How to Bypass a Firewall or Internet Filter - wikiHow

How to Bypass a Firewall or Internet Filter - wikiHow

How to Bypass a Firewall or Internet Filter

edits by:KnowItSome, Rob S, Tom Viren, Shaiaqua (see all)

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Don't you hate it when you go to a website at school and find out that the school firewall blocks it? This guide will teach you how to bypass the web filter to access your websites. This may not work on some blockages, whether you use IP or HTML.

If you just type in "https" rather than "http" at the beginning of the address, you can go to some sites, as most blockers aren't configured to block secure web pages. However, some websites just don't work as secure pages.

editSteps

Browse by IP

1. 1
   Go to START -> Run. Enter cmd and hit enter, or click on START -> Program Files -> Accessories -> Command Prompt to open the Command Prompt window.
2. 2
   If your school has disabled access to the command prompt, right click, go to New, and select Text Document. In the text document simply type cmd then save the file ascommand.bat or, if this doesn't work, command.com Make sure you switch the Save As Type field in Notepad's Save dialogue to All Files. Double Click and you have successfully gained access to the command prompt.
3. 3
   If that doesn't work, perform the following steps at home and bring the IP address to school.
4. 4
   Once in the Command Prompt, enter ping x replacing the x with any website of your choice. For example, if you are looking to access Google, then you would enterping google.com into the prompt [leave out the HTTP://]. You can also use the nslookup command in a similar fashion. Using the same site as an example you can type nslookupwww.google.com at the command prompt. Just be sure to refer to the Non-authoritative Answer for the steps that follow.
5. 5
   You will see a set of four numbers [here, 72.14.207.99] is Google's IP address.
6. 6
   Open your browser window. In the address bar, type
   http://x.x.x.x
   , replacing the x's with the ping address, and hit enter [for example,
   http://72.14.207.99]
   . This will give you access to Google.
7. 7
   If the web filter blocked even the IP address of the site, you can take each number in the IP and convert it to a Hexadecimal format. Then in the browser enter http:// 0x(hex1).0x(hex2).0x(hex3).0x(hex4).
8. 8
   Note: This method is very easy to trace!

Create Your Own Circumventor (similar to a proxy)

This Torrent contains all neccessary files to create a circumventor, which will allow students to bypass internet filters by loading internet pages through another computer, and then sending them to the computer with the filters on it, very similarly to a proxy. All directions are included in the torrent.

Create a redirect domain

1. 1
   Create an account at and create a ".tk" domain for that site. This works great for two reasons. First of all, many firewalls use keyword blocking. For example, if the domain for a website contains the word "sex," it may be blocked regardless of what the page is actually about. Therefore, all you need to do is give your .tk version a different name. It also works because .tk is not an actual domain, rather a redirect to a domain, and probably won't be blocked.

Browse by Proxy

1. 1
   Since proxies get blocked often you should join a proxy mailing list like tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/fresh-proxy/join to keep getting fresh proxies daily. (copy/paste this in your browser)
2. 2
   Try using (remove spaces) badfox . co.cc ,It just came out I will update this when new ones come
3. 3
   Find a proxy site. Do a search for "free online proxies". This will provide you with a list of proxies to bypass filters.
4. 4
   Find a proxy site that is obviously, not blocked by the filters.
5. 5
   Type the name of the site you want to access into the box. Most sites have a checkbox that says "block scripts"; it is better to uncheck this.
6. 6
   If none of these work, download and install Firefox and manually change the proxy settings by going to Tools > Options > Connection Settings > And change the Proxy Settings to a proxy. Go to ask.com and search proxy lists.

Browse Translation

1. 1
   Go to a website translation site, such as Babelfish or Google Translate
2. 2
   Enter the desired site in the translate URL box and choose an obscure language to translate into English.
3. 3
   Browse the site.

Host a PHP Proxy

1. 1
   On an unblocked computer, find a free PHP Host like Bravenet. Make sure it has FTP Support or a way to upload PHP scripts. Create an account.
2. 2
   On an unblocked computer, find a PHP Proxy script. There are many available and is usually just one file.
3. 3
   Upload the PHP Proxy script to your PHP Host and test it by executing the script from your browser.
4. 4
   To use it just type in the address of your script in your school.
5. 5
   As an example: If you went to Bravenet, your host might be youngone.bravenet.com. Upload your proxy i.e. "snake.php", and execute it by going to "youngone.bravenet.com/snake.php". That's it.

