The recent blanket ban on YouTube in Pakistan has caused a lot of trouble for Internet users.
On one hand we have the issue of blasphemous content being hosted on the website but what the naive authorities fail to realize is that YouTube offers so much more than that. Especially in 2012, the site is now used by over a couple of million users from around Pakistan every month.
From music, to TV shows, online lectures, online Quran, open courseware, every other form of online media has been affected by this blanket ban. The biggest collateral damage has been to Virtual University of Pakistan which the top visited YouTube channel from the country and offered distant-learnings courses and lectures to thousands of students.
Unfortunately there has been no statement on when the ban will be lifted. Below, you will find some methods that will help you get temporary access to YouTube.
1. SpotFlux
SpotFlux is a more secure, private and open internet experience. It wins our heart for being the most easy-to-setup cross OS compatible private VPN service that is not just easy to configure but also free to use. Just install the SpotFlux client on your PC/Mac and enjoy free surfing beyond any firewall. [download]
2. Stealthy
Stealthy is an extension for Chrome and Firefox that allows you to unblock websites. Install the extension, click the activate button and as soon as the icon turns 'green', you are good to go. [download]
3. Tor Client
Tor is free software and an open network that helps you defend against a form of network surveillance that threatens personal freedom and privacy, confidential business activities. In short, it keeps your activity anonymous and lets you browse and access websites which might be blocked in your area. [download]
4. JonDo
JonDo, formerly JAP, is the ip changer proxy tool you have to install on your computer. It acts as a proxy and will forward the traffic of your internet applications multible encrypted to the mix cascades and so it will hide your ip address. It is a Java application, open source and you can download it for free. [download]
5. TunnelBear
TunnelBear is the world’s easiest to use consumer VPN software that securely "tunnels" your internet connection to locations around the world. TunnelBear can be used to protect your privacy, to bypass internet censorship and to experience the internet as people in other countries experience it. In simple words, it is an incredibly simple app to experience the internet as if you were living in another country. [download]
6. HotSpot Shield
HotSpot Shield make a virtual private network (VPN) across your Internet thus allowing you to bypass any filters and watch YouTube video. [download]
5. Ultrasurf
Ultrasurf is a free proxy-based tool for internet privacy and security that allows you to bypass firewalls and protect your identity online. [download]
Also, I think it is about time that people should explore other YouTube alternatives like Vimeo, DailyMotion and MetaCafe to host their content or even view videos.
