VPNs need no introduction. However, why are we talking about VPNs today? It all starts with the concept of IP bans. First, users need to understand what is an IP (Internet Protocol) address and how it affects their daily digital lives. Only then can they realize the gravity behind this type of ban. But is the issue grave? Surely not, as there are methods to bypass an IP ban through a VPN. However, not every prohibition is easy to resolve. Hence, we are attempting to understand the effect of VPNs on an IP ban. Is it possible for them to solve this issue? If yes, then how?
We will also talk about VPNs in passing and how tech as a service has changed the digital security landscape in just a decade. Yes, VPNs are somewhat necessary today. But can they counter blocking on this level? The ultimate question is, “Can a VPN bypass an IP ban?”. Thus, let us embark on this journey to find answers to burning questions and figure out how to circumvent an IP ban with or without a VPN.
Disclaimer — The following article is a subjective representation of facts based on the views of the writer. We do not condone the use of VPN for anything illegal. We also do not advise using VPNs to bypass blocks and bans if they go against the domestic legislature.
Definition of an IP address
IP address or Internet Protocol address is a unique set of identification numbers given to every device connecting to the internet. There are two types of IP, public and private, but most users deal with solely public IPs. Furthermore, public IPs have different versions. Currently, most users around the globe use the traditional IPv4 system that consists of a string of numbers, separated by periods. The address ranges from 0.0.0.0 to 255.255.255.255, 0 being the lowest and 255 the highest number in the combination. Thus, any combination expressed as a format of four numbers is an IPv4 IP address.
Hence, an IP address is an identifier for a computer on any network, public or private, that can send and receive IP packets. An IP packet is a type of message in IP. The value of these packets lies in the fact that other hosts on the network can distinguish the packet’s origin and concurrently the destination. Imagine a letter. Your metadata is the letter that travels on the internet. But without proper identification and address, it cannot reach the target. That’s where IP address comes into play.
Whenever your device initiates a connection with a target source, it sends data wrapped in IP packets that contain the originating address and the destination. The relays and gateways on the network route these packets to the destination accordingly. Thus, if a destination source bans your IP, then you can’t connect to it no matter what. Hence, IP bans are so troublesome.
How can a VPN bypass an IP ban?
A VPN can bypass an IP ban. Fundamentally, a VPN changes the originating IP of the user by hiding it behind remote servers. Thus, when you use a VPN to connect to a website, you can gain access, even if the site has banned your IP. Why? Because when you use a VPN, the client handles the outgoing traffic and prevents the browser from generating an HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol) request. Instead, it creates a tunnel and connects to the designated server.
Afterward, the server (on behalf of the client) generates the HTTP request to the destination website and establishes a connection. Due to such routing, the website only knows the IP of the requesting server and grants it access. Hence, even if your device’s IP gets banned, using a VPN can circumvent it because you won’t be using your originating IP to establish a connection. Instead, you’d use random IP addresses for every attempt. This is how the process works:
- Suppose your device IP is 1.2.3.4. Now you visit a website, abc.com, without using any VPN.
- Your browser would initiate a connection to abc.com under the IP address 1.2.3.4.
- But, after some time, the website bans the IP range 1.2.2.2 to 1.2.4.4 due to some reasons.
- Since your IP is also on the list, you can’t access the website from your device.
- Then you employ a VPN and establish a VPN connection to a remote server.
- The IP address of the server is 1.4.4.4.
- If you initiate a connection to the website abc.com, the browser will send the request to the VPN client instead of the website.
- Then, your VPN will encrypt this data and send it to the server.
- After that, the server will, on your behalf, connect the website.
- Now, the website would only see the incoming request is from an IP 1.4.4.4.
- Since the IP is not on the ban list, it will grant access. Thus, you successfully gained access to a banned website by using a VPN.
Methods to bypass an IP ban that exclude VPN
Other than a VPN, users can find numerous methods to resolve an IP ban. Such methods are:
Proxies (SOCKS5)
A proxy is a service on a computer network that allows clients to make an indirect request to other network services. It is similar to VPNs, but unlike them, it doesn’t encrypt data traffic. The clients first connect to proxy servers and requests resources from another server (public server aka the internet). Depending on the server and protocols, proxies can be of different types. For example, HTTP proxies, SOCKS4, SOCKS5 protocol, and so on.
Tor
The Onion Router or Tor is a free implementation of the second generation onion (multilayer) routing. It allows users to connect to servers anonymously. Furthermore, it ensures the safety of user data via encryption. It is an anonymous network, with users using the TCP (OpenVPN) protocol to remain hidden from packet inspection techniques. The safety is ensured by relying on multiple relays. But in VPNs, the data gets routed only once.
SSH tunneling
SSH or Secure Shell is a network protocol that facilitates remote control and file transfer for a device. It also uses algorithms to encrypt the data traffic. It is a cheap VPN alternative. SSH utilized the HUB and spoke architecture. All network traffic gets routed to a single port (the localhost) that connects to the server via SSH. Ultimately this server connects to a remote proxy or SOCKS to relay the traffic to the destination.
JAP
JAP is a specialized proxy that works on top of the user system, gathers all interesting traffic, and sends it along to the next target, namely Mix. It is a special intermediate server. Mix collects requests from multiple IP addresses but uses its own to request connections.