School Survival

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How To Unblock Reddit At School On Laptop Without VPN

Part of the Mega Guide: How To Unblock Anything At School

A VPN, or Virtual Private Network, protects your online activities private by coding your data so that no one can see what you're doing on the internet. This is useful for protecting your privacy and bypassing restrictions.

But sometimes, the network you're on might prevent VPN installations or connections, like in some workplaces or schools. Or, your device might have security measures or restrictions that prevent new apps from being installed.

Luckily there are other ways to unblock Reddit on Laptop!

Unblocking Reddit On Laptop using Free DNS Servers

What Are DNS Servers?

Think of you want to locate a friend's home, but you only know their name, not their address. You’d probably consult someone who is aware of where they reside, right?

In the internet world, DNS servers (Domain Name System servers) are similar to those helpful friends. When you type a website's name (like www.example.com) into your browser, DNS servers translate that name into an IP address (a set of numbers) that your computer can understand and employ to access Reddit on Laptop.

How Changing DNS Servers Can Help Bypass Censorship

Sometimes, certain websites might be blocked by your internet service provider or your school. They do this by making your DNS queries (requests to find a website) pass through servers that either block or send them.

Here's how changing your DNS servers can help:

  1. Different DNS Servers: By changing to a new DNS server (like Google's public DNS or Cloudflare's DNS), you might bypass these restrictions. These other servers might not have the same restrictions or might not block Reddit on Laptop.

  2. Accessing Restricted Sites: If a particular DNS server is known for not blocking certain websites, using that server can help you get around the restrictions put in place by your school.

You can find many no-cost DNS providers. These instructions demonstrate how to use OpenDNS, but you can replace the IP addresses with alternative options if you choose.

There is a big list of DNS servers here: https://public-dns.info/

Here are some of the popular ones:
Google: 8.8.8.8 and/or 8.8.4.4
Cloudflare: 1.1.1.1

How to Change DNS Settings on Windows 10

Step 1: Open Network Connections

  1. Right-Click the Start Menu:

    • Move your cursor to the Start menu located at the bottom-left corner of your screen.
    • Right-click on the Start menu icon to open the context menu.

  2. Select Network Connections:

    • In the context menu that appears, click on "Network Connections". This will open the Network & Internet settings page.

Step 2: Access Adapter Options

  1. Click Ethernet:

    • On the left side of the Network & Internet settings window, you will see a list of options.
    • Click on "Ethernet" (if you are using a wired connection). If you're connected via Wi-Fi, you should click "Wi-Fi" instead.

  2. Open Adapter Options:

    • Under the Ethernet (or Wi-Fi) section, find and click on "Change adapter options". This will open a new window displaying all network connections on your computer.

Step 3: Modify Network Connection Properties

  1. Right-Click Your Network Connection:

    • In the Network Connections window, locate the network connection you are currently using. This might be labeled something like "Local Area Connection" or "Wi-Fi".
    • Right-click on this network connection.

  2. Select Properties:

    • From the context menu that appears, choose "Properties". This will open the Properties dialog for your network connection.

Step 4: Change IPv4 Settings

  1. Locate Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4):

    • In the Properties window, you will see a list of items that are being used by the connection. Look for "Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)" in this list.
    • Click to highlight this item.

  2. Open Properties:

    • With "Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)" highlighted, click the "Properties" button below the list. This opens the Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) Properties dialog.

Step 5: Enter New DNS Server Addresses

  1. Select Use the Following DNS Server Addresses:

    • In the Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) Properties dialog, look for the section labeled "Use the following DNS server addresses".
    • Click the radio button next to this option to enable it.

  2. Enter DNS Server Addresses:

    • In the "Preferred DNS server" field, type 208.67.222.222.
    • In the "Alternate DNS server" field, type 208.67.220.220.

  3. Confirm and Apply:

    • Click "OK" to close the Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) Properties dialog.
    • Click "Close" to exit the network connection properties window.

Step 6: Restart Network Connection (Optional)

Your DNS settings have now been updated to use OpenDNS. This can help you access Reddit on Laptop.

Unblocking Reddit On Laptop using Free Proxy Servers

What Are Proxy Servers?

Let's imagine the internet as a big, open library where you can explore and access all sorts of books and information. Now, imagine there's a special gatekeeper who manages what materials you can see based on certain rules. If the librarian doesn't want you to see certain books, they can block your access to those materials.

A proxy server is like a clever friend who can help you get around this librarian. Here's how it works:

  1. Your Request: When you want to access a book, instead of going directly to the librarian (which is like your internet connection), you request your friend (the proxy server) to help you.

  2. The Friend (Proxy Server): Your friend goes to the librarian, asks for the website for you, and then brings it back to you. In this way, the librarian never realizes it’s actually you making the request.

  3. Changing Proxies: If the librarian becomes aware of your friend and restricts their access, you can just find a different friend (a different proxy server) to assist you. By changing friends, you can keep accessing the content that were previously blocked.

In simpler terms, a proxy server acts as a middleman that helps you access content without the barriers you would face directly. By switching proxies, you can bypass internet censorship, which is like getting around the librarian's barriers.

How to Change Proxy Settings on Windows 10

Adding a proxy server in Windows is like telling your computer to use a new helper to access the internet. Here’s a step-by-step guide to make it easy:

  1. Open Settings:

    • Click on the Start menu (it’s the little Windows icon in the bottom-left corner of your screen).
    • Click on the Settings gear icon, which looks like a small gear.

  2. Go to Network & Internet:

    • In the Settings window, click on Network & Internet. This is where you manage your internet and network settings.

  3. Find Proxy Settings:

    • On the left side, you’ll see a menu. Click on Proxy.

  4. Set Up the Proxy:

    • You’ll see a section called Manual proxy setup. Turn on the switch that says Use a proxy server.
    • In the fields provided, enter the Address and Port of the proxy server you want to use. These details are usually given to you by whoever is providing you with the proxy server.

  5. Save Your Settings:

    • Click on Save to apply the changes.

  6. Close Settings:

    • You can now close the Settings window.

Your computer will now use the proxy server to help you connect to the internet. If you want to stop using the proxy, just go back to the same settings and turn off the Use a proxy server switch.

Where to find free proxies? We have a list here.

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