreds of streaming sites, including ESPN, Hulu, Disney Plus, HBO Now, Prime Video, SlingTV, Hotstar, and others.

Uncensor content

A lot of times, governments censor social media or news sites for political reasons.

In fact, some countries have an exceptionally low internet freedom index. A VPN is your best bet against unfair censorship.

Surfshark automatically detects when you’re in a restrictive country, and displays a dedicated list of servers. These servers are obfuscated, meaning no one can see that you’re using a VPN.

Unblock sites

A VPN can be beneficial when you cannot reach a website because of geo-restrictions or network blocks.

As long as your IP address is visible, websites can deny you access based on your location. Not only that, but a network administrator can impose restrictions at a workplace or a school.

Unlimit apps

When it comes to unblocking apps, you should go for a VPN.

Use various VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) apps anywhere in the world. That includes WhatsApp, Viber, Discord, Skype, Mumble, and others.

Unblock websites in 3 steps with Surfshark

It will take you no more than ten minutes.

STEP 1

Choose a plan you prefer and order the VPN. Every user gets a 30-day money-back guarantee.

STEP 2

Download Surfshark to your device. We have apps for iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, Linux, Chrome, Firefox, smart TVs, and even consoles.

STEP 3

Click on any location, and Surfshark will connect you to a VPN server.

E.g., if you want to access the BBC, connect to the UK location.

Alternative ways to bypass website blocks

There are several alternative ways to bypass website blocks that can be useful in specific situations. To find out about the pros and cons of each, keep on reading.

Solution 2: Bypass website blocks with a proxy

Proxy server advantages:

  • No need to download; thus, it might work on a school computer.

Proxy server disadvantages:

  • They’re unsafe. Most proxies that people use are free. And when a product is free, it should raise questions. 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.
  • They might sell users’ data. When you’re not paying for a service, you become a product. Free services have to earn money somehow, and the most common way is selling users’ information to third parties, e.g., marketing companies.

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. Note: As mentioned before, we advise you against using free proxies!

Solution 3: Bypass website blocks by changing a DNS address

Advantages of changing a DNS address:

  • Since you’re probably using a DNS address provided to you by your ISP (Internet service provider), you can gain some agency by changing it.

Disadvantages of changing a DNS address:

  • When you change your DNS address, you’ll only bypass the most basic DNS-level blocks. Generally, these types of blocks are the simplest, but some ISPs still use them, since average users don’t know how to get around it.
  • Your data will not be encrypted when you change your DNS address.

How to use it: Set up a custom DNS address on macOS and Windows.

Solution 4: Bypass website blocks with smart DNS

Smart DNS (Domain Name System) advantages:

  • Like proxies, smart DNS doesn’t require a download, meaning it might work on a school computer.
  • Smart DNS is often used to bypass streaming blocks.

Smart DNS disadvantages:

  • It’s only used for unlocking streaming.
  • Smart DNS doesn’t encrypt your data like a VPN does. You get no privacy and security by only using Smart DNS.

How to use it: Here’s a tutorial on how to activate Surfshark Smart DNS.

Solution 5: Bypass website blocks with Tor

Tor (The Onion Router) advantages:

  • The Tor 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 Router) routing system.
  • It’s free to use.

Tor disadvantages:

  • You’ll look suspicious. Your ISP can see that you’re using Tor. They have no access to your browsing data, but Tor doesn’t have a good reputation; thus, you might look suspicious.
  • It’s slow. Tor tends to be extremely slow because it’s open-source and maintained by volunteers.

How to use it: Use any search engine and type in “tor browser.” Download it from Tor’s official website.

Are you ready to open up the internet?

With a 30-day money-back guarantee

I want to unblock websites