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Daily browsing done quick and easy on your Chromebook
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Is your research prematurely canceled when the site you're trying to view is blocked on the Chromebook your school lent you? Schools usually block sites to keep students from viewing mature content, prevent distractions, and to limit the information students can access. Note that removing any restrictions or changing your Chromebook in any way may go against your school's policies and can result in negative consequences. Read on to learn more about unblocking sites on a Chromebook.

Freely Browse Websites on Your Chromebook

If you can't use a VPN, the next best thing is using a web proxy or proxy server to access blocked sites on your Chromebook. You can also change the insecure content block on Chrome by going to Settings > Privacy & security > Site settings > Advanced site settings > Insecure Content .

Section 1 of 7:

Use a Web Proxy

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  1. This includes sites like proxysite.com . Although less secure than a VPN, proxy servers will work in your web browser. Most Chromebooks don't have the space for downloads, and it might even be locked behind administrative permissions, so using a proxy server in your web browser is easier.
    • Proxy servers are online sites that offer to view other sites on your behalf, so IP addresses aren't blocked. The traffic through proxies is not encrypted, so your online activity isn't anonymous.
  2. You might need to scroll all the way down the page to find the text field for the URL you want to visit.
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  3. Remember that your online activity isn't anonymous and can be tracked.
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Section 2 of 7:

Use a Proxy Server

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  1. You can find reputable and reliable proxy servers online, including Smartproxy; however, they aren't as reliable and private as using a VPN .
    • You'll most likely need to pay to use a proxy server, unlike free website proxies, but you will be able to get around most website blocks this way.
    • You can continue this section once you have all the information required to set up a proxy server.
  2. This opens new options.
  3. You'll see a list of all the available Wi-Fi networks.
  4. This will allow you to click more options.
  5. You'll see more options drop-down.
  6. The toggle will be colored and pointing right to indicate that it's enabled.
    • After toggling this option, click Confirm .
  7. It's the last option on the menu.
  8. Once you enter this information, you should be able to browse freely on your Chromebook.
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Section 3 of 7:

Use Chrome Settings

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  1. To do this, click the vertical three-dot menu on the upper right corner of the window, then select Settings .
    • Alternatively, go to chrome://settings in Chrome.
  2. It's in the menu on the left side of the window.
  3. It's the last option in the "Privacy and security" section.
  4. You'll need to scroll down to find this option under the "Content" section header.
  5. You'll see it next to a triangle with an exclamation mark inside.
    • Alternatively, open Chrome and enter chrome://settings/content/insecureContent into the address bar to go directly to this page.
  6. If you see a site listed under "Not allowed to show insecure content", click the three-dots next to the site's name and click Remove . Click Add under "Allowed to show insecure content" to add sites that you want to visit.
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Section 4 of 7:

Reset Chrome Permissions

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  1. Doing this will erase any settings that the administrator made that blocks Chrome from displaying content deemed dangerous.
  2. It looks like a triangle with an exclamation mark inside it.
  3. This will open up a menu.
  4. This will allows you to clear out settings the school's administration configured to block particular websites.
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Section 5 of 7:

Use a Site's IP Address

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  1. This keyboard shortcut opens Terminal so you can find the IP address of a website.
    • Websites, like https://www.wikipedia.org/ are easier to remember than their IP counterparts, which is a jumble of numbers and periods. Some schools block the actual name of the website instead of the IP address, which is how you'll try accessing it.
  2. For example, if you want to know the IP address of Wikipedia, you'd enter PING www.wikipedia.org .
  3. If your school didn't block their IP address, you'll see the site.
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Section 6 of 7:

Use Google Translate

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  1. Go to https://translate.google.com/ and click Website . Similar to a free proxy site, you might be able to use Google Translate to view the website you want to access.
  2. You should be able to see the website you're trying to access.
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Section 7 of 7:

Use a Mobile Hotspot

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  1. If you pay extra for a hotspot (more information about hotspots here ), you can enable it in Settings > Connections . Then you can connect your Chromebook to it in your network settings.
    • Sometimes it's the school's router that blocks you from accessing certain sites while you're on school property. Using a mobile hotspot will eliminate your school's router block and allow you to go to any site you want.



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