VPN Blocked? How to Bypass VPN Restrictions Today

A VPN, or Virtual Private Network, is an online security tool that provides a more private internet connection. Through a VPN, users’ connections are encrypted and concealed from websites and online services. Instead of showing websites the user's real IP address, the VPN uses its own IP address to establish the connection. More often than not, VPNs are used for security purposes and to bypass security restrictions on geo-restricted services.

Using a VPN is not illegal; however, some websites and online services block VPN connections. Fortunately, there are ways to work around the VPN block.

Who Blocks VPNs and Why

The following institutions and online services enforce VPN restrictions:

●    Streaming Services - VPNs can conceal a user's location, allowing them to access content that may not be available in their country.

●    Schools and Businesses - Schools are increasing their network monitoring to ensure their students access safe content. Businesses may also block VPNs to prevent employees from using the internet for non-work-related activities.

●    Financial Services - Banks and related financial institutions block VPN connections for security purposes. They need to know their users' locations and quickly block suspicious activity.

How VPNs Are Detected and Blocked

These institutions typically use one or more of the following methods to block VPN connections:

●    Associated IP addresses - security and network administrators often have a list of IP addresses used by VPNs. If an incoming IP address matches the list, the connection is blocked.

●    Port Blocking - Like IP addresses, specific ports associated with VPNs are also restricted.

●    Deep Packet Inspection (DPI) - Aside from checking whether a port or IP address is associated with a VPN, network administrators can also use DPI to inspect network traffic and identify potential security threats.

DPI is a network security technique that involves analyzing the content of data packets as they move through a checkpoint. Unlike basic packet filtering, DPI inspects both metadata and the actual data within each packet, allowing devices to identify, classify, and manage traffic with greater precision.

Bypassing VPN Restrictions

Bypassing restrictions against VPNs is about finding the right settings to establish a connection. The following are methods to use to bypass these restrictions:

●    Changing VPN Servers – One of the most popular methods is to switch to a different VPN server to get a new IP address. This is a hit-or-miss method because the replacement IP address could be on the list of restricted IP addresses.

●    A Dedicated IP Address - VPN providers can give their users a dedicated IP address to look like a normal connection. Instead of using a shared IP address from a VPN server, users can choose a dedicated IP address that is not shared with other users.

●    From VPN to Proxy - If the restriction is because an IP address is associated with VPNs, a Proxy connection could be the solution. It provides another layer of privacy because the user's real IP address is hidden behind the VPN's IP address, and the VPN’s IP address is also secured through a proxy.

●    VPN and Tor Browser - Tor is one of the most secure browsers because of its built-in encryption. Pairing Tor with a VPN increases anonymity. The only downside is that some websites do not accept connections from Tor Browser.

●    Changing Your DNS Settings – Changing your DNS settings can help resolve connection issues, but it does not make a VPN connection appear like a non-VPN connection. It will require additional steps to establish a connection, but it is a recommended workaround. Cloudflare (1.1.1.1), Google (8.8.8.8), and OpenDNS (208.67.222.222) are available DNS servers for anyone to use.

Conclusion

Getting hit with a "VPN Block" is frustrating, but it’s not the end of the road. The same technology used to detect VPNs can be sidestepped with a few smart adjustments.

Remember: streaming sites, schools, and banks block VPNs for different reasons, so there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. Test different servers, try a dedicated IP, and don’t be afraid to combine methods when possible.

VPNs are still one of the best tools for privacy and access. A block may just mean it’s time to adjust your strategy, so don’t give up!