Internet censorship refers to the process of limiting, manipulating or otherwise blocking internet users from accessing certain content. Governments typically use censorship as a strategy to control the flow of information or to suppress certain ideas by limiting their accessibility online.
At first, censorship was most common with oppressive governments but it’s becoming increasingly prevalent in democratic countries as well. In fact, data shows that state-supported censorship exists in over 60 countries around the world.
Government censorship involves:
- Filtering out “undesirable” information, especially if it’s in contrast with the government’s stance on certain issues.
- Blocking particular services or websites like Netflix, Facebook, YouTube, WhatsApp, Telegram, Skype etc.
- Restricting access to digital content like music, movies or TV series.
What Can Be Affected by Internet Censorship?
Country-wide internet censorship particularly affects marginalized communities, human rights activists and journalists that are trying to get certain ideas across. It can also affect regular Internet users that are trying to access certain services or information on the web.
Methods Used to Censor the Internet
The following are some of the most common methods of applying government censorship:
- DNS Manipulation: This allows the government to redirect your connection from your preferred website to another site that they approve of.
- Port Blocking: This refers to limiting your communication to certain ports.
- Search Engine Result Manipulation: This refers to blocking or sifting your search results.
- IP Address Blocking: Getting a time-out warning while trying to access a particular website.
- SYN-ACK Packets Spoofing: A fake reset or RST packet can block your connection.
- RST Packet Flooding: This happens when your connection to your website destination is automatically terminated.
How to Bypass Internet Censorship?
You’ll be glad to know that there’s a way to avoid government censorship. A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is a service that’s designed to give you unlimited access to all corners of the Internet. It also hides your online activity while protecting your data.
How Do VPNs Work?
When you go online, your device sends a request to your internet service provider (ISP) which then provides you with access to that website.
With a VPN, your network traffic goes through an encrypted tunnel so that no-one else can see the data that you share and receive while you’re online.
That means your ISP won’t be able to see your online information and neither will hackers or any third parties. It keeps your Internet activity safe and private while helping you to avoid government censorship.
The best part about VPNs like IPVanish is that they have servers in hundreds of countries around the world so that you can hide your location and access data that wouldn’t be available to someone in your region.
Are VPNs Safe?
VPNs are designed to shield your online identity using cutting-edge encryption technology that hides your Internet activity so that you can avoid government censorship.
Are VPNs Legal?
VPNs are legal in most countries but there are certain regions that prohibit the use of VPNs completely.
If you use a VPN in one of the following countries, you can get thrown in jail:
- United Arab Emirates
- Turkey
- Oman
- Iraq
- China
- Belarus
Have you ever experienced government censorship? Let us know in the comments down below what you did to bypass it!