Disable the blocker

1. 1
   Some schools use proxy services (such as Bess) to do the filtering. It may be possible to disable it by going into Internet Explorer and choosing Tools>Internet Options>Connections Tab>Lan Settings and unchecking the "Use a proxy server for your LAN". It can be reenabled prior to leaving. In the likely event that this ability is disabled, one can use a registry editor to change the value of "HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionInternet SettingsProxyEnable" to 0.
2. 2
   Hit the go button and you will get to your favorite site!
3. 3
   Check the sites that are blocked on your local computer. Open Internet Explorer, and select Tools -> Internet Options. Click the "Security" tab and choose "Restricted Sites". The "Sites" button will become available. Be sure that the site you wish to access is not listed, if it is, highlight and delete it.
4. 4
   Lower the settings for your Internet security. This is not recommended for long periods of use, as this is how viruses and copycat programs infiltrate computers.
5. 5
   Install a filter-removing program. Many of these programs bypass the filter that is stopping you from accessing Myspace.com. Installing and using these programs may get you in serious trouble with your school or employer.

Browse with Ace VPN

Ace VPN offers both free and premium vpn service. Paid VPN costs $5 per month. This seems to bypass even websense. They are based on openvpn and can be run on Windows, Linux, Mac and even on routers running DD-WRT or Tomato firmware. They have gateway servers in US and EU.

1. 1
   Visit Ace VPN for account registration and installation instructions.

Browse using UltraSurf or JonDo

Both use self invented GIFT system with a high encryption standard (Claims to be higher than financial transaction security standards)

1. 1
   Click on the link.
2. 2
   Download the Ultrasurf 9 client software (in zipped or exe format) or JonDo in exe format.
3. 3
   Unzip the software using either WinAce, Winzip or WinRAR.
4. 4
   Ultrasurf and JonDo are green software and don't require installation. Simply execute U[version].exe example: U86.exe, U87.exe or JonDo.exe
5. 5
   The software will try to connect to proxy servers and will open a default web page in your default browser upon successful connection.
6. 6
   The software will work on any installed browsers.
7. 7
   If you can't download it from school, put the executable on a flash drive at home and run it off there.

Browse with a "Portable" Browser

This one works if the school uses a special browser with the restrictions built into it, or third-party software to restrict common browsers such as Internet Explorer on Windows, or Safari on MacOS.

1. 1
   Visit mozilla.com or the site of another browser such as Opera.
2. 2
   Search for a portable version of the browser. This should be a download with a "pre-installed" copy of the browser, using regular files to store settings.
3. 3
   Run the portable version and enjoy.
4. 4
   Set an http proxy in the portable browser if needed. Visit aplusproxy.com for daily updated proxies.

Browse with remote access

1. 1
   Leave a computer always on at home (and connected to the internet). Turn on remote access.
2. 2
   On the school computer go to Start -> Accessories -> Remote Desktop Connection. Put in your IP address (or sign up your computer at home for dyndns.org to get a name for it if your address changes all the time). You can connect to your home computer, and do anything you want from there.
3. 3
   You can also use a VNC service.

Browse with text editors

If the school has blocked the download of portable browsers, you can always open the website in a text editor(e.g. Notepad.exe) and save it as a HTML file and open it later with a proper internet browser(e.g. IE or FF).

1. 1
   Open notepad. Start menu > programs > accessories > notepad OR %SystemRoot%system32notepad.exe
2. 2
   File > Open and in the "File Name" field, enter the IP address of the website you'd like to visit WITH the http:// or https:// prefixes. (See above for procedure to attain IPs.)
3. 3
   File > Save As and save the file as an .html file. Open it in MS WORD as a HTML Webpage. (you can directly download the file with MS WORD but some schools block MS OFFICE from all network access as PowerPoint used to be able to browse folders the user was not authorized to access as it ran in Shell 0 instead of Shell 1.)

editVideo

editInstant Messaging

GroovyNotes

GroovyNotes is an Instant Messenger that only uses the standard HTTPS port to communicate, which allows it to pass through almost any firewall.

1. Go to groovynotes.com
2. Click the link to Install the extension
3. After installing, invite your friends
4. Start chatting away.

Gmail/Yahoo mail

Gmail supports Instant Messaging over AIM or their own gTalk protocol. Yahoo mail also offers some limited chat functionality inside its interface.

editTips

• If you wish to watch YouTube videos through a proxy, make sure the proxy you use supports YouTube or has the "FlowTube" plugin. Otherwise, it may not work.
• You can browse to pages with these IP addresses to help circumvent some filters.

