How Can VPNs Help Chinese Students Bypass Censorship?
- February 25, 2024
- 10 minutes Read
- VPN Service
Being a student in China can be great until you get locked out from most of the fun due to China’s great firewall. VPNs are a great way to unlock internet freedom by bypassing censorship and geo-restriction.
In today’s blog, we will explore how Virtual Private Networks can help Chinese students enjoy a secure and unrestricted internet without any limits. We’ll discuss the critical factors you must consider while choosing a VPN service provider.
Due to the increased demand for international resources as well as the connectivity needed for educational purposes, VPNs have become increasingly popular as a tool.
VPNs can be used to access a completely unrestricted internet, assisting you in your research and assignments and ensuring that you remain informed about what’s happening worldwide. Let’s reclaim your digital freedom.
Why Do You Need a VPN In China?
In China, the government uses a system called the Great Firewall to block many websites and online services. They do this for political reasons, mainly to stop people from criticizing the Communist Party and to keep control over what people talk about.
The Chinese government closely monitors citizens’ online activities, including tracking individuals’ browsing history, monitoring online communications, and compelling Chinese companies to disclose user information. It’s a severe violation of privacy.
The Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) blocks websites and services that they think are dangerous for the country. This means many websites from other countries, like news sites, social media, and sites about human rights, are not allowed.
The censorship in China prevents people from seeing or sharing anything negative about the country or its government, creating an environment where only positive information is accessible.
Thousands of websites are blocked in China, so it’s hard to list them all. But here are some examples of what’s blocked:
- Google services (like Gmail and Google Search)
- Facebook and Messenger
- YouTube
And many news websites like the New York Times, BBC, and The Washington Post
The government also blocks websites where you can get a VPN. A VPN is a tool that lets you access these blocked websites.
Because of this, getting a VPN and setting it up on your device is a good idea before you go to China. This way, you can still access all these websites and have more freedom online when you’re there.
Does a VPN Make You Anonymous in China?
A VPN can keep your online activities private by hiding them from prying eyes, internet providers (ISPs), and the government. It also allows you to securely access blocked sites, resources, and content and unblock many possibilities. With a VPN, you get unhindered access to the internet without any restrictions and security concerns.
What is the “Great Firewall of China”?
The “Great Firewall of China” is a name given to the ways the Chinese government stops people in China from using certain parts of the internet.
It’s officially known as the Golden Shield project. The government controls all the companies that provide internet service in China. This means they can watch and choose what people in China can see and do on the internet.
Is It Legal to Use a VPN in China?
In general, using VPNs is not considered illegal. It is legal for people in China to use a VPN, but there are certain complexities. Using a free VPN can pose risks, as they typically offer low-security measures, sell user data, and violate user privacy.
The time in prison can be as short as three days or as long as over five years. But these punishments are not always the same for everyone.
VPNs (Virtual Private Networks) offer a practical solution to bypass the Great Firewall of China by encrypting internet traffic and masking users’ IP addresses. By connecting to a VPN server outside China, students can access blocked websites and online resources freely and securely, ensuring they can stay connected with global academic and informational platforms essential for their studies.
How I Picked the Best VPNs for China?
I picked the top VPN choices for China based on these key points:
- Special Servers: The VPN should have special servers (obfuscated) and Stealth VPN protocols that are effective in China.
- Wide Range of Servers: Having servers in many countries, including China, is good.
- Speed & Performance: The VPN should be fast so it doesn’t slow you down while watching videos or playing games.
- Security & Privacy: The VPN shouldn’t record what you do online, so your data and browsing habits are safe.
- Strong Security: It should use strong encryption (256-bit) to protect your information.
- Safety Features: The VPN should have a kill switch and protection against DNS leaks for extra security.
- Access to Popular Services: You should be able to use famous streaming services and other websites from the West in China.
- Excellent Customer Support: Good help and support if you need it.
For me, security and privacy are the most important. Thus, even though not many VPNs work well in China, Symlex VPN is one of the few that does.
It started in 2019, so it’s quite new in the VPN world. Also, let me tell you a way where you can make your browsing of the internet in China safer.
With Gologin and a VPN in China, you can bypass censorship and ensure the safety and privacy of your online activities.
Gologin prevents websites from realizing you’re using multiple accounts, while a VPN encrypts your internet connection. This combination is especially powerful in China, as it avoids account detection and protects your data from government monitoring.
However, Symlex VPN is trusted by millions of users globally. Why?
Because of its strong security, fast servers, a policy where they don’t keep your online activity records, protection against DNS leaks, and use of the best VPN security methods, people also like it because it offers great customer service and affordable prices. This makes Symlex VPN stand out from other VPN options.
