This article shows you how to access a blocked site or web content using a computer or mobile device connected to a restricted LAN. You can do this using a proxy server or a VPN connection (from English "Virtual Private Network") or using your smartphone as a HotSpot.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Use a Web Proxy
Step 1. Launch the internet browser of your choice
Double click on the relevant icon. It is located on the desktop or on the taskbar.
Step 2. Log in to the website of the proxy server you want to use
There are countless websites that offer this type of functionality, but the most used and known are the following:
- ProxFree -
- HideMe -
- CroxyProxy -
- In case the proxy servers indicated by the LAN you are connected to cannot be accessed, search online using the online proxy free keywords, then consult the list of results until you find a proxy server that you can access.
Step 3. Locate the address bar and select it with the mouse
The structure of the Web Proxy interface is very simple and in most cases consists only of a text field called "URL" or "Website" placed in the center of the page.
Step 4. Enter the URL of the website you wish to access
Type the address of the requested page into the text field indicated (for example "www.facebook.com").
Most Web Proxies do not allow you to perform an online search directly from your site, so in this case you will first have to access a normal search engine (for example Google) using the web interface of the proxy server and only at this point enter the keywords you want to search for
Step 5. Press the Enter button
At this point you will instruct the proxy server to load the content published by the requested website.
Since the proxy server will have to log in to the requested web page and then reroute its contents to your computer, the page loading process may take a few seconds slower than normal
Step 6. Browse the web freely
Using the browser tab relating to the Web Proxy you have selected you will be able to access all the web pages that were previously blocked. However, remember to always and only use this browser tab if for any reason you open a new window or a new tab you will no longer be able to access blocked content.
Method 2 of 4: Using UltraSurf
Step 1. Understand how to use UltraSurf
It is a program that does not require any installation to run, so it is perfect in case you have very strict restrictions and limitations on your computer. Once launched, UltraSurf will automatically connect to the nearest proxy server using your computer's browser, after which it will open a new window of the latter in incognito (or anonymous) browsing mode. At this point you can use the browser window to access all blocked websites.
Unfortunately the UltraSurf program is only available for Windows platforms
Step 2. Log in to the UltraSurf official website
Use your computer browser and the following URL
If you are unable to download the program's executable file from your computer, do so using your home computer and then copy it to a USB stick. You will be able to run the program directly from the USB memory drive
Step 3. Press the Download Now button
It is blue in color and is located in the upper left corner of the page that appears. This will bring up the system window to download the file to your computer.
The UltraSurf file will be downloaded in ZIP compressed format
Step 4. Extract the UltraSurf executable file
Follow these instructions:
- Double-click the compressed folder in ZIP format;
- Access the card Extract;
- Push the button Extract everything;
- At this point, press the button Extract.
Step 5. Start UltraSurf
Select the icon named u1704 with a double click of the mouse. The program will run immediately.
If you have downloaded the UltraSurf file to a USB memory drive, you will need to connect it to your computer first in order to start the program
Step 6. Wait for the system default internet browser window to appear on the screen
After starting, UltraSurf will take a few seconds to identify the most suitable proxy server accessible from the LAN in use and to configure the internet browser to use it.
Step 7. Browse the web freely
As soon as the system default internet browser window appears you will be able to surf the web without any restrictions.
Method 3 of 4: Use a VPN Connection
Step 1. Choose a VPN service
As in the case of proxy servers, there are countless VPN services available and usable. Some of the more well-known and used ones include NordVPN and ExpressVPN, but feel free to use the one that best suits your needs (or your budget if you've chosen to use a paid VPN service).
- If the firewall or access control software you are trying to bypass is installed on a public network (such as a library) or on a work or school computer infrastructure, it is very likely that you will not be able to use. the chosen VPN service, unless you can change some configuration settings of the computer you are connected to.
- Unlike proxy servers, VPN services are capable of making web browsing completely anonymous and secure as long as they are active.
- Most VPN services offer a free trial period, after which you need to take out a low-cost monthly subscription (even cheaper annual plans are often available).
Step 2. Sign up for the VPN service of your choice
Most VPN network operators require you to create an account in order to access their infrastructure and have the information necessary to take advantage of the services offered (such as the address of the server to connect to, username and password).
If the VPN service you have selected uses a network protocol other than the default, you will also be provided with all the necessary configuration settings
Step 3. Access the VPN connection setup page on your computer or mobile device
The steps to follow vary depending on the operating system and type of device being used:
-
Windows systems - access the menu Start clicking the icon
Windowsstart select the option Settings characterized by the icon
Windowssettings choose the item Network and Internet, access the tab VPN and press the button Add VPN connection visible at the top of the appeared page;
-
Mac - access the menu Apple clicking the icon
Macapple1 choose the item System Preferences …, select the option Network, push the button ＋ located in the lower left corner of the window that appeared, access the "Interface" drop-down menu, then choose the option VPN;
-
iPhone - launch the app Settings clicking the icon
Iphonesettingsappicon locate and select the item General, scroll through the list to be able to select the option VPN, then tap the item Add VPN configuration …;
- Android devices - launch the app Settings, touch the item Other visible in the "Wireless and network" section, select the option VPN, then press the button ＋ or Add VPN.
Step 4. Enter the VPN connection setup information
This step varies based on the type of VPN service you choose, the type of security protocol to use, and other information.
