How to Unblock Websites in Your Browser: 6 Proven Methods

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Ever tried to open a website at school only to land on a “blocked” page? Or maybe you’re juggling several social media accounts, and they keep getting flagged as suspicious. Website blocking is everywhere and it’s only getting smarter.

The real issue isn’t just restricted access anymore. Today’s platforms use advanced detection systems that go way beyond simple IP bans. They track your browser fingerprint, device details, and even how you behave online.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through 6 proven ways to unblock websites, from basic methods like VPNs and proxies to more advanced tools like antidetect browsers. You’ll learn why some techniques don’t work against updated detection systems, and which ones are best for your situation. Whether you’re trying to bypass school filters, access geo-blocked content, or safely manage multiple accounts, this guide gives you the full picture.

Method 1: Using a VPN to Unblock Websites

VPN creates an encrypted tunnel for your internet connection. When you use a VPN, your data travels through this secure tunnel instead of going directly to websites. The VPN hides your real IP address and shows a different one instead. If you’re in the United States but connect to a VPN server in the United Kingdom, websites will think you’re browsing from the UK. This makes it possible to access content that’s blocked in your region.

Pros

  • Easy to install and use, even for beginners
  • Encrypts your internet traffic and protects your data
  • Hides your real location with a different IP address
  • Relatively cheap, usually between 3 and 10 dollars per month
  • Works quickly without much slowdown to your internet speed

Cons

  • Websites can detect VPN traffic and block it automatically
  • Cannot hide your browser fingerprint, which websites now use for detection
  • Multiple accounts from the same device are still linked together, even with different IPs
  • Some free VPNs may steal or sell your personal data
  • Does not work well against advanced detection systems used by Facebook, Amazon, and other large platforms

Method 2: Proxy Services

A proxy server acts as a middleman between you and the website you’re trying to visit. Instead of connecting directly, your request first goes through the proxy server, which then forwards it to the website. From the website’s perspective, the request appears to come from the proxy—not from you. This helps hide your real IP address, similar to how a VPN works.

However, there’s one major difference: proxies don’t encrypt your data. Your traffic travels through them without the secure encryption layer that VPNs provide, meaning your activity can still be visible to your network or ISP.

There are two common ways to use proxies:

  • Web proxy sites – Visit a proxy website and enter the URL you want to access. The proxy loads the page for you.
  • Browser extensions – Tools like Proxy SwitchyOmega (for Chrome) and FoxyProxy (for Firefox) let you manage multiple proxies directly in your browser and switch between them easily.

You can also configure proxies manually in your browser’s network settings. To do this, you’ll need the proxy server address and port number provided by your proxy service.

Pros

  • Hides your real IP address and helps bypass basic website restrictions
  • Easy to set up and switch between different servers
  • Useful for managing multiple accounts or accessing region-specific content

Cons

  • Does not encrypt your traffic (less secure than a VPN)
  • Some websites can still detect and block known proxy servers
  • Free proxy sites may log your data or inject ads

A Browser Designed for Proxies

Method 3: Changing DNS Settings

Changing your DNS is another simple way to unblock websites. By default, your internet provider controls which DNS server your computer uses, and that server can block certain sites. Switching to a different DNS provider, such as Google or Cloudflare, can help you bypass those restrictions.

Windows

  • Open the Control Panel and go to Network and Internet settings.
  • Click Change adapter settings.
  • Right-click your active network connection and select Properties.
  • Find Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and click Properties again.
  • Choose Use the following DNS server addresses, then enter:
    • Preferred DNS server: 8.8.8.8
    • Alternate DNS server: 8.8.4.4
  • Click OK and restart your browser. Your connection now uses Google DNS instead of your provider’s.

Mac

  • Open System Preferences → Network.
  • Select your active connection and click Advanced.
  • Go to the DNS tab.
  • Click the plus (+) button and add:
    • 8.8.8.8
    • 8.8.4.4
  • Click OK and apply the changes.
  • Your DNS has now been updated to Google’s servers.

Router

To apply the change to all devices on your network:

  • Log in to your router’s admin panel by entering your router’s IP address into your browser.
  • Find the DNS settings section.
  • Replace the default DNS with:
    • Google DNS: 8.8.8.8 / 8.8.4.4
    • Cloudflare DNS: 1.1.1.1 / 1.0.0.1
  • Save your settings.
  • Now, every device connected to your router will automatically use the new DNS.

Pros

  • Completely free to use
  • Simple to set up on most devices and routers
  • No need to install any additional software
  • Fast and lightweight, with little to no impact on connection speed
  • Can block ads or malicious sites when using certain DNS providers

Cons

  • Does not hide your IP address or encrypt your data
  • Can’t protect against browser fingerprinting
  • School and work networks often override custom DNS settings, making this method ineffective
  • Websites can still detect your real location and device details
  • Ineffective against advanced detection and blocking systems
  • May not work if DNS settings are locked by your network administrator

Method 4: Tor Browser

The Tor Browser is a free, privacy-focused browser developed by the Tor Project. Unlike regular browsers such as Chrome or Firefox, Tor routes your internet traffic through a network of volunteer-run servers around the world.

