School Survival


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How To Unblock Websites At School On Laptop

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

Unblocking Websites on Laptop using a VPN

The tool that can help you in this situation is called a VPN, which stands for VPN stands for Virtual Private Network. Think of a VPN as a secret tunnel through the internet. It scrambles your online activity and makes it seem like you're accessing the web from a alternate location. This way, it can overcome the restrictions set by your school and grant you access to sites like YouTube that you might otherwise be blocked from.

One VPN I'd like to advise is ProtonVPN. They have a free version that might be just what you need. It's a strong tool because it values your privacy - no logs of your activity, no throttling, and it can circumvent censorship without a hitch. Plus, it works under Swiss privacy laws, which are some of the strongest in the world. The assurance of security this provides, knowing your data isn't being tracked, can be a modest but welcome relief amidst the tedium of school life.

Now, there's one caveat: you'll need to have the ability to install software on your device. If you're using a school-issued computer or tablet, this might be a barrier. In such cases, check if you have administrative rights or if there's a way to get them. If you're using a personal device, the process is much more straightforward.

To install ProtonVPN, simply go to the app store on your device and search for ProtonVPN. Download the app - it's free. Once it's installed, open the app, and follow the setup instructions. You'll be able to connect to their servers and start browsing as if you're anywhere other than the confines of your school's network.

The free version of ProtonVPN is quite generous, but if you find you need more features - such as faster speeds or access to more servers - you can consider upgrading to the paid version. If you choose to use our affiliate link, we'll earn a small commission, but more importantly, you'll get a tool that might just make those long school days a little more bearable.

Other ways to unblock Websites on Laptop

Schools filter websites for reasons that often seem as oppressive as they are absurd. They want to impose sameness, keep interferences at bay, and maintain a appearance of order. In the process, they suppress curiosity and creativity, making us into unquestioning followers of their agenda.

The sites that might offer a bit of relief, a moment of comfort, or even a ray of understanding, are often unreachable. These aren't just minor interruptions; they're sometimes the only sources of comfort and connection for those of us feeling alienated and out of touch. Here is a list of commonly blocked sites and our instructions to unblock them:
[Facebook] [Spotify] [Pinterest] [YouTube] [Google] [TikTok] [Instagram] [Reddit] [Discord] [Telegram] [WhatsApp] [Snapchat] [LinkedIn] [Twitter]

Unblocking Websites On Laptop using Free DNS Servers

What Are DNS Servers?

Imagine you want to locate a friend's home, but you just know their identity, not their address. You’d probably ask someone who is aware of where they live, right?

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

How Changing DNS Servers Can Help Bypass Censorship

Sometimes, some websites might be restricted by your internet service provider or your school's authorities. They do this by forcing your DNS queries (requests to find a website) pass through servers that either redirect them.

Here's how changing your DNS servers can assist:

  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 allow access to the website you wish to visit.

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

There exist a lot of complimentary DNS providers. These instructions demonstrate how to set up OpenDNS, but you can replace the IP addresses with alternative options if you would like to.

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 Websites on Laptop.


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