Internet censorship is becoming a big disaster day by day. I never imagined that my own country would adopt this practice one day but when recently Pakistan blocked YouTube I realized that I cannot even trust my own ISP and decided to take the matters in my own hands (well kind of)

Over the year I have shared a number of tips and tricks related to bypassing Internet firewalls and accessing blocked websites but with time these tricks have become useless and obsolete so today I am sharing with you 10 Free Tools to bypass firewalls and access blocked websites that will make sure that you get to visit those websites blocked by your country ISPs or network firewalls.

1. UltraSurf (Link)

UltraSurf is the flagship software product from UltraReach for Internet anti-censorship. It enables users inside countries with heavy Internet censorship to visit any public web sites in the world safely and freely. It enables users to browse any website freely just the same as using the regular browser while it automatically searches the highest speed proxy servers in the background.

2. GPass (Link)

Hide your IP address during web surfing. Support streaming audio/video, email, instant messaging, download managers, etc. Break through Internet blocking. Easy-to-use graphical user interface.

3. FreeGate (Link)

FreeGate is an anti-censorship client software for a secure and faster internet. Users access web sites overseas as fast as their local ones. It requires no installation or change in system setting. FreeGate works together with DynaWeb, a P2P-like proxy network system.

4. Garden GTunnel (Link)

GTunnel is a Windows application that works as a local HTTP or SOCKS proxy server. After setting proxy to GTunnel in web browser or other Internet applications, the traffic will go through GTunnel and our server farm before it reaches its original destination.

5. JAP (Link)

JAP makes it possible to surf the internet anonymously and unobservably. Instead of connecting directly to a webserver, users take a detour, connecting with encryption through several intermediaries, so-called Mixes. JAP uses a predetermined sequence for the mixes. Such a sequence of linked mixes is called a Mix Cascade. Users can choose between different mix cascades.

6. Your Freedom (Link)

Your Freedom services makes accessible what is unaccessible to you, and it hides your network address from those who don’t need to know. It turns your own PC into an uncensored, anonymous web proxy and an uncensored, anonymous SOCKS proxy that your applications can use, and it can even get you connected to the Internet just as if you were using an unrestricted DSL or cable connection.

7. Hopster (Link)

Hopster is all about open, safe and uncensored internet access. At home, schools, universities and offices worldwide, even in countries where Freedom of Speech is a political challenge. Hide your real IP address and protect yourself from nosy people and wannabe-hackers.

8. Freenet (Link)

Freenet is free software which lets you publish and obtain information on the Internet without fear of censorship. To achieve this freedom, the network is entirely decentralized and publishers and consumers of information are anonymous. Without anonymity there can never be true freedom of speech, and without decentralization the network will be vulnerable to attack.

9. Tor (Link)

Tor is a software project that helps you defend against traffic analysis, a form of network surveillance that threatens personal freedom and privacy, confidential business activities and relationships, and state security. Tor works with many of your existing applications, including web browsers, instant messaging clients, remote login, and other applications based on the TCP protocol.

10. HotSpot Shield (Link)

HotSpot Shield creates a secure virtual private network (VPN) over your connection allowing you to bypass any ISP firewalls and lets you visit even those websites which are blocked by your ISP. It can also be used to visit those websites which are specifically meant for US users e.g. Pandora, Hulu etc.

These tools can also be used by students and workers in their school/colleges and offices respectively to bypass network firewalls.