Students must be exposed to different ideas and cultures in today’s digital world to develop their critical thinking skills fully. However, with school internet filters blocking access to websites that may not be appropriate for younger audiences, it can become difficult for students to learn about certain subjects they are interested in. Luckily, there are ways to get around these school Chromebook filters to unblock websites on your school-issued device. If you are a student who has been given a Chromebook as part of your education and have discovered that some sites can’t be accessed because of your school’s filter, you aren’t alone. Many schools have begun issuing Chromebooks as part of their digital education programs. Unfortunately, this comes with the cost of these devices having pre-installed software that prevents students from accessing websites on topics like sex education and alcohol abuse prevention, which many schools feel unfit for their students at this stage in their education. But don’t worry! There are plenty of ways to unblock those websites on your Chromebook so you can continue learning wherever you are!
How To Unblock Websites On School Chromebook
Use Chrome’s Incognito Mode
If your school’s filter is set up in a way that logs all the websites your child attempts to visit, they will be notified of the attempt and able to see the site they were attempting to view. If this is something, you want to avoid when trying to unblock websites on your Chromebook, using Chrome’s incognito mode can help. With incognito mode turned on, you can visit any website you like without it being recorded in your history. When attempting to unblock websites on your school-issued Chromebook, all you need to do is click the incognito icon in the search bar (next to the “x”), and you will be able to access all websites that your filter has blocked.
Install a VPN
Another way to unblock websites on your school Chromebook is with a VPN. A VPN, short for a Virtual Private Network, is a service that encrypts your computer’s internet connection and routes it through a remote server. This can be helpful for various uses, but when attempting to unblock websites on your school-issued Chromebook, this is a method that should be considered. A VPN like ExpressVPN allows you to choose from hundreds of different countries and then connect to that region’s servers. This means that you can access websites you haven’t been able to visit because of your school’s filter, such as websites about alcohol abuse prevention, wherever you are located.
Install a Chrome Extension
If you are looking for a more long-term solution for unblocking websites on your school-issued Chromebook, installing a Chrome extension may be the best option. Many Chrome extensions allow users to bypass filters and access blocked websites. Some popular extensions include: – HTTPS Everywhere: This extension forces your browser to connect to websites using HTTPS whenever possible to encrypt your communications. Since many websites use HTTP and are not encrypted, this is a great way to prevent your school’s filter from seeing what you are doing online. – uBlock Origin: This extension is a general-purpose blocker that can be used to prevent ads, malware, and trackers from infecting your computer. It can also block specific websites from being displayed on your screen. – WOT: WOT is a website reputation and review site that allows users to add trust seals and warnings to websites. You can use WOT to block specific websites displayed on your screen.
Get a Custom ROM
Every Chromebook has a specific operating system (OS) installed on it. These ora allow the Chromebook to function and do everything it’s meant to do. Many different OS is created for Chromebooks, but only a few are in high demand. The most popular OS’s are: – Chrome OS: This is the default operating system on all Chromebooks. It’s a browser with some offline apps. – Debian: This is a Linux-based operating system that is very similar to Chrome OS but has more offline apps and customization options. – Ubuntu: This is another Linux-based operating system that can also be installed on Chromebooks. It has more customization options than Chrome OS and Debian. While each of these operating systems is a great option that allows you to unblock websites on your school-issued Chromebook, Ubuntu is generally considered the best.
Bypass School Chromebook Filters on Google Chrome
If you’ve attempted to use one of the above methods to unblock websites on your Chromebook only to find that it hasn’t worked for you, there is another way to bypass school Chromebook filters. It can bypass any Chromebook filter by changing your device’s network to “public.” “To do this, follow the steps listed below: – Click on the “Menu” button in the upper-right corner of your screen. – Click “More Settings.” – Click “Network.” – Click “Public.”
Change Your Device’s Domain Name Server
You may have heard of a Domain Name Server (DNS) in your efforts to unblock websites on your school-issued Chromebook. A DNS is the database of websites your Chromebook looks to when you type in a website address into the search bar. If you change your DNS to one that isn’t being monitored by your school’s filter, you can access any website you want, regardless of whether or not it’s been blocked. There are many different DNS providers, but the best one for students attempting to unblock websites on their Chromebooks is Google’s accessible public DNS server. To change your DNS, follow the steps listed below:
Bypass School Chromebook Filters on Firefox
If you’ve attempted to use one of the above methods to unblock websites on your Chromebook only to find that it hasn’t worked for you, there is another way to bypass school Chromebook filters. It can bypass any Chromebook filter by changing your device’s network to “public.” To do this, follow the steps listed below: – Click the “Menu” button in the upper-right corner of your screen. – Click “More.” – Click “Open Network Settings.” – Click “Manage Network Settings”.”- Click “Add Network”.”- Click “Custom.” – Enter a name for the network. – Select “Public Network.” – Click “Create.” – Click “OK.”
Conclusion
Whether you are a student attempting to unblock websites on your school-issued Chromebook or a parent who wants to access filtered content, you should now have a better idea of the different methods you can try. Whether you use Chrome’s incognito mode, install a VPN, install a Chrome extension, get a custom ROM, or change your device’s DNS, there is a solution for you. For those who want to learn more about using the internet, especially when it comes to Chromebooks, it is recommended that they read articles like these. When you are more informed, you are more likely to find what you need online.
FAQ:
Q: Why can’t I search for text on MyChromebook.com and all the sites that you recommended.
A: Some of the websites you visited before your Chromebook update may still be blocked by your school’s filter. The reason is that computers that have been updated with a filter don’t allow sites to be found using the web, so you’ll have to restore your settings or use an alternative browser like Firefox or another Chromebook browser to search for text or images on those sites. Also, some educational institutions block access to social media websites like Facebook, Twitter, and Snapchat. However, Facebook’s Messenger and Twitter’s direct messaging can still be accessed on some Chromebooks because educational institutions don’t block them.
Q: How do I change my device’s DNS?
A: An easy way is to open Settings → Network → and Set up a cellular data connection. In there, choose Connect via Wi-Fi (or mobile data). Now open Settings → Network → Set up Ethernet connection and choose Connect via Wi-Fi (or mobile data) again. Your device should automatically connect to the nearby network with a new IP address and name selected from router settings (if any) and complete a Wi-Fi Internet connection setup in a few minutes.
Q: Why can’t I change my DNS settings?
The first time you changed it after your device update, it may have failed, which would have been due to not adding all required information correctly in your device’s settings.
