What’s the Best Website Unblocker and What Can it Do?
You’re always on the lookout for ways to freely explore the internet without limits. But what happens when the sites you want to visit are blocked? Whether you’re at work or school, at home or on vacation, you need a website unblocker to get you where you need to go online. Here are your website unblocker options and what the best one can do.
Comparing Your Website Unblocker Options
There are a few options to get around blocked websites, some more complicated than others. Chances are, you’re not looking for a solution that requires you to make a change every time you visit a blocked site. Rather than walking you through options that are unreliable and require extra work, here are the three common website unblockers that are effective and easy to use:
Proxy servers
Someone can block a website by checking the internet protocol (IP) address of the user. An IP address is like a real-life address—it pinpoints where you are located, but just online. So, someone blocking a website knows you’re in a certain location, identifies your IP address, and blocks it.
As a website unblocker, proxies are fairly effective. It’s probably the next best thing to a VPN, but it isn’t up to that level (which we will come back to).
You can use a proxy by visiting a proxy website, so no installation or download is required. This makes it useful for a quick fix on a public computer, i.e. one you’re not allowed to download anything on such as a computer at work, school, or a public library.
Proxies have drawbacks as a website unblocker. Some proxies track your activity and real IP address and may sell it to third parties. They also don’t work for a number of blocked websites and other uses, such as streaming content on a platform like Netflix. Not only that but depending on where you are (such as work or school), major proxy websites may be blocked. You can’t get around a blocked website if the website unblocker is itself blocked!
Tor browser
Tor is a free online browser and potential website unblocker. But, like a proxy server, it isn’t always effective. There’s less risk of third-party selling because it’s all on the same website, but it’s still not entirely secure. Plus, it could be blocked at work, school, or other organizations. And it won’t always work on streaming sites and other websites. It’s a good option, but isn’t entirely reliable.
Virtual Private Network (VPN)
Overall, a VPN is far and away the most reliable website unblocker. Like a proxy server and Tor, a VPN hides your IP address, allowing you to access blocked sites. But, a VPN adds encryption to your internet traffic as it bounces to its hidden remote server.
A specific feature VPNs have that the others do not is geo-restricted content. If a website is blocked due to your geographic location, i.e. being in a certain country or region, proxy or Tor won’t cut it. But, VPNs have servers all over the world, giving you a new IP address to access the content you want in that region.
VPNs also offer more security and anonymity. You don’t ever have to worry about third parties, and your online activity can’t be traced back to you.
Why is a VPN #1?
These are all reasons why a VPN is #1, but let’s take it a step further. You can count on a VPN for your security, privacy, and for it to simply work when you need it to. Free VPNs are always advised against, because, in order to make money, a free VPN will sell your data like proxy or Tor.
Not only is a VPN the best website unblocker, but it’s the icing on the cake for streaming as well. You can access streaming content on Netflix, Hulu, etc. from all around the world. You can also stream said content, unblock websites, and more on all of your devices. Most VPNs allow up to 10 devices to connect at once.
A VPN is also faster than proxy or Tor. Their servers aren’t meant for a big capacity of users, and just want to get you from point A to point B, no matter how long it takes to get there. Tor uses volunteer servers, with hundreds of users connecting to one at the same time, making it especially slow. A VPN makes sure to offer quality servers for all of their users to get good speeds.
All in all, a VPN is your best website unblocker.
