Internet Filtering: Types and How to Bypass It in 2024?

In 2025, internet filtering will remain a pervasive issue affecting millions of users worldwide. Internet filtering is a growing concern as more countries implement stringent measures to control online content. According to the latest report from Freedom House, global internet freedom has declined for the 13th consecutive year. So it’s crucial to understand the current landscape of internet censorship, which countries are most affected, how content is filtered, and most importantly, how to bypass and unblock restrictions with feasible tools through this article.

Which Countries Have Significant Internet Filtering and Censorship?

It’s widely acknowledged that the five countries including Bahrain, China, Iran, Syria, and Vietnam are listed as State Enemies of the Internet in 2013 due to their strict internet censorship policy.

But as of 2024, several countries stand out for their extensive internet filtering practices: 

1. China‘s “Great Firewall” is one of the most well-known internet censorship systems. It blocks access to major platforms like Google, Facebook, and Twitter, while heavily monitoring domestic sites. The government employs a combination of technological and human resources to enforce its stringent online content policies.
2. Iran employs a sophisticated filtering system to control what its citizens can access online. The government targets political content, social media, and platforms that challenge its narrative. Following political unrest, Iran has intensified its efforts, using both technological and regulatory means to suppress dissent.
3. Russia has increased its internet censorship efforts, requiring data to be stored on local servers and blocking sites that do not comply with its regulations. The government has expanded its control over internet infrastructure, allowing it to monitor and restrict access to content deemed threatening to national security.
4. Saudi Arabia filters a wide range of content, including political, religious, and social material that it deems inappropriate. The government uses a combination of IP blocking, DNS filtering, and keyword filtering to enforce its internet censorship policies.

What Content is Blocked by Internet Filtering?

Many countries around the world implement internet filtering to various degrees. The types of content filtered can vary based on the political, social, and cultural goals of the governments in these countries. The primary categories of filtered content include:

Common Methods for Internet Filtering

Internet filtering, often employed by governments, organizations, and educational institutions, involves various techniques to control access to certain types of content on the web. These methods ensure that only approved content is accessible while blocking potentially harmful or inappropriate material. 

Here are some common methods for internet filtering.

1. Keyword-Based Filtering

Keyword-based filters scan the content of websites for specific keywords or phrases that are on a blocklist. If any of these keywords are detected, access to the site is denied. Keywords might include flagged terms related to pornography, violence, hate speech, or politically sensitive topics. When these keywords are found, the website is blocked.

Pros: Simple to implement and effective at catching specific terms quickly.

Cons: High probability of false positives, as legitimate content might use blocked keywords in a non-malicious context.

2. URL Blocking

This method involves maintaining a list of URLs that are blocked. When a user tries to access a website on this list, the connection is severed. Moreover, URL blocking can be applied to both HTTP and HTTPS traffic, ensuring that attempts to access blocked sites over secure connections are also intercepted.

Pros: Effective for blocking known harmful websites and adult content, especially those required to disclose their identifiers.

Cons: Requires regular updates and maintenance as new websites emerge and existing ones change URLs.

3. Content-Based Filtering

Instead of blocking specific URLs, content-based filtering blocks entire categories of websites, such as social media, gambling, or sites tagged with violence. As websites are tagged based on their content, so any site falling under a restricted category is blocked.

Pros: Provides a broader approach to filtering, which can be less labor-intensive than maintaining URL blocklists.

Cons: May inadvertently block useful websites that fall under a broad category (e.g., a social media site used for professional networking).

4. DNS Filtering

DNS filtering is a domain-level blocking that blocks entire domains rather than specific URLs. It scans the DNS requests that users make to access websites and blocks those linked to restricted domains. This method involves checking the IP addresses associated with domains and blocking access to those listed on the blocklist.

Pros: Useful for proactive security policies, minimizing the risk of malware and other network threats by blocking access to malicious domains.

Cons: Less granular than URL blocking, as it applies blanket restrictions to all content under a domain, potentially blocking access to useful subpages.

How Web Filters Operate?

1. User Request: A user attempts to access a website.

2. Content Scanning: The web filter scans the requested page, domain, or website against its index of allowed content.

3. Access Decision:

• No Violations Found: If the content passes the filter’s criteria, access is granted.
• Violation Detected: If the content triggers a flag, the website is blocked and the connection is severed.

How Bear VPN Helps Bypass Internet Filtering?

For those seeking to bypass these restrictions, Bear VPN offers a reliable solution. It provides a reliable solution for bypassing internet filtering, ensuring unrestricted access to the web by:

1. Traffic Encryption: Bear VPN uses AEs-256 technology to encrypt your internet traffic, making it unreadable to your ISP and government authorities. This ensures your online activities remain private and secure from monitoring and censorship.
2. IP Address Masking: By connecting to Bear VPN, your real IP address is replaced with one from the VPN server, making it appear as though you are browsing from a different location. This helps you bypass local restrictions and access blocked content.
3. Bypassing Geo-Restrictions: With a wide 5000+ network of servers in 120+ countries, Bear VPN allows you to connect to servers outside your country. This enables you to access websites and services that are restricted in your region.
4. Avoiding Throttling: Bear VPN hides your online activities from your ISP, preventing them from throttling your connection based on your usage. This results in a faster and more consistent internet experience.

How to Use Bear VPN as Filtering Breaker?

1. Download and install Bear VPN app from the official website or your device’s app store.
2. Select a free server location in a country with fewer restrictions.
3. Tap the connect button to unlock restrictions. Once connected, you can access previously restricted content.

Conclusion

Internet filtering in 2024 continues to be a significant challenge in many parts of the world. Countries like China, Iran, Russia, and Saudi Arabia implement rigorous censorship measures to control online content. However, with tools like Bear VPN, users can bypass these restrictions and enjoy unrestricted access to the internet.

Understanding the mechanisms behind internet filtering and knowing how to circumvent them is crucial for maintaining internet freedom. Bear VPN provides a practical and reliable solution for overcoming these challenges, ensuring that users can browse the web securely and freely.

Stay informed, stay secure, and keep exploring the digital world without boundaries.