Have you ever tried to access your favorite online content in China? You might find out that it isn’t so easy. The Great Firewall of China is the name given to the internet censorship used by the Chinese Government. If you want to unlock Netflix (解锁Netflix) or any of your other favorite online content, you’re going to need to use a VPN.
Why do you need a VPN in China
Companies, ISPs, and even the government are spying on you. If you have private information that you need to protect, this could be a problem for you. Most of us don’t have top secret information on our computers, but not only is your private information at risk, but also your online freedom.
Every time you connect to the internet, you have a digital identity number, known as an IP address. This IP address lets people know exactly which country you are in and it can even be used to find out who you are and where you live. Companies and countries, like China, use this information to limit people from accessing certain online content. If you try to access Netflix IP, Facebook, Twitter, or even just a western news agency from China, you will find that you’re unable to establish a connection. This is due to the Great Firewall of China, but luckily there is a way to get around it by using a VPN.
VPN stands for Virtual Private Network. Instead of connecting directly to the internet, people who use a VPN first connect to a server of their choosing and then they connect to the internet. This additional step is all you need to improve your security and to make sure that no one can spy on you when you’re online. Not only are you safe from hackers, but no one will be able to block your favorite online content again.
How to use a VPN in China
If you’re living in China and want to access online content that is currently blocked, all you need to do is get a quality VPN. There are so many different VPNs to choose from, but make sure you find one that is recommended by many users. You should expect the VPN to come at a cost because the free ones are not recommended and usually come with a lot of drawbacks.
Once you have chosen the right VPN, you can install their easy-to-use application on your computer and mobile devices. No matter which platform you use, the VPN will always work the same. First you need to choose a country where you want to connect to, then you can choose the specific server, and finally (if your VPN allows you to) you can choose what VPN protocol you would like to use. If you know more than the average person, you will know which VPN protocol is the best for your specific use; but if you don’t, the VPN usually provides a default setting which is easy-to-use and effective at connecting you to your favorite online content when searching the internet in China or anywhere in the world.
