Router is Blocking Websites: What To Do?
Do you want to browse the Internet undisturbed, but your favourite websites are regularly blocked by routers or firewalls? Are your apps like Steam or WhatsApp having problems connecting to the Internet at the same time?
No worries, because in this article we’ll show you how to quickly and easily unblock websites your router or firewall are blocking, and in most scenarios, even completely free of charge.
Table of Contents
Why do routers block websites in the first place?
In most cases, it’s actually not the router itself that is responsible for blocking websites, but an appropriately configured firewall. This is usually intentionally done to prevent you from visiting certain websites, such as social media or YouTube.
The easiest solution to unblocking a restricted website is if you are responsible for configuring the firewall yourself or have access to its settings.
However, if you are on a public Wi-Fi network, for example at a hotel, the office, university or any other public space, this will obviously not be the case.
How can websites restricted by a firewall be accessed anyway?
By far the best solution for this is to use a VPN client, like the one we offer at Shellfire.
Our software is currently available for the operating systems listed below, very easy to use and even completely free if you use the basic version:
To set up the VPN connection, download the Shellfire VPN, install the program and then simply follow the on-screen instructions until you get to the point where you can establish a secure VPN connection with a simple click.
If you’ve made it this far, you already should have done so, and the previously restricted websites should now be accessible once again without a problem.
Is it legal to unblock websites that have been restricted in this way?
Note: The following does not constitute legal advice and we make no claim to its accuracy or completeness.
Using a VPN is perfectly legal and, on top of that, it allows you to browse and download anonymously, and protect your personal data, which is very important especially in public Wi-Fi networks.
At the same time, however, you are still responsible for your actions despite the anonymity. By circumventing the block, you may be violating the terms of use of the Wi-Fi connection through which you connect to the Internet.
This is especially true when you are at work, where you should be aware of what extent the use of certain websites, for example social media, are tolerated during working hours, so as to avoid trouble with colleagues and superiors.
Conclusion
A VPN, like the one offered by Shellfire, allows you to unblock websites that are restricted by your router or firewall and browse undisturbed—absolutely free of charge, quickly and easily.
Additionally, you get a powerful tool to protect your private data and bypass geo-blocking, for example for streaming, gaming or to unlock YouTube videos that are actually blocked in your region.
Featured image: maabaff/123RF