• • YouTube: 64.233.169.100
  • MySpace: 63.135.80.46
  • Facebook: 69.62.189.11
  • MiniClip: 77.73.32.120
  • Addicting Games: 204.2.179.10

• Try using different website prefixes (e.g. .com .biz .edu .gov). This will only work for some sites.
• Saving websites will not update its self, and you will probably not be able to save stuff to the website.
• Delete your browsing history when you are done.
• Keep a website you are supposed to be on open while doing this so you can switch at a moment's notice.
• Some websites have alternate "https addresses" that are basically the same, but with a secure connection. Depending on the type of filter your school uses, using an https address will trick the filter into thinking it's a different website. Simply type https:// before any urls you visit. (Example: https://www.URLHERE.com) Note: Not many websites use secure connections, so this will only work for some sites.
• If your school uses a word filter that blocks access by scanning sites for word content, use Picidae (pici.picidae.net). A picidae server will deliver the whole site as a non-interactive screen shot.
  • Keep in mind that this method does not work for most websites.
• Sign up for the Circumventor newsletter. Go to any of the Circumventor sites (a favorite is FrogTunnel.com) and sign up for the post. That way, even if the school catches on, you'll always have an updatable list.
• An alternative way to get the IP of the blocked site would be to Google "Bypass Ping Server". Continue with above steps. Warning: This is even more easily traceable.
• Your school may use content filtering at the packet level. They might see what you're doing even if you are going through a proxy. In order to circumvent this, try to find a proxy that you can use via SSL.
• You can also go through Google. Type in your search, then click the "cached" link.
• If your school has disabled command prompt, open a new text file. Type in "ping x" (where x is the IP address), press Enter, and type "pause". Save this file as a .bat file, close the text editor, and open your .bat file. It will open up command prompt and run your command for you.
• Another way you can get around a disabled command prompt is by going to notepad and click on open then type in c:windowssystem32 or c:winntsystem32 and find cmd or command and right click it and open it.
• If you created a PHP Proxy, use different names. Do not create a host called "mycoolproxy.phphost.com/hacker-proxy.php".
• Don't tell everyone about what you did, or the security hole will be found and repaired.
• Sometimes, try not putting www on front of the address (ex. youtube.com instead ofwww.youtube.com).
• If your school blocks a certain proxy sometimes you can google it then click on "cached" which will display the page and be able to use the proxy. Adaptive firewalls will catch this and permanently block the site. Also putting spaces in words like p r o x y . a b c 1 2 3 . c o m is a way to search the proxy without the filter catching it.
• Also, you can try going on some of the same sites hosted by different countries, such as the UK YouTube, because most schools only block the US site, or vice versa.
• The school will still keep track of your history, so don't go looking up things you shouldn't.
• The school may block certain MIME types e.g. mp3 files. A proxy will not let you download these.
• Some schools employ a remote desktop administration system, allowing them to actually monitor your computer's screen from the IT Office, as well as the option of controlling your computer remotely with their mouse and keyboard. If this is the case, they will see you visiting a proxy website, and you will be found out. Hovever, if you are looking to do something like play a flash game, then you can let the game loaded, then disconnect the ethernet cable, so that the teacher cannot see what you are doing via remote desktop.
• No instructions here work with some blocking software.

editWarnings

• Be careful that no teachers or any other individuals that might tell see you in the act, or you could get into serious trouble, especially when using the command prompt or batch files. The method you used will become unavailable on top of your suspension.
• Be advised that many schools and other organizations employ logging of all network data. Your organization's IT department will be able to track this activity, which is against network usage policies. This basically means that your computer activity might be recorded, such as website history data entered, etc. Some programs can also view everything you do on your computer, just like if someone was recording what you were doing with a camera. Be aware: Ultrasurf covered your tracks so that your actions cannot be recorded in a normal way; however it may not be able to stop screen shots.
• Be sure to know what the consequences of doing this is before attempting it. This is classified as computer tampering and is most likely against your School rules, if caught you can get into serious trouble, if you are sure that you are not being watched tracked or know that there are not serious consequences for doing this then you should only do the above
• No one is responsible for your actions but you, you are choosing to do this at your own risk, do not blame the authors of this article, we have no affiliation with you and your actions, so think before you act.
• Also note that in the UK, using the school's computer system in this way is illegal under the Computer Misuse Act. It comes with a hefty fine and even jail time.

editRelated wikiHows

• How to Configure Different Firewalls to Work With Your Internet Based Application
• How to Surf the Web Anonymously With Proxies
• How to Enter Proxy Settings in Internet Explorer
• How to Enter Proxy Settings in Firefox

editExternal Links

• Vtunnel (warning: requires Javascript and accepting a certificate just to view the main page)
• www.skoolfun.com

Articles for You to Write

Here is a list of suggested articles that have not yet been written. You can help by researching and writing one of these articles. To get started writing one of these articles, click on the red link of a title below.

• How to Block a Program from Accessing the Internet
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Article Info

Last edited:
May 19, 2011 by BR

Categories:
Hacks

Recent edits by: Oscuro87, Matt Sieberg, Lizey4God (see all)

In other languages

kw: mesh, networking, freedom, p2p, internet, bitcoin, asterisk, google, google voice, android, root, free, wireless, data, linux, voip, voice