VPNs look like the best choice for opening blocked websites or hiding your IP address, but using a VPN isn't always easy. Anti-VPN technology can identify traffic coming from websites or devices and block it. Some companies and internet providers use this technology to keep control in their own hands.
There are many legal reasons for this blocking, such as proper internet filtering in a given zone. For example, in 2017 the Chinese government ordered the providers in the country to block all networks (VPNs) that bypass its internet laws. Many schools and institutions apply the same procedure to filter the internet.
How does a working VPN get blocked?
As each of us has seen, people on social networks today keep asking each other for a VPN that works. The programs people mention get downloaded and used by many people. When a large number of people connect through one program, the IP addresses of that service are identified by anti-VPN systems and blocked. That's why programs you could connect to normally become unusable within a few days.
What can you do to avoid getting blocked?
There are several ways to avoid getting blocked when you use these programs, and they can protect you from anti-VPN systems.
- Use premium VPN services — Free services are used by a large number of people, so they get blocked quickly. Premium services, for a small fee, change your IP address often and bring the chance of being blocked down to a minimum.
- Change the country in the app — Many of us actually do this without knowing why it works. Each country choice uses a different IP address when you connect, so there's a good chance of finding a country that isn't blocked.
- Use a dedicated IP address — Some programs offer you a dedicated IP address. With them, the IP address belongs only to you, so nobody else can use it and it's practically impossible to block.
- Use OpenVPN over port 443 — This is a more technical solution. If you have some technical knowledge, it lets you use a VPN very comfortably. Port 443 is the port used when connecting to websites that ask for sensitive data such as credit card or bank details. Because OpenVPN uses SSL encryption, setting your port to 443 lets you get past any firewall.
- A stealth network — Many programs include algorithms that announce they are a VPN when connecting. In other words, when you connect with them, the program itself says “this device is using a VPN”. That's why you should find out as much as you can about the program you use and use the versions that stay hidden.
Besides these, there is the Tor network, SSL tunnelling and many other solutions. I'll cover them in detail in my next article.
If you're looking for a free program, you can read my previous article, “Which VPN is the safest and free?”.
