Why Does NordVPN Block Websites?
Many VPN providers will tell you that they don’t block websites, but in reality, they often do. It’s not always obvious when a VPN blocks websites or if it’s deliberate, but if it’s the latter, you’ll usually find out soon enough when you try to access a banned site.
In order to provide a good user experience, VPN providers usually block popular websites that might be harmful, such as social media platforms or pornography sites. But the reality is that most VPNs are used for illegal purposes, and the companies that produce these products have to find a way to make money somehow. This usually means that they have to comply with the requests of law enforcement agencies, who often demand that websites be blocked.
Worst VPNs
This could mean that the VPN provider is forced to block certain websites due to a court order or maybe even the requests of law enforcement agencies. Whatever the reason may be, it’s usually a sign that you should avoid using this specific VPN and look for another one. Some of the most notorious VPNs in the industry that block websites are:
1. KeepSolid VPN
If you want to keep your personal data safe and secure, it’s probably a bad idea to use this specific VPN. The company is based in Panama and uses the SHA-512 Secure Hash Algorithm to encrypt all of your personal data. But, as you might have guessed, this doesn’t mean that all of its products are totally secure. The VPN provider uses a third-party service called Cloudflare to speed up page load times for its users. But this is mostly a double-edged sword because Cloudflare caches and stores all of your data, even the encrypted ones, which means that they have the keys to decrypt it. In some instances, they’ve been known to hand over those keys to law enforcement agencies without a court order. If you already use Cloudflare, you can opt out of this extra step by generating a notice on their website not to share your data with third parties. But in most cases, you won’t know what kind of data they have until long after you’ve left the company.
2. CyberGhost VPN
The German company CyberGhost has quickly become one of the most popular VPN services in the world, due in large part to its clever name and generous pricing. One of the reasons that the VPN provider is so affordable is that it doesn’t use any third-party servers. As a result, you get all of the speeds and security that you pay for. In some countries, like Germany, you have to pay an extra fee to access certain websites, but at least you won’t have to worry about your data being stored and shared with third parties. You can contact the company directly if you want to find out if they censor certain websites in your country.
This is the cheapest and arguably the most popular VPN in the industry, so it’s understandable if you’ve heard of it. But be mindful of the fact that even CyberGhost VPN has to obey the law in certain countries. For example, if you’re in Germany and you try to access a blocked site, you’ll probably get a message to that effect. However, this doesn’t mean that you should avoid using this VPN in Germany or any other country where it is blocked, as there are plenty of other options that don’t have this issue. Just be sure to check the terms and conditions of use beforehand to make sure that you’re aware of what’s allowed and what’s not.
3. Private Internet Access VPN
This is a fairly new entry in the VPN marketplace, so it might not be as familiar to some of our readers. PIA was originally founded in 2014 and is based in the United States. The service is pretty cheap (you can get a three-year plan for $2.95/month), and it has a no-logs policy, which is a godsend for anyone who wants to stay safe while using the internet. The company also runs a privacy community forum, where customers can have candid conversations about the product and how to use it safely. This is probably the most transparent and user-friendly VPN that we’ve ever come across, and it might even sway you to try it out.
PIA doesn’t just focus on the user experience and want to keep your data private, they are also a fierce advocate for internet freedom and privacy, which is why they were one of the first VPN companies to offer a bounty to celebrate the publication of Edward Snowden’s book, Permanent Record. The company has been an important part of the movement towards internet privacy, and that certainly doesn’t hurt their credibility.
4. Private Internet Access VPN Plus
If you’re someone who likes their privacy and doesn’t trust companies that keep logbooks and build profiles on users, you might want to try out the Private Internet Access VPN Plus plan. The basic version of PIA has become quite popular because it offers some pretty exceptional value for the money. If you’re in Canada, for example, you can get an entire year of VPN service for only $2.95, plus you get to choose from one of four different plans. So, not only do you get a secure connection that hides your identity but you also get to choose how much privacy you want.
This is the perfect choice if you want to have some internet fun but don’t want to jeopardize your safety or security. With this plan, you get AES-256 bit encryption, so your data is fully secure, as well as the standard PIA five-nines data protection.
There are numerous reasons why you might want to try out a VPN. You can use it to keep your personal information secure as you browse the web, or you can use it to access blocked websites and services. Remember that even the most trusted and reputable VPNs have to follow the law in certain countries, so make sure that you know what restrictions apply where you are. In most cases, you won’t have to worry about any legal issues when using a VPN, but it’s always good to know the rules and regulations ahead of time so that you don’t get in trouble when you’re not aware that you’re breaking them.