How to Unblock Websites [9 Working Methods]

Updated on November 5, 2024 by Editorial Team

Not sure how to unblock websites on your network? This blog is for you!

When you are on a particular network, such as a school or workplace, encountering a blocked website is all too common. There could be various reasons for such entities to block websites – security concerns, inappropriate content, or simply to ensure productivity in a certain setting.

Other times, you might encounter a blocked website because of the site’s own policies. Whatever the reason, running into a blocked website can be frustrating, leading to a poor browsing experience on the internet.

Thankfully, there are several practical ways to bypass this censorship and unblock websites. In this article, we’ll dive into 9 working methods on how to get around blocked websites.

Table Of Content

Why Websites Get Blocked?

Website blocking typically happens when someone is trying to prevent access to certain websites. It can affect your browsing experience and stop you from using the internet for work, research, or entertainment.

Most websites can get blocked in these three ways-

  • Blocked by the network you’re using, such as the Wi-Fi at an institution or workplace
  • Blocked by the website
  • Blocked by the internet service provider or even the government

Websites are usually blocked for various reasons, including security issues, restricted content, or for enforcing regulations on certain content.

However, based on the type of block and the websites you’re trying to access, there’s usually a workaround for accessing blocked websites.

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Is It Legal to Unblock Websites?

It depends on the type of website you want to access and the country you are in whether it is legal to unblock a website.

For instance, if the government of your country has blocked a certain website, it can be illegal to unblock it. Further, unblocking websites that are blocked because of their own policies or those that contain censored information can be illegal.

On the other hand, using a VPN is legal in most countries except a few, so using it to unblock a website browser is completely legal.

How to Unblock Websites [Working Methods]

Let’s explore different solutions you can try when you’re not sure how to access a blocked website-

1. Using Virtual Private Network (VPN)

The most common answer to your question “how to bypass internet blocks” is a VPN. A VPN (Virtual Private Network) encrypts and reroutes your internet traffic and extends your private network onto a virtual public network.

In simpler words, instead of visiting the website directly, you are doing so via VPN, which acts as a middleman. This means that with a VPN, both your IP address and traffic are hidden and secure from the website you are visiting.

They make your online activity anonymous, preventing your internet service provider from tracking you when you visit a blocked website.

Here’s how you can set up a VPN:

  • Sign up for a VPN client on your desktop or browser
  • Install the app and log in
  • Connect to a server
  • Turn on your connection, and you’ll be able to access blocked websites

2. Using Proxy Servers

Like a VPN, a proxy server also acts as an intermediary, reroutes traffic through its own server, and hides your IP address from the website. You simply request access to a website through the proxy server, and it fetches and displays the content to you.

When you use a proxy server to access a blocked website, the access request appears to be coming from the server, which allows you to bypass any restrictions imposed by the network or ISP.

The best part is that proxy servers are free and require no installation, making them an excellent tool for accessing blocked websites.

However, a key difference is that proxy servers do not encrypt data like VPNs do. As a result, your traffic is visible to third parties and can make you vulnerable to security threats.

3. Using the Tor Network

Tor network, short for “The Onion Router”, is a free, open-source network that allows you to access the internet anonymously.

It routes your data through a network of volunteer servers to hide your IP from the website, protect your privacy, and even bypass restricted websites.

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While VPNs and proxies rely on dedicated servers, the Tor network uses a large network of volunteer servers. Using it is easy and completely free: you only need to download the Tor browser, select a connection, and you’re good to go.

4. Changing DNS Servers

IP addresses are generated from domain names using DNS servers. Oftentimes, websites might be blocked by manipulating the DNS or banning your IP address.

If that’s the case, switching to a different DNS server can help you unblock websites.

You can do this by entering the IP address of the alternate DNS in your system’s network settings, such as the Google Public DNS (8.8.8.8, 8.8.4.4) or Cloudflare (1.1.1.1).

Or, go to Chrome settings > Privacy and Security > Advanced. Click on Use Secure DNS and change your DNS provider from the dropdown.

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5. Using Smart DNS

When you want to access a website that has implemented geo-blocking, Smart DNS reroutes your internet traffic via a proxy to allow access to the content.

