Using A VPN To Access Censored YouTube Content

It’s easy to take freedom from censorship for granted. Most people in the US and Europe don’t have to worry about what they’re allowed to watch. Everything is available to them without needing to take any steps.

Unfortunately, that’s not true everywhere in the world. In countries like China, YouTube is banned. In other countries, certain videos or searches are monitored or censored. In some places, you simply may not be comfortable watching videos that portray things against the law in that country. For example, you may avoid watching videos about medical marijuana in countries with strict punishments for drug use.

A virtual private network (VPN) can give you the ability and peace of mind to watch YouTube videos safely. VPNs are often used for safety purposes when streaming video content. Many people are rightly unsure of whether Popcorn Time is safe, for example, and torrenting definitely should only be done through a VPN. And, to avoid censorship, a VPN can be the perfect way to watch YouTube. Here’s how to go about it.

Choose a VPN

You’ll want a VPN that is certain to work both in circumventing censorship and keeping you safe from surveillance. Not all VPNs are created equal, however, and you should make sure the VPN you choose has good ratings from users and experts.

ExpressVPN and NordVPN are among the most popular in 2018, but they are not the only two. Read some reviews to make the best choice possible, and then you’ll need to sign up.

Signing up

The best VPNs require a subscription. This can be a monthly or annual payment. If you choose the annual option, you’ll pay a lot less.

There are free options, but they limit your bandwidth. The best option you’ll find is Windscribe, which offers 10GB free every month, but if you’re streaming videos, that will almost certainly run out.

Download the software

Once you’ve signed up, you’ll be given a download link for the software on your computer. You’ll also be directed towards the app store where you can get the software for your mobile operating system. Your mobile software will work in tandem with your phone, giving you the easy option of turning it on straight from settings.

Choose a server

To watch videos banned in your country, you’ll need to use a server located in a different country. Some servers will be quicker, based on their proximity to your location. If you’re having trouble finding the right server, speak to customer service agents. This is one of their priority tasks, and they’ll get you to the right one within minutes.

Stay connected

If you disconnect your VPN while still watching a video or still on the page, you’re putting yourself at risk. VPN clients like ExpressVPN are set to turn off all internet traffic while the VPN is off (unless you specify not to or close the application). This ensures that you’re safe even if your computer sleeps and disconnects from the internet and VPN until you wake it.

YouTube is important socially and culturally, and the ability to access content containing all sorts of perspectives should be sacred. Use a VPN to get past any threats to your freedom.