How to Unblock Websites: Step-by-Step Instructions

It’s all part of the Children’s Internet Protection Act, which Congress enacted in 2000, 6 around the time the internet became widely available.

Top 10 most blocked websites on a computer or phone

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By Cliff Weitzman Dyslexia & Accessibility Advocate, CEO/Founder of Speechify in Productivity on November 29, 2022

Have you ever wondered what the top 10 most blocked websites on a computer or phone are? Let’s break down which websites made the list and why.

Table of Contents

Top 10 most blocked websites on a computer or phone

There are over one billion websites on the entire internet and only around 20% of them are active. Among those websites, some are unsafe to use or carry malware. Schools, parents, and workplaces often put these websites on block lists.

However, blocked websites are not always unsafe but merely distracting. Many people install tools for blocking websites to stop wasting time and boost their productivity. But what are the top 10 most blocked websites on a computer or phone? Here’s everything you need to know about blocked websites.

What causes a website to get blocked?

A website may get blocked by the Google Safe Browsing feature, which is the most efficient filter for websites with malicious content. Blocked websites are often hijacked by hackers, not malicious by nature. Your device’s firewall may prevent access to certain unsafe websites too.

However, a large percentage of blocked sites are social media platforms. These websites and mobile apps aren’t dangerous but are incredibly distracting.

Parental control software limits set time limits for using social media websites. You can also use apps to limit screen time for yourself of your children. You can even integrate some blocking features within your Wi-Fi router.

Top 10 blocked sites

You can probably guess at least some of the most commonly blocked sites, but let’s discuss the top 10 culprits that either distract you from important tasks or contain malware.

YouTube

Many schools and workplaces block YouTube. It’s too easy to spend hours watching videos about pretty much anything, so YouTube often goes first on the block list.

Facebook

Facebook is still one of the most popular social media platforms worldwide. Because it’s sometimes too tempting to see what others are up to on Facebook, this platform goes on the blocked websites list.

Twitter

Scrolling through Twitter can steal hours of your time without you even noticing it. You can get stuck following a Twitter thread and forget about essential tasks you need to do in life.

Reddit

If you’re a part of the Reddit community, you know how much time one can spend reading all the subreddit posts and answering questions. It’s no wonder that Reddit is often blocked in schools and universities.

Netflix

Perhaps you work from home and want to watch a short episode of your favorite show on Netflix. But that turns into five episodes and now you’re in trouble. Many people choose to block Netflix. Hulu, Prime Video, and other streaming platforms to avoid wasting time.

Roblox

This online gaming platform is trendy, especially among teenagers and young adults. For that reason, parents and school administrations usually ban access to this website.

Instagram

Posting Instagram stories and catching up on posts is fun but time-consuming. Many websites and app blockers offer setting time limits for Instagram browsing.

TikTok

TikTok is probably the worst of all social media platforms in terms of losing track of time. You jump from one fun video to the next and lose focus. You can block access to the TikTok app and web platform.

PornHub

Many parents block adult websites to ensure their children are not exposed to inappropriate content. PornHub is one of the biggest websites, so it deserves a place on this list. However, a website blocker can prevent access to websites with similar content.

Amazon

Online shopping is fun but often addictive. If you’re looking for distractions, going to Amazon to browse products will lead to distraction. Therefore, many choose to block Amazon, especially during business hours.

Most popular website blockers

You might wonder how to block distracting websites on your Microsoft Windows, Chromebook, Android, iOS, or macOS devices.

Fortunately, many app blockers and tools restrict access to specific websites. Here are the few most popular solutions to help you configure your device and block websites.

  • Cold Turkey – This is a feature-rich tool for website and app blocking for Windows and macOS users. It comes with a whitelist feature and a time-wasting tracker. It will even lock your computer for a period to ensure you take breaks.
  • SelfControl – Mac users can rely on this website blocker and work without distractions. You can create a list of websites you want to block
  • RescueTime – This is a productivity reporting app that blocks websites. You can set goals and alarms as well as request specific reports. You can use it with Firefox, Chrome, and any operating system.
  • Mindful Browsing – If you want a free and open-source Google Chrome extension tool to block apps and websites, this is the solution. The “blocking” part is more subtle and essentially asks you to make more mindful decisions instead of wasting time.
  • StayFocusd – It is another popular solution for Chrome users. A free version is available and comes with powerful blocking capabilities.
  • Zero Willpower – This is a straightforward website and app blocker for Safari browser and iOS mobile devices. It’s easy to install and comes with an integrated timer.

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FAQ

How do I block 18+ sites?

You can block 18+ sites using different website blocking tools, like web browser extensions and apps. Android and iOS users can find many efficient 18+ website blockers.