Plus, it does not encrypt the traffic like a VPN, so your internet traffic is faster.

This also makes it ideal for accessing various bandwidth-intensive activities. To use Smart DNS to unblock restricted websites, you need to subscribe to a Smart DNS service, configure your device’s DNS settings, and you’ll be able to access blocked websites.

6. Using Chrome Extensions

Several Chrome extensions allow you to access blocked websites the same way a VPN does.

These extensions also work by rerouting your internet traffic through their servers and hiding your IP address from the website you’re on.

Simply install the browser extension such as Hola or ProxMate in your Chrome, activate it, and access the blocked website.

7. Switching between HTTP and HTTPS

If you’re wondering how to get past blocked websites, one of the simplest ways is to switch to its HTTPS version.

So, try switching the URL to https to access a blocked site.

Since HTTPS is the standard for most websites to ensure security, usually HTTP versions get blocked and you might be able to access the https version.

However, for the same reason that HTTPS is now a standard, the solution might not work for all websites.

8. Using Google Cache

Google Cache typically saves copies of every website they crawl, which means you might still be able to access a website’s content even if the site is blocked.

Since you don’t need a website URL to access a cached website through Google’s cached version, you can view blocked sites, albeit older versions. To view a cached website through Google, follow these steps-

  • Open your web browser and search for the website that you want to access on Google search.
  • In the search results, click on the three dots next to the website
  • In the pop-up page, you’ll see “cached” if the cached version of the site is available
  • Click on it to access the version

Alternatively, you can also type “cached:” before the website URL in the search bar to view the unblocked version of the site.

Suggested Read: 6 Best Cache Plugins to Pass Web Vitals Test

9. Using Web Archive

Another easy method to access blocked websites is to use web archive services such as Wayback Machine. Much like cache, these services maintain copies of web pages from various times.

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So, you’ll be able to access older, archived versions of websites even if they are blocked due to restrictions and downtime.

Here’s how you can use web archive services-

  • Go to any web archive service website, such as archive.org for Wayback Machine.
  • Enter the URL of the blocked website in the search bar
  • The service will display a calendar highlighting the dates for which the archive versions are available.
Enter the url of blocked site how to unblock websites [9 working methods] from the plus addons for elementor

  • Click on a specific date to view the archived website version from that date.

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  • The archived version of the site will be displayed, even if the original site is blocked.

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    Wrapping Up

    Encountering blocked websites can be extremely frustrating, but through a few simple methods, you can access restricted content easily. This is possible through the use of VPNs, and proxy servers, changing DNS servers and Smart DNS, using Chrome extensions, and much more.

    VPNs and proxy servers can be excellent free and widely used methods, making it easy to access blocked content.

    However, if you’re looking for simpler ways, you can use Google cache, chrome extensions, or web archive to access websites.

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    FAQs on Unblocking Websites

    What are the risks of unblocking websites?

    Unblocking a website using methods such as proxy servers makes your site vulnerable to security risks as it does not encrypt the website traffic, making it visible to third parties.

    Why is Chrome blocking websites?

    Chrome blocks websites to protect users from harmful or suspicious content, including malware, phishing attempts, or sites with poor SSL configurations. However, these blocks can also result from DNS issues, connectivity issues, or browser extensions or settings interfering with the website.

    How do I unblock websites on my smartphone?

    You can unblock sites on your smartphone by changing DNS settings, using a proxy server, or installing a VPN app. Ensure your internet connection is stable for these solutions to work.

    How can I unblock a website without a VPN?

    To unblock a website without a VPN, try using a proxy server, Tor browser, or adjusting your DNS settings. These alternatives provide access to blocked websites by bypassing regional or network restrictions.

    What is the best way to unblock a website?

    The best methods include using a VPN or proxy server or changing DNS settings. VPNs are generally the most secure and versatile option for accessing blocked websites safely.

    Is there a free VPN?

    Yes, there are various free VPNs available, but they often have limitations on speed, data, and server locations.

    Which browser is best for blocked sites?

    The Tor browser is the most effective for accessing blocked sites, thanks to its focus on maintaining user privacy. Alternatively, Opera has a built-in VPN for simple access.

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