School Survival


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How To Unblock WhatsApp At School On Chromebook

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

Unblocking WhatsApp on Chromebook using a VPN

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

One VPN I'd like to suggest is ProtonVPN. They offer a free version that might be perfect for you. It's a powerful tool because it respects your privacy - no activity logs, no speed limits, and it can circumvent censorship without a hitch. Plus, it works under Swiss privacy laws, which are considered top-notch worldwide. The sense of security this provides, knowing your data isn't being tracked, can be a small but comforting relief amidst the monotony 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 hurdle. 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 smoother.

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 WhatsApp on Chromebook

Unblocking WhatsApp On Chromebook 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 ask someone who knows where they reside, right?

In the online world, DNS servers (Domain Name System servers) are like those knowledgeable people. When you type a website's address (like www.example.com) into your web browser, DNS servers convert that name into an IP address (a numeric address) that your computer can understand and employ to find WhatsApp on Chromebook.

How Changing DNS Servers Can Help Bypass Censorship

Sometimes, certain websites might be restricted by your ISP or your school's authorities. They do this by making 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 switching to a different DNS server (like Google's public DNS or Cloudflare's DNS), you might bypass these blocks. These alternative servers might not have the same restrictions or might allow access to the website you want to visit.

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

There exist a lot of complimentary DNS providers. These instructions explain how to set up OpenDNS, though you are able to swap the IP addresses with alternative options if you prefer.

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 Your DNS Settings on a Chromebook

Following these steps will help you change the DNS settings on your Chromebook to use OpenDNS.

  1. Open Google Chrome:

    • Click on the Google Chrome icon in your taskbar or find it in your app drawer to open the browser.
  2. Access Chrome Flags:

    • In the address bar at the top of Chrome, type chrome://flags and press Enter.
    • You’ll be taken to a special settings page called “Chrome Flags.”
  3. Find and Enable the Experimental Flag:

    • On the Chrome Flags page, you’ll see a search box at the top. Click on this search box and type Experimental static ip configuration.
    • If the flag appears in the search results, click the dropdown menu next to it and select Enabled.
    • If you don’t see this flag, you can skip to the next step.
  4. Open Chromebook Settings:

    • Click on the time display or your profile picture in the bottom-right corner of your screen to open the system menu.
    • Click on the gear icon to open the Settings menu.
  5. Access Network Settings:

    • In the Settings menu, look for Network or Wi-Fi. Click on this option.
    • You’ll see a list of available networks. Click on the network you are currently connected to (such as your Wi-Fi network).
  6. Change DNS Settings:

    • In the network details window, click on Network or Advanced settings.
    • Scroll down to find the DNS settings. Click on the dropdown menu or link that allows you to enter custom DNS servers.
    • Enter the following DNS addresses:
      • Primary DNS: 208.67.222.222
      • Secondary DNS: 208.67.220.220
  7. Save Your Settings:

    • After entering the DNS addresses, make sure to click Save or Apply if there is an option to do so.
  8. Restart Chrome:

    • At the bottom of your Chrome window, you might see a message asking you to restart the browser for the changes to take effect. Click Relaunch or Restart. You may also need to reboot the entire Chromebook.

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