Many schools implement website restrictions for their students, citing various reasons. The late '90s and early 2000s witnessed educational institutions embracing the Internet as an indispensable learning tool.
However, administrators soon recognized that students might not utilize it solely for academic pursuits. Subsequently, firewalls and site blockers became commonplace on school computers. In response, students started exploring virtual private networks (VPNs) as an avenue to access restricted content.
When it comes to finding the top VPN services in terms of value and functionality, many users wonder which ones are worth considering. Students who use VPNs are often concerned about bypassing censorship, avoiding ISP throttling and firewalls, accessing region-specific streaming content, enhancing gaming experiences, and even saving money. We will figure out how to choose a VPN for college and find the best VPN service for students from all over the world.
Bypassing the built-in safeguards of a school to browse social media platforms (such as Snapchat), access region-restricted streaming services (such as BBC iPlayer), and view restricted content can be tempting when connected to a VPN. However, it's important to be aware that there is a possibility of detection, which may lead to negative consequences.
Ransomware presents a significant concern for educational institutions, with concerns extending far beyond multimillion-dollar costs. Hackers are particularly enticed by the vast amounts of personal data, including medical records and Social Security numbers, belonging to students and staff. Furthermore, managing the cyber knowledge of hundreds or even thousands of students proves to be a challenging task in ensuring internet safety.
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Many schools not only block VPN providers' websites to prevent students from downloading VPN software but also block VPNs as such. To use a VPN on a college network, students need to ensure that the college firewall won't block it. From this point, it becomes a little technical, but it is important to know which VPN features are essential for bypassing school firewalls.
Schools have the ability to block VPNs using two methods:
1. By blocking the OpenVPN port, 1194, which is widely used by VPNs.
2. By implementing Deep Packet Inspection.
Deep Packet Inspection (DPI) is a sophisticated, albeit pricier, technique that empowers school firewalls to identify encryption tools, differentiate between OpenVPN and regular HTTPS traffic, and selectively block VPN traffic. If someone's college adopts such stringent practices, their optimal solution would involve opting for a VPN that offers masking capabilities to conceal VPN traffic, effectively making it resemble regular HTTPS traffic. In simpler terms, individuals should seek protection against Deep Packet Inspection when selecting a VPN.
When considering the intended use of a VPN, individuals may find it necessary to explore additional features, including server coverage in specific regions, and unblocking streaming sites, or gaming servers. For a comprehensive overview of essential VPN features, readers are encouraged to consult "The VPN Guide for Beginners." It provides valuable insights on selecting the right VPN.
Port Blocking is a simpler and more cost-effective method to implement. In this scenario, schools choose to block all ports except for HTTPS port 443, which is reserved for encrypted traffic, and HTTP port 80, which is used for unencrypted traffic. Consequently, all applications utilizing other ports become effectively blocked. In terms of VPNs, only the SSTP protocol functions on port 443, while OpenVPN, IPSec/L2TP, and PPTP do not utilize ports 443 or 80.
The good news is that SSTP provides significantly better security than PPTP. However, it is important to note that SSTP works exclusively on Windows operating systems. There is a potential workaround available if your VPN supports port forwarding, which allows you to set up OpenVPN through port 443. However, it is worth mentioning that not all VPNs support this feature. Additionally, it is important to highlight that port forwarding is only possible on desktop computers and is not compatible with mobile devices.
Therefore, when choosing a VPN, it is recommended to select a provider that meets the following criteria:
- Supports the SSTP protocol via port 443
- Offers OpenVPN port forwarding to either port 443 or 80
Modern educational institutions are prime targets for cybercriminals due to their vast amounts of personal data and the difficulty in managing cyber knowledge among hundreds or thousands of students. To counter the threats posed by school Wi-Fi networks, a reliable VPN may be necessary. When selecting a VPN, it is important to consider features such as port forwarding, masking capabilities, server coverage, and others.
This post is a sponsored guest post.
