We’ve all been there, you’ve connected to a hot spot by Wi-Fi or cable only to find that the site or app you want to access is blocked.
The hot spot can be anywhere, it could be your home, school, university or more likely a public space such as a cafe, airport or shopping centre.
In this guide we’re going to look at the incredibly simple way how to bypass router restrictions and access anything you want.
How to bypass router restrictions
Router restrictions are extremely easy to bypass and all you need is a service called a VPN.
What is a VPN?
A VPN is a small piece of software you can install on your computer and there are even apps for mobile phones and tablets.
A VPN allows you to disguise the type of internet traffic you’re using. In other words, you can disguise what websites you’re visiting, who you’re chatting to and what types of tools and apps you’re using.
When using a VPN everything you do is disguised on your computer, phone or tablet first and then it’s sent out via the router to the wider internet.
As the data is disguised using what is known as encryption it’s impossible for the router to know what you’re doing or accessing.
The hotspot or router you’re connected to won’t know what your doing, the ISP won’t know what your doing and in most cases, even your government can’t see what you’re doing.
Where can you get a VPN?
Getting a VPN is simple. They’re offered by thousands of companies online and will cost between £3 – 6 (US$5 – 10) depending on the length of time you want to sign up for. The longer you sign up, the cheaper the price.
Not all VPN services are as good as each other, some can be slow and others can be unreliable. It’s important that you read VPN reviews on sites like ours and others to find the best.
Our top three VPN recommendations for bypassing router restrictions are:
- IPVanish – Editor’s Recommended Choice
- ExpressVPN – 30 Day money back guarantee
- Overplay
All you need to do is click on one of the VPN providers above to visit their website and sign-up.
Once you’ve signed up follow the instructions below to bypass router restrictions.
How to use a VPN to bypass router restrictions
Once you’ve signed up to one of the VPN services above you need to download either their software for your computer or their app for your tablet or phone.
You can download on both as all three recommended providers above allow you to use the service on more than one device.
Below is an example using IPVanish on both a desktop/laptop computer or a mobile/tablet.
Computer:
Visit the “Apps” area of the IPVanish website.
Click the Download Now button.
Save the downloaded file to your desktop.
Double click the file to install.
Run the IPVanish software.
Log in when required.
Select your own country (1.) in the bottom right-hand corner.
Press Connect (2.).
The IPVanish software will now make connection.
Once it has connected everything you do is encrypted which means the data from your computer is scrambled and unreadable.
The router on the network you’re connected to can’t see what websites or applications you’re using so can’t block you.
If chat, torrents, porn or anything else was blocked it’ll now be accessible.
Mobile Device:
Visit the Google Play Store if you have an Android device or the Apple App Store if you have an Apple device.
Search for : IPVanish
Click to install the app.
Run the app and log in when required.
Select your own country.
Tap Connect.
Once the app has connected you’ll be able to visit any blocked websites or use any apps that were blocked before.
That’s all there is to it, you can now easily access blocked websites, apps and more simply by using a VPN.
Types of router blocks
Routers can be set up in a number of ways to block certain sites.
Social media, chat, gambling, porn and similar types are the most common forms of sites to be blocked.
A little known fact is these types of sites can be blocked either across the entire Wi-Fi network meaning no one connected can access them or they can be blocked just for certain users.
You could be targeted to be blocked.
If you find a specific site doesn’t work for you but does for others on the same network then you need to start questioning if perhaps you’re being targeted especially for that block.