6 Key Features of Symlex VPN
Symlex VPN is one of the few VPNs that works really well in China. It’s not just about having great features; it’s also affordable, which is important for students.
For students in China, having a VPN like Symlex can mean accessing many study materials, websites, and online tools that they wouldn’t be able to access otherwise. Here are some ways Symlex VPN can help students in China:
- No Log Policy: This means Symlex VPN doesn’t keep usage logs like IP address, browsing history, device ID, geo-location, etc. So, your activities remain private if you’re researching for a project or browsing different websites.
- Kill Switch: If your VPN connection suddenly stops, this feature cuts off your internet and keeps you connected to the VPN to prevent IP leaks. Once the internet is back, the connection gets restored automatically.
- Strong Encryption: Symlex VPN uses AES-256 encryption, which is super secure. Think of it as sending your information through a secret tunnel that only the person you’re sending it to can open. This is great for safely accessing study materials or sending important emails.
- Multi-device Access: You can use Symlex VPN on up to 5 devices with just one account. This means you can be doing research on your laptop while your sibling uses it on their phone to make an online purchase, all at the same time.
- 24/7 Customer Support: If you have problems, like being unable to connect to a server, customer support is ready to help you. This is really useful if you’re working on an assignment late at night and suddenly need VPN support.
- Works on Many Devices: Symlex VPN works on Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and Huawei. So, no matter what device you’re using for school, you can still get secure access to the internet.
Can you Use a VPN to Watch Netflix US in China?
If you’re in China and want to watch your Netflix, Amazon, or Hulu, a VPN can help. You can bypass geo-restriction easily and securely by connecting to a VPN server. This lets you stream your favorite content anytime, anywhere.
However, avoid free VPNs since they cannot effortlessly unblock Netflix due to its string VPN detection algorithm. So you need to choose one that we know works with Netflix.
Can you watch Chinese TV with a VPN?
It’s tough to watch Chinese TV using a VPN. Most VPNs don’t have servers in China because they would have to share information with the Chinese government, which goes against their privacy rules.
Some have attempted to address this issue by using virtual servers located outside of China but appearing to be within the country. However, many VPNs now consider this approach too risky and do not provide Chinese IP addresses.
As a result, the reputable VPN services we are discussing here are unable to offer Chinese IP addresses for accessing local Chinese TV.
Is It a Good Idea To Use a Free VPN In China?
Free VPNs are not ideal for use in China due to the strict government regulations that block many VPNs. To bypass these restrictions, a VPN requires special technology and robust encryption, features that free VPNs typically lack. As a result, they are easily detectable and blockable by the Chinese internet authorities.
Also, free VPNs often have problems like losing their connection. This can leave you without protection online. The best VPNs have a “kill-switch” feature that keeps you hidden even if the VPN stops working, but free VPNs usually don’t have this.
Another issue with free VPNs is their lack of customer support. So, if you run into any problems using it, no one can help you. Even if you get a free VPN to work, it might not keep your data safe, and the internet might be slow.
Here’s a table for a comparative overview of free VPNs vs Paid VPNs.
Feature | Free VPN | Paid VPN |
Cost | Free | Price varies |
Data limits | Usually limited data, speed reduced after limit reached | Unlimited data |
Number of server locations | Limited server locations | Large number of servers worldwide |
Speed | Slower speeds due to data limits and more users sharing servers | Faster speeds with no data limits |
Logging policy | Often log user activity and connection data | Strict no logging policies |
Security | Weaker encryption standards in many cases | Strong 256-bit or higher encryption |
Customer support | Limited or no support | Responsive customer support |
Features | Basic VPN functionality | Advanced features like split tunneling, kill switch, etc. |
Reliability | Prone to downtime and connectivity issues | More reliable connections |
Ads | Usually contain ads | No ads |
Why is Symlex VPN popular?
Symlex VPN is really liked in the big world of VPNs because it’s affordable. This is great for students, people working, and anyone with a limited budget.
It has a wide range of servers in 95+ locations, including China. The Chinese government has blocked many VPNs, but Symlex VPN works like a charm, becoming an excellent choice for people in China who need to bypass censorship.
Conclusion
Everyone should have access to a private, uncensored internet, and VPNs are a great way for Chinese students to bypass censorship. If you’re going to China to study or know someone there or visiting, let them know about using a VPN there.
Everyone must enjoy free and secure internet access, which is possible with a trustworthy VPN. With all the internet restrictions in China, Symlex VPN can help users get past these barriers quickly. As technology grows, staying protected from online threats and becoming more aware of internet security is crucial.