If you have any doubts or questions about how to configure the VPN connection, consult the online documentation provided directly by the service provider. It is usually available in the "Support" section of the website
Step 5. Save the VPN connection configuration settings
Once you have completed entering all the information related to your chosen VPN service, follow these instructions:
- Windows systems - press the button Save positioned at the bottom of the page;
- Mac - press the button Create, complete the configuration of the VPN interface using the information provided to you by the service provider, then press the button Apply;
- iPhone - press the button end located in the upper right corner of the screen;
- Android devices - press the button Save.
Step 6. Connect to the VPN service
Also in this case the steps to follow vary according to the device in use:
- Windows systems - select the VPN connection you just created and visible in the "VPN" tab, press the relative button Connect and enter any information requested;
- Mac - select the VPN connection you just created, press the button Connect and enter any information requested;
- iPhone - tap the white slider to the right of the newly created VPN connection name, then enter any required information;
- Android devices - select the name of the VPN connection you just created and visible in the "VPN" screen, press the button Connect and enter any information requested.
Step 7. Browse the web freely
As long as you are connected to the selected VPN network you will be able to access any website or web content anonymously and totally safe without any limitations.
Method 4 of 4: Use a Smartphone as a Hotspot
Step 1. Verify that your carrier allows data connection tethering
The technical term "tethering" refers to the ability to share the data connection of a smartphone or tablet via Wi-Fi connectivity and to allow another device, such as a computer, to access the internet. It should be noted that not all cellular network operators offer this functionality. However, in many cases it is enough to contact support to be able to enable it (while in others it is necessary to purchase the relative option of the tariff plan).
The easiest way to find out if your smartphone allows tethering is to contact your carrier's customer service for information
Step 2. Disable the device's Wi-Fi connection
Follow these simple instructions:
-
iPhone - launch the app Settings clicking the icon
Iphonesettingsappicon choose the item Wifi, then turn on the green slider
Iphoneswitchonicon1 placed next to "Wi-Fi".
-
Android - swipe down on the screen starting from the top, press and hold the connection icon Wifi
Android7wifi then turn off the "Wi-Fi" item slider.
Step 3. Connect the smartphone to the computer using the supplied cable (it is the same one you use to recharge the battery)
The USB 3.0 connector (rectangular in shape) at one end of the connecting cable plugs into a free USB port on your computer. This is the end of the cable that normally connects to the device's charger.
If you're using a Mac with a USB-C port (also called Thunderbolt 3), you'll need to purchase a USB 3.0 to USB-C adapter in order to connect
Step 4. Insert the connector on the other end of the cable into the relevant communication port on your smartphone
The latter is normally positioned in the lower part of the device both in the case of an iPhone and an Android smartphone.
Step 5. Activate the tethering feature of your mobile device
The steps to follow vary depending on the platform in use:
-
iPhone - launch the app Settings by clicking the following icon
Iphonesettingsappicon touch the item Personal hotspot, then turn on the white slider
Iphoneswitchofficon "Personal hotspot".
-
Android devices - swipe down on the screen starting from the top, tap the item Settings characterized by the icon
Android7settings touch the item Other visible in the "Wireless and network" section, select the option Wi-Fi router and tethering, then activate the slider or select the "USB tethering" checkbox.
Step 6. Select your smartphone as the internet connection
In most cases, your computer's operating system will automatically set your mobile device connection as the default connection to the web rather than using the Ethernet or Wi-Fi connection. If not, select the network connection icon characterized by this symbol
(on Windows systems) or from this
(on Mac) and choose the name of your smartphone from the list that appears.
Unlike tethering via Wi-Fi connection, in this case you will not need to enter the password (visible on the service configuration page) to connect
Step 7. Browse the web freely
Since you are using a cellular data connection and not the local LAN on which the restrictions are active, you will be able to access as many websites as you want without any restrictions.
However, remember that tethering can consume a large amount of data traffic in your tariff plan, which means that you may be charged additional costs if downloading large files or viewing streaming content exceeds the traffic threshold foreseen in the your subscription
Advice
- If you have the possibility to install a program on the computer from which you want to access a blocked website, you can install the TeamViewer software and use it to remotely connect to your home computer from which you can then access any website you want without any limitations (in this case you will have to install TeamViewer on the latter machine as well). Although the browsing speed will be much slower than normal, this method allows you to access any web page using the Wi-Fi connection in your home and the browser installed on your computer.
- In some cases, downloading files from the internet is blocked at the system level. This means that with your computer you will not be able to download some types of files from the web. In this case, using a proxy server will not allow you to solve the problem.
- In some cases, using the "https" network protocol instead of "http" within URLs (for example "https://www.web_site_address.com") is sufficient to access a blocked website. It should be noted that not all web services support a secure connection (guaranteed by the "https" protocol) and some access control programs are able to block these connections as well.
Warnings
- In some countries of the world (for example the United Kingdom or Singapore), circumventing the active access restrictions on a network is considered a crime that can also result in a prison sentence.
- Many companies and educational facilities keep track of all the data that transits on their local networks. This means that the IT department of the infrastructure you are in is able to trace all the activities you did while connected to the LAN, so pay close attention to the websites you visit.
- In some cases the computer networks of school facilities are constantly monitored, which means that their administrators know at all times what you are viewing on your computer. In these situations it is useless to bypass the restrictions because the control technicians will immediately close your work session as soon as they realize that you have accessed prohibited content.