Your connection “bounces” through three different servers (called nodes) before reaching the website you want to visit. Each node only knows the one before and after it, meaning no single server can see your full connection path. This layered encryption makes it extremely difficult for anyone to trace your real location or identity.

How to Use Tor Browser

  • Visit the official website: torproject.org.
  • Download and install the browser (it’s as simple as installing Chrome or Firefox).
  • Open Tor Browser and wait about 30–60 seconds for it to connect to the Tor network.
  • Once connected, browse the web as usual, your real IP address is hidden, and websites will see a different IP address each time you connect.

Pros

  • Provides strong anonymity by routing traffic through multiple servers
  • Completely hides your real IP address and location
  • Makes it very difficult for anyone to trace or monitor your activity
  • Free and open-source
  • Helps bypass censorship and geo-blocks

Cons

  • Slower speeds due to multi-layered routing
  • Many websites block Tor traffic or show limited content
  • Doesn’t fully hide your browser fingerprint or protect against scripts
  • Some sites require extra verification, such as CAPTCHAs
  • May raise suspicion on certain networks that monitor Tor usage
  • Not ideal for daily use

The Best Tor Browser Alternative

Method 5: Browser Extensions

Browser extensions are small add-ons that change how websites see your connection or device. The most common types are VPN and proxy extensions, which you can easily install from your browser’s extension store,such as the Chrome Web Store or Firefox Add-ons. Popular options include Urban VPN, Browsec, and Proxy SwitchyOmega. Once installed, these tools appear in your browser toolbar, letting you turn them on or off with a click.

However, be cautious with free extensions. They’re often slow, unstable, or prone to disconnections. Most reliable extensions still require pairing with a paid proxy service for consistent speed and security.

Pros

  • Very easy to install and use, even for beginners
  • Works only inside your browser, not across your entire device
  • Many free options are available
  • Can be enabled or disabled instantly with one click
  • No need to install separate applications
  • Lightweight and takes up minimal storage space

Cons

  • Can be detected by advanced websites and security systems
  • Often only changes your IP or UserAgent, not full browser fingerprint
  • Canvas and WebGL fingerprints remain visible to websites
  • Does not encrypt your traffic like a VPN does
  • Websites can still link multiple accounts based on your device or behavior
  • Most extensions don’t support authenticated SOCKS5 proxies (those requiring a username and password).

Why Changing IP Sometimes Isn’t Enough to Unblock Websites

Sometimes, even when you switch to a new, high-quality proxy, a website still blocks you the moment you try to sign up. You might think changing your IP should solve the problem, but it doesn’t always work.

That’s because modern websites don’t just block IP addresses anymore; they use browser fingerprinting to identify users. This technique collects dozens of data points from your device and browser, like your operating system, screen resolution, fonts, time zone, and even how your graphics card renders images. All of this forms a unique digital ID that stays the same even when your IP changes.

If your browser fingerprint doesn’t change, some websites will still block you, no matter how many times you switch IPs.

Method 6: Antidetect Browser

An antidetect browser combines the best parts of other methods. It can change your IP by using a proxy and it can also alter your browser fingerprint using enterprise-level anti-fingerprinting techniques.

GeeLark is a tool that offers both an antidetect browser and an antidetect phone. It lets you create large numbers of browser profiles, and each profile is assigned a randomly generated fingerprint. Those fingerprints cover things websites read, such as operating system, screen resolution, installed fonts, GPU and media parameters, and other device-level signals. When you pair each profile with a separate proxy, GeeLark makes every profile appear like a real user on a real device from a different location.

How to Use Antidetect Browser

  • Visit the official website, sign up for a free account to get started.
  • Download and install the GeeLark application on your computer.
  • Open GeeLark and create your first profile by clicking the “New profile” button.
  • Configure the profile settings: choose your UserAgent (operating system, browser type)
  • Add a proxy to the profile if you want a different IP address
  • Then, click “Start” to start the profile, and it will open a browser window with your customized fingerprint.

Pros

  • Masks your entire browser fingerprint, not just your IP
  • Gives each profile a unique fingerprint that websites cannot link together
  • Effective against advanced detection used by major platforms like Facebook, Amazon, and TikTok
  • Lets you safely manage multiple accounts on the same computer
  • Works with proxies so each profile can have a different IP address
  • Solves the fingerprinting problem that VPNs and simple proxies cannot fix
  • Helps you bypass website blocks and restrictions

Cons

  • Requires a paid subscription to access full features
  • Takes some time to learn how to create and manage multiple profiles

Unblock Websites Now with GeeLark