This might come as a surprise to you, but you can’t access the entire Internet right now. You might think that we’re talking about the hidden part, also knows as DarkNet, which you need a special browser to access. That, too, but there still are websites that you can find on Google but can’t see.
Why can’t you access it
There’s a variety of reasons why some content might be hidden from you. It all depends on where you live and what you’re trying to access. One of the most common reasons is regulation which can take different forms.
GDPR outside of Europe
With the European Union introducing General Data Protection Regulation in 2016, not every website has changed the way they operate to meet the requirements. With that being said, if you live in one of the countries where the GDPR is a thing, you might not be able to access those websites. It’s mostly an issue with American website, but it’s not limited to them, of course.
Blocked by the government
While it’s not the case in the majority of countries (fortunately), there are still some places in the world where those in power can forbid their people from accessing certain type of content. Such websites can not only be blocked but also monitored, meaning you can get in trouble for even trying to access it.
Not only websites
Hearing about something on the Internet being blocked for us, we automatically think about links. The thing is, however, that it goes far beyond that. You might be able to access a website without any issues, but then, on that website, some content might be hidden from you based on where you’re located. There are a couple of examples that are very interesting and worth exploring further.
Netflix
If you like this VOD service, you might be surprised to find out that they don’t give you everything they have. Libraries vary from country to country because the company might have bought distribution rights somewhere else but not where you live. That means you can access titles that your friends don’t even know about.
There’s a solution
Luckily, we live in the 21st century, so there must be a way to bypass it, right? There sure is! It doesn’t matter whether you want to access blocked website or content, or what the reason behind that is. There’s one solution that gives you the ability to browse the Internet as if you were located anywhere in the world. Sounds fantastic, but what is it exactly?
Enter VPN
A virtual private network, or VPN for short, has been all over the news recently, and for a reason. Still, many people don’t know what it is, let alone use it. There are a couple of reasons why you should have this tool on your device, and they all stem from the way it works.
What’s the buzz all about?
When you connect to the Internet, you most likely use a network. In such case, you connect to a router which then forwards your connection. With a VPN, there will be a server placed between the devices. It can be placed anywhere in the world, meaning it will look like as if you were connecting to the Internet from that location and not from where you actually are.
There’s so many of them
In the age of the Internet, we have a lot to choose from. That also applies to VPN software where you’ll see many choices available. The question you might have is which one is the best and what’s even the difference between them.
Why should you care
To get the best tools, you need to do your research. Depending on what you need, you might need a VPN providing you with certain features. Different companies offer various numbers of servers to which you can connect as well as their locations. In addition to that, you might get some extra stuff, such as data encryption, to further conceal your presence and therefore protect your data and identity.
What’s the best VPN
Once you identify your needs, you’ll notice that there are still multiple products you can choose from. Luckily, there’s one product that’s especially praised by others and has won numerous awards in the field. In the extensive guide on Surfshark, you will find all the information you need on how to access the Internet securely while also being able to see every single piece of it.
The bottom line
Just because they’ve blocked you doesn’t mean it has to stay this way. That’s why it’s always a good idea to keep VPN software on your device. You might want to access some content one day and then realize they don’t want you to see it for some reason. With the right tool, you can access it in a couple of seconds.