What websites are blocked on school computers?

Schools and universities often block social media websites like TikTok, Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. They also block adult content websites and specific websites with inappropriate content.

How do I view blocked websites?

There are some ways you can access a blocked website or app. The most common solutions include using a proxy or VPN service or changing the DNS.

Why would I want to block sites?

People block websites for various reasons. Often, they want to create a distraction-free working environment, and constant notifications or checking social media websites makes it impossible. Also, workplaces and schools block adult content websites, video game platforms, and distracting sites to ensure better productivity and attention.

How to Unblock Websites: Step-by-Step Instructions

Aliza Vigderman

Antivirus Guide

It can be frustrating when you’re on a particular network — like at your school or work — and the administrators have decided certain websites are off limits. How are you supposed to see what your favorite content creator is having for dinner if you can’t get on Instagram? How are you going to know how many people liked that fire selfie you took at the beach this past weekend?

Simple — use a VPN.

VPNs, or virtual private networks, allow you to spoof your digital location and cut through the proverbial red tape that blocks you from certain websites. And this goes for desktops, laptops and mobile devices too. You can change your iPhone location with a VPN just as easily as you can using your home computer.

There are a lot of reasons you might want to do this. For one, changing your YouTube location with a VPN can help you access content that isn’t available in your geographic area. Say you’re traveling internationally for work and don’t really want to watch Italian Netflix, a VPN can make the network think your device is located in the U.S.

There are a few considerations to think through before you use a VPN, though, and a few steps you need to take to perform this little maneuver successfully. Don’t worry though, we have all of the information right here.

Now let’s get into the nitty-gritty of how to unblock websites.

Pro Tip: Any good VPN can help you unblock websites, but some do it better than others. With strong encryption and affordable prices, Private Internet Access is one of the best VPNs for unblocking websites. Learn about its unique features in our Private Internet Access review.

How to Unblock Websites at School, Work, or Home

School’s network blocking YouTube? Work won’t let you check social media? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered whether you’re on a phone, computer, or tablet. By hiding your IP address, VPNs can help you bypass site-blockers and internet censorship. Setting up a VPN is easy and only takes a few minutes. Here are some of our highest-rated VPNs that we’ve tested:

Editor’s Rating:

9.7 /10

Editor’s Rating:

9.5 /10

Editor’s Rating:

9.4 /10

How To Set Up A VPN

A Step-by-Step List for Setting Up a VPN

  1. Choose a VPN. Our VPN buying guide is a good place to start. Or, if you’re a student, check out the best VPNs for school.
  2. Download either the VPN app. Once enabled, you’ll be able to alter your device’s IP address and get around any website blockers. Note that if you’re on a school computer, browser extensions will probably be a better option.
  3. Sign in with your username and password.
  4. Connect to a VPN server. Look for server locations near you for optimal speeds.

Now that your IP address has changed, you should be able to get around internet censorship, even in countries like China, which has some of the most strict internet censorship on the planet. Speaking of — if you’re in Hong Kong, read about the best Hong Kong VPNs. There are a few considerations you’ll need to make to get around the Great Firewall.

Now that both your IP address has changed, you should be able to get around internet censorship, even in countries like China, which has the Great Firewall (and if you’re in Hong Kong, read about the best Hong Kong VPNs). Both your IP address and your internet traffic will be encrypted, allowing you to access any site you choose, even restricted sites and those featuring blocked content.

The best VPNs to unblock websites are those with dynamic IP addresses, meaning that you get a new IP address every time you connect to the internet. We recommend reading our ExpressVPN review, Private Internet Access review, and IPVanish review to learn more.

That said, VPNs aren’t the only way to access blocked sites.

What Are Proxy Servers?

If you’re looking to encrypt the IP address of a single web page only, you can use a free proxy instead of a VPN. The major advantage of proxies versus VPNs is that proxies are free, usually, and cover only a single website or apps. VPNs, on the other hand, encrypt all web traffic across your entire device, not just your IP address.

For students using school-owned devices, proxies may be a better option. Employees trying to bypass workplace restrictions should look for a public web proxy. Keep in mind, though, that your workplace might have blocked these sites as well.

Pro Tip: We don’t recommend using these tactics to violate the terms of your employment. If you use proxy servers or a VPN to access materials you shouldn’t on work devices, your IT department might end up wanting to have a word with you.

Sometimes, though, unblocking a particular website is as simple as fiddling with your device settings.

Change Device Permissions

If you have the administrative privileges to do so, sometimes you can unblock a particular website by adjusting the settings on your computer.

To disable the Microsoft Defender Firewall:

  1. Click the Start button.
  2. Click Settings.
  3. Click Update & Security.
  4. Click Windows Security.
  5. Click Firewall & Network Protection.
  6. Select your profile.
  7. Scroll to Microsoft Defender Firewall.
  8. Switch the settings to off. 1

Additionally, you may be able to unblock sites on Chrome. On a computer:

  1. Open Chrome.
  2. Click More.
  3. Click Settings.
  4. Scroll down to Privacy and Security.
  5. Click Site Settings.
  6. Change the setting of your choice.

On an Android device:

  1. Open Chrome.
  2. Go to a website you want to unblock.
  3. Click More.
  4. Click Info.
  5. Click Permissions.
  6. Click Reset Permissions.

Finally, on an iPhone or iPad:

  1. Open the Chrome app.
  2. Click More.
  3. Click Settings.
  4. Click Content Settings.
  5. Click the permission you want to change. 2

So let’s say none of the above worked. You’re not sunk yet. You still have the nuclear option.

Tor Browser

The Tor browser is an open-sourced web browser that hides both a user’s location and their internet activity, a boon for online anonymity. By hiding your location, you might be able to bypass firewalls, although you may not be able to download Tor on school- or work-owned computers, or in countries like China.

NOTE: Do you spend most of your time on a Mac? We recommend using an iOS VPN and learning how to set up a VPN on an iPhone.

Before you put on your Black Hat and start poking around on the Dark Web, though, you might want to check and make sure your screen time limits aren’t your problem.

Turn Off Screen Time Limits

Perhaps you can’t access a website, not because the website is blocked, but because of screen time limits. If you’re able to, disabling these limits could let you onto the sites of your dreams.

  1. Open your Settings.
  2. Click Screen Time.
  3. Click Continue.
  4. Choose either This Is My Device or This Is My Child’s Device.
  5. Enter your passcode if asked.
  6. Click Content & Privacy Restrictions.
  7. Enter your passcode if asked.
  8. Turn Content and Privacy off. 3
  1. Go to g.co/YourFamily.
  2. Sign in.
  3. Select the child you set screen time limits for.
  4. Select More.
  5. Click Disable. 4

With all of this in mind, there are a handful of other ways to bypass web blockers — particularly if they aren’t set up well.

Other Methods for Unsophisticated Blockers

Those are all the best ways to unblock websites, but if you’re dealing with a very basic blocker, a few other methods could work as well.

  • Use an IP address: Some software blocks domain names only and not the IP addresses behind websites, so if you type the IP address into the URL bar, you could access the website. Use Whois to find out sites’ URLs. 5
  • Switch from HTTP to HTTPS: Another method is typing in the URL with either HTTP or HTTPS. Perhaps the software blocks only one or the other, so switching could get you access. However, proceed with caution, as websites whose URLs begin with HTTP are less secure than websites whose URLs begin with HTTPS.
  • Use a cached version: Caching occurs when your browser keeps copies of sites locally for faster loading. You may be blocked from an original site only and not its cached version. To access the cached version of a site on Chrome:
    1. Go on Google.
    2. Search for the website you want to visit.
    3. To the right of the URL, click the downward arrow.
    4. Click Cached.
  • Use a URL shortener: Finally, you may be able to unblock websites by using shortened versions of their URLs. We prefer Bitly as our URL shortener.
    1. Copy the URL you want to visit.
    2. Go to the Bitly website.
    3. Paste the URL in the box that says Shorten Your Link.
    4. Copy the short URL.
    5. Paste the URL into your browser.

Why Are Websites Banned?

For those of us who are against internet censorship, running into blocked websites can be a frustrating experience, but there are many reasons why websites are banned, some legitimate and some not.

Schools

Schools, from elementary schools to high schools, ban websites to censor what children can see. This is a legal necessity for any school that receives discounts on internet access and connections through the federal E-Rate program. These schools must adhere to internet safety policies that block and filter internet access to harmful material.

It’s all part of the Children’s Internet Protection Act, which Congress enacted in 2000, 6 around the time the internet became widely available.

Did You Know: Certain public schools in the U.S. are legally obligated under the Children’s Internet Protection Act to block obscenity, child pornography, and other pictures that are harmful to minors.

Aside from federal obligations, schools may want to block websites to shield kids from obscene content and keep them safe from cyberbullying, which our cyberbullying research has shown affects one in five kids. To protect kids online usually means websites and search terms restrictions.

Governments

Certain governments like those in China and Russia block websites in order to silence political opposition, independent journalists, and human rights organizations. Governments also may restrict websites in order to protect national security, block child pornography, or prevent copyright or trademark infringement. 7

Employers

Employers block websites for a couple of reasons, and no, it’s not just to annoy you.

