How to: Unrestricted Internet Access Using a Proxy Server
20. Dec, 2009 
16 Comments
If you aren’t using a proxy to access the internet from the Mainland you’re missing out on a lot of great content – Youtube, Facebook, Twitter, and Blogspot to name a few of the most well known blocked sites. But it doesn’t stop with those: in everyday browsing you’re likely to come across other sites that you can’t access. Here’s how to get unlimited internet access free of blocks or restrictions by using an intermediary server.
What is a Proxy Server / VPN?
A virtual private network is defined as: a computer network that is implemented in an additional software layer on top of an existing larger network for the purpose of creating a private scope of computer communications
What does that mean in layman’s terms?
When you type Facebook.com into your browser the Great Firewall blocks access because that site is on a list. Anything on the list cannot be accessed directly from within the ‘Firewall because it controls incoming and outgoing connections. A proxy is an intermediary server which is not on the list and it, in turn, connects to any site you want since its access is unrestricted. Once software is installed and activated the process is seamless and you won’t notice which sites are blocked and which aren’t. Browse your friends Facebook photos to your hearts content and tweet about them if you like.
Freedur's control panel
Is this free?
Of the services available several are free and monetized by advertising and others are ad-free but require a monthly fee. The most well known among free options was Hotspot Shield, although it bombarded users with advertisements and didn’t always work – that was before it was blocked outright. Unfortunately free proxies seem to get nailed pretty quickly so if you want a reliable solution you’ll be paying for the privilege of unrestricted internet access.
The best option that I’ve found is Freedur, which costs $6 a month or $60 annually. After downloading the small program, registering, and completing checkout with credit card or Paypal, you login with your username and password. You’ll be prompted to install a Firefox plugin (you are using Firefox, aren’t you?) and after that you simply press the enormous “On” button to start filtering all of your browser traffic. There are several servers you can select in a drop down menu including locations in the US, UK, and one specially optimized for Beijing. Simple as that. Even better, if you enter “chengduliving” into the coupon entry box at checkout you’ll save 10%.
Another option which also costs $60 annually is Witopia VPN. After signing up, a program creates an encrypted connection to an overseas server that grants you unrestricted access. Witopia actually goes a step further by offering the “Cloakbox”: a modified router which automatically routes all of its traffic through a private encrypted connection. It costs $200, which seems steep, but includes a year of service. Because they don’t offer a free trial I haven’t tried Witopia personally but judging by the glowing reviews online it looks outstanding. One thing to note about Witopia is that it’s a real VPN which routes all traffic through the encrypted connection – not just web browser traffic. If you’re downloading something on Bit Torrent, for example, that traffic will be routed through the VPN. That will work fine, but for people in China it’s not really necessary because the blocked resources that we’re trying to access are websites.
Another option (thanks, Callum) is the The Onion Relay, also known as Tor. Using this method, traffic is routed through a myriad of encrypted proxy computers like layers of an onion. Although designed as a tool for scientists, Tor has been abused by p2p downloaders and child pornographers in recent years. The downsides of this routing method are significant: because traffic is routed through a series of proxiy servers, speeds are often very slow and the whole thing is somewhat of a hassle to set up and configure (as evidenced by this 50-page FAQ). However, if you have the time and will to get it working, Tor is totally free because it operates on donated bandwidth.
Witopia's $200 "Cloakbox"
How fast is it? Are there any downsides?
Since average internet speeds in China are sub-par even for developing countries, Freedur can easily max out my residential 2mb China Telecom internet connection which at its fastest, is downloading at 200kb/s. The Freedur application is small and works flawlessly – once the accompanying Firefox plugin is installed the giant On button works like you’d expect.
Conclusion
Whether you decide to try Freedur or Witopia, $60 for a year of service is a great value when you consider how much content it allows you access to from China. Free proxies are ridden with advertisements, distractions, and hassle – skip all of that and pay about 1 yuan a day to get unrestricted internet access with a VPN.
Are you using a proxy to access the internet? If so write about your experience in a comment below!
Author Info
Proxies seem to spring up, and then get found out really quickly. Does Freedur work on OSX?
You’re right, since this was written Hotspot Shield has been blocked.
Freedur works on OSX, yes.
A friend put me onto a couple of pieces of software called Vidalia and Tor. They seem to do the job perfectly and completely free.If you can’t find them online contact Eugene the Belarusky for them.
The only time I’ve ever gotten Tor to work it was super slow, which I learned is because the traffic goes through a byzantine network of proxies. If you or Eugene want to write a brief guide to setting up Tor I’d be happy to post it.
Eugene is more of a Tor pro than I, I will pass the message on to him.
Check out the Astrill review for an alternative to Freedur: http://www.chengduliving.com/unlimited-internet-access-with-astrill-vpn-review/
“Software Makers See a Market in Censorship”: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/16/technology/internet/16vpn.html
Freedur is way expensive now! I have no idea why!!
Skydur now doesn’t accept new members, and I have trouble extending my account! which was working great ..
Astrill seems good! but the payment options are limited! I cant use my credit card! I have to use CASHU or ALERTPAY or other things I never heard of.
Now, I’m using internet with restriction! which made me hate internet ..
officially, breaking up with internet in China ..
Thanks Charlie
Hey Coffee-
Yeah, they raised the price on Freedur considerably. But, if you use the “chengduliving” checkout code, you’ll get 50% off.
I still use Freedur everyday.
Hi Guys,
I just tried to register for Freedur, but I am not able to visit the freedur homepage.
Is it blocked from China?
Does somebody has another idea to get Freedur?
Thx for your efforts
I’m not sure, but it appears to be down for the time being. I sent an inquiry to the people in charge and I’ll leave a comment here as soon as I know what’s going on.
You can also try our Premium VPN Service at http://www.highspeedvpn.com . We offer High Speed VPN Accounts with USA IP Addresses.
Thank You!
Soon, there will be more Google Android phones in the U.S. than iPhones (and in China too). I own one of the latest ones with T-Mobile (I live in SoCal). My wife and I will be arriving in Chengdu this October and I was wondering what to expect from my U.S. Android phone with a Chinese sim-card in it. I did learn that as of a few days ago, the Chinese Gov. has made it law for all persons buying sim cards to register with proper I.D., so they can record it. That part in not my issue, but having a functional smart phone in China is. Will I be able to use many of my phone’s apps and functions there in China? I do plain on purchasing VPNinji, which is a VPN service. They are suppose to work well with Androids & iPhones. Any thoughts on the use of my smart phone there would be very helpful? Htanks in advance!
Hi Ken,
You shouldn’t have any issue with your phone working in China. I’m pretty sure it will have 100% functionality, as far as I’m aware. You might have to take it to a computer market in Chengdu to have the phone unlocked, in order for it to support a cell network other than T-Mobile. It’s a quick and cheap process that will cost you pocket change.
Good luck!
I got Freedur after reading this review. It couldn’t possibly be any slower. I have to switch between locations frequently because it just stops at 0 and does nothing. Videos don’t stream at all and usually I have to wait for it to fully load first. I can do some simple browsing but I can’t have too many windows open at once. It’s been hell. My buddy has ExpressVPN and I’ll see how that goes. Seems to work better. Astrill would be my next try.
I’m going to go on a limb and guess that it’s more to do with your internet connection than Freedur. You should be corresponding with their support if you have problems with the service though, since there isn’t much I can do for you but tell you that I don’t have any issues. Good luck.