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Recently, I’ve heard a huge hoopla over whether the Vietnamese government is blocking Facebook. Along with that, I read and hear people scrambling to find a solution to access it.
Here’s an easy fix that’s also free, Hotspot Shield. It’s ad supported (you’ll see an ad while you browse on the top of the window), and while that may turn off some, at least you can guess how it might be making money. For those complete free/no-ad solutions, how secure can you really feel that they’re not making ends meet by selling your data? Another solid use for the software is when you’re using a public wireless internet connection, like at a hotel or coffee shop. Normally, it’s easy for someone to spy on you and see what you’re doing online (see what you’re writing, where you’re browsing), but Hotspot Shield and other VPN software can shield you. Nevertheless, this is not a solution for protection in hiding illegal activities, but it is useful for accessing Facebook and avoiding IP detection (some sites don’t let let access them if you’re not in the US).
To access Facebook, here’s what to do:
Part 1:
- Download Hotspot Shield: http://hotspotshield.com/ (or you can try a direct link, http://hotspotshield.com/downloads/thank-you-VN/?type=na&p=ftp&)
- Install it (it’s a small file)
- Run it
In Windows, you’ll see icons like the ones below: (you want Hotspot Shield Launch)
Part 2:
- When you run it, Hotspot will open your browser (or a new tab if it’s open) and you’ll see a message like the one in the screenshot below. You’ll also see a icon
in your taskbar (the lower right corner of your screen). The icon will show red if it’s not connected (cannot access Facebook yet), and green if it is (that means GOOD!)
If you’re done connecting, right click on the taskbar icon and choose “Disconnect/OFF” You can then close Hotspot Shield or reconnect later.
And that’s all there is. One more note, if you find you can’t connect to Hotspot Shield, try downloading the newest version- there’s no autoupgrader, and new versions usually solve connection issues.
Good luck!
I think there is another proxy website you could use check this one out.
https://www.vtunnel.com
I am not sure if it is still up and running however I used this site last year.
you know what, i really enjoy reading your blog and it would be a shame if the viet government took you away and shut down your blog for being a “government interferes rebelling radical”<– is there even such a thing?! maybe but why is vietnam baning facebook?
Hi Myolie,
Not really sure why the ban is there. Could be because it’s very unmonitored and yet super popular- people could use it as a tool to communicate about taboo topics.