That’s because the Tor network and browser are an open-source project maintained by volunteers. While Tor offers strong online privacy, its downside is slow speeds. Tor lets you access the web anonymously and get around most content restrictions. Tor - or The Onion Router - routes your online traffic through many layers of encryption, hence its name. Tor is another option for getting around content blocks and bypassing geo-restrictions. Often slow - but, there are ways to speed up your VPN connection Not free (most reputable VPNs aren’t free) Some VPNs are optimized for streaming and bypassing geo-blocking Thankfully, when VPN providers realize one of their IPs has been blocked, they usually open new addresses to provide more options. Some content providers have also started blocking known VPN IP addresses, so your VPN might not work on the sites or services you want to use.

But if you’re using a public computer at a library or need to unblock websites at school, a VPN may not be the best option, because you need to download it. VPNs let you unblock websites, protect your online privacy, and stay safe on public Wi-Fi.Ī VPN is the easiest, most comprehensive tool to bypass content blocks. Now you’re browsing anonymously and securely from a hidden location. If you just want to secure your traffic and hide your IP address, select Optimal location (or a similar setting) for the fastest speeds.Ī VPN lets you access blocked sites on mobile too. If the content you want to access is location-specific, select a location where that content is available. Turn on the VPN and select a server location. Now you need to set up your VPN on Windows or get your VPN set up on Mac - this is straightforward if you use a reputable and well-designed app.

Tor browser with vpn how it works