Internet censorship is a global issue affecting millions of users. Whether you’re in a country with moderate restrictions or one of the most heavily censored regions, accessing uncensored information is crucial.
Understanding internet censorship
Internet censorship involves the control or suppression of accessing information on the internet. Different countries employ various techniques to restrict access to certain websites and online services. Common methods include:
- IP blocking: Preventing access to specific IP addresses.
- DNS filtering: Blocking access to websites by preventing their domain names from resolving to IP addresses.
- URL filtering: Blocking access to specific web pages based on their URLs.
- Packet inspection: Analyzing internet traffic to identify and block specific types of data.
Some countries are known for their extensive censorship efforts, making it challenging for users to access unrestricted information.
Effective methods to bypass censorship
1. Use a secure VPN
A Virtual Private Network (VPN) encrypts your internet traffic and routes it through servers in other countries. This hides your IP address and helps you access blocked content.
Tips for choosing the right VPN:
- Choose a VPN with obfuscated servers or stealth protocols (e.g., OpenVPN with obfuscation, Shadowsocks)
- Avoid free VPNs — they’re often slow, insecure, or compromised. Several free VPN services are based in China and most likely honeypots
- Use a provider that has a no-logs policy and supports kill switches
2 . Set up your own server
Advanced users can set up personal VPNs or proxy servers on offshore VPS hosting platforms:
- Use Outline VPN or WireGuard – you can check out our guide on how to build your own private VPN here.
- Host your server on privacy friendly infrastructure. Learn more about anonymous hosting and why it matters here.
3. Use the Tor network
Tor (The Onion Router) allows users to browse the internet anonymously by routing traffic through multiple encrypted nodes. You can learn more about how to use Tor in our detailed guide here.
- Download the Tor Browser;
- Use Tor bridges if access to the network is blocked;
- Avoid logging into personal accounts while using Tor;
4. Use circumvention tools
There are several specialized tools designed to help users in censored regions get online:
- Psiphon – combines VPN, SSH, and HTTP proxy technologies
- Lantern – a fast tool that works well in countries with strong firewalls
- Snowflake – a pluggable transport used by the Tor Project to help users in censored regions
5. Switch to secure DNS
Governments often manipulate DNS to block access to websites. Using encrypted DNS (DNS over HTTPS or DNS over TLS) can help bypass this:
- Use DNS providers that respect privacy, such as the FlokiNET DNS resolver, or consider alternatives like Cloudflare (1.1.1.1) or Google DNS (8.8.8.8) for encrypted and uncensored access.
6. Satellite internet
For users in regions with extreme censorship, satellite internet can be a reliable alternative.
Stay safe while circumventing censorship
Using these tools in repressive environments can be risky. Here’s how to protect yourself:
- Keep tools discreet: Don’t publicly share what tools you use;
- Use burner accounts and devices, especially for activism;
- Enable encryption for everything: from messaging apps (Signal, Session) to browsing.
- Stay informed on local laws and recent crackdowns
Access to information is a right, not a privilege
Internet censorship is a violation of digital rights and human dignity. From Iran to North Korea, governments continue to tighten their grip on information, but technology and human resilience are fighting back.
Whether you’re a journalist, activist, or simply a curious mind living under censorship, you deserve access to a free and open internet.
FlokiNET is proud to support digital freedom through our privacy focused hosting, offshore infrastructure, and commitment to free expression.
