How-To Guides

Why Free VPNs Create Technical and Privacy Risks

Free VPNs require revenue to operate. Understand how the business model creates real privacy and security risks, and what honest exceptions exist.

VPN vs Tor: Understanding the Real Differences in How They Protect You

Compare VPN and Tor: how they work, their trust models, speed tradeoffs, and which tool fits different privacy needs. Not interchangeable.

VPN vs Proxy: Understanding the Real Difference

Learn how proxies and VPNs differ in scope, encryption, and what they actually protect. A technical guide for beginners and practitioners.

How a VPN Actually Works: Tunneling and Encryption Explained

Learn how VPNs encrypt and route your internet traffic through a secure tunnel. Understand encapsulation, protocols, and what your VPN provider can actually see.

Why Use a VPN? 5 Real Reasons and 3 Myths

Understand when a VPN actually helps and when it doesn't. Real security reasons, common misconceptions, and honest tradeoffs explained.

What is a VPN? A Plain-Language Explanation

Understand how VPNs work: encrypted tunnels, IP addresses, and what VPNs actually protect. No marketing fluff, just clear technical explanation.

REALITY and Xray: How Circumvention Tools Outpace GFW Blocking in 2026

Technical analysis of REALITY protocol and Xray-core against China's Great Firewall. How modern circumvention tools work and why blocking them remains difficult.

How DPI Identifies VPN Traffic: Technical Methods in China, Russia, Iran

Deep packet inspection, SNI blocking, and protocol fingerprinting are used by authoritarian regimes to detect and throttle VPN users. Technical overview of 2026 blocking methods.

Discord Blocking in Vietnam: Technical Methods and Political Context

Why Vietnam blocks Discord: regulatory background, technical blocking methods, OONI data, and how DNS filtering and DPI are deployed.

April 2026: Complete Guide to Blocked Services in China

A former Shanghai software engineer shares which services are blocked in China, why, and how to access them safely using VPNs.

Already in China Without VPN? Here's What to Do

Stuck in China without a VPN? Learn what's blocked, why restrictions exist, and practical solutions to access global content safely and legally.

China VPN: What Actually Works in 2026 (Tested)

Discover which VPNs truly work in China 2026. Real testing results, legal risks, technical blocking methods, and honest recommendations.

First Business Trip to China - Internet Survival Guide

Navigate China's internet restrictions on your first business trip. Learn what's blocked, why, and how to stay connected safely and legally.

Expat Life: Why a VPN is Essential Abroad

Discover why expats need VPNs: streaming restrictions, geo-blocking, government censorship, and how to access home content safely.

Access Japanese Services Abroad: Guide for Long-term Expats

Learn how to access Japanese streaming, banking, and services while living overseas. Understand geo-restrictions and find reliable solutions for expats.

Japanese Travelers' VPN Setup Guide: Stay Connected Abroad

Essential VPN guide for Japanese travelers. Learn why content restrictions exist and how to access home services while traveling internationally.

How VPN Changes Your Location: Simple Technical Explanation

Learn how VPNs mask your IP address to appear in different locations. Understand geo-blocking, broadcasting rights, and technical limitations.

Social Media Bans by Country: Complete List 2024

Complete guide to countries where Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok are banned. Learn why restrictions exist and legal workarounds.

Is Google Blocked in Hong Kong? Complete Internet Freedom Guide

Learn if Google is blocked in Hong Kong. Discover what services are restricted, why, and how to access them safely with step-by-step solutions.

Hong Kong vs Mainland China Internet: What's Blocked & How to Access It

Discover the differences between Hong Kong and Mainland China internet restrictions. Learn which apps, websites are blocked and how to access them safely.