Among 177 countries, all but one have blocked at least one website or service. The reasons behind blocking websites and services vary. It can be due to geo-blocking, regulations, censorship, and more.
Fortunately, tools like proxies can help you unblock websites and services. They work by masking your IP address. Proxies make it look like you’re from another region, allowing you to access blocked websites or services.
Continue reading to learn how to bypass blocked websites and services with proxies.
🔑Key Takeaways
- It is possible to access and unblock sites and services due to IP address limitations through proxies.
- Using free proxies when unblocking websites and services is unsafe because it exposes your data to the public.
- Due to the accessibility and availability of proxies, users prefer to use them for accessing blocked websites and increasing security and anonymity.
How To Unblock Websites And Services With Proxies?
You can unblock a restricted website or service in many ways, but setting up a proxy server is the easiest.
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With proxies, you can access and unblock sites and services you can’t with your local IP address.
Step 1: Double-check the Target Website Or Service
It seems repetitive. However, occasionally, a website works all right with a quick page reload. It is best to check the website by running it in your browser.
For instance, you want to access HBO Max. It is only available in the US, Latin America, Europe, and the Caribbean.
If you try to access this site outside the mentioned areas, you’ll see this:
The message may differ on other websites. Some sites will tell you you can’t access the page because your IP address has been banned. This is where proxies come in handy.
| 👍Helpful Article Determining the proxy browser based on your needs can be tedious. To help you choose the best proxy server services, we have reviewed, tested, and compared 13 proxies available in the market. |
Step 2: Visit A Public Web Proxy
Proxies are a popular option because they’re widely available and usually accessible. Still, some proxies need a little setting up.
You can use a public web proxy if you want to avoid dealing with coding and changing your computer settings. One of them is HideMyAss (HMA). This website will have a text box to type in your target site.
When you access this public proxy, you should see this:
Step 3: Type In The URL
Instead of entering the URL in your browser, type it directly on the HMA page. For example, if you want to access HBO Max outside the US, you can input “https://www.max.com/” in the search bar.
How to View Blocked Websites Using a Proxy Server
Step 4: Pick Your Preferred Server
Below the URL box, you’ll see an option to connect to a particular proxy server.
If you don’t change anything, HMA will randomly choose a server. You can select a city in one of the five accessible nations if you have to pick a specific server.
If you’re trying to unblock region-restricted content, pick the country where the website or service is offered.
Step 5: Check Encrypt URL And Disable Cookies
Free proxies are not the safest tools on the web. Since HMA is a public proxy, you’re prone to exposing your data.
For security, click on the More Options menu. Tick the checkboxes for Encrypt URL and Disable Cookies.
| 🎉Fun Fact Among the top censored nations in the world are North Korea, China, and Iran, and 64% of internet users claimed they are concerned about government censorship. |
Step 6: Click Agree & Connect
Once you’ve set everything, hit the Agree & Connect button. Wait for the page to load to access your preferred site.
Here’s an example where HBO Max successfully loaded, unlike earlier:
Is It Legal To Unblock Websites And Services Using Proxies?
Using proxies to unblock sites and services is legal. However, it becomes illegal when a specific jurisdiction implements laws against it.
Some countries ban the use of proxies for any purpose. It’s also illegal to unblock censored information due to censorship laws. These places include:
- Belarus
- Iraq
- Oman
- North Korea
- Turkmenistan
| 💡Did You Know? In 2017, Russia passed a bill that bans proxies and other anonymity tools like Tor and VPNs. |
Conclusion
With many restricted websites and services, every user experiences browsing limitations. Fortunately, tools like proxies exist to help us get around these problems.
The use of proxies to bypass website blocks is generally legal. Still, knowing the laws and regulations behind blocked sites and services is best.
FAQs
Do proxy servers block websites?
Proxy servers do not block websites by default, but they can. Since all traffic goes through the proxy servers, you can command them to block sites.
How do I enable proxy settings in Chrome?
To enable proxy settings in Chrome, go to Settings – System – Open your computer’s proxy settings.
What is proxy permission?
Proxy permission refers to a specific type of verification. A client program can connect to the file system using its identity with proxy permission. Still, it is allowed to do tasks on behalf of another user.
Timeline Of The Article
By Raj Vardhman
Raj Vardhman is a tech expert and the Chief Tech Strategist at TechJury.net, where he leads the research-driven analysis and testing of various technology products and services. Raj has extensive tech industry experience and contributed to various software, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence publications. With his insights and expertise in emerging technologies, Raj aims to help businesses and individuals make informed decisions regarding utilizing technology. When he's not working, he enjoys reading about the latest tech advancements and spending time with his family.