What is the Great Firewall?

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The internet is often considered a symbol of freedom and open communication, enabling people from around the world to connect, share ideas, and access information. You’re free to watch any movies and TV shows you want on platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime, you can keep up with your friends and family despite vast geographical borders through social media, and you can even work remotely from anywhere in the world — that’s true freedom!

However, this freedom is not always available worldwide. In many countries, internet censorship is a growing concern, with governments and other entities blocking access to certain websites and online content. This practice restricts the flow of information and can limit people’s ability to express themselves online freely. Internet censorship has been a hotly debated topic over the years, especially for tourists who visit foreign countries only to find themselves stuck without access to their usual websites and apps.

One of the most well-known examples of internet censorship is the Great Firewall of China. China has one of the strictest internet censorship policies in the world, and the Great Firewall is the key tool used in enforcing this policy. In this article, we’ll explore what the Great Firewall is, how it works, and its impact on internet access and freedom in China. We’ll also give you the answer to bypassing internet censorship in foreign countries.

What is the Great Firewall?

The Great Firewall of China, also known as the Golden Shield Project, is a sophisticated system of internet censorship and surveillance implemented by the Chinese government to control and restrict access to certain websites and online content. China’s Great Firewall is a combination of legal and technological measures, including IP blocking, DNS filtering, and content filtering, that work together to monitor and control internet traffic in and out of China.

The project was launched in the late 1990s and has been continuously developed and strengthened since then. However, over time, the scope of censorship has become far broader, and now the Great Firewall blocks access to many popular foreign websites and services, including Google, Facebook, and Twitter.

If you’re a tourist, you can’t keep in touch with your friends and family on social media — or even post photos and videos of your trip. You’re also blocked from Google, which prevents you from finding new things to do while you’re travelling through the country. If you’re travelling for business, you won’t have access to news websites unless they’re approved by the Chinese government — but they’re often unreliable.

Luckily though, there is a way to bypass internet censorship, even in China. All you need is the help of a cybersecurity tool that will redirect your internet traffic through a secure server in another country. 

How to Bypass Internet Censorship 

A VPN, or Virtual Private Network, is a tool that allows users to connect to the internet securely and privately — that’s the solution you need. It works by routing the user’s internet connection through a server located in a different location, effectively masking their online identity and location.

When it comes to internet censorship, a VPN can be particularly useful for bypassing restrictions put in place by governments or other entities. By connecting to a VPN server in a different country, users can access websites and content that may be blocked in their own country. This is because the VPN connection encrypts the user’s traffic and makes it appear as if it’s coming from the VPN server location, rather than the user’s actual location.

By connecting to a VPN server located outside of China, users can access websites and services that may be blocked within the country, such as social media platforms, news websites, or streaming services. However, it’s worth noting that the Chinese government actively works to block VPN services within the country, making it more difficult for users to access them.

Choosing the Perfect VPN

The key to using a VPN within Chinese borders is to have the cybersecurity tool installed on your device before you head over to the country. However, you can’t just install any VPN! You must use a premium VPN at all times, especially if you want to use it in China.

While it may be tempting to use a free VPN service, it’s important to keep in mind that there are significant downsides to using one. One of the biggest concerns is the lack of security and privacy guarantees. Free VPN services often make money by selling user data or by showing ads, which can compromise your online privacy. 

Additionally, many free VPNs have limited bandwidth and slower speeds, making it difficult to stream videos or download files. Some free VPNs may even contain malware or other harmful software that can infect your device, making them more dangerous to use.

Another issue with free VPN services is that they may not offer the same level of encryption and security technology as premium VPNs. This means that your online activity and data may not be fully protected, leaving you vulnerable to cyber threats such as hacking or identity theft — or surveillance from the Chinese government. Additionally, free VPN services may have a limited number of servers and locations, which can impact your ability to access content from certain regions.

Ultimately, while free VPN services may seem like a good deal when travelling abroad, it’s important to carefully consider the risks and downsides before using them. For optimal online security and privacy, it’s recommended to use a premium VPN service with a solid reputation for security and privacy, good connection speeds, and a large number of server locations.