In an age where the flow of information is vital, internet censorship has emerged as a formidable obstacle, limiting access to knowledge and curbing freedom of expression. Governments and even internet service providers exert control over what we can see, hear, and share online.
If you find yourself facing similar restrictions and are seeking potential solutions, we have got you covered. In this blog, we will explore why and how internet censorship takes place and discuss one of the easiest methods to access censored websites, services, and content – i.e. using a VPN.
A quick overview: How to bypass censorship with a VPN
The internet has always meant to be a free place, but it is increasingly subjected to various forms of censorship, hindering its true openness and accessibility. However, not all hope is lost as you can get around online censorship using a high-quality VPN like PureVPN.
Just follow these simple steps:
Subscribe to PureVPN.
Download our app on your mobile, tablet, laptop, or desktop.
Connect to a VPN server in any country without online censorship, such as Iceland and Estonia.
You can now access the internet without any roadblocks as your traffic is rerouted through a country with greater online freedom!
It is important to note that using circumvention tools like VPNs to bypass online censorship may carry certain risks. Therefore, users are advised to consider the legal implications and potential penalties before engaging in internet censorship circumvention.
What is online censorship?
Online censorship refers to the control, restriction, or suppression of information, content, or communication on the internet. It typically involves limiting or regulating access to certain websites, online platforms, or specific types of content. Censorship on the internet is driven by various motivations, which vary across different jurisdictions.
For example, in some countries, governments censor social media platforms or news websites to prevent the spread of dissenting views and maintain political stability. In other cases, online censorship may be employed to block access to websites or content that is deemed morally or culturally objectionable.
Reasons for internet censorship
The reasons for online censorship can differ depending on the country and specific circumstances. However, here is why the internet is censored in most cases:
Maintaining government control: Governments may censor the internet to maintain political control, suppress dissent, or prevent the dissemination of information that challenges their authority.
Protecting national security: Censorship can be justified in the name of national security to prevent the spread of sensitive information, potential threats, or terrorist activities.
Preserving moral and social values: Censorship is often implemented to enforce societal norms, restrict access to explicit or adult content, or preserve cultural and religious values.
Intellectual property protection: Internet censorship may aim to combat copyright infringement and protect intellectual property rights by blocking access to pirated or unauthorized content.
Preventing public unrest: Censorship measures might be employed to prevent the spread of inflammatory content, incitement to violence, or the organization of unlawful activities.
Gaining geopolitical advantage: Internet censorship can be driven by geopolitical factors, such as restricting access to foreign websites or social media platforms to maintain control over information flows and shape public opinion.
What methods are used to censor the internet?
Internet censorship is typically enforced using a variety of techniques, which we have described below for your better understanding:
URL filtering: Governments or ISPs can block access to specific websites or domains by adding them to a blacklist or using filtering techniques to prevent users from reaching them.
Content filtering: Filters are implemented to block or restrict access to certain types of content, such as political dissent, adult material, or social media platforms. These filters can be based on keyword matching, URL blacklists, or content categories.
DNS filtering: DNS filtering involves manipulating the DNS resolution process to redirect or block access to specific websites or domains. It can be used to prevent users from reaching banned or restricted content.
IP address blocking: Governments can block specific IP addresses or ranges associated with websites or services they want to restrict access to. By blocking these IPs, users within a certain region are unable to access the blocked content.
Deep packet inspection: DPI technology allows authorities to inspect the content of data packets in real-time. It enables them to identify and block specific types of content or protocols by analyzing the packet headers and payload.
How does a VPN help you bypass online censorship?
When you connect to a VPN, it essentially does two things:
It masks your IP address by replacing it with the IP address of the VPN server you connect to. This makes it challenging for censors to track your actual location and impose restrictions based on geographical boundaries.
It encrypts your internet traffic and DNS queries, ensuring that it is unreadable to third parties, including government agencies or ISPs. This prevents them from monitoring your online activities and circumvents censorship measures.
In this way, you can bypass most censorship methods like DPI, IP blocking, DNS filtering, content filtering, and URL filtering. However, the effectiveness comes down to certain features offered by your VPN service, which brings us to our next point of discussion.
What makes PureVPN the best VPN for bypassing censorship?
Here are a few reasons why PureVPN is a great choice:
Strong encryption: PureVPN uses the highest level of encryption, AES 256-bit, to secure your internet traffic and ensure your data remains private.
Wide server network: With 6,500+ servers in 70+ countries, users have plenty of options for bypassing censorship and accessing restricted content.
Obfuscation technology: PureVPN offers the obfuscation feature to disguise VPN traffic as regular internet traffic, making it harder for censors to detect and block.
Proven no-logs policy: An independently-audited no-logs policy means we do not store any records of your online activities, ensuring your privacy is protected.
DNS leak protection: Enabling our DNS leak protection prevents your DNS queries from being exposed, maintaining your anonymity while bypassing censorship.
Kill switch: PureVPN’s kill switch automatically disconnects your internet if the VPN connection drops, keeping your online activities from being exposed to censorship.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best VPN protocol to bypass censorship?
OpenVPN is widely recognized for its strong encryption and ability to obfuscate VPN traffic, making it difficult for censors to detect and block. By obfuscating VPN traffic, OpenVPN can disguise it as regular HTTPS traffic, effectively bypassing censorship measures.
How do I bypass censorship on the internet?
You can use circumvention tools such as Tor, proxy, or a VPN to get around online censorship.