Imagine someone repeatedly referred you to check something on a particular website, but you get an error message.
You don’t understand the problem, but this happens when your IP address is blocked. Losses can result in delays in accessing relevant information and can be costly.
Undoubtedly, an IP address ban is a pain in an era when you rely on the internet to collect lots of data.
The positive side is that you can bypass the ban. This article sheds light on the strategies you can use to avoid website blockages.
What Does An IP Ban Mean?
An IP ban restricts access to specific IP addresses when internet service providers suspect these IP addresses are malicious or violate set rules.
Some service providers slap IP bans on addresses to lower the load on their servers and prevent spam.
Whatever the cause of an IP ban, IP bans can be damaging. They can cripple your data collection exercises and lower your online satisfaction.
Below are the strategies you can use to avoid website blockages.
1. Proxy Servers
Your IP has been banned; how to bypass it? Use a proxy server. Proxy servers are some strategies you can use to evade IP bans effectively.
These servers act as middlemen between the internet and your computer. A proxy server, therefore, routes all your internet traffic through its unique IP address as opposed to yours.
It means that the website that blocked your IP address now sees the proxy’s address and recognizes it as legitimate, not knowing it is you browsing.
What’s more encouraging is that proxies are straightforward to use. There are free proxy servers that you can find online and configure by yourself.
To enjoy using a proxy server, configure your browser to utilize the server as soon as your server is running.
Paid proxy servers are also available online, so feel free to get the proxy you can afford.
Proxy servers also give you the option of rotating proxies. With proxy rotation, you have a vast pool of proxies that you can alternate when you wish instead of using one proxy.
This increases your chances of uninterrupted browsing, as you can use others when one address is blocked.
As your IP addresses change, your browsing appears to the website host as if multiple users are browsing the site. Your chances of IP blockage are also reduced with this strategy.
2. Delaying Between Requests
Overloading the website host’s server is one of the reasons the web manager will block your IP address.
So, by introducing delays between requests, you do not affect the efficiency of the server, and the web manager has no reason to ban your IP.
Delaying between requests is quite natural and humane and thus helps the website regard you as human and not flag you as a bot hungry for data.
3. Virtual Private Networks
Using a VPN also helps you bypass IP blockages. VPNs also assess your internet traffic and route the traffic through a server in a different physical location.
The website you want to scrape data from will check the IP address of the VPN and not yours, which is under a ban.
Besides, VPNs also have added benefits as they enhance one’s security online. Even for sites you are not eligible to access, a VPN allows you to access them.
You can find VPNs all over the internet, as free and paid VPNs are available. Always do some research before signing up for a VPN.
4. Browser Extensions
Some browser extensions are designed to bypass IP bans. An example is ultra surfing, which you can use with Firefox and Chrome.
After installing the extension, enter the URL of the website you’re trying to access. Proceed to the proxy section and click connect to enjoy browsing.
5. Anonymous Services
Using services like Tor anonymously can help you bypass an IP ban. Tor maintains your anonymity by encrypting your internet traffic through a volunteer server network.
This tactic disempowers anyone to track the device you’re using to access the internet, your visiting sites, and when you’re online.
6. Web Proxies
Web proxies are websites that allow users to explore the internet anonymously. All you need to do is enter the website URL you’re interested in on the web proxy search bar.
Then, you can access the website while remaining anonymous. DNS proxies also work like web proxies. However, a DNS proxy routes your internet traffic through a server other than its own.
The proxy thus changes the DNS settings of your computer.
Once this happens, anytime you want to access the internet, your device will look for the IP address from the DNS proxy instead of using your actual IP address.
Conclusion
An IP address ban can frustrate you. Fortunately, there are several methods you can use to bypass the ban.
Whether you opt for an appropriate extension browser, a VPN, or a proxy, you can enjoy browsing the internet even when you have an IP blockage.
