Interestingly, not all people have an address of their geolocation, but also each device entering the Internet has a unique address – IP address (Internet Protocol Address). This address is based on TCP/IP protocol. This address is used to identify and track each device’s activity (PC, mobile device, etc.). Nowadays, there are two IP address types: the old one, IPv4 (created from 4 groups of numbers from 0 to 255), and the new IPv6 (made from groups of numbers and letters).
Internal and external IP address
There is also a difference between your device’s IP address used in the local network (sometimes called internal) and the IP address that your Internet provider gives you for surfing (sometimes it is called external). It is easy to find your external IP address, but finding your internal IP address is much more difficult. An additional difficulty is that IPv6 is still a relatively expensive solution now; that is why IPv4 is commonly used. But IPv4 addresses are not enough for all users, so Internet providers add two spot numbers of ports after 4 numbers that provide an additional safety layer. The provider typically gives only one or several addresses.
Popular reasons for IP ban
So, as each user has an IP address (external one), it is easy to track activity. Below listed the most popular reasons for IP ban:
- If you send too many advertising materials.
- If you have a fake account or if you have too many accounts.
- If you post information that is illegal on the territory of the country, this website is registered.
- If you illegally use someone’s intellectual property/photos/video.
- If you distribute viruses to other website users (do you remember photos of Anna Kurnikova in your mailbox).
- If you start aggressive communication with other participants of the forum/social network/ website.
In general, all rules are about safe and comfortable conditions that are destroyed by actions of not a good user. Ban can be temporary (you’re removed from the net society for a while to think about your actions), or it can be forever. Ban can be executed via login, IP, MAC address, etc.; with IP, it is straightforward to implement.
How to get around an IP ban
It is evident that not everybody would like to be on the blacklist and have IP ban of the resources which are required for work or any other activities. Sometimes administrators at work can limit some websites. So, users have found some ways to get access and somehow change the IP address. Here three the best ways:
- Use a proxy server. Proxy servers can be an intermediate element in the chain between user and website. Proxy provides a new IP address to the users masking theirs. Paid proxies offer availability for dynamic addresses changing during your surfing. It is essential to use an anonymous proxy server, as some proxy servers provide your actual “external” IP address with the IP address of the proxy, so you still will be banned in this case. Some Internet providers can provide dynamic addresses as well, so to get through the ban, you need to log out from the Internet and log in again; a new IP address will be assigned automatically. Proxy servers can be different based on used protocol: HTTP, SOCKS 4 or SOCKS 5, SSL, etc. The proxy can be public or private; of course, it is better to use a private one to go through an IP ban, but this is expensive. Many other features may help to choose the specific one for your needs. An additional minus of proxy server is the Internet can work slower.
- Web-anonymizer. This special website can be used directly on the Internet without special software only via browser. You just open a web anonymizer and enter the interesting name of the website. You will then access the full content, but if the website has a lot of pictures, animation, and other features, they will not work in full. Also, it is not possible to watch videos, films, listen to music on websites. This is the main reason why this solution is not the easiest.
- VPN. This is also an intermediate element in the chain between you and the website. VPN is encrypting your activities on the Internet. Your IP address is not visible; the website sees only one of the VPN router’s addresses. With VPN, you can get high anonymous quality as this VPN router address will be constantly changed. With VPN, you may choose any country from where you will be surfing. VPN is a perfect solution for public WI-FI connection, the best place to receive some virus. But of course, there are some minuses: your Internet connection will be slower, VPN IP addresses can be banned as well (the most usable ones), some hackers can identify your own “external” IP address via cookies. VPN services mainly should be paid. Also, VPN should be downloaded.
No matter which solution you choose, there are essential general requirements that must be taken into account:
- the reputation of your selected option for an extended period of time no matter it is for money or for free, please read comments carefully;
- the speed of the Internet when your solution is activated;
- availability of technical support for users;
- availability of trial version to check all functions in advance.
There are several suggestions on the market for each of the proposed solutions, so it is easy to find your ideal one.
Bonuses
The described three solutions are not the only ones; there are many more; it is also a way to get through any ban and find a way to surf without any interference and disruptions for your planned activities.
Without limitations for your IP address, you receive additional bonuses: you can read local news that generally is restricted to other countries, you can open all websites at work, and for some websites, you can even increase the speed of Internet traffic if it is limited for users with specific IP addresses.
Please remember that the easiest way not to have an IP ban is to follow all website owners’ rules and not violate them.