Is it legal to use a VPN?

VPN is legal in most countries. But some countries have banned VPN use, while others have a list of approved VPNs. For instance, using a VPN is illegal in countries such as Turkey, China, Iraq, and the UAE.

Is it illegal to bypass VPN blocks?

It is illegal to bypass VPN blocks in countries where VPNs are blocked. But you may be safe if you want to watch only the streaming services such as BBC iPlayer, Netflix, or Hulu with a VPN. But if it is not permitted, avoid bypassing VPN blocks in your workplace because it may be against your organizational policies.

How do I know if my VPN is working?

Your VPN is working if you can access restricted contents that you couldn't access without the VPN. Another way to see whether your VPN is working is by checking your device IP after activating a VPN.

Can my internet service provider (ISP) know if I’m using a VPN?

Your ISP can see your IP address but cannot link it to a VPN server. However, it cannot access your browsing activities even when they know you're using a VPN.

Can Netflix ban my account if I use a VPN?

Although using a VPN is against Netflix’s Terms of Service, the streaming platform cannot ban your account. Nonetheless, the company might change its ToS in the future (though highly unlikely), so be on the lookout.

What can I do if my VPN is blocked?

There are many solutions available depending on the block you face. However, switching to another server or changing the VPN provider is the easiest way.

Is it possible to block a VPN with a firewall?

Yes, a firewall can block a VPN. Fortunately, you can evade this block with obfuscated servers. However, remember that firewalls don't block VPNs by default but are configured to do so. Therefore, you should use a reliable VPN, like ExpressVPN, to connect to an obfuscated server if a firewall tries to block your connection.

How can I evade VPN blocks on my smartphone?

Depending on the type you face, several methods exist to bypass blocks on your mobile phone. Unfortunately, many VPN mobile apps have limited features and customization options. Thankfully, the mobile apps of the recommendations on this list have adjustable features, enabling you to avoid different block types easily.

Can I bypass VPN blocks with a free VPN?

Rarely, because of the limited functionality. So, you should opt for a budget-friendly premium VPN service with robust security features, a vast server network, obfuscation, and port forwarding. This way, you'll be able to bypass any blocks that come your way. Thankfully, some low-cost VPNs like Surfshark offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, allowing you to test them without financial burdens.

How to bypass VPN blocks (a thorough yet easy guide)

Nwachukwu Glory Last updated: March 23, 2023 Read time: 25 minutes

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Governments, streaming services, and ISPs keep getting smarter. This guide teaches you how to bypass VPN blocks and overcome web roadblocks.

Sneak peek at bypassing VPN bans

While VPNs serve as a tool to bypass content blocking, what if VPNs face blocks themselves? It appears like a dead-end for the VPN users. But, in reality, you can still apply some workarounds to evade VPN bans and access your desired websites. All it takes is to pick a VPN that offers stealth features, such as server obfuscation, anti-VPN detection, and robust encryption protocols.

One of the internet beauties is the freedom to access any content you wish. However, web censorship is significantly on the rise these days. That is why many people have turned to VPNs. But there is one problem here: VPN blocks, which many platforms (mostly streaming services) deploy today.

So internet censorship is the act of making specific websites and content inaccessible to users in a particular country or organization. The government, alongside private organizations, censors the internet today. Nevertheless, censorship is a challenge to internet freedom, no matter its reasons.

It significantly reduces access to information on the internet, which may be frustrating. The irony is that sometimes, organizations and authorities go as far as blocking VPNs as these tools help bypass censorship. So what do you do when your VPN is blocked?

We have great news for you.

If you’re worried about internet censorship and VPN blocking, we will unveil how to bypass VPN blocks and enjoy your favorite content on the internet in this article.

Using a Virtual Private Network (VPN) is one of the best ways to beat internet censorship in normal circumstances. All you need to do is install a VPN and connect to a server located in a region where the content is not blocked.

But that is not possible with every VPN out there.

Content censorship deploys a state-of-the-art anti-VPN system that can quickly detect your VPN and block it out. That is precisely how authorities around the world are blocking and banning the use of VPNs in their regions.

Some countries have even labeled the use of VPNs illegal. If you have been using a VPN to access blocked content and you suddenly realize that it’s no longer working, a VPN ban or block may be the reason.

But worry no more.

Keep reading to learn about Virtual Private Network blocking and maneuvering around it. You will get the answers to resolve your issues and gain internet freedom in a while. Let’s cover some essential basics first.

Three best VPNs to avoid VPN blocks – Quick list

In a rush to bypass the VPN ban quickly? Here we list the three VPNs that can undoubtedly help you. You can start using any of them right now. And, if you’re interested to know more about these services, read along.

ExpressVPN — It has servers in more than 94 countries, which gives plenty of options and makes bypassing geo-restrictions a breeze.
Surfshark — Blasts through content censorship technology with servers in more than 63 countries and its double-VPN feature.
NordVPN — Can help get around even the sturdiest geo-blocks as it offers dedicated IPs alongside a large pool of servers (boasts 5,400 plus servers in 59 countries worldwide).

Reasons behind VPN blocks

Starting from the ‘why’ for covering important details, some of the reasons for VPN blocks include the following:

1. Government censorship

Reasons Behind VPN Blocks all over world — (Unsplash)

Many Governments around the world carry out internet censorship for political, economic, and moral reasons.

A good example is the state censorship of Iran and the Great Firewall of China. Also, Russia and the UAE have always been in the headlines for criminalizing the use of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) to bypass internet restrictions.