How to bypass VPN blocks and restrictions

Using one of the best VPNs offers a huge range of benefits, from protecting you on public Wi-Fi to accessing streaming content from across the globe.

However, if you can't get online while using a VPN because of blocks, you're not going to be reaping these benefits. Your internet traffic will be more susceptible to being tracked, and you won't be able to access geoblocked content.

There are a lot of reasons that a VPN may be blocked, from government regulation to network settings. In this guide, we're going to explore the ways that VPNs can be blocked as well as what you can do to get around them, and get back to being safe online.

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Places that can block VPNs

There are a number of different locations that may block VPNs for one reason or another. Colleges and workplaces may block VPN use to ensure that you are not bypassing any content restrictions or evading monitoring.

Certain online platforms may block VPNs, too, with the likes of Netflix and Disney+ using (imperfect) VPN blocks to prevent people from accessing content that's available in other countries.

Another use case for VPN blocks is, unfortunately, their use by authoritarian countries. Some countries may block VPNs as they help citizens evade mass surveillance, which countries like China, Belarus, and Turkmenistan really don't want their people to be able to do.

In countries like these, the technology used to block VPNs tends to be very sophisticated, but it is still not infallible.

Types of blocks and how to get around them

There isn't a one-size-fits-all way of blocking VPNs. Different institutions, ranging from schools up to nation states, may block VPNs through a variety of different methods.

The three most common types of blocks are server blacklisting, port blocking, and deep packet inspection.

However, all of these blocking methods can be circumvented through certain techniques: here's how.

Server blacklisting

Server blacklisting is a relatively basic but widely-used method of blocking VPNs. As the IP range of servers comes to be known, they can be blocked, which you've likely experienced while using a VPN to browse the internet.

This can be done at a website level or a router level, but there are ways around it. Simply switching to a different server may be enough, if its IP address hasn't already been blocked. You may also wish to use a VPN provider that offers dedicated IPs, which aren't shared with other users, as these are less likely to be blocked.

This is why choosing a VPN provider with a wide range of servers available tends to be advantageous, as the more servers a provider has, the less likely it is that they'll all be blocked.

Port blocking

Another method of blocking VPN usage is to block traffic from certain ports. The most common ports that VPNs use to tunnel are ports 443, 500, and 4500.

If your network blocks traffic on certain ports, you'll need to change your VPN's port settings.

This can be done by changing the ports so that you're using port 80 or port 443, which are both common ports for standard internet traffic, making blocking these ports impractical.

Deep packet inspection

Deep packet inspection is a technology that analyzes the data that you send over the network. This can be classified into different types and blocked accordingly, and VPN traffic can be detected and completely blocked. However, this isn't infallible.

Shadowsocks, an encrypted proxy protocol, can help circumvent deep packet inspection, and VPN obfuscation can also help.

Obfuscating your VPN traffic disguises your activity as standard HTTPS traffic or may mix in dummy data to bypass deep packet inspection.

Are there any risks of bypassing VPN blocks and restrictions?

Circumventing VPN blocks is never completely safe, and it pays to use your common sense. For example, bypassing VPN blocks to access games at work doesn't stop someone from seeing what you're doing over your shoulder, and it could lead to you being dismissed for gross misconduct.

Meanwhile, circumventing blocks in academic institutions, like in college, could lead to ramifications like suspension or expulsion.

Bypassing VPN blocks on streaming platforms isn't without its risks, either, as it could lead to an account suspension (although we've never actually heard of this happening).

If you live in an authoritarian country, you need to be even more careful, as if you're caught using a VPN where they're banned, you could face fines or even imprisonment.

Evading VPN blocks is a vital tool in your internet privacy arsenal, but, like most things, it isn't without its risks. Be responsible, be cautious, and use your head.