It’s easy to take the freedom to see what you want on the Internet for granted in places like Europe and the United States. In some countries, such as Iran, the Iranian Government blocks VPN and anything they think is objectionable, preventing citizens within the country from accessing content they might want to see. Some Iranian Internet users have been using a technology to get around the government’s blockage of the Internet.
The Role of VPNs in Circumventing Censorship
This technology was virtual private networks or VPNs. VPNs work by creating a secure, encrypted connection between your device and a server in another location. This makes it appear as though you are accessing the internet from that server’s location, effectively bypassing local restrictions and censorship. VPNs have been a lifeline for many Iranians, allowing them to access social media platforms, news websites, and other online services that the government deems inappropriate or dangerous.
However, the Iranian government has now blocked the use of VPNs within the country, preventing Iranians from accessing websites that were previously reachable using the technology. According to one Iranian citizen, all VPN ports are shut off within the country. This move is part of a broader strategy by the Iranian authorities to tighten control over the flow of information and maintain their grip on power.
Alternative Methods to Bypass Internet Restrictions
This Iranian citizen, going by the name Mohammed, says that access to Facebook, Skype, and Viber has been blocked for users who were accessing these services previously via VPNs. However, Mohammed says that he was using another form of software to get around the blockage. This highlights the ongoing cat-and-mouse game between the government and tech-savvy citizens who are determined to maintain their access to the global internet.
One alternative method that some Iranians are using is Tor, a free and open-source software that enables anonymous communication. Tor directs internet traffic through a worldwide volunteer network consisting of thousands of relays to conceal a user’s location and usage from surveillance and traffic analysis. While Tor can be slower than VPNs, it offers a higher level of anonymity and is harder for governments to block completely.
Another method is the use of proxy servers, which act as intermediaries between a user’s device and the internet. By routing their internet traffic through a proxy server located in a different country, users can bypass local restrictions. However, proxy servers are generally less secure than VPNs and can be more easily detected and blocked by authorities.
In addition to these technical solutions, some Iranians are turning to offline methods to share information. For example, USB drives and other portable storage devices are used to distribute banned content, such as news articles, videos, and software. This method, while slower and less convenient than online access, is much harder for the government to control.
The Iranian government’s efforts to control internet access are part of a broader trend seen in other authoritarian regimes around the world. Countries like China, North Korea, and Saudi Arabia also employ extensive internet censorship measures to suppress dissent and maintain control over their populations. In response, citizens in these countries have developed a variety of strategies to circumvent these restrictions and access the information they need.
Despite the challenges, the desire for free access to information remains strong among Iranians. The ongoing struggle between the government and its citizens over internet access is a testament to the importance of digital freedom in the modern world. As technology continues to evolve, it is likely that new methods for bypassing censorship will emerge, keeping the hope for a free and open internet alive.
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