The Problem
There are many are the times I have been unable to access a site from a computer because of a firewall. I'm sure you're run into the same problem. Firewalls are used to keep us safe from malicious websites, malware, and other online threats, but they can also be used to limit your web browsing. Firewalls are used at school, work, countries like China, and can even be used in our own home (though this is usually by choice)
This is really frustrating especially when you want to access the sites like Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, and other entertainment/blogging/social/video sites.
The Solution
But there are some surefire ways to bypass blocked websites. To bypass blocked websites, no matter what kind of firewall is restricting your access, there are web based proxies and virtual private network. They are different tools entirely, but they produce similar results.
Web Based Proxies
For general browsing, web based proxies are the way to go. They're versatile, require no installation, and are generally cheaper that virtual private networks. There are different types of proxies to bypass blocked websites, but web based proxies offer the specific advantage of needing no installation. Why is this so important? This means that you can use one license on your phone, your home computer, your work computer, and even public computers. The secure proxy browser is accessible though a link in your email inbox, so you never have to worry about a firewall blocking the proxy website!
This is a great solution for students who want to bypass blocked websites at school, and employees who want to access sites like Facebook and YouTube at work. The zero installation feature also means that you won't have to deal with any software that may block the installation of software (this is common on public computers), and ensures that there won't be any trace left of the proxy when you're done.
Virtual Private Networks
VPNs offer greater security and reliability, and are therefore used by people in countries like China, UAE, Iran, Pakistan, India, Vietnam and other places that censor the Internet. Ultimate privacy though the use of data encryption and tunneling protocols means that even Big Brother can't see what you're up to, you ISP won't be able to track your browsing activity, and advertisers won't be able to track your IP. Personally, I use a VPN to bypass blocked websites here in China, but the principle is the same all around the world. VPNs are also used by businesses who want to keep their sensitive data private and secure.
VPNs must be installed, and may be inconvenient to use on computers you don't own. However, by using a VPN, other programs and software running on your computer will also be able to bypass firewalls. This is important for gaming, downloading torrents/P2P, making calls over VoIP, and running other software that may require added security, anonymity, or a change of IP address.
Recommended services
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You didn't think I'd leave you hanging, did you? As far as web based proxies go, SecuriTales is ahead of the game, and other sites that provide similar sites that provide proxy services to bypass blocked websites simply can't match the professionalism, functionality, and user friendliness of SecuriTales. I've been using their service for some time now, and have no plans to switch. $6 a month is a real steal, and you've got nothing to lose by taking advantage of their free trial and 30 day money back guarantee.
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There are a number of good VPN services out there, but I'll start you off with two cheap, fast, and reliable one. You might want to shop around a bit, but to tell you the truth, you won't find better deals that these two services. In a nutshell, they provide fast, reliable connections, modestly priced monthly/yearly fees, and great customer service.
Hide My Ass has many anonymous surfing tools including anonymous email, a free proxy, and of course a VPN service. Their VPN service is by far the most comprehensive service out there, providing VPNs for you computers, phones, and tablets, thousands of IP addresses is over 30 countries, and a money back guarantee. Because of their immense popularity, you'll find that they are blocked in many countries in The Middle East and China, which is why I've included another VPN service below.
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PureVPN is a lesser known service, but they are blocked in far fewer countries than Hide My Ass. With a variety of VPN packages available, for many different needs, it's worth taking a look at their site and seeing if they have something for you. They have both dedicated and shared IPs available, lite and unlimited bandwidth packages, live support, and a variety of VPN protocols for many of your Internet devices. Check out their official site for more info.