One, they want to prevent employees from using the internet for personal reasons, otherwise known as “cyberloafing” or “cyberslacking” 8 (hey, we’ve all been there). A survey from the staffing firm OfficeTeam found that, on average, employees waste 56 minutes a day online, which amounts to nearly five hours a week. 9 Time theft is real, folks, which is why you may not be able to browse social media on your work computer. Rats.

Another reason why employers block websites is to prevent employees from causing data breaches or cyberattacks. Unfortunately, human error is the cause of many data breaches. A study found some pretty shocking employee trends when it comes to digital security and password hygiene:

  • A third of employees save passwords on lists on their computers or mobile devices rather than using encrypted password managers.
  • One in five employees use the same password for every login.
  • Eleven percent of employees who received phishing emails fell victim to them.
  • Only 41 percent of organizations reported that all of their remote employees adhere to the policies strictly on how to store and dispose of confidential information. 10

By blocking certain websites, employers can regain some level of control over their digital security, beyond installing antivirus software on devices and having remote employees use VPNs.

Is It Legal to Unblock Websites?

Whether or not it’s legal to unblock websites depends on what country you’re in, among other factors. Authoritarian countries like China and Russia ban certain websites, so unblocking them is illegal. On the other hand, if you’re using a school computer that falls under the Children’s Internet Protection Act, unblocking websites is illegal as well.

Now unblocking websites at your workplace? That’s technically legal, but it’s also technically legal to fire you for circumventing your employer’s workplace policies. Do you really want to get canned for watching a 2007 Vine compilation? Think hard about that before you pull the trigger.

Recap

There you have it; everything we know about how to unblock websites, and why they’re blocked in the first place.

We’re proponents of a free and open internet, so we hope that using a VPN was enough to get you past the firewalls. But note that if you’re in a country like China, you’re unblocking websites at your own risk. While using a VPN is legal in the U.S., that’s not the case everywhere, so above all, proceed with caution.

FAQs

Since internet censorship (and getting around it) is such a huge topic, we’ve answered the questions we get the most below.

You can unblock a site by connecting to a VPN. A VPN will change your IP address, which could help you get around a firewall.

  1. Open the Chrome app.
  2. Select More on the right (the three vertical dots).
  3. Click on Settings.
  4. Go to Privacy and Security.
  5. Select Site Settings.
  6. Unblock your desired website.

However, if you lack administrator privileges, you may need to use a VPN on your device or a VPN browser extension in order to unblock websites.

To open blocked websites without a VPN, you could try using a proxy server instead. You can also alter your device settings, if you have the administrator account, or use the Tor browser.

The easiest way to unblock an app that an administrator blocked is to connect to a VPN on your device. The VPN will hide your device’s IP address and replace it with a new one, which should let you get around firewalls.

  1. Microsoft Support. Turn Microsoft Defender Firewall on or off.
    support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/turn-microsoft-defender-firewall-on-or-off-ec0844f7-aebd-0583-67fe-601ecf5d774f
  2. Google Chrome Help. (2021). Change site permissions.
    support.google.com/chrome/answer/114662?hl=en&co=GENIE.Platform%3DiOS&oco=1
  3. Apple Support. (2021). Use parental controls on your child’s iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.
    support.apple.com/en-us/HT201304#set-restrictions
  4. Google for Families Help. (2021). Manage your child’s screen time.
    support.google.com/families/answer/7103340?hl=en#zippy=%2Cdisable-screen-time-limits
  5. DomainTools. (2021). Whois Lookup.
    whois.domaintools.com/
  6. Federal Communications Commission. (2019). Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA).
    fcc.gov/consumers/guides/childrens-internet-protection-act
  7. Electronic Frontier Foundation. Content Blocking.
    eff.org/issues/content-blocking
  8. BBC. (2020). Cyberloafing: The line between rejuvenating and wasting time.
    bbc.com/worklife/article/20200206-cyberloafing-the-line-between-rejuvenating-and-wasting-time
  9. Robert Half. (2017). Working Hard or Hardly Working? Employees Waste More Than One Day a Week on Non-Work Activities.
    rh-us.mediaroom.com/2017-07-19-WORKING-HARD-OR-HARDLY-WORKING-Employees-Waste-More-Than-One-Day-a-Week-on-Non-Work-Activities
  10. Shred-it. (2020). Data Protection Report 2020.
    images.learn.shredit.com/Web/ShreditInternationalInc/%7Bbe75755b-977c-4d5b-8e12-55fc5c40ac47%7D_Shredit_2020-Data-Protection-Report_US.pdf?utm_campaign=SIT%20DPR%202020%20Auto%20Response%20USA&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Eloqua